The Waiting... Again, notes from the Target

"Every day you see one more card.  You take it on faith, you take it to the heart."  -T. Petty
Fenwick flats, 4/24.

   Waiting is the hardest part.  Man, you just don't know.  A few days of sun, then BAM! More clouds.  More wind.  More rain.  The mild temps seem to drive the Atlantic to 48 - 49F, nearing that magic 50, and then the cooler temps and dingy weather push it back down into the mid-40's. Not even I am willing to try to talk the Wattman into sampling a wave or two.  But, cabin fever is starting to set in with him.  I can tell. His constant updates on the water temps.  Wishing for better weather, regardless of forecasts.  He needs to be put on one of those watch lists.  make sure nothin' bad happens.  The man needs feel the sand between his toes.  Ocean wind at his back.  Get f#*king wet!  But in reality- isn't that what we all need right now?  Breathing in the salt air, feeling the sun on our skin.  A Cold Beer! Drive the Demons of Winter away.  A week more.  Maybe two.  The waiting.
   So, to battle the bone-damp when you're on our part of the coast (or farther north), Chowdah.  Fenwick Island is home to Nantuckets Restaurant, known for their Quahog Chowder.  Good stuff.  The Watt couldn't get some fast enough.  Big bowl too! This place is upscale without being outta sight.  Cloth napkins, dressed up bartenders. The clientele was a bit stuffier and more sophisticated than we like; oxford shirts, polo sweaters and all.  But, the beer selection was more than adequate (although rail liquor seemed to be the drinks of choice).  The barkeeps lived up to their professional attire with brews arriving in no time in iced glasses perfectly poured.  This was not your average beach joint, as the menu was diverse.  We settled in to the House Party Wings (yeah, that's right.."House Party"), and the Pulled Pork Cubano Panini.  Man.  Eyes bigger than our stomachs.  The pound of Wings; big, meaty, light chipotle-buffalo sauce, perfect heat.  The Panini, overflowing with southern (vinegar) style pulled pork, spicy Cuban mustard, and cheese... a fusion of flavors. An excellent Wing - upscale - really.  An awesome sandwich - full of culinary stoke.  We had the O's game on a big screen in front of us, reasonably priced upscale pub grub, and even a bowl of Florida Salts to wash the spice from our hands in the Mens Room.  Is there a return trip in our future? I would say so, but keep it quiet...don't wanna wake the patrons.  For now?... time to go.

THE RATINGS - 
House Party Wings: A-
Pulled Pork Cubano Panini: B+
Beer: B
Atmosphere: B
Overall Score = 3.25

Take A Whiff, notes from the Target

 View of Roy Creek , DE off Assawoman Bay, 4/10.

   Winter; three months long...supposedly.  Since late November.  Cold. Wind. Rain. Snow. And combinations thereof.  It's no wonder people fly south for the winter.  DST came.  Spring came.  More cold.  More snow. Seemingly no end to the stunted temperatures.  We hunkered down. Spirits fed with the promise of a new season.  Hope springs eternal. Finally; blooms, buds, leaves. You can smell it.  Grass needing to be cut. Mowers need to be fixed and gassed up.  We're outside.  DAMN IT SON!  Nuthin' beats that feeling of the sun on your back.  Full Force Spring.  Been watching the Big Blue...water temps already up into mid-40's.  We might make that first surf before April's end.  Put me in coach! I'm ready to play, today.  The Boys of Summer have returned, both local and TV.  New attitude.  Optimism. Another virtue of Spring.
   This week's establishment, a Big Fail from last season.  So underwhelming we were taking bets on it's return.  Well it didn't.  But it did. The Fenwick Oasis, reborn as a fourth location for the Crabcake Factory. The parking lot full.  The interior a bit reworked.  The view...opened and pretty impressive.  The music, rockin'.  Big time TV sports all around.  The place was pretty busy, the bar loaded as we took a nearby tall table.  Strike One:  we go to order our beer from a pretty decent list of craft brews and the majority are tapped out.  We order a couple of Coors Light drafts.  Foul Ball/Strike Two:  The beers, while cold, come in plastic cups. Seems that other than wine, all drinks come in plastic.  Hmmmm.  We ordered the BBQ Wings and Fish Tacos.  The fish in the tacos were crisp, but the cheese sauce, salsa, and dressing were everywhere.  Strike Three: the Wings... the World of Wings know you toss your wings, fried or baked, in the appropriate marinade.  This basket had fried wings with squeeze BBQ sauce over them.  Might as well have been ketchup.  Major whiff.
   So, we got some house upgrades in music and TV.  Improved view.  As an offering, a better menu lineup.  But with a summer season looming the Crabcake Factory Bayside needs to seriously work on it's delivery. Otherwise, they're gonna be playin' to an empty stadium. Puns intended. Let's move on.

THE RATINGS-

BBQ Wings: D- (Just Bad)

Fish Tacos: C

Beer: C (Fix Them Taps!)

Atmosphere: B

Overall Score = 1.94

Nothing Clean, notes from the Target

"I am up riding high amongst the waves, where I can feel like I have a soul that has been saved"    -Pearl Jam
Overlooking Holidays, 66th street.  3/27

   The Ocean's cold, wet, wintry grip continues to creep forward.  Forty degrees; not exactly seasonal.  As we exit March, it's looking like we'll be into May before we find any time among the waves.  Thursday's conditions felt the ENE winds slice into the swell as the waves imploded at several locations along the lip, eventually closing out and spitting in all directions. Nothing clean. A fair day with afternoon temps in the mid-50s. Heading to the Pines, the weekend's vaporous rain clouds began their slow congregation making for a stoked sunset.

Sunset on The Pines, 3/27.

   The South Gate.  A mixture of unimpressive stores.  The OC may be close, but with a winter population greater than, one would think Ocean Pines would offer more. More what? Try mid to up-scale restaurants, food stores, shopping.  None of which we have found so far.  The evening's foray led us to what was expected to be another of said establishments.  As I waited for the Watt, I followed a car through the parking lot and watched as a seemingly small pot hole practically swallowed the vehicle whole. As a detonation of muddy water ensued, the car bumped and struggled to the other side. Again, nothing clean.  Enjoyed the show. Made the mental note. Another symbol of the hazards of our long off-season.  Wattman arrives and we go on in.
   Taylor's Neighborhood Restaurant.  Nicely appointed wood accented interior.  Flat screens well placed.  A long horseshoe shaped bar, dining on either side each complete with a gas fireplace.  We had to squeeze up to the bar as most patrons were, well, up to the bar. An obviously experienced barkeep had a couple of cold craft drafts in front of us in no tie.  Despite the crowd, she had no problem handling any orders.  Even stopped to watch the College Basketball Tournament for a moment without sacrificing service.  we ordered up the Tai Chili Wings and house Shrimp Salad Wraps.  Always going for the wings first, they were lightly breaded, slightly small, but had a overall nice spicy-sweet taste.  The wraps were fat.  Plenty of tender shrimp, but a bit bland.  This is Old Bay Country.  They need to stock up.  However, this is the Pines gem in the rough (not quite a diamond).  We wouldn't think twice about sending family types here.  Nice atmosphere with a close neighborhood feel.  But...not enough to hold us. The Journey continues.

THE RATINGS

Tai Chili Wings: B+

Shrimp Salad Wrap: C+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B

Overall Score = 2.88