Somewhere 'Round The Corner, from the Watt's notes.

"When you paddle out everything is both forgotten and remembered." -ESM
Waiting to erase the memory slips...core surf in the clean forties. 48th Street break, 4/25/2018.

    One could make the argument that Spring has yet to come into full efflorescence (yeah, that's right...look it up!). Seems like we get a few days of plus 70F days, and then "boom!" back into the 50's with overcast skies and wind chills making it cooler. It's the nighttime temps that make the difference though. Water still hovering in the upper 40's. Definitely into May before the first surf. Still, it's a feeling. Consistent warmer weather is somewhere nearby. Just up ahead. 'Round the corner. While we wait, our next establishment to scrutinize.
  Dry 85, a newbie restaurant out of Annapolis that took over a long vacant space on the 48th street Gateway Grand property. A throwback to the Prohibition era. Sort of. Should have a feeling of a secret dive bar. In my opinion, a bit stark. Appeared to be trying too hard as the place felt institutional. Couple TVs oddly placed. Low (if any?) music. But, they had a fair selection of craft beer and nice selection of quality craft whiskeys and bourbons.

The menu appeared to be appetizing as well. So, in addition to ordering a 3-draft flight, we put in for our eatables. We chose Salmon Crostini, the Bourbon BBQ Wings, a crock of the Seafood Mac n Cheese. Upon finishing the flight, I decided on an IPA while Target took aim at a Stella. LWatt, having tasted the brews and not leaning much toward the hard liquor, stuck to water this round.

When the food arrived we all seemed to reel in the salmon. Very tasty. Very small. More like Depression era size. Not what one might call a filling choice. However, the wings came out hot and meaty. Not overly saucy. Good taste. Not great, but good. Unlike our weather, quality was consistent. The mac 'n cheese was the best tasting. Very cheesy. Nicely filling. Not overly rich. Could have used more seafood though. The crab was especially lacking. Overall a pleasant experience. One of the better "new establishment" performances, although improvement will be expected. Next stop will be water temp dependent. The Patrol rolls on.

THE RATINGS-

Salmon Crostini: C

Bourbon BBQ Wings: B-

Seafood Mac n Cheese: B-

Beer: B

Atmosphere: C+

Value: C+

Overall Score = 2.50

 

Below Par, penciled licks from the Target.

Let the warm soft winds of summer lift you high and carry you through
                     Otherwise the cold hard winter just might get the better of you.  - The Stone Coyotes
Smash-mouth surf at Holidays, 66th street OCMD. 4/14/2018

   More than a hundred years ago people used to take the grand tour of Europe and spend six months to a year just traveling. Seems like the Watts have been doing their own version as of late. Or maybe they were just trying to escape the scathing winter. It's been more than four weeks since our last crew meeting. Between the Watts' cross country tour of sorts (first Hawaii and then the exotic state of Missouri), and my own winter ailments brought on by the chill of this below par weather, it was no easy task to fit in a Crew sesh before they were off again next week (to Vegas...tough offseason). 
   April 12th. Mid-month was upon us. The aforementioned chill had kept our coastal waters in the mid 40s. So, we agreed to meet at the new West OC location of Tequila Mockingbird. It was in a new, weirdly narrow shape of a space across from the Outlets. Upon arrival we entered a crowded bar with no consecutive seats available. Happy hour ended at six, but at 7pm the place was still full. Seated at a table for eight, we had plenty of leg-room for a change. The restaurant itself was long, narrow in width, with bench style tables running along the windows, and the bar along the other side. This open air design was quite the change from the original North OC establishment.

Our waitress arrived and cold spirits ordered. While the on tap selection consisted of six choices including the domestics, the bottled selection was decent. And to our waitress' credit, she asked if we wanted glasses for our beer. It is a tequila bar I know, but I think a little more could have been done here.  Lisa ordered the house Margarita that could have had either sugar or salt on the rim. As it was a Thursday, we inquired into the accustomed Fajita special. Unceremoniously, we were informed that the new location was not offering any specials so as to avoid stealing customers from the original location. After some personal deliberation I came to the decision this was a bogus answer. The Blackened Mahi Tacos and Chicken Fajitas were put on order as we've had them at the other location. It was mutually agreed that both were a little dry especially the Mahi which was not only dry, but bland...could have used more accoutrements. Our overall experience was fair. A good set of TVs over the bar, however the music was nonexistent. They say this is suppose to be more of a locals bar. I suspect that once the tourists find the location, it will be packed all summer. There was one thing for sure, the prices were full on. No locals or offseason discount here. Leaned towards a high end OC tourist trap. We all agreed that the start-up quality problems were there, and yes it could be a great place in the offseason. But, for anyone seeking Mexican grub in the western territories...bring the pesos. The Patrol, a bit lighter in the pockets, marches on.

THE RATINGS-

Blackened Mahi Tacos: C+

Chicken Fajitas: B-

Beer: C

Atmosphere: B-

Value: C

Overall Score = 2.35