The Hand That's Dealt, tales from the Watt.

So break me down if it takes all your might  -Seether, Breakdown
In the beginning, the end was near. Breakage on the mind before
closin' the session. 47th Street Break, 8/22/2019.

   A disadvantage of surfing only one night a week...especially a specific night...leaves you to limited conditions. This time of year, when the heat is on and the tropics have been strangely quiet considering we're getting into late August, it's  either flat or breaking on the shore. This past Thursday, we had a third session of shorebreak. Had to play the hand that was dealt. Not too many rides. A slide here, a skid there. Better than last week as I didn't have to deal with a potential full house clubbin' over the head into a full on faceplant. This week's thigh high swell gave a couple short, albeit bumpy rides. The last rip of the evening was the speediest towards the shore, punched my board out from under my feet, and filled every crevice with sand; definitely the most fun. LWatt may have been closing her eyes, but I am sure Target was all over the potential carnage. Not to be as I wrapped the leash,  rinsed off, and we headed in.
   Movin' out, we drove south... to 13th Street and the Boards and the Beach Plaza Hotel, home of  the Ocean 13 Tiki Bar. Back in late June, logistical difficulties forced us to miss out on this saloon located just below level of the Boardwalk, but this time 'round we were not to be denied. The Tiki Bar was definitely the type of dive we search out. Kind of a "surf dive." An abstract carved slab of rough finished wood, urethaned smooth, made up the wide bar top. Two flatscreens, only one of which was on, and some decent piped classic rock provided the entertainment. Our bartender was a bit abrupt with taking our drink order, almost coarse. An afterthought at first, like he was part of the rugged atmosphere of the place, but LWatt was not impressed. Needless to say the appeal, as it correlated with our surroundings, faded quickly.

Letting it pass, we put in our order: an unusual sounding wing flavor, the Blackened Caesar, a Chicken-Chorizo Quesadilla, and Chili-Lime Seared Mahi Tacos. The Tacos were way too small. "Street Style," shouldn't mean starving on the street although they had a fair taste. The quesadilla was the most disappointing, missing out on homemade pico de gallo that never made a showing, and the chicken lacking flavor. The wings...oh man, the wings were tasty. Meaty, with a good sear, and a savory Caesar coating, the only thing that kept these from being an "A" was that there was only six of 'em. Our tab was a little heavier than we expected, the food was slow in coming, and there was the barkeep... more of an annoyance than a gimmick. Let's face it, at the end of the day, rude don't go with any decor. Get a new one, and maybe we'll provide this place a second go-round. Until then, our Journey moves on.

THE RATINGS-

Blackened Caesar Wings: A-

Chili-Lime Seared Mahi Tacos: C

Chorri-Pollo Quesadillas: C-

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: B-

Value: C+

Overall Score = 2.54

Feel It Coming, tales from the Watt.

Open invitation, 65th just below Holidays. 8/15/2019

I see it around me
I see it in everything
I could be so much more than this.
   -Jimmy Eat World, My Sundown

   It's only mid-August, and already a pacification of our summer seems to be occurring. Target even commented that the college students have headed back to campus, the summer help was dwindling, and the OC seemed to be getting a little less crowded. First signs of The End. We could almost feel it coming. LWatt didn't see it. I refused to acknowledge it. Target insisted on it. Add to it...shorebreak conditions for a 2nd week in a row. Onshore winds out of the northeast meant that the break was going left. As usual, no matter how I tried I couldn't score a frontside. Actually, with waist-high sets clubbin' through, breaking in knee deep water, I pretty much did not score period. I can say it's always good to get wet, but with no ride it's just not true. Another sign...the sun is setting noticably earlier as well. LWatt pointed that out. And, since it was somewhat overcast, the session's end seemed to come on that much faster. I called it a day before I would allow the irritation to set in and we headed back across the duneline to pack it up.

Hard stop...nothin' but shore. Fighting the frustration.

   Northside of the island was tonight's destination location. Part of the Taphouse Group, Taphouse Tavern was in the former location of Kirby's Red Onion Grille on 138th. Taking up the corner of a small strip center, the joint was immediately found to be a locals hangout as we established our presence at the bar and surrounding patrons began giving us their recommendations. Our barkeep was on it, promptly bringing menus and a beer list. To that end, we ordered up our brews and worked on the meal options. After a Tavern discussion, we settled on the following: the Taphouse Pretzel, the Chicken Quesadilla, and the Old Bay Wing City Wings. After the night's sesh, our beer was good. Our glass was warm. That part was not good.

The pretzels were filling, the cheese dip very good. The quesadillas were the best choice, and most highly recommended. Full of big chunks of chicken and ample cheese, the portions were good sized and well constructed. The cheese oozed, but not all over us. The wings were the most disappointing. Good taste, but while they were warm, they were not hot...and they were a tad tough. In the world of the ever more popular Old Bay Wing, our expectations have grown. No band tonight, but we had pre-season football. The Redskins, which made me happy (they lost, which did not make me happy). Flatscreens were well placed and plentiful. Nice layout of the bar and dining area. This is a small tavern, so we felt comfortable. And, not overly expensive, which meant we may return one day. For now...we Journey on, scratching to hang on to the last vestige of summer.

THE RATINGS-
Beer: B-
Taphouse Pretzel: B-
Chicken Quesadilla: A-
Old Bay Wings: C
Atmosphere: B-
Value: B
Overall Score = 2.83