Tapped Out, the Watt's notebook.

Taking advantage of the balmy October evenings. Food, friends, and beer- Taphouse Bar & Grille, 10/22/2020.

   What can I say. Poor performance. LWatt was right: I didn't need to don the full suit for the first time since Spring. For as little time as the fading light allowed me to stay in the water, I could have dealt with the 65 degree water in a spring suit, or even a rubber top. I would have been warm enough. I was certainly busy enough. Hell, there was a guy out their catching rides wearing a t-shirt for shit's sake. I spent my time getting caught inside, half duck diving wearing a full suit (which is quite buoyant by the way), spending more time getting pummelled by set after set, trying to stay in the lineup much less catching jack. Chest-plus high, semi- clean lefts rolling in sets of three to four...Wow! Finally done, catching a mushie to shore, in the dark, tumbled in the end, I was disappointed and tapped out for the night. Like I said, it was dark, Target and LWatt were most certainly relieved.

Didn't wear it well. 66th and Holidays, 10/22/2020.

   The cure to forget the disappointment; good food, good friends, good beer. I had the Crew, and the Taphouse Bar & Grille on 45th and the Bay had the food and plenty of beer selections. It was a short ride from the surf at Holidays. This was kinda new, kinda not. We've been to the 45th Street Taphouse (as it is also known) a couple times before, last time- about six years ago. But, never the outdoor gazebo bar. Air was still in the upper sixties, so we were comfortable ordering our drinks. Outside dining means we expect to get our brews in plastic, but the Taphouse served them in pretty sturdy cups...like the kind some may chose to keep. No, not us. Target and I still prefer our beer in a glass...iced glass. However, they were classy for the open air dining atmosphere.

Orders were put in for the Taphouse Pretzels with spicy stout mustard and house made beer cheese, the House BBQ Wings, and the 1/2 pound Baconlicious Burger. To start this critique, one of the other variables we have come to expect (although not accept) in dining outside is semi-warm food. This evening we were pleasantly surprised.

All dishes were served very warm to hot. The pretzels came out in a foursome, were freshly baked and hot, salted well, and with very good dipping sauces. The wings were fat, juicy, and evenly coated with a sticky sweet BBQ. The burger was a well cooked, 1/2 pound, hand pressed patty with tons of bacon (as the menu promised), cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a buttery brioche bun with a pile of tasty waffle fries on the side. Gotta say, our bartender served us one of the most consistent meals we've had all season. And, the tab was very reasonable (including a free beer!) for what we ordered. We had golf, and then football on the TV. We had a mix of top 40 pop and rock on the radio. We had a very good bartender who provided very good service. We had good friends with great conversation. All were conducive to putting frustration behind, and feeling stoked about our Quest for the next session. 'Til then...

THE RATINGS-

Taphouse Pretzels: B+

House BBQ Wings: B+

Baconlicious Burger: B+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B

Value: B

Overall Score = 3.13

Instant Gratification, the Watt's notebook.

"Here's an all too familiar scenario: The clock strikes five, you scramble from your cube to the car, gunning it out of the parking lot, hoping to make it to the beach before sundown, itching to catch a couple waves while the last flickers of daylight dance across the horizon."  -Dashel Pierson, Night Surf
That first sweet ride, usually the only ride before darkness falls. Holidays 'n 66th, 10/14/2020.

    It's the feeling of being rushed that drives me batty. We leave the house late, knowing that the T-Man will be there before us. Yet, worse is the sight of the sun setting as we round the exit onto the Rt. 90 bridge. It's the 2nd week of October; after this bout, only two weeks left before we are done with our weekday surf sessions. Of course, LWatt and I got behind the slowest vehicle on the east coast...that was headed east...towards the Ocean...well, at least Ocean City. The skylight continued to dim as dusk settled around us, the sun now extinguished for the evening. I came careening off Coastal Highway onto 65th, roared up the alley, and swung into a parking space on 66th being guarded by Target himself as we came to an unsettling stop just centimeters from the Target's knees. Okay, a bit dramatic, but we were late. And, the sun was down. And, it was getting to be zero-dark-thirty fast. I slipped into the shortie suit to handle the 68 degree Atlantic temps. LWatt and Target needed only light jackets as they walked to the beach and set their chairs. I darted up to the water's edge, strapped on the leash, and paddled out into the thigh or less semi-chopped surf that was beginning to become a metallic grey, almost fading into the muted horizon like the end of a bad movie. I didn't pay it no mind. I was looking for the next contender that I could carve into...just one decent wave...before it became too dark to discern the next sets. That's what I had found happening the last couple times in the water. And tonight, not only was the light fading, but so were the conditions. Regardless, I got it. It might have been thigh-high, or even a knee scraper- I didn't care. Afterwards I latched onto a couple of "almost were's" before calling it a night. I was in 30 minutes. Maybe? Didn't matter as I was stoked. Got that quick buzz...the instant gratification that comes from that first ride of the evening. Even if it's the only ride.

