Last Days, from the Watt's notes.

"So hallow'd and so gracious is the time."  -William Shakespeare
The Shore's own Stonehenge takes form across the Assawoman Bay. North Ocean City at sunrise, 12/2019.

   Winter Solstice is upon us. The shortest day/longest night of the year. Although the Crew's last meeting of 2019 was Thursday, the 19th, Saturday was the actual timing of the event. So, what was the big deal? 1) It was cold. Target argued that it was really the beginning of summer. He was not too far off. As it was the shortest day of the year, from that point forward the days would only get longer. Indeed, the Solstice celebrates the rebirth of the sun and renewal. Regardless, much to Target's chagrin, more cold days lie ahead. 2) It was windy...and cold. LWatt was certainly not a fan. Especially with our Chicago trip coming up over the weekend. We could've used a fire. On the islands of the North Atlantic and northern Europe, a Yule Log was burned to celebrate this time of year. As a matter of fact, in most cases it was an entire tree. What ever was left was burned the next night and so on through the Twelve Days of Christmas. Any remains after that were used to light the next year's holiday campfire. Cool...cold actually. Lastly 3) According to Stonehenge legend,

the Solstice also supposedly holds the energy for regeneration and self-reflection. The Crew will need that energy. Mainly because it's still cold. But, I'm also gonna have to find more unexplored dives and taverns in need of our appraisal as we move into the new year. That may require some spreading out of our territory, which in turn will require more energy from Target, LWatt, and myself. And, we have the year in review (that has relied heavily upon Target's infamous "scoring spreadsheet"). Even more energy needed. Can it be done? Can we continue? Are there yet establishments out there that could escape our stringent assessment? How long will the cold temps last? Only 2020 will bring the answers to these, and other Crew questions to light.
   Whew! With all of the above to tangle with, we settled into the last establishment of the year for the Crew review...the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound. Part of the Lighthouse Sound Golf & Country Club in Bishopville, Md., the location provided a comfortable bar and dining room overlooking the Assawoman, well decorated for the holidays, to discuss our Christmas plans over warming drinks and a hot meal.

At this point I will pay my apologies to the T-Man. Our last meal, the Crew Christmas dinner (more or less) at a country club, and Target was dressed for the occasion with combed hair, slacks, and a button-down shirt. LWatt was dressed nice as always. Myself however...t-shirt, ball cap, and jeans. Bad form I must say, but you can bet it will not happen again. It may be up to a year, but next time I will be more presentable! Upon entrance, a nine foot tree that was lit up and adorned to the nines. Making our way into the lounge area, the small bar was already loaded by several local couples, the only other patrons in the joint, so we sat down at one of the rustic tables near the fireplace.

Our barkeep-waitress was a "Jenny on-the-spot" quickly taking the orders and getting our drinks as we perused the menu; Christmas music playing in the background. Our spread consisted of Old Bay Wings, Blackened Fish Tacos, and the House Cheeseburger.

The food was served up hot. The wings were juicy and meaty and not overly seasoned, but only a six pack. The fish tacos had plenty of fish, but very fishy tasting fish (i.e. frozen not fresh). A very disappointing dish. The cheeseburger was good, not great. Juicy and well cooked, it had the usual accouterments of lettuce and tomato. We dined...discussing family plans, Christmas traditions, and possible New Year resolutions. Great friends enjoying a hot meal in a holiday atmosphere with a nice view of the O.C. skyline at night. Did I mention Christmas music in the background? Yes, an excellent close to the last days of our season.

Lighthouse Sound, 12/19/2019
THE RATINGS-
Old Bay Wings: B

Blackened Fish Tacos: D

House Cheeseburger: C+

Beer (only basics): C

Atmosphere: B+

Value:B-

Overall Score = 2.38

By Request, from the Watt's notes.

