Haunted, cuts from the Watt.

Overcast skies, and pop-up ghouls cast a dark aura over local canals.
Ocean Parkway and The Pines, 10/13/2022.

     To say this past year was a challenge would be a gross understatement. Pain management, vertigo, ear infections, COVID, vehicle engine seizure, migraines (oh, the migraines), emergency rooms, morphine drips, pop-up storms over a half shingled roof hence water stains on the ceiling, dizzy spells (where's the wall?), job stress, back strain, more pain, twisted ankle, twisted foot. We seemed to make it through the last couple years despite the threat of the pandemic around us. Yet, distress haunted us throughout this season hard. Commitments made it difficult to travel. Only now are we feeling the recovery. It is slower than it has been in the past, but the Crew always persevered! 

     This evening, the T-Man was dealing with a sprained ankle and clearly in pain, however the Crew took precedence. The trooper in him kept his eyes on deck. A new establishment, a transformation, a tavern in the round...ripe for our tally of compliments and criticisms. 410 Social Eatery and Barroom was the latest addition and edition to the Berlin restaurant scene. Yeah, we'd already been to the former version. The bar was at full capacity when we entered, so we grabbed a table and settled in. The area was bright, walls adorned with fancy murals, couches in the corner, with tables, metal stools, and lighting that reflected a modern industrial touch. First issue we took...the stools. We ain't the tallest folks around, but when we sat down the tables came up to our chests. Either raise the stools or lower the tables. We ended up half sitting half standing ...made Target just a tad short...with our waiter. This worked to our advantage as the waiter was speedy quick with our initial brews. At this point I would have to say that the T-Man doesn't eat pain like candy; more like drinks it like bitter coffee. He takes it with the best of 'em, but don't cross 'im! LWatt and I helped him to keep off edge with discussions on how the past week had been- and what was to be pulled off the menu.

Seafood Potato Skins, a little different for us as of late. And, a couple of go to's- Old Bay Wings, and the 410 Smash Burger, a double smashed burger with pickles and melