The Living Room at DC Ranch is such a comfortable, casual place for Happy Hour, dinner, wine and…read moredrinks. The name really fits because there are several different seating areas, including cozy groupings with soft couches and chairs, traditional dining tables, bar seating and an outdoor patio. There is also a separate larger room that looked great for groups. It's nice enough for a fun night out or date night, but the overall feel is relaxed and casual, so you definitely don't need to dress up.
We went for a girls' Happy Hour, specifically because the Wine Wall sounded like so much fun, but one of the things I really liked about The Living Room is that you absolutely don't have to be a wine drinker to enjoy it. They also have a reasonable, well rounded menu and signature drinks.
Happy Hour is weekdays from 3-6 PM. The menu offers $2 off wines by the glass, draft beers, signature and well cocktails, as well as the bruschetta and flatbreads. So one person could come for wine and bruschetta, and someone else could enjoy a beer with flatbread, or have something from the regular menu. There are salads, soups, sandwiches, sushi rolls, food from the grillI, and starters. We first shared the Artichoke Spinach Dip. I feel like the dip is a portion for one, as you can see in my photo; it's in a small ramekin, but the chips are fantastic and sharable. I had the "fried rice with steak, chicken and shrimp topped with a fried egg." The "steak" was tiny little pieces, not slices, but the portion of fried rice was very generous and filling. It's a "Starter" that was a "meal" for me. I was pleasantly surprised by how reasonable the food prices are.
Now for the Wine Wall, because this is such a fun part of the experience!
You're given a Tasting Card that works somewhat like a debit card for the Wine Wall. You tap the card at the WineStation, choose the wine you want and then select a 1 oz, 3 oz or 6 oz pour. Each wine and pour size has its own price, and every selection is added to your Tasting Card. At the end, the accumulated amount is transferred to your restaurant check as one "Wine Wall" charge.
Our server was wonderful about showing us how everything worked. He walked us over to the Wine Wall, explained the system and dispensed our first glasses for us. Later, when he asked if we wanted more, my friend ordered another 3 oz Silver Oak and he brought it right to our table, so we didn't even have to get up again.
If the Wine Wall is one of the main reasons for your visit, there are couches and tables right by it. You might want to choose that area if you plan on trying 1 oz. tastes of several wines.
We enjoyed two excellent Cabernets from the Wine Wall: Caymus and Silver Oak. I had a 3 oz Caymus, a 3 oz Silver Oak, and my friend had a 6 oz Caymus and 3 oz Silver Oak. Our total Wine Wall charge was $83.
We're already looking forward to returning for what will feel like a different experience by having white wine and sushi outdoors on a cool evening. I could definitely see The Living Room becoming an easy choice for a casual Happy Hour or dinner with friends.