"Aaah! Fra-GEE-lay! It must be Italian!"  -Old Man Parker
Lighted holiday display welcomes all to Berlin, MD to come collect their major award. 12/12/2019

   This week's destination was by request. LWatt had been wanting to return to Blacksmith Bar & Restaurant since last fall.  The entire basis of our continued Journey has always been good friends on the hunt for ridable surf, supplemented with thirst quenching drink, and tasty food. The means to the end was half the adventure. Surf always played the principal part, but refueling was a closing requirement. Bad surf or bad food, or perish the thought, both in the same session meant someone would pay the price. Hopefully not physically nor gastrically, but rather verbally. Many times I was on the receiving end, so LWatt's request took the pressure off. A Berlin, MD favorite since 2014, Blacksmith did not disappoint this evening. Our attentive bartender was quick to get our drink orders, a couple of brews for Target and I, and an Assateague Ass (sage vodka, mint syrup, and ginger beer) for LWatt. The glass for our beer was not cold, but the selection helped make up for it. I'm not sure who says warmer temps improve the flavor profile of beer, but we would strongly debate that fact with any beer geek. LWatt's drink would have been worth another on any weekend.

We set ourselves up with their Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, the Nashville Chicken (crispy fried chicken on white bread with spicy "Nashville Sauce"), and the House Bacon Burger. The crab cake had big chunks of backfin lump meat. Seasoned with just the right amount of old bay, mustard, and pepper, we only wished it had been bigger. The chicken was thigh meat, bone out and plenty crispy. The sauce seemed little more than a Louisiana Hot Sauce. Good taste, but not the greatest presentation. The burger we've had before. Actually a double-pattied sandwich layered with crispy bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, and home-made pickles, it was served with homestyle fries. Juicy, medium-well cooked, it went down the fastest (and messiest) of all three. We didn't wait long for the food, and our bar service was excellent. The decor, like the menu, was eclectic... almost funky. As was the music... classic rock one second, pop club the next. No TV, this place was about the social vibe they were advocating. The tab kinda took a little air out out of the night, but we overcame and came up with the dough. The three of us are rarely without banter, comments, or opinions. This week was Target's turn to open gifts, receiving a rare MD Terrapin ornament for the tree, and a tin of cookies. Good times. We enjoyed each others company and the food, and Blacksmith is always worth a trip back. At least after payday.

   The week has been quiet on the beach, although cooler temperatures have definitely moved in. Our ocean waters have dropped into the upper 40s, so even weekender surf has been out of the question. Our next destination will have big expectations as 2019 comes to a celebrated end. The Christmas Session is on the horizon, and I for one, am looking forward to it like the next carvable wave rolling in.

THE RATINGS-

Beer: B-

Lump Crab Cake: B+

Nashville Chicken: B-

House Burger: B+

Atmosphere: B-

Value: C

Overall Score = 2.79

Kickoff, from the Watt's notes.

Lit up and seen for miles...Winterfest is the kickoff of our Christmas sessions. Northside Park, 12/5/2019.

   Two weeks passed since our last session. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and that means that the Christmas season is officially upon us. To misquote Dave Barry, "once again we come to our holiday celebration, a deeply religious time that the Crew observes, in our own way, by making our annual pilgrimage to the OC's Winterfest of Lights." However prior to our self guided tour, we met at Alley Oops, the beach's answer to Dave and Buster's.

Bright lights and big games ...duckpins, swimming black tipped sharks, virtual reality, and the latest video/arcade games...were the framework of the bar at which we sat. The menu had plenty to chose from. Primarily sports bar type food, the more upscale entrees featured local favorites such as Crab Cakes and Chicken Chesapeake which we did not partake, nor were we there for. Let's face it, the appetizers are the first impressions, and the ones of which our choice locations are judged. We put in for the Reda Rockfish and Tuna Tacos, the Epic BBQ Wings, and the Bavarian Pretzel Twists.

Our bartender was quick with the drinks. LWatt ordered her signature Grapefruit Crush which was well made, and a note here: served in a glass tumbler. Target and I pulled in a couple of beers. Very nice selection, however we were inside, yet the brews were still served in plastic. And, Stella in plastic is just wrong. Food took some time to come out which might explain that most of it was warm, not hot. The Rockfish Tacos were a bit fishy, probably frozen stock. The Tuna was pretty good...shoulda, woulda, coulda ordered three. The wings had a very good taste and were meaty.

