What is it about happy hour that makes us so happy? Is it that we slipped away from our weekday routine earlier than usual for a treat? Or is it just a more fun way to start the evening with a special someone, family, or friends? Either way, happy hour is a bit like that feeling I get when at the receiving end of a fast-food drive-through. I’m getting a present with all the unwrapping to make it official. It’s not that I’m getting something unexpected; it just always feels like a treat. Like that, happy hour is a gift that lets us rediscover our favorite hangout spots in a whole new way.
Typically, happy hour has a limited menu of food and drink specials offered at a discounted price. This is a win-win for restaurants that benefit from earlier than regular foot traffic, and it appeals to the patron’s pocketbook. See, everyone is happy! But it may surprise you that happy hour can double as a legit meal, as I discovered at Greenview Restaurant and Bar.
It’s that magical time of year when the seasons blend, marking the transition from late summer to early fall. Leaves accompany Mother Nature in one last dance, transforming themselves into a brilliant display of color. One more Hallelujah, if you will. But the warmer temperature fools the senses, convincing me that summer lingers on with every warm breath–it’s not too hot, just a gentle reminder of wonder greets me when I take a seat on the patio of the Greenview. A nearby bird takes notice, but is reluctant to startle with such a quiet intrusion as mine.
It’s quiet, and my feathered friend and I are not complaining about that somewhere between the lunch hour and dinner hour. It’s a gift of solitude, surrounded by a putting green, a pool, and a fountain, creating a fitting contrast. Inside, a game is on the TVs, and there’s a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. But the weather is fair, too fair to not enjoy, and so I settle back against the black, sturdy, cushioned chair before moving aside the aptly placed metal bucket of linen-wrapped silverware and condiments, so I don’t interrupt the scene in front of me.
Yes, this is what I was looking for: The quiet that echoes times of laughter, birthday celebrations, a quick bite after a round of golf, or an intimate dinner date are all around me. Several larger tables and a bar table showcase their possibilities, complemented by Adirondack chairs surrounding the aesthetic firepit.
A well-timed quiet moment is the gift I was looking for, accompanied by Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tartare, which pairs nicely with my margarita. It’s the ultimate fresh summer treat: savory Ahi tuna, wonderfully mixed with a secret sesame soy sauce, speckled with black sesame seeds, all balanced atop perfectly shaped fresh avocado slices. It’s an exceptional display, sprinkled with colorful wasabi tobiko caviar, just because. The warm fried wontons bring the perfect texture to match the creaminess of the dish. It’s the ideal starter for any meal or guilt-free treat for one or two.
But if you’re looking for the more traditional bar menu of fish and chips or burger and fries, I promise the Greenview has it all, as well as several salad options for the lighter option.
It’s not just the quality food one expects from the Greenview, nor is it the smart atmosphere and friendly service that keep me coming back. It’s the feeling of community, and why not? The Greenview is a vital part of the Hidden Valley Homeowners Association, graciously extending its venue and services to all of Lake County, and is felt in every detail. It’s more than a restaurant; it can feel like a resort too, where just being there is a treat–therapy if you will–for one visit, an intimate dining experience for an evening, and a coming together for a community event all in one.
And happy hour? Well, I think I will be saving that for yours truly from time to time. It has been my escape, my break from it all, my joy and delight as of late for many reasons. It doesn’t take away from my family time or work week when I plan it right. It’s that hour in between it all that I’ve found to be just for me. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that give the greatest joy.
The Greenview’s Happy hour happens daily in the bar from 3 to 6 with a 25% discount on the bar menu and all drinks!
19210 Hartmann Rd, Hidden Valley Lake, CA 95467
(707) 987-3146
