Holiday In Tow, cuts from the Target's notebook.

November's end. Calm morning on the Atlantic. 11/30/2017              -Malibu Beach Pic

   The Holiday season. Last year I was on my own. Visited all the holiday displays as the only Crew member. This year a welcome change. Once again I have a full Crew in tow. The Watt back on the Shore bringing with the newest member of the crew, LWatt. The Christmas Spirit has been brought back to life. Prior to heading out on our annual Northside Winterfest lights inspection, we met at Nantucket's in Fenwick.

Following a short wait, (they seem to thrive on being unfashionably late) upon their arrival I presented them with their surprise Christmas presents. Not saying I broke the bank, but I think my total investment was less than a dollar. After all, tis the season of giving and price should not matter. By the time we got inside the crowd had thinned out. Good for us. The Crew had been here, done this. One of those local upscale restaurants, hence we know how to avoid the crowds.

We were all about the bar side... designer or otherwise. The two barkeeps were full time professionals and their manner fitting for the establishment. Wattman ordered a New England style Pale, I went with a Stella, and LWatt had a Ruby Red Cosmo. After perusing the menu we went with appetizers for the evening's supper.  We put in for two bowls of Quahog Chowder, Chipotle Buffalo Wings and the Cranberry and Pecan Field Greens Salad. Both LWatt and I felt the wings were a bit spicy, but Buffalo is not our favorite.

Wattman was more than willing to consume the entire plate by himself and really enjoyed the spicy kick. The Chowda' was filling just by itself. A nice balance of clams, scallops, potatoes, spices, and cream provided an enjoyable meal. Meanwhile LWatt enjoyed the salad with goat cheese, pecans, and a Maple Balsamic dressing.  Nantuckets is not a summer dive by any stretch. With linen napkins and tablecloths, and a level of service you would expect in the city. The tab did not come cheap. But this was the Night of Lights and we enjoyed the pre-session experience.

We'd have no hesitation about a return for the food and atmosphere, or just a beer and the game. The hand salts previously found in the bathroom were conspicuously missing, but that is the only slight.

Perfect first set...Nantucket's Restaurant

THE RATINGS-

Quahog Chowder: A-

Chipotle Buffalo Wings: B+

Cranberry/Pecan Salad: B

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: B

Value: C+

Overall Score = 2.92

 

   From there we headed to the OC Winterfest light display in Northside Park. No train ride tonight, but we did explore all the free exhibits inside the large tent. On previous visits it seemed Watt and I had dealt with sub freezing temps. This evening not so. A chill night, not freezing. Now celebrating it's 25th anniversary, most displays have been converted to LED. The newest addition was the 50 foot Sequence RGB lighted tree.

                                                   

Replacing the previous static lit tree, the new tree was a show unto itself. After walking the outside circle to check the displays, we headed to the main entrance to take our yearly picture.

 The archway display Christmas Salute...the season's tribute. This year I had some help as LWatt joined me. The Crew's Tradition. A Revival must. Mele Kalikimaka to all.

"I gotta tell you, Santa, there's something about this place that doesn't
seem quite...Kosher."    -Howard Langston, Jingle All The Way