New Beginnings-Inland Quest, in the words of the Target.

There's this one particular harbor, so far but yet so near. Where I see the days as they fade away  -Jimmy Buffett
Port of Salisbury Marina, 1/23/2020.

   It has been relatively mild recently. Low winds and flat waves, but the nights have come with a chill. The Atlantic's temps have definitely been moving the needle in the wrong direction. Needless to say Winter sends us, at the very least, weekly reminders that this is the season we are mired in. The evening itself had dropping temps as I arrived at tonight's destination. It had been five weeks. Five weeks since our last meeting in December. I found myself questioning the Watts priorities when it did not appear that the opening meeting of the 2020 season was at the top of their list...if they even have a list...as they were late. A full minute late, mind you. You would think a Crew encounter for the first time in over a month would have added extra motivation, but I guess I had over estimated the excitement of 2020's opening act. That being said, I was still glad to see them both as we entered a new restaurant in downtown Salisbury. Upon the start of the new year we have decided to utilize the off-season to initiate a quest visiting some more "inland" establishments. As we have often implied, no tavern is exempt from a Crew review. After finding seats at the bar, Wattman requested a local brew while I went with the gold standard, Miller Light, which I always enjoy. While both the draft and bottle were cold, neither glass was iced. At least it was glass. LWatt got her signature Grapefruit Crush while we turned to Christmas updates. From the Chicago reunion to the Salisbury family dinner, there was much to catch up on since we last met. Morgan's Oyster House was an upscale place. From the industrial exterior to the custom oak bar and back-country rustic interior, it had a comfortable look and feel.

Our barkeep was attentive and knowledgeable on all aspects of the new restaurant and did a nice job determining our needs without being intrusive. Watt decided to try some of the house selection of oysters. Harvested in Girdletree/Snow Hill, Md, Scotts Landing provided the six oysters that were an excellent size, taste, and texture. However, at $2.50 each maybe next time we will go oystering ourselves.

 For our two courses we went with a Shaved Pit Beef sandwich and thinking a bit out of the box for us...Newburg Mac and Cheese, a lobster macaroni and cheese dish. The pit beef had a nice smokey flavor and was nicely carved, however it could have used an au jus, thin sauce, or mustard to take it to the next level. The surprise of the night was the seafood mac and cheese.

 The noodles were long and twisty to hold a very light cheese sauce which did not overwhelm the large chucks of lobster, shrimp, and crab. A wisp of panko garnished the top. Any time you can meld and not lose the taste of fresh seafood with a cheese sauce you know the chef knows what Eastern Shore cooking is all about. As we came to the end or our evening the results of our ratings proved out that our first choice for 2020 was a success. But, bring your wallet. This is no dive bar. With only one TV and no discernible music this evening, it was all about the food. The menu was modest; the price tag was not. Still, we enjoyed the fare and were happy we came. Although my year end review expressed concern over low ratings, I tend to be the gatekeeper as to the facts of our experience. As usual I had to hold to my truth. Our Quest continues.  

Mogan's Oyster House, 1/22/2020

THE RATINGS-

Scotts Landing Oysters: B+

Shaved Pit Beef: B

Newburg Mac & Cheese: A-

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: C+

Value: C+

Overall Score = 2.875

Back In Time; 19 to 20, in the words of the Target.

South winds barrel across the barren shore of a vacant OC. Mid-January, 2019.

So take me away, I don't mind
But you'd better promise me 
I'll be back in time
Gotta get back in time.
-Huey Lewis & The News

   Once again we must take an "over the shoulder" look at the year's sessions past; back in time to our 2019 Journey. Over our most recent years I have gotten a bit melancholy, maybe even a bit wordy, which is why I took a break. So today I will head straight to the truth, and only hope y'all can handle the truth. 2019 in retrospect, was a sub par year. The surf rarely got higher than waist high on our pre-determined weekday meetings.

July had a session or two worth grabbing a few clips.

Early July, 2019.

We got rained out once or twice, though that didn't stop the Watt. Ridable hurricane conditions are always a matter of timing, and we never seemed to be on the right end of the passing storm. More than usual, LWatt and I sat for hours on a cold, wind swept beach, waiting for Wattman to catch that elusive last ride. Why so much longer was always a mystery, especially when every person on the beach (which had emptied out) knew there were no more discernible rides to be had. Maybe that's just the definition of friendship, or dedication, or failing eyesight. Its your call. And then there was the Watts' new boat. Their reason for never ever taking me on a cruise in their new ship remains a mystery to this day. But, I will not dwell on these matters, instead we will visit some of the more uplifting segments of the year. Twice the Watts invited me for dinner, and both times I had a great time during an outstanding evening. Their dog, Tucker, had recovered well from his surgery and provided additional entertainment as he was back to his playful self. In addition, LWatt continued to outdo herself this past year baking fantastic cookies, tins of which she shared with me on numerous occasions. However, it's the beach and bars that originally drove us to be the Crew and it is at this juncture we must stare down the truth. 

Marlin Moon, top Crab Stuffed Potato Skins.

2nd highest score. April, 2019.

Mancini's, top Crab Bruschetta. 3rd highest score.

Eve of Dorian, September, 2019.

   In 2019, we visited thirty-two establish- ments...the same number as 2018. No progress. And, this fell short of our all time highs. Thus we must ask ourselves- are we slipping, is our drive diminishing? Or, has the ever grinding wheel of life worn us down? I have no answers, just misguided thoughts. The year also reported  ratings that were, I believe, the lowest in the history of the Crew. Did we judge too harshly, or were the places were just that bad? To clarify, one of the three lowest scores didn't even qualify as as a Dive Bar. 

Tied for last, Boardwalk Guidos needed

to take a tip from their northern store.

September, 2019.

Fat Daddy's...no bar, no good. Tied for

 last. May, 2019.

My biggest concern was the fact that for the first time we had no "A" rating for the non food items...beer, atmosphere, or value...at anytime during the year. Also, duly noted, was a complete lack of live music at any of the venues we visited. All you need is one guy on guitar and another whaling on some bongos. Is that to much to ask? In addition, the level of plastic cup usage in which to serve beer was getting to be disappointingly high. A cold beer needs a cold glass. We get the open-air bars, or sand filled outdoor serving areas, but c'mon man! With this being said we did have some of the best food we've had in a while.

Plastic cups always threw Wattman off his game.

Early June, 2019.

Crab potato skins, crab bruschetta, and homemade biscuits with shrimp to name the top three. Thus we come to 19's end, back in time for 2020 (unlike Wattman's arrival to most sessions). We'd seen a lot and learned a lot. The two Watt maximum has become a rule to live by. Trying to put up with what I put up with, one might say, takes a saint. Hence, I am considering a new moniker in the new year (more to come). Wattman will continue to make the decisions concerning the next locale to critique which LWatt and I will intercede upon as necessary. Review duties will be shared by both myself and the Watt as we continue our Quest into 2020. The Crew: good friends searching for that primo dining establishment, dive, tiki watering hole...one beach at a time, one bar at a time. Mahalo!

Top Pick: The Shark on the Harbor. October, 2019.
Top Score, Top Burger, Top Cheese-steak Biscuits & Shrimp.