Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar

“The best deal in town.” That’s how a friend described the happy hour menu at La Jolla's Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar – so of course I had to go and check it out. And sure enough, my beloved Chinese pot stickers filled with shrimp and scallops and served with Tobiko caviar sauce, normally $14.25, are now half price between 3- 6 daily. Ditto the delicious pan seared sea scallops on potato pancakes.

In fact, all the tapas and sushi rolls are half price during those hours. Sadly, drinks are not discounted.

Roppongi, long a favorite with locals, is located on the corner of Prospect Street and Fay Avenue. You can view the entire menu at http://www.roppongi.com/ (858-551-5252).

The Zagat Survey praised the restaurant for its “unique new Asian cuisine,” but I am also very impressed with the design, which includes a large fire pit on the patio and sophisticated lighting indoors that shows off a beautiful collection of Asian artifacts.

In addition to tapas, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner. They are for sure offering a prix fixe Father’s Day dinner on June 21, but the end date for the half price happy hour munchies has not been announced. I just hope it’s still in effect when you’re in La Jolla. Bargains are few and far between around here – and I’d hate for you to miss this one.

The La Jolla YMCA

The La Jolla Y is one of the best deals in town. Locals pay as little as $30 a month to use the heated outdoor pool and a very well-equipped gym. We can also take any number of classes from an extensive weekly menu that includes Pilates, aqua jogging, studio cycling, line dancing, stretch & strength, cardio kick boxing, and yoga (basic, hatha, hatha flow, vinyasa flow, power, and restorative). Surf lessons are offered for adults and teens during the summer.

And here's the surprising part: visitors can use all of the Y's facilities for only $10 a day. I know that many La Jolla hotels and resorts have their own fitness centers, but none compare with the options at the Y. This is the perfect set-up for out-of-towners who want a great workout in a top-notch place. It's also a good option for folks who don't like sweating alone. For instance, "Walk Fit" draws a congenial group of local women who take a serious stride around the neighborhood three mornings a week.

Don't have a hard body? No worries. Our Y caters to little kids and great-grandparents and every age in between. Seriously - an 85-year-old woman is a regular in my favorite Pilates class.

Located off La Jolla Scenic Drive North (just south of La Jolla Village Drive and UCSD), the Y also offers tennis courts, racquetball courts, saunas, a whirlpool spa, and special classes and camps for kids. Two hours of childcare are complimentary while parents are working out.

The Y (8355 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla; tel. 858-453-3483) is open Monday to Thursday from 5am to 10pm; Friday from 5am to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 6pm. Check out the website at http://www.lajolla.ymca.org/.

See you there.