Cruiser, tales from the Watt.

You comb the night 'cause you're a cruiser. And ya you never get enough...  -The Cars, Cruiser.
Twilight frontside cruiser, 66th and Holidays. 9/11/2019

   Crumbs from Dorian. Traces of Gabrielle. The tropical hurricane season had hit giving us sectioning surf last evening. The leftovers from the offshore storms were made for cutting fast cruises across the froth before dying out. Like a street racer that ran outta gas. The rides were brief, and if I didn't jump on 'em quick I'd miss, getting caught up in the mush. If I was indecisive as to direction, there was not enough power to pull through and I'd end up out front in the flats...on empty. I enjoyed it all and suffered through it all to some degree. Like the conditions, the on-shore winds would pick up, and then die down. In their self-imposed stationary posts it appeared that LWatt and Target were content to be relegated to their fixed seats. But, as the winds rose and fell unevenly, the slightest bit of chill settled in. This time of year, the sun drops fast, so water time is fleeting. After a seasonally shortened session, throw in the chill, we wrapped up. Once again, we cruised north for the night's dining critique.

    Leading into Mid-September, we're twelve days from Fall. Our Summer tap had kicked. One of the signs of autumn setting in has been the growing number of corn fields reaped and leveled. So Our Harvest on Ocean Highway and North Fenwick Island, DE, was a nice pick by Target that merged well with our place in the season. Situated in a country-shed style building, paneled in shiplap, their covered front porch-walk was lined with stacked planters of fresh herbs and vegetables. Inside was an eclectic mix of formal and casual; farm tables, plush couches, and leather bar stools with well placed flatscreens on the perimeter. We found a place at the bar and were swiftly attended to by our barkeep, Jake.

First impressions are the most lasting, and I gotta say, Jake's knowledge of their brew offerings impressed. When I inquired about the beers on tap, Jake asked a couple questions about my preferences then gave an accurate description and flavor profile of each beer. This may have been the reason the tap handles were blank. It forced the questions, and corresponding answers. The knowledge of the menu was the same. Joined by fellow barkeep Ryan, both guys were well versed in the food offerings and very flexible as to any additions or subtractions we requested. We placed our orders and soon had our choices brought out. LWatt had the Grilled Baby Caesar with grilled romaine and chicken. The lettuce was lightly charred and the chicken well cooked but small portioned. Target and I split the Charred Wagyu Flank Steak, and the Carne Flatbread.

The steak was luke-warm, not charred enough, and also small portioned. The pleasant surprise of the evening was the flatbread. The best we've had all year, it had big slices of wagyu meatballs, house chorizo, fra diavolo sauce for a bit of a bite, and buffalo mozzarella to finish off. Nice! The beer was good, but glasses could have been chilled vs. frig-kept. The barmen were polished and good-natured. Our tab was probably the most expensive we've seen. In fact, it was the most expensive we've seen. Small (and expensive) portions left a void in both our stomachs and pockets. In general, a nice dining experience. The service was very good, but the beer and food, while well thought out, was overpriced. It is hard to say if the ever so busy schedule of our Journey will ever bring the Crew back, but if so...it will have to be after payday. For now, we cruise on.

THE RATINGS-

Grilled Baby Caesar: B

Charred Wagyu Flank Steak: C+

Carne Flatbread: A-

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B

Value: C-

Overall Score = 2.79

When you're cruisin' down the street
And you're takin' off the heat
When you're on the moonlight run
(Cruiser)
Well, you're a cruiser
(Cruiser)
(Cruiser)

-post dedicated to
Ric Ocasek, 1944-2019
The Cars