The pretzel was average; just didn't wow us. There were plenty of TVs to catch the game (da Bears playin!). The music was a great selection of  classic "Big Hair" rock. We gave props to the manager as he gave me a free game on the virtual reality system...very cool. Got to save the world from zombies. Prices were reasonable for both the gaming and the menu which meant the place qualified for a return visit. It turned out to be a perfect kickoff for the evening. Prior to leaving the parking lot, Target was found to have come bearing gifts. Not quite gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but just as valued and appreciated. Plants, housewares, and toys- Target was getting as good as Santa at covering all the bases.

THE RATINGS-

Bavarian Pretzel Twists: C

Rockfish Tacos: C

Tuna Tacos: B-

Epic BBQ Wings: B-

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: B+

Value: B+

Overall Score = 2.61

   We moved on to the Winterfest of Lights. We look forward to this session each year. Despite the fact this set-up looks like it's run by a big Eastern Syndicate, we still did the walk through, took the photo ops at several Instagram locations, and made our donations to corporate tourism with additional purchases at the Village Pavilion.

 Overall, a seasonally cool night, in the upper 30's, lower 40's. Good food, an atmosphere full of stoke, great friends. T'was another memorable holiday sesh for the Crew.

Mau la Hau'oli from the Crew!

Dive Snobs, tales from the Watt.

Mid-week clean-up slabs. Malibu Beach, 11/19/2019.

I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just walkin' through the front door
Puts a big smile on my face
It ain't too far, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

-Toby Keith

   Dive bars, it's what we do. It is what the the Quest, the Patrol, the Journey, whatever we call it, has always been about. Finding those curious taverns with enough peculiarity to remain unknown, yet food tempting enough to take another bite, first rate drink, and atmosphere with the character to bring us back, has always been the objective. Such lofty goals have required at most, weekly critiques and at minimum, monthly. Combined with the recording of our culinary/surf adventures (for historic preservation), I could see how the faint of  heart and mind may begin to fade. Target and LWatt, my cohorts in crime, had never shown signs of dimming natures, but my concern as of recent has been their hardening of heart towards the lesser refined of taverns visited. Mention a name, and they immediately turn their noses up if it ain't by the water or on the beach. LWatt has walked in some of these places just looking them up and down, eyeing the middle aged, drunk, dancing bimbos in the corner, as if they didn't belong. Target especially has become a mite pretentious. He has even reached the point of insisting on being ready with alternative choices should the menu or ambiance not meet his expectations...prior to sitting down. I'm not sure what they're expecting. Linen napkins maybe or fancy, schmancy silverware? I fear they're turning into a couple of real dive snobs!

Berlin startin' to do the holiday dress-up.

   More seasonal weather had moved in last week. Nor'east winds and rain battered the shore at the close of the weekend. However, by mid-week the swell had cleaned up. Water now shuffles between 50 and 49F. The weekend opportunities are waning. We still have the Journey, and this week's choice cut was a real local dive on one of the side streets of Berlin, MD. The Burley Inn Tavern was a literal hole-in-the-wall that the Crew had critiqued about five years ago...and it didn't do too awful badly. Yet, true to his recent form, as LWatt and I were in transit, Target was calling and saying we still had a chance to change before we got there. I gave him an emphatic "No!". But, the damage was done. The power of suggestion was at work. LWatt was throwing up the wall of questions as we arrived. We marched on. The exterior was rather unassuming. Three large plate windows with two industrial glass doors on the bottom floor of a white brick apartment building. However upon entrance, the place was jumping. A dart tourney was in play. The bar, worn with age and replete with it's chrome, diner style stools, was packed. In the corner, the dancing bimbos. Definitely a locals night.

