Charred Stoke, notes from the Target

Quiet time, 11/9

   Leaving for the beach, my neighbor across the street reminds me that Christmas is fast approaching.  Not  verbally mind ya'... more like a visual cue.  The house, driveway, every tree, lined with lights.  Multiple blow-up arrangements.  Lord, this time of year seems to roll in faster and faster, though local communities are putting off the deco a couple of weeks later this year.  Lessen the commercial effect? Maybe.  Economy? Naaaaaaaaaah.
   The Watt is using the weekends for what little surf there is.  But by 5pm the sun has pretty much set, so we ain't got no weekday wave shots.  But, we do have wings.  This week it was Waterman's Seafood Restaurant on Route 50 in West OC.  Just 12 months earlier, char broiled to the ground, this eatery has made quite the recovery considering they missed most of the prime 2013 season with rebuilding/remodeling.  But they are back.  Now open.  Ready to be tested by the Crew.  At this point let me just say, there is something to be said about a new restaurant.  That's how this place presented.  Clean.  Shiny.  Sparklin' (a bit too much so for the Watt). Two bars, one upstairs, one down.  As we pulled up to the "up" bar the bartendress was on it.  We went for the upscale.  The Watt ordered the Fin City seasonal draft which promptly tapped itself out.  But as the keg was changed out, she offered up half a pint of another selection to hold him over.  True bar service.  Wattman got his Capt. Jack Pumpkin Ale, and I got me a "Stelllllllla!" Artois.  Frosted mugs "iced" it for us.  Plus up.  Oysters to complement...not bad.  We needed the wings though.  Ordered what has become our standard:  The Hot, and the BBQ.  We had our choice of games until they arrived.  The Clemson/Georgia Tech game and the Colts/Titans game.  Nice.  At this point we came to the agreement.  Clearer sound system.  Music.  Sports.  They need to be heard.
   New paragraph.  That's right.  These wings were the best we've had all season!  The menu calls out for a pound.  We've figure through our vast knowledge that one pound is equal to approx 8 wings.  We got 10+ each of big, meaty, well cooked wings.  Ok. It's offseason. Our crowd numbered less than 30 throughout the establishment. Regardless. The Watermans Hot were not doused in some buffalo wing topping, but a dry rub with an upfront heat and a nice finishing sauce that had a back heat of it's own.  The BBQ were dressed in just the right amount of sweet and tang; full of flavor. As we left, we checked out the fish market...very reasonable.  If this performance could be pulled off in a busy summer season full of tourists, watch out!  This place will truly leave one's appetite fully stoked.  Oh yeah, we'll be back!

11/14 THE RATINGS-
Waterman's Hot Wings: A
BBQ Wings: A
Beer: B+
Atmosphere: B
Overall Score = 3.56