Cool Runnings, the Target's notes.

"Cold? I'm freezing my royal Rastafarian nay-nays off!" - Sanka Coffie   Cool runnings, 47th Street break. 12/14/2014

   Winter Solstice nears. The week gives little view of the beach-head as it is pretty much pitch by the time we're headin' down. For this, among other reasons, we have chosen to expand outwards. Shake things up a bit. Make a few runs to parts somewhat unknown, or at the very least forgotten. The Watt pointed towards Berlin, Maryland. A tour of the 2014 Coolest Small Town in America; spiffed up for Christmas. Figured we should try to get some of this "coolness" before year end.  The place was truly lit up. I cruised in through town last Thursday where there was nary a home, tree, store front, or light post that wasn't strung up and lit with decorations. A refreshingly high standard of taste. Main Street is lined with small boutique shops, antique stores, and restaurants. After leaning down approximately eight side streets I located the night's establishment.

   Blacksmith Bar & Restaurant on Pitt Street. Nicely appointed. Small with seating for less than fifty. But at the time of our parking up to the bar, about ten, including us. I could immediately tell this was not our usual type of Journey stopover. Not a TV in the joint. The people hanging out in small cliques. Our barkeep was on it though, and she immediately brought us a couple of cold local craft brews. Since it appeared we were going Sho' upscale, we skippped the wings (zip on the menu moved us in this direction). With '80s "B" sides on the sound system we decided to groove to the new. Beef Empanada with cheddar and homemade salsa, and an Eastern Shore Bahn Mi...slow cooked shredded pork shoulder and crispy scrapple topped with pickled veggies, cucumber and Siracha mayo.  Good stuff. The empanada was an excellent small meat pie with just the right hint of spice and the salsa/slaw balanced the flavors perfectly. The Bahn Mi was a Shore twist on a Vietnamese sandwich...only the locals or local at heart can appreciate. Nicely done. But the absence of a TV left us restless bringing an end to our respite, and thus we continued our sojourn into town to check the deco and scout the next stop. Until then...

THE RATINGS-

Beef Empanada: A-

Eastern Shore Bahn Mi: B+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 3.31