The dive snobs were eyeing the place up and down, shaking their heads. Regardless we found our table, the trooper in all of us pushed to the point of no-return. Our bartender turned waiter was on it with beers for Target and I, and a house Bloody Mary for LWatt. From the menu, we ordered up the Cheesesteak Sub, Spicy BBQ Wings, and the appetizer special- Broccoli Balls. "Balls!" said the King, and he laughed because he had...sorry, sidetracked. Our beer was served on room temp glasses, and were not overly cold. LWatt's Bloody Mary was fair...more a standard than a standout. The balls had a good mix of broccoli and cheese, fair taste, but were a hair overcooked. The Parmesan ranch sauce was killer...it needed to be to overcome the overcooked. For the 2nd week in a row, the wings were a disappointment. The Spicy BBQ were actually barbecue sauce over buffalo wings. No bueno. The sub was the most promising. Tender shaved top round with melted provolone on a toasted roll. Overall the place had a dank, loud local character to it. Great classic rock music, and plenty of screens around to catch Thursday Night Football. A mild tab helped to pull the place up a notch. If your nose is up expecting a 5-Star restaurant, forget about it. You've paddled out into the wrong break. And, although the Burley Inn Tavern wasn't the greatest in our area, more of a place to chill and grab a beer with your girl and some bros, it was not a bad dive to pay a visit. Certainly wasn't the lowest scoring. Isn't that what the Journey is all about?

THE RATINGS-

Cheesesteak Sub: B-

Spicy BBQ Wings: C

Broccoli Balls: C+

Beer: C

Atmosphere: B-

Value: B
Overall Score = 2.46

Inevitable, tales from the Watt.

“But when fall comes, kicking summer out on its treacherous ass as it always does one day sometime after the midpoint of September, it stays awhile like an old friend that you have missed."  -Stephen King, 'Salem's Lot
Leaves holding their breath, South Gate Pond, Ocean Pines. 11/14/2019

   You can run, but you can't hide. Cold nights make for cool, crisp mornings, leaving the ocean waters in the low 50's. Five dark thirty has meant no surf during the week. Solstice is but little more than a month away. Leaves have turned all sorts of colors, like they're holding their breath for the inevitable, then exhale, die, and fall to the ground. Yep, no escaping it, the holiday seasons are upon us. They do the creep. Walmart...as usual...has been all out since October. The local grocers have begun to glean shades of red and green. We have seen lights here and there. Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads are in the papers, mags, and Internet sites. Before ya know it, radio stations will be going all Christmas music. No wonder burn out comes so swiftly...for most.
   This past week we hung around Ocean Pines South Gate area. DeNovo's Trattoria had not yet put up the decorations, although they had some Thanksgiving specials going on. We were there for the inevitable judgment. The Crew's critique. The restaurant had mostly dining, but we were there for the bar area. A Pines locals joint, the bar had just enough seating where only a few patrons forced us to a high top table.

Our waitress, though not completely knowledgeable of the menu, was very attentive and had mine and Target's beers to the table in short time. As DeNovo's was Italian and featured pizza, a large Cheese Pizza it was...with half Pepperoni, and half Bacon, extra crispy, and a pound of Old Bay Wings to start us off.

The wings were less than. In both presentation and taste, they were little more than baked chicken wings dusted with Old Bay. Meaty and hot, yet they had no punch nor flavor. Now the Pizza surprised us. It had an excellent crispy crust, the toppings were well baked into the cheese and sauce giving the pizza an overall good taste worthy of a future take-out order, should the need arise. In retrospect, the place had limited TVs...primarily around the bar. The bar itself was vanilla...mostly dated white pine and limited seating. Surrounding music was too low to hear. The beer selection was fair, but the glasses it was served in was at room temp. However, it was the pricing that bumped DeNovo's above average; probably one of the lowest tabs of the year. This place was not a standout, but the Pizza alone would be worth a return trip. We said our "good-nights" as the Journey moved towards Berlin and the next destination, the Holidays in hot pursuit.

THE RATINGS-

Pepperoni-Bacon Pizza: B+

Old Bay Wings: C-

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: C+

Value: B+

Overall Score = 2.55

Abandoned But Not Forsaken, tales from the Watt

Not forsaken...dippin' toes in the cold. Target's call on last week's knee-high break.  74th Street, the OC. 11/6/2019.

