Unkind, penciled licks from the Target.

Still I have the warmth of the sun
Within me tonight.    -Beach Boys
OC skyline from Cape Isle of Wight. February, 2018.

   Winter can be the  unkindest of seasons. Yet some people like the cold. Winter storms, snow, and all. But, they are people who usually live in Miami Beach for four months each year. Me? I miss the sun light. The ability to get outside and enjoy the warmth of the sun. No harsh wind in my face. Thus, we cut back each year. Avoid the bite of winter. The coastal waters are reading just above 40F. No surf. No beach. We meet sparingly. Just enough to keep the spark of the Crew burning.  So, we met for our third time in 2018. Watt's choice, in West OC, was the Full Moon Saloon. A gloomy, rainy night as I arrived just a little early. A saloon without the full moon. An omen? The Watt had guaranteed they would be on time, and for them maybe they were. But there was a problem upon arrival. The place was packed. Middle of February on Old Bridge Road in West OC. Packed. It was OC Jeep night in addition to the special of Chicken and Dumplings. We were thinking it was more about the Jeeps. 
   As we entered there were only a couple of tables available and we got seated in the back corner. Now on the winter side of offseason most restaurants need only one or two waitresses but with a full house they were truly understaffed. After waiting quite a while we considered leaving and trying our luck elsewhere. But with so few available options this time of year, our debate bought enough time for our waitress to find us. LWatt ordered a Margarita and Wattman a Yuengling. The first Margarita attempt was sent back. No salt. No tequila. The second wasn't much of an improvement.  While it was modestly priced if you don't finish it what does that matter? Wattman's beer came in a glass that wasn't chilled...only marginally cold...not cool. At this point we were hoping our meal would be better. We ordered the Mild Buffalo Wings, Pork BBQ Sliders, and Cold Smoked Tuna. The wings were the only decent part of the night.

While small, they had a smoky flavor with a nice, unexpected back end kick. The Pork BBQ Sliders were Carolina/Vinegar style and we were not expecting this based on their description in the menu. The Tuna was a major disappointment. While any smoked fish can be dry, to enjoy this at all required a large dap of the mustard sauce. Thus, our night was not the success we had hoped. With no music, and only mildly adequate service due to the crowds, we left early into the rainy night.  An unkind evening combined with a disappointing experience. Our last visit three years ago, when Full Moon first opened, dispensed similar results. You'd think they'd have it down by now. Our expectations are high. Our reviews rigid. The road will be littered with dives like this. The Patrol begins...

THE RATING-

Mild Smoked Buffalo Wings: B

Pork BBQ Sliders: C

Smoked Tuna: C-

Beer: D

Atmosphere: C-

Value: C

Overall Score = 1.92

Home Cookin', penciled licks from the Target

Scattered rain, scattered surf. Winter winds buffet the Inlet break, 2/4/2018.

   As one of the founding members of the Crew, I sometimes think I have seen it all.  I have seen high tides, and dead flat oceans. I have been to dive bars by the dozen with some so low you need a shower when you leave. I have been to the top  of the mountain. White linen table clothes with professional waiters that understand the meaning of service and the need for an expense  account to pay the bill. Thus, you may ask what is left for the Crew? So last week, with the chill of winter still on the water, we headed for a new destination. Since returning to the Shore, the Watts had been proposing for some time to have the Crew meet for a good home cooked meal. After several delays a date had been agreed upon.  This was to be not just some pizza and beer festival, but a secret Italian family recipe. Lasagna LWatt had started the day before so it could incorporate all the favors. Cheeks and I joined Wattman and family. Old friends catching up over a pre-supper veggie tray and ice cold Stella.

While going out to a bar or restaurant can be diverting, there is in the right atmosphere, something special about relaxing in a friends home, fire going, and just enjoying the time and not thinking about the menu or others sitting around you. 
   Soon enough the Lasagna was served and we all enjoyed each others company over an incredible meal. Now many who have been part of the Crew over the years know how dinner is a small meal for me. Partial appetizers at best. However, I was the first to return for seconds and I would have gone back again but for the impeccable manners that kept me in my chair.  Chowtime was not done. As Wattman helped clear the table I could not help but notice the fresh from scratch chocolate chip cookies LWatt had prepared. Personally, I can think of no better way to end dinner.

The night drew to a close and soon we said our goodbyes and thanked the Watt and Lisa for a wonderful evening. As I left I remembered we had not done a rating of the experience. To that point, I had to do the review by myself. As I reflected on the lasagna, the cold beer and drinks, atmosphere, and value, how do I rate each against our standard?  I know only one thing, all I can tell is the TRUTH. But if I gave the scores deserved that would skew our totals for the upcoming year. So, I settled on the score I gave below as I believe it best reflected the entire night.

Score: PRICELESS

Unchained: The 2017 Revival Review, notes from The Watt.

Hit the ground running...carefully. Early January deep freeze. The Rt. 90 Bridge spans a solid Assawoman Bay, 1/7/2018.

Change, nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, and nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
                                 -Van Halen
   Like the song says. Nothing stays the same. The last couple years have seen plenty of change. Moved to Chicago to begin life with the future Mrs. LWatt in '15. After our late '16 marriage, circumstances allowed us to return to the Shore with a tad more permanence. Finally settled in by the end of May, the year '17 saw the Crew back with a vengeance. Having been in town quite a few times over the last eight-plus years (go figure), LWatt had already fallen for life along the Right Coast. Needless to say, I didn't have to talk her into joining the Target and I on a number of occasions in the past. Our game plans had no air of mystery in her mind. A natural fit, she won Target's approval with the accessories that accompanied her. Beach chairs. Good for him...he could relax (instead of pace up and down the beach) while he recorded the surf sessions. Good for me as I now had someone that would keep the Target focused on the job at hand (most of the time). 2016 saw five stops, three reviews. Not even enough to do a spreadsheet driven analysis (back and forth from Chi-town will do that). 2017 rated twenty-six total locales. Thirteen new (or like new) taverns, speakeasies, lounges, pubs, taprooms, dives, and the like. Literally hit the ground running. We likened it to a Revival. It was...

This blog started about the surf...days like this were more about the food...

fish food. Midwest rust. A season of patience. Late July nor'easter.

Sesh VI landed us in Williamsville, DE. Yellowfins
was our hidden gem just west of Fenwick Island.
Top value of the season. Late June.

We find those hidden gems, but
the diamonds in the rough often
surprise more. Beach Barrels on
132nd Street. A rough one as it
was a package store/sub shop/bar
combo. Third place overall. Last
day of August as our first  tropical
storm passed by...hurricane
season had started.

Somewhere late in the game- found that line.

 Early September...Irma's clean-up.

Abbey Burger Bistro. Been there done that...

there's a reason. Rated #1 for beer selection. Ya think?

 25 on Tap. Mid-late September.

The Berlin, MD Christmas Tour.

 Drummers Cafe in the Atlantic Hotel 

took honorable mention with the top dish...

Twin Fillet Kabobs. It ain't often we get

real life Kobe beef. Early-mid December.

   The Crew is freeing up. 2018 is going to continue to see change. More new stops. Expanding the radius of locations and surf breaks. Carving the challenges. Ripping down the walls. Unchained.

These are the conditions that make the session...the Stoke we long for. 
Green room open. Post Labor Day groove.