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"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.
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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
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