   Abandoned, but not forsaken. Kinda how we would describe our mid-week surf sessions. Dark by 5pm, it had become an impractical mission to attempt to get in water time at day's end. Besides, post-sunset is feeding time for those pelagic varmints who got nuthin' better to do than rummage about the shallows of the shoreline. The water having dropped into the upper fifties, I had no desire to be chilled and chewed. Moreover, the weather had changed. Nights were getting cooler. This evening the rain was coming. For now, no more surf for the Crew. But over the next few months, taverns, dives, saloons, and bistros will all be part of the sets that will be rollin' in for our critical enjoyment under cover of our offseason.
   The latest eatery that we tendered, and the first of this year's Daylight Standard Time, was the Pines Public House. In a building that was formerly a Pizza Hut, in a corner of Ocean Pines south entrance, walls covered in birch bark sheets, a see-through fireplace, the bar veneered in slices of pine, and capped with a quartz top, it was like walking into a mountain lodge. And the menu showcased comfort food, and cocktail options to ward off the damp night. LWatt decided on the house Margarita as Target and I had a couple of drafts delivered from their extensive (15 crafts, 3 domestics) selection. I'm not sure how many qualified for a taphouse, but the Public House was pretty close.

From the menu we chose their already famous Bacon Bourbon Wings, the Pines Pub Burger, and as it was taco night, the Pines Street Tacos. When the food arrived, there was no doubt as to the effort put into the presentation, however it was soon obvious that the burger was the last that was cooked. The three tacos were plentiful with a good amount of mahi, shrimp, beef, and all the fixings...big for street tacos. But they were cold, which muted the taste. The wings had an excellent Bourbon BBQ sauce with bits of bacon. Big, meaty, and just warm, which stole points from the experience. For the second week the leading choice was the burger... a half pound of Angus, sliced pork belly, cheddar cheese, Asian slaw, house bourbon sauce, and crispy onion straws on a toasted bun. Cooked medium well, it had a very good flavor and was fat, hot, and juicy. Plenty of TVs around the bar but no music, at least that we could hear. The food was plentiful, and the bill was very bearable. With an offering full of potential, this restaurant will undoubtedly be worth taking another ride through it's menu on a future occasion. Yet regardless of the presentation, if they don't improve on the quality served (i.e. temperature), the Pines Public House will find themselves abandoned AND forsaken. As for our Pines tour, the Crew will be gunning for the next stop on our Journey.

Pines Public House, 11/7/2019.
THE RATINGS-

Bacon Bourbon Wings: B-

Pines Street Tacos: C+

Pines Pub Burger: B+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: C+

Value: B

Overall Score =  2.75

Whispers In The Dark, tales from the Watt.

"Everyone is a moon and has a dark side, which he never shows to anybody."
-Mark Twain
Just a shadow along the face of the dark side, 66th and Holidays. 10/30/2019

   The last surf sesh of the season for the Crew. It had been cloudy most of the day, so getting in the water before 6pm was not enough to keep the gloom from swiftly rolling in. LWatt was finishing up work and on her way. Target stood on the beach...no chair, as it was expected to be a short one. Bobbing in the line-up, I stared off into the horizon. The sets were becoming hazy, and difficult to read. Although the winds were light, thigh to waist high waves held up regardless of most being lefts or straight on close-outs. I tended to struggle on the backside, and in the dark- even worse, so I would search the crest of each set for a hint of a frontside with such intent I thought would hear a whisper as another wave folded as if to say "there was your right." Overcome with impatience I paddled into several. Out of position, taking off late and pearling, or too early and missing it altogether, I was finally able to slip into one such slot...a short takeoff that ended abruptly. It would be the closest to any kind of ride all night. Darkness began to shroud everything around me. Sets became mere shadows, and the whispers drowned out by the crash of each breaking wave. After the next  half hour or so of getting knocked around, and looking towards the beach barely seeing the shoreline...or Target... I called it a season and half rode the next breaking wave into the beach. While I still had potential weekend surf, the end of Daylight Savings Time pretty much ended in-week surf for the Crew. LWatt was walking over as I was getting out, and together with HT, we headed back across the dunes until next Spring.
   Throughout the summer Target had balked at going to our next destination. It faced Ocean Highway, and not the water so LWatt was not enthused either. At any rate, Liquid Assets on 94th Street had been whispering in my ear most of the year.