    This week's session was on a Wednesday, as it was a little warmer, and less windy. 'Course lately the middle of the week has also meant less options as our dining conditions have been fading like the surf. Our heading was to Pizza Tugos Taphouse, a stalwart in West OC., located on Rt. 50 East. We've been there, done that and never had a bad meal. Good pizza (it's in their name!), decent wings, and 78 beers on tap! And...that's just what we ordered...a Chicken and Bacon Pizza, and jumbo Old Bay Wings.

T-Man and I got a couple beers from the many tap options. Now there's instant gratification...beer served in chilled glass, the perfect complement to our meal. The wings were fat, hot, and juicy. They were also very salty from being excessively coated in Old Bay. The biggest issue with using Old Bay is while it is lightly spiced, it can be very salty if overworked. The pizza was loaded with chicken and bacon, although the bacon was a tad underdone for Target and LWatt. The crust was very crispy. Overall, good quality. Tugos sported plenty of flat screens with a variety of action including snowboarding, watersports, baseball, and FHV...Funniest Home Videos. Nothing like the action of a few unscripted faceplants. Great classic rock playing in the background. All were conducive to our discussion of off-season joints to be considered in the current social atmosphere. The bill, not so much. One thing about COVIDINA, she has certainly raised our costs (good thing we don't have Crew dues, although I am sure the Target has been working on it). Tugos, like many of the other places we have recently been to, was not very crowded. Just like us, they gotta pay their bills too. All in all, another good session in our Quest for the ultimate. What's the stoke about the Quest? We are always looking for the next one up. Countdown: 2 weeks of surf left. Let's hit it!

THE RATINGS-

Chicken 'N Bacon Pizza: B+

Old Bay Wings: C+

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B

Value: C

Overall Score = 2.75

The Coast Is Cleared, the Watt's notebook.

They're closin' down the hangouts

The air is turnin' cool
They'r shuttin' off the superslide
The kids are back in school

Barren beach...you can tell the close of our season is near. Ankle high shore-slappers, Holidays break. 10/8/2020

The tourist traps are empty
Vacancy abounds
Almost like it used to be
Before the circus came to town.

-J.Buffett

   LWatt made the comment as we walked up to the dune crossing that she couldn't hear the waves crashing. It became obvious as to why when we caught the Ocean's horizon...next to nuthin' minuscule waves slapping the shore. Like that ankle-biter pooch that comes running up to you on your daily jog (weekly for me), and nip at your legs- small, clean, rollers that would do little more than snap the skegs (again!) off my board. The relentless creeping swell was literally washing all remnants of the summer circus away, clearing the coast for an off-season that seemed ions away a couple months ago. It was a cooler evening, about 68F, with the water also measuring 68F. I had psyched myself for the chill bringing only trunks and a rubber top. LWatt and Target had blankets, jackets...hell...they were probably ready to start a bonfire. Much to their delight, and my vexation, the surf was near non-existent as described above, but that didn't stop me from walking out about knee deep to get the feel of it all. After the all too brief survey, I hung my head and headed back over the sand following T-Man and LWatt to the vehicles and our post surf-Check meal.

   Tonight's epicurean critique would take place at Hooked on 80th and Ocean Highway. Previously rated by the crew five years ago, we were looking forward to our experience as they had rated fairly well at the time. To my delight, a row of taps, all active and ready for choice. Target chose the ever classic Stella Artois, while I chose an Southern Tier's Imperial Pumpkin Ale...both served in ice cold glasses. To ward off the nip of the beach, an Irish Coffee for LWatt. A not-so-quick scan of the menu led us to decide on tacos, wings, and a hamburger.

The Blackened Cod Tacos with cabbage, pickled red onion, lime and pico on soft shells, came only two in the group. They were satisfying, albeit a bit much on the red onions. The Tri-Tip Jerk Wings came in a four count. Brined in apple cider, coated in a dry-rub jerk seasoning that had a bite but was not overly spicy, the tri-tips were the whole wing, hot and meaty... very tasty. The Hooked Burger was the stand-out. Juicy, medium-well angus, lettuce, tomato, onions, cheddar, on a brioche bun. Needless to say, we made it disappear quickly. Plenty of TVs with LWatt's team, da Bears! on Thursday Night Football. Classic rock music played over the speaker system. Overall, a very pleasant dining experience. The tab was about average...seems these days we average about $25 per person with tip. Sign of the times I suppose. 

