Peak Of Summer, from the Watt's notes

"These are the days of the endless summer, these are the days, the time is now. There is no past, there's only future, there's only here, there's only now." -Van Morrison

Easy backside sliders in a lineup full of surf fishermen. 66th Street & Holidays, 8/20/2020.

   Called this session, "the peak of our summer." LWatt and I had a few family commitments we were going to have to tend to over the next couple weeks, so it would be the 2nd week of September before we had our next Crew boot-up. Not yet Fall, but it will be getting close by then. Yes, it is a bit of a concern as to what the Target will do with himself during that time frame, however he is an industrious sort so I am sure he will be coming up with ideas as to what will ensue by the time the next session comes due and beyond. Crossing the dunes to the beach found folks lined up on both sides of 66th street surf fishing. About two blocks south I saw a couple other surfers in the water which meant there were rides to be had despite the sectioning left break. As Target and LWatt set up the chairs, I darted out into the lineup between two sets of rods set up along the backshore zone of the beach. I don't think I was out for five minutes before I squeezed out my first coaster...smooth, easy rollin', and enough power to support some distance. Keeping an eye on my fishing compatriots, I pulled up and headed back out satisfied that this appeared to be turning into a decent evening. One slider led to the next. Then a lull, and by the time the sky was turning the telltale pink, orange, and dark blue of a disappearing sun, I managed a couple more before calling it a night. Walking up from the shoreline, LWatt and the T-Man were "chairs folded" and waiting. Target was quick to tell me that my surfing had been somewhat annoying to a couple of their surf fishing neighbors. What can I say? It's in my nature. And, both LWatt and Target would agree on that!

   A new joint was on the docket to be rated tonight. Downy Oshun Seafood Shack, formerly Loca Madre, were both part of the Crabcake Factory Group. Downy Oshun appeared to be the later reinvented to provide service with all of the maskwearing, distancing, COVID-19 conditions in mind. Nestled in the north corner of the Ocean City Square Shopping Center on 118th, the front and side were lined with bar style counters and seating facing the open air with a Classic Rock band playing inside as we walked up.

Already an improvement from the previous iteration, Downy O was shaping up to be a promising peak of summer post-sesh experience. We found ourselves on the north side just behind the band. It didn't take long for us to realize it was a bit loud and we moved back a table. This is when the neurosis of the theme set in. I had to go to the bar to order our drinks and get the menus...no taps, all cans and bottles. No glass, all plastic. We don't care if the world is coming to an end, we need our drafts in icy, cold glass! Target and I with our beer in a cup, LWatt with her Crush in a cup, we looked over the menu and decided on two sandwiches, the Crab Grilled Cheese, and the Shrimp Roll...which is rare for us...and the Fish and Chips.

Distancing required me to go up and place our order with the bartender. OK, at this point, the whole service from afar deal was becoming stale. The food was not slow though. One of the bartenders showed up with our order, each in it's own box. The Shrimp Roll was very messy; a cold shrimp salad filling that tasted fair, but was hard to eat without it falling apart.

The fish was very hot and crispy, but basic- not much seasoning. Plenty of fries came with it. The star however, was the grilled cheese. Evenly melted with mounds of backfin crab meat, we gushed over this sandwich. While we ate and chattered away, there were plenty of flatscreens with the O's playing. The 2-piece band, while loud and a little off-key, played some good tunes and seemed to enjoy themselves. (Queue in the sound of a a needle ripping across a record.) The bill came. Holy wipeout, Batman! Our most expensive meal to date. And with no wait service... no beer taps... no drink glasses. Short of making the food, we did most of the work. Yeah, distancing, masking, protecting... but still. Whew! Downy O left it's mark. It will be a few weeks before we get meet up again. Maybe give us some time to recover financially. It may be the peak of the season, but there is still plenty of surf left. We will hunt down better. We always do.

THE RATINGS-

Shrimp Roll: C+

Fish 'N Chips: B-

Crab Grilled Cheese: A-

Beer: C

Atmosphere: B

Value: C-

Overall Score = 2.58