It was less of a beach themed location, and more of an upscale, comfort food, leather seats, couches, sip your bourbon, smoke your cigar kind of place. Not a single beer on tap (although a decent selection of bottles and cans). The walls were lined with pinewood shelving, stocked with all types of spirits. The wall to the left as we entered was lined with refrigerated cases filled with domestic and craft beer. All for purchase of course. A veritable bar/bistro in the middle of a package store. And our arrival timed perfectly with their "Whiskey Wednesdays" free tasting. Taking our seats at the bar, Target and I put our brews on tab and as we asked for glasses, our bartender whisked a couple out of a frig and did a stylish half pour to start.

From the menu we put in for the Crispy Ahi Tuna Pot Stickers (new for our expanding palates), the Paprika Dry Rubbed Wings, and the Wagyu Burger. Like I had said, a little more upscale than our usual dives, cloth napkins and silverware were laid out prior to the food arriving.

The Pot Stickers were decent; nice and crisp, but not hot. Paprika on wings raised an eyebrow, however they were big, meaty, and hot with a delicious taste. The burger was the best of the three. Obviously a high quality cut of beef, ground and cooked medium well, it was hot and juicy with melted cheddar, house pickle relish, beer mustard, and chipotle ketchup on a warm, buttery bun...nice! This place was for noshing and socializing, not TV as there were only two. The music was a tad techie for us, but the Rogue Ale Whiskey tasting made up for it. And the tab was milder than expected. Finishing the food, brews, and whiskey, we headed out into the night. Saying our goodbyes, I thought I heard the whispers again. The return of voices from the blocks away Atlantic? Early Halloween spirits perhaps? Target and LWatt would say, probably the Rogue Ale spirits. Either way...'tis the season.

THE RATINGS-

Bottle/Can Beer: C+

Crispy Ahi Pot Stickers: C+

Paprika Dry-Rubbed Wings: B

Wagyu Burger: B+

Atmosphere: B-

Value: B-
Overall Score = 2.71

Vanilla Session, tales from the Watt.

"The sweet is never as sweet without the sour." -Edmond Ventura, Vanilla Sky
Still a joyride...a foamy burst ending one of the few of the night. 
Holidays and 66th, 10/24/2019

   This time of year, the colors tend to fade as fast as they explode. It ain't much, and if you don't catch the glimpse, or you don't jump the ride, or you don't get to the bar early, it'll close and be done in a gasp. The shoulder season is finishing up. We have one more surf (weather permitting) after this post. Last couple sessions have been pretty vanilla. Water in the low 60's, dribbling in thigh high or less swell with absolutely no power. If I caught 'em, their rides were short. And the sessions were short as well. With the midweek workday, by the time we crossed the shoreline we had less than 45 minutes of water-time. Like last week, it was all about timing and getting in position fast...not my forte. There was a slight sandbar out there, and then it dropped off again just before the shoreline. The sets would jack a bit as they hit the sandbar and then die out. If I wasn't on 'em immediately, I'd miss. We're talking minimal surf; caught some, and missed some. It was a very vanilla session.
   Nothing helps bland like a little local excitement. The evenings meal stop was a true locals joint and one which the Crew last visited in 2013, the Original Crabcake Factory. Taking up the bottom floor of a condo complex, and cornering 120th and Coastal Highway, open concept garage style doors led directly from a small balcony dining deck to the bar. A large, theater style screen took up the back wall of the bar with several flatscreens surrounding. A pretty good number of taps lined the far corner wall.

In LWatt's opinion our barkeep was already at a disadvantage. He was a Packer fan. Regardless, he quickly had Target and I our beers, and LWatt a cider. The only faux pas was, with the exception of Target's Stella, service in plastic cups. Always a major concern with the Crew...and in this case, no sand or dirt floors. And, if you can serve one type, you should be able to serve all in glass. The menu was loaded with plenty of choices. We studied the options and chose the BBQ Pub Wings, the Blackened Shrimp Skewers, and the Crab Quesadillas. We were excited about the entire foray. A mild evening, door open to the beach air, a locals bar decked for Halloween, Thursday Night Football, and we were ready for a savory meal. At this point it was like watching the sets roll in, paddling into position, seeing the waves rise and...they just wither away.

