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delicacies, like oysters on the half shell. You can go straight to the source, Hog Island Oyster Co., and slurp Chelsea Gems from Washington at half-off ($1.50 per) between 5-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For $18, Sunday-Thursday, you can down a half-dozen at Angèle, plus indulge in other French delights on the cheap, like fried deviled egg with shaved black truffle for $6.
Arina Habich, Dreamstime
Jess Lander
Deviled eggs topped with pickled onions and bacon at Torc
But for the best deal in town, you’ll have to head Upvalley, where Tra Vigne Pizzeria offers $1 oysters as part of their daily 7-0-7 Happy Hour, as does Harvest Table, Tuesday-Sunday. “Our $1 oysters on the half have been a huge Happy Hour hit. In most restaurants, you expect to pay anywhere from $3-$4 per piece, making these a very expensive menu selection, particularly if you are sharing,” said Cynthia Ariosta, Marketing and Community Outreach Director for Tra Vigne Pizzeria. “Offering delicious oysters at a buck a piece gives our guests the opportunity to splurge on something regularly that is very often only purchased as a special treat.” While you’re at it, toast to your joie de vivre with something sparkling, also too often reserved for special occasions. Angèle knocks 25 percent off bottles of domestic sparklings on Sundays and Champagnes on Wednesdays, and you can sip local bubbly by the glass for 68 | INSIDE NAPA VALLEY
Christin Klose, Dreamstime
$7 during Happy Hours at Charlie Palmer speakeasies —what today’s college freshmen (Tip: pair it with a $7 order of Lobster Corn refer to as pre-gaming — to get a buzz going Dogs) and Carpe Diem. before heading to a restaurant that couldn’t serve alcohol. FOURTH MEAL But with so many competing Happy Despite its name, Happy Hour is rarely Hours in Napa Valley, some restaurants are just one hour and its timing is loosely defined, breaking tradition and opening up their doors though it typically occurs between the end of for a little late-night imbibing. the working day and dinner. This practice While Charlie Palmer in the Archer’s lobby dates to Prohibition, when it was common for people to attend secret cocktail hours at Please see EVOLVED, Page 70 SPRING/SUMMER 2019