Less Than Promised, notes from the Target

    Last week (5/3), we were once again baptized by the Ocean and Beach. With four weeks left in our Spring season we will take all that they have to offer.  Spring weather and surf are always unpredictable and this session's beach conditions and surf promised more than than they provided.  Warm sunny skies and clean surf gave way to a slightly cool and overcast beach day with inconsistent waves that didn't quite hold up thru most of the evening. Watt struggled with finding a steady line but as always, took advantage of a couple of small waves  that held up the stoke.  And HT was no longer totally alone on the beach, however the encroaching gulls provided the only narrative.

    It was decided that we needed some new construction to uplift the trip so we headed to the recently opened 45th Street Taphouse.  It was Grand Opening week and while the bar may have looked new and shined with a large outdoor deck, trouble was in development (or was that in THE development?).  The small bar was packed to the gills as we entered so we seated ourselves at one of the many empty shared long bench style tables and started to review their 36 varieties of craft brews.  We waited, and waited, and waited, and waited some more while the wait staff of four passed us by again, and again, and again (get the picture?). Fortunately an opening at the bar presented itself to begin our culinary challenge.
   This is a tap house so the draft selection was impressive including Nattie Boh with the domestics and a variety of microbrews.  Our brews of choice came from the Colorado Rockies- Dale's Pale Ale and Breckenridge Agave Wheat, both very enjoyable.  Cold beer for between $5 and $6 cannot be understated, but the beer was definitely the highlight of the night.  Our food...we ordered their Medium-Hot Wings and the BBQ. Nothing that "WOW'd" us.  Wings coated with Tabasco and a generic tasting BBQ sauce.  Bland.  Couple of flatscreens, but no music playing. Bar staff - adequate, but the wait staff left us wanting...literally. New or retrain...quick!...before the summer slam arrives.
   As we departed we wondered about a return visit in the fall, when the kinks were worked out and the staff more seasoned (maybe the wings too!). Besides...2 beers down, 34 more on the wall to go. The Crusade rips on.

The Evenings Ratings:
Hot Wings: C
BBQ Wings: C
Beer: B
Atmosphere: C
TV/Music: C
OVERALL: 2.2