That was tonight's pub grub. The wings were FRIED! No bueno. And instead of tossing them, they just squirted BBQ sauce on 'em. The skewers came out cold. The quesadillas were the best of the three. Crispy, and filled with crab and cheese, they were fairly appetizing. However, they too were only luke-warm. Like the waves earlier in the evening, the meal built up our hopes only to disappoint in the end. The local vibe was enhanced with a good selection of classic rock which helped abate the "blah" vanilla chow. But it was the tab that really threw us. Prices that exceeded the taste was always a burden we refused to find acceptable. This was no exception. The Redskins were playing, and the place seemed to be a Redskins bar, as it filled with fans. As a fan myself, this was always a plus for me. Still, the Redskins were on their way to losing...again. Not sure I could count that as a poor reflection, but it didn't help either. As our critique pertained to the Journey, when it came to return engagements we have often said "only time will tell." As to Thursday night's Crabcake Factory experience, only time will heal. No worries, this is why we do what we do. The bland only makes the stoke brighter. Next!

THE RATINGS-
BBQ Pub Wings: C-
Blackened Shrimp Skewers: C-
Crab Quesadillas: B-
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: B
Value: C-
Overall Score = 2.21

Diminishing Returns, tales from the Watt.

"Mushburger describes a wave that is full of water and is mushy. This is one of my own words that caught on. It came about one day after a couple of friends and I had lunch at Mac’s Coffee Break in Dana Point. We had eaten Mac’s Hamburgers. Then we went to San Onofre to check the surf and it was very mushy. Still feeling the effects of being full from the burgers, I commented that it was 'burgering' out there. My friend said, 'What are you talking about?' And I said the waves were like big 'mushburgers.' It caught on."    -Corky Carroll
47th Street mushburgers all evening long, 10/15/2019.

   The sun dropped before 6:30 p.m. Hurricane Season had tapered off. Leaves had turned and littered the ground. The beach...was empty. Northeast windblown chop made up most of the surf conditions, BUT, they had potential and I was able to squeeze a ride out here and there. It had been awhile since I had any memorable rides. And really the other evening was no exception. However, despite the closing mushburgers, I was stoked to be able to juice a few even if they were short.  And sweet, after the last couple weeks every ride was like candy, and I wanted another piece. The air has been getting noticeably colder, especially at night, which causes the water to cool, which calms the storms, which leaves small surf. I was now back in a full suit, which is never welcome. Although their wait was short, both LWatt and Target could attest to the chill on the beach as they were both layered in long sleeves and jackets. It's been all about the law of diminishing returns. Pile on with Daylight Standard Time, and that leaves two more sessions before our weekly surf sessions come to an end. While we moved towards the close of another beach season, our Journey to find the next best dive would continue. Nightfall came fast, and I had no choice but to latch on to that next header as we turned in.

Always good for a couple.

    West Ocean City's the Shark on the Harbor was the home of our post surf spot for dinner. The Shark was on the fancier end of the spectrum of local watering holes, and located in an elevated building with a hell of a view of the commercial harbor. The lounge was busy, but not completely full and we managed to snap up three seats at the far corner of the oval bar. A good compliment of beer choices of which Mike, our bartender, was well educated and ready with the samples. He was able to quickly set Target and I up with a couple of beers and LWatt with a Nutty Irishman coffee to take the chill off. Early on we were looking forward to this review, and the Shark did not disappoint. Known for bites from land and sea with a southern, Eastern Shore flair and changing their menu often, we dug right in and ordered the Crew's version of "surf 'n turf."

Our mix included their exclusive Cheesesteak Biscuits, the Signature Burger, and a half pound of Jumbo Gulf Steamed Shrimp. I will start by saying this was one of the best meals we've come upon in a while. Every dish was served hot and on a warm plate...that goes a long way! The steak biscuits...tender, thin sliced angus beef with vidalia onions, horseradish-pimento cheese, on smoked cheddar biscuits were fantastic. The burger, more angus with smoked cheddar cheese, "shark sauce,"and bacon jam on a maple brioche bun was cooked perfectly and juicy.

