At Roppongi Restaurant & Lounge, the beloved La Jolla dining destination known for modern Asian cuisine, afternoons ease into elevated early evenings with happy hour, available from 3 to 5 p.m. daily in the bar and on the patio. The happy hour menu features a curated selection of half-price Asian tapas inspired by global influences and coastal flavors. Highlights include the Polynesian crab stack, layered with pea shoots, red onion, cucumber, tomato, mango, avocado, lump crab, peanut, cilantro and a spicy ginger-lime dressing; ahi poke with tuna, crispy wonton, soy sauce and sesame; and kalua pork spring rolls filled with slow-roasted pork and served with Asian guacamole, pineapple-basil reduction and mango chutney. Additional offerings include hamachi tacos with corn tortilla shells, hamachi crudo and Asian guacamole; Dynamite Shrimp tossed with tobiko crab and pineapple-basil reduction; spicy salt and pepper chicken wings finished with chili flakes and crispy garlic; crispy Vietnamese shrimp served with mint, cilantro, fish sauce and lettuce wraps; Indonesian satay featuring marinated chicken breast, lemongrass peanut sauce and potato chips; miso-glazed Japanese eggplant with cucumber, frisée, chuka salad and sesame; and more. The cocktail program includes a selection of $10 Roppongi classics, including the Japanese Slipper with Midori, Cointreau and lemon; whiskey sour made with Evan Williams Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, lemon and simple syrup; Cosmopolitan crafted with Absolut Citron vodka, Cointreau, cranberry, lemon and lime; Aperol spritz with Aperol, prosecco and soda water; traditional old fashioned; and The Roppongi Ritual, crafted with Roku gin, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, red bell pepper and shiso leaf. Guests can also enjoy $2 off wine and sake by the glass, beer and signature cocktails such as the yuzu margarita; Tea Ceremony, made with Nikka Coffey Grain whisky, white crème de cacao, coconut water and matcha green tea powder; Tamarindo, with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Averna amaro, tamarind syrup, lemon, spicy bitters and cucumber; and lychee martini; among others. Beginning at 3 p.m., guests may also order Roppongi’s selection of nigiri and artful sushi, as well as handmade dumplings filled with lobster, duck confit and short rib. Roppongi’s dinner service begins at 5 p.m. daily. Reservations are recommended and may be made on OpenTable. More information is available at RoppongiLaJolla.com and on Facebook and Instagram at @Roppongi_LaJolla.
