View To A Swell, notes from the Target

 "Face to faces, secret places, feel the chill."  Lightly chilled knee-hi's.  6/19

 












   
  We were hoping for a jump start on Summer.  In the 80's and mild in the 'Bury, but barely passable on the beach.  If it was 70 I'd be surprised...near windbreaker temps with the 10 knot winds.  On-shore outta the east didn't do much to smooth out the knee high swell. Water's warming. DWatt sportin' the spring shortie...was almost mid 60's now.  Never miss a chance, that's for sure.  The small surf being a little more predictable provided a couple fair front and backside skid marks.
  The red-orange sunset provided our exit call as this week's Journey took us to Peaky's Rooftop at the Fenwick Inn.  Oddly originating in Princess Ann, MD, we had to satisfy the need for "new meat."  Upon arrival, though the sun was down, the view was fantastic.  You could actually catch the swell breaking against the beach between the ocean front condos.  We pulled in a couple of chilled brews and proceeded to order us up the Buffalo Wings and the Honey BBQ.  Hot, juicy and meaty, the chef, an old high school buddy of the Watt's, did a fine job on these babys.  Nothing mind blowing, but very good eatin'.  Excellent music, though no band on our night.  Plenty of flatscreens.  The place is definitely worth the visit...for the view alone.  Onward.

THE RATINGS-
Buffalo Wings: B
Honey BBQ: B
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: B

Overall Score = 2.81

Greetings From Andrea, notes from the Target

Andrea's itinerary

  Summer is just about on top of us.  Hot days, full beaches, warm water, great waves.  We got none of those.  Instead, the hurricane season greeted us in the form of Tropical Storm Andrea.  She blew her skirt up the East Coast a bit inland dumping plenty of rain.  SE winds up to 20 knots churned up Holidays at 66th and a higher than usual tide stole all the power from the knee to occasional waist high closing swell.  DWatt managed to squeeze a few frontsides as the gray, windy conditions made for a short session.

   Water still in the 60F low lows but rising... always a good sign.  New camera means an easier target... and as a couple Hard shots prove, the progression thru pain will not be missed this year.

 










      Weather conditions took us to a strip mall up north on 118th.  Our second visit, but first rating of Whiskers Pub.  Nice local sports pub whose obvious loyalties lie with the Washington Redskins.  Our Barkeep was quick with our much needed brews though the selection was slim.  Ice cold. I mean EVERY glass he poured was iced.  Nice.  The wing selection was average, so we went with our gold standard.  Hot Buffalo (covered in jalapenos- a plus), and house BBQ.  Food service a bit slow considering the near empty bar.  However, both wings were above average in taste, meaty, and hot.  Excellent classic rock selection played loud enough to enjoy.  Plenty of flatscreens.  Nice, comfortable bar made more so if there was a good local game on. May garner a return engagement during football season.

THE RATINGS-

Jalpeno Hot Buffalo Wings: C+

House BBQ Wings: C+

Beer (limited but Cold!): C+

Atmosphere: B-

Total Score = 2.38

Early Summer Blu's, notes from the Target

30th Street.  Early Summer blues- late Spring scraps.  5/30

   Finally, the summer weather has found us.  With Memorial Day just past, Ocean City's summer is right around the corner.  At least that's how it feels bayside and inland.  Apparently the 30th street break (new for the Journey, not us) did not get the message.  Jacket and a fullsuit...still, needed to fight off the windchill and 60 degree waters. WTF!  Any 'semblance to summer is a mere mirage in our minds.  Camera was limited, lacking Zoom.  Low tide forced the Wattman a bit farther out.  Pics...meh.  A spec in the windswept knee high wash.

   Journeyed to the new this week.  Blu Crabhouse and Raw Bar located behind The Embers.  Gone is the dance club.  Hello to the palm trees and trucked-in sand.  Upscale for crabs and beer.  Not really designed for the all-nighters, more for the tropically mellow happy hour crowd and diners.  A mobile home park across the canal keeps the bands out and the music down.  Beer served in a ...PLASTIC cup.  Don't care if it's a fancy printed plastic cup.  Don't care if you have a sand floor and want to avoid broken glass shards if one is dropped.  Find a way.  Plastic and beer is a serious faux pas.  Points lost. (Stepping down from my pulpit now).
  Our bartender was friendly and talkative.  Kept us in the know about the crowd, the food, and the bar.  But the music.  Seriously?  Brittany and Justin got to go!  Where is the pride?  I know the music had it's day, but thank God it's past.  The real reason for our arrival, the wings.  We ordered the Buffalo Hot and Eastern Shore Style Old Bay.  The Hot were the spiciest so far this year but seemed to have a light breading.  Still a better than average taste.  The Old Bay had the most Old Bay seasoning of any we've had this year hence very salty (bring on the water!).  Takes away from the seasoning. Total tab was reasonable considering the domestic drafts were $4 each.  Happy hour might boast of some beer specials but for now, it's time to move on.

THE RATINGS-

Buffalo Hot Wings: B-

Old Bay Wings: C+

Beer (good selection): B-

Atmosphere: C+

Total Score = 2.50