To round out with the "surf" portion, the shrimp came out wrapped in a steamer net, sitting in a delicious seafood broth with crusty bread for dipping. The burger and shrimp were among the best we've come around in these parts. Plenty of flat-screens adorned the perimeter for catching up on the latest in sports. The music was fair, and loud enough to hear without being distracting. And, although it took some time to come out, for the quality of food we received the bill was not too unreasonable. A night of tolerable surf coupled with an excellent meal helped ease the diminishing conditions that are now upon us. The Shark had definitively secured it's worth for a return visit on the Journey's path. Onward!

THE RATINGS-

Cheesesteak Biscuits: A-

Signature Angus Burger: A-

Jumbo Gulf Shrimp: A-

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B

Value: B-

Overall Score = 3.38

She's A Devil, tales from the Watt.

"Perhaps it's the nature of the human condition to live in the present- there's little point in dwelling in the past or worrying about a future beyond our control. But we should all understand that there's a storm coming.
And we've been warned."                                            -David Healey, Great Storms of the Chesapeake
Melissa sinks her teeth into the OC's shore. 47th Street's busted break, 10/10/2019.

   A cold front with strong winds and light rain began ensnaring our coast. Due to their direction...an obvious Nor'easter in transit. Cold air from Canada intersected with the warm air of the Atlantic bringing on the chaos. As an eye formed, the system became subtropical becoming the next named storm, Melissa.  These storms do not bode well for us. Driving rain, high winds, and high tides usually lead to coastal flooding, and this system was no exception. Downtown Ocean City and the inlet parking lot was flooded. Super high tides flowed over bulkheads flooding neighborhood streets. Our piece of the Right Coast was taking a beating. Double overhead crushers threw spray up another three feet as Melissa mauled the shore; breakwash reaching all the way up to the dunes and creeping up their sides viciously eroding them like a sand-devil, making a hell outta our beach. I watched another local surfer, doned in a wet suit, short board under arm, walk up and watch the melee for about fifteen minutes before doing an about face and heading back. No rides today...for anyone.

You're invited to join the procession, there is someone I'd like you to meet
She looks like she might be for hire, but you won't find her out in the street

-She's A Devil, Bachman Turner Overdrive

Melissa forms...10/10-11/2019

   Meanwhile, back on the main drag, the Endless Summer Cruisin' was fired up. High winds did nothing to stop our annual fall parade of hot rods, muscle cars, and classic rides roaming the strips, lots, and side streets of town turning the OC into a live version of American Graffiti. Hell on Wheels wherever your eyes stopped...

"You're gonna be hangin' on for mercy when I get this
 sucker rollin'."    -Bob Falfa, American Graffiti

 The evening lead us to Berlin, Md. and Burn Wood Fired Pizza  on Old Ocean City Boulevard. If you're going to crisp up a pizza crust fast, you need an oven that's hot as hell. True to our session's essence, Burn led us to the grail of wood fired ovens. At least if you're a surf Crew. No gas or electric here. Adorned in surf graffiti and skateboards and a bit cavernous, the place had more the feel of a beach bum's hangout replete with a kitchen and bar, than a restaurant. Greeted by our crusty surfer of a barkeep, Target and I had a couple of craft drafts in front of us on the jump complete with a brief synopsis of our barkeep's experience with the brews.

LWatt had been eyeing the house made Meatballs with homemade tomato sauce the moment we got the menus. We followed up with a large Bacon and Chicken Pizza. Now I would say that the beers were pretty tasty, but Target had a good point in that the glasses were not cold. In case it had never been mentioned before, we like our beer ice cold. The meatballs were very good...excellent seasoning and well cooked, but there were only two for we three.

 The pizza had a good char on the crust, but could have been crisped up a tad more. The ingredients were well cooked, however the sauce could have been thicker. It kinda of dampened the toppings to the point of dripping here and there. Regardless, the pie had a good taste as the flavors melded well together. The music made it. Classic 70s and 80s tunes serenaded us the entire meal. Nothin' better than downing a meal to AC/DC's Highway to Hell. Considering only two ordered plates, our tab surprised us some. Seemed like the beach wasn't the only thing eroding this trip. However, a return engagement would not be out of the question, nor in the near future. More places are in need of our critical review. The Journey waits for no one and stops for no one...not even the Devil herself.

THE RATINGS-

House Meatballs: B+

Pizza: B

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B-

Value: C
Overall Score = 2.80