Vanilla Fish

Watching workers while sitting at the bar top.

This was my first time going to Vanilla Fish. I instantly loved the ambiance because it was a small dimly lit room. It took me to a place where I didn’t feel like I was in Chino Hills anymore. I sat at the bar top due to lack of tables, but at least I was able to see the workers cutting sushi. I wish I knew to pay cash ahead of time so that I would have been able to get a 10 percent discount when ordering a minimum of $20. Vanilla Fish had happy hour prices ranging from $6 for appetizers and traditional rolls to $5 house drinks. The first thing I ordered was the $5 Kirin draft beer 25 oz. For those who are not sure if the beer is to your liking, the server will offer a taster for no charge. The first thing I ordered for food was the $6 pork shumai (six piece).

25oz. Kirin beer that I did not finish.

There is an option to choose pork or shrimp shumai for those who prefer shrimp over pork. The pork shumai was delicious, but I practically inhaled the shumai because they were so small, and I was also sharing with my mom. Sharing is caring.  However, for how small the shumai were I wouldn’t pay $6 for them because the portion was more worth $4 or even a $4.50.

The juicy small pork shumai someone can easily choke on.

The second thing I ordered was the $6 salmon collar, and to my surprise, was a nicely sized appetizer that sat on a bed of lettuce noodles that contained a citrusy dressing. On top of the salmon were little orange fish eggs. Sounds sad, but it was good.

The delicious salmon collar.

The last thing I ordered was the $6 California roll (Blue Crab) (eight piece). The California roll wasn’t bad, but I have had better elsewhere. However, it was only $6 so I cannot complain; it did its job and I was full.

The too much sesame seed California roll.

The cool part about their menu was a sushi etiquette to show the “do’s” and “don’ts” when it comes to picking up sushi. The only two things I was impressed by were how big the beer was and the size of the salmon collar. However, the food was delicious so I would go back and order more of their happy hour.

$6 food items with $5 drinks can’t beat that deal.

When: Monday-Thursday: 7 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Where: 15870 Soquel Canyon Parkway Ste G. Chino Hills CA 91709

Thank Those Who Created “Happy Hour”

Two sailors pretending they are drunk and drinking from bottles while standing outdoors near pole.

A great “Happy Hour” with discounted food and drink, brings joy to my soul. Does anyone ever stop stuffing their face and think, where did “Happy Hour” originate? Well, I am here to tell you. Thanks to the boredom of U.S. Navy sailors, “Happy Hour” was a weekly entertainment program during the first World War. Instead of playing rock, paper, scissors on the ship, most sailors wanted more. Many sailors enjoyed drinking beer and being loud for all to hear. There was live music, movies, dancing and more to keep the sailors busy because, let’s be real, who wants to sit on a ship without entertainment? Exactly, no one.

Two servicemen standing with two women at bar lined with six bottles, more in background.

Since Prohibition (1920-1933) had to ruin the fun of drinking, “Happy Hour” become a code word used for drinks. People had to keep alcohol lowkey so that the authorities would not find out and take away the enjoyment of the sailors catching a buzz. Of course, there were rebels that needed to get their drink on before going out to dinner, so these “pre-gamers” would meet at someone’s house or at speakeasies, to drink. *Clink Clink* The term “Happy Hour” took off, and restaurants began to discount drinks and bar food as bait after Prohibition ended. Other businesses caught on the idea and created their own strategies to reel in customers.

However, not all states allowed the popular “Happy Hour”; in fact, eight states made it difficult to sell discounted drinks. Some of the states even went as far as to make it illegal. People consumed drinks, accidents happened, and those states had, had enough! Even in modern time some states banned or restricted alcoholic beverage. Since 1989, happy hour drink specials had been banned in Illinois. In 2015, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill into a law that would allow happy hour drink specials, with some restrictions. Finally, the Illinoisians were able to chug a nice ice beer till they could not drink anymore. Another state, Massachusetts, has one of the worst regulations for happy hour. Discounted drinks are not allowed because Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis approved a new Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission regulation.  Also, there is no such thing as an “open bar” to customers for a fixed price.

 Yes, as depressing as that sounds for those states that cannot enjoy happy hour, just remember, folks, you get to pound that tall beer and stuff your face with some chicken nachos.