House of Blues...and clogged arteries (in a good way)

House of Blues - Sunset Strip
8430 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 848-5100
Happy Hour 4:00-7:00, but call to confirm!

Food - 8
Prices - 8
Service - 10
Bonus points: +2 for ample street parking on Sunset during Happy Hour, -3 for being closed the first time we tried to go, and +3 because, it's like...The House of Blues!
Total - 28 out of 30

Long before moving to LA, I knew what the House of Blues was. What it looked like, who played there. And I'm not talking House of Blues Downtown Disney. This is the freakin' Sunset Strip. So yes, they get bonus points for existing, then having a Happy Hour to boot? Oh, hell yes!

Points were lost for the restaurant being closed (for no apparent reason) last time we tried to go, but that led to the discovery of Katana across the street, so it's all good. That said, it felt a little closed while we were there, as there was only one other party of two -- some producer types having a meeting (not sure what it was about, but one of them said Mischa Barton at least six times), and it felt a bit cramped, as the only areas that were part of the Happy Hour experience were the bar and a few tables near it. Maybe that will expand if this one takes off, and believe me, it should take off.

Best deal - the entire bar menu is half price during happy hour.

That is the best bargain we've seen to date in the HH quest. The apps are also cheap, but there are only five to choose from - fried artichoke hearts (OMG - so good!), fried catfish nuggets with sweet potato fries (yummy!), spinach and artichoke dip (not sampled), veggie or chicken quesadilla (not on this trip) and calamari tossed with olives and herbs (and - surprise! - it was fried!) I liked the calamari, but I do wish the menu had said it was also going to be breaded and fried. Still, it was good and had a nice Mediterranean zing. Portions were huge - nothing was finished between the two of us.

Service was awesome! The bartender warned us that if it got busy, she would have to stay behind the bar, but that never happened, so we got great table service, including an impromptu medical exam when she heard my friend talk about getting bitten by something while surfing the day before and was able to diagnose it as a run in with a jellyfish. (Yikes! And she wonders why I don't surf...) Bartender/surfer/amateur medic -- who could ask for more? I should also point out that our Margaritas (rocks, w/ salt) were GREAT and my club soda chaser was in a large glass that was refilled without me asking.

The total for two people having three (BIG) apps, three margaritas and a club soda was $33 before tip, $45 with tip.

Now - a word about tipping. This foodie has worked as a waitress, and understands what a pain in the ass most of us diners are, but especially understands that an $8 appie that is $4 from 4:30-7:00 each night still requires the same level of service, and still requires tipping out to the busboys and bartender at the end of the night, so folks - if you order it, tip as if it were eight bucks. That's good karma. Also, if you are deciding between a four dollar tip and a five dollar tip, throw in the extra buck. That dollar will mean nothing to you, but to the server who was expecting $4 and got a fiver - that could be the one thing that keeps her from strangling the heiress with the chihuahua who has sent her mojito back three times already.

On that note, from now on the total will be reported as pre- and post-tip, so you can get a good idea of what the prices are really like, without having to figure in my largesse (or maybe lack thereof, depending on how you roll).

Next week is likely to be Life (on Wilshire). And on that note, La'chaim.