The Ratings-

Blackened Cod Tacos: B-

Tri-Tip Jerk Wings: B

Hooked Burger: B+

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B

Value: C+

Overall Score = 2.92

   Speaking of signs, "special event zone" signs marked the start of the last side-show of the shoulder season, our last gasp,  Endless Summer Cruisin'. Hot Rods, Tricked-out Trucks, Muscle Cars, and Classics dominated the streets and main drag of Ocean City this week. The Crew made it a point to check 'em out as we have each season; Target as he waited for LWatt and I to arrive, and me and LWatt as we headed out into the night. Just another perk of our weekly Quest. Three weeks left in the surf season. The countdown is on.

'67 Chevrolet Camero

'55 Chevy Low-Rider

Blame Game, the Watt's notebook.

Some men go crazy. Some men go slow. Some men go just where they want. Some men never go.
-Bob Seger, Shame On The Moon
Appreciate the opportunity. Atlantic Harvest Moon, 66th and Holidays. 10/1/2020
 

   We crossed the duneline (how many times have one of our posts stated this way?). Seriously, no other way to get to the water. Gotta cross that duneline. The sun was doing a quick fade to the west. While Target and LWatt set up their respective perches, I walked a few yards south and timed my entry. Small surf, mush, but the tide was coming in and moving the chopped sets in four and five at a time. So with more effort than I thought would be necessary from shore, I got into the lineup. Grabbing a wave was just as frustrating. If you didn't take off at the peak your weren't getting any kind of ride. I tried left, I tried right. Closest I came was a near straight takeoff...and the ride died off. Yeah, choppy surf, fading light, lack of power...it was the blame game. I can say, the Harvest Moon was exploding this night, extending the session. I still wasn't able to take advantage, but more time in the water was always better. Not necessarily for the people in the stands. Light winds led to temperatures dropping into the lower 60s. LWatt had no problem convincing Target to pack up as I walked up from the water.

   Our post-surf foodie tour has been somewhat curtailed by safety concerns on both the local businesses side as well as the Crew's. We've done a fair job of mixing in a few newbies, but it's pretty risky to open a new restaurant in the current atmosphere. We blamed COVID. This evening's destination was another repeat, although not that recent. We last visited Teasers approximately four years ago, just prior to LWatt and myself moving back to the 'Shore. Not a lot change over the years, but the food remains somewhat consistent as bar food goes. Draft beer was limited to one handle (COVID!)... Corona Premier which Target took advantage of... I got me a canned IPA, and LWatt wrangled a Grapefruit Crush - all served in plastic.

After putting in our orders, the food arrived relatively quickly. Served hot and ready to judge- a Caribbean Chicken Quesadilla, Hawaiian BBQ Shrimp, and Sweet Asian Sesame Wings. Maybe we were hungry, I dunno, but this grub was tasty! The Quesadilla was the star, well stocked with grilled chicken and plenty cheesy with sour cream and salsa on the side. Three slices, not a whole quesadilla but very good. Only four shrimp, but they were large, butterflied, wrapped in pastrami bacon, well seasoned with a tangy chipotle BBQ sauce and a pineapple corn pico.

Could have been warmer. The wings were breaded...which is a no no...but only lightly, with a back end spiced, very flavorful, sticky-sweet asian glaze sprinkled with sesame. Not what I'd call a cold night, however an open air bar can sometimes be subjected to crosswinds...or fans. Either way a bit of a breezy chill. Regardless, we enjoyed Teaser's island tiki style sports bar theme with access to plenty of widescreens, and an excellent 70s/80s pop-rock music selection courtesy XM. Service was good, our bartender was very attentive. A hair pricey on the tab as we were still exposed to in-season pricing even with an off season crowd (more COVID). Always room to improve, but an overall enjoyable meal. We closed our tab, and judgement was passed. The Crew will continue to adapt while our Quest moves on.

THE RATINGS-
Caribbean Chicken Quesadilla: B+
Hawaiian BBQ Shrimp: B-
Asian Sesame Wings: B
Beer: C-
Atmosphere: B+
Value: C
Overall Score = 2.67

Oh, blame it on midnight
Oooh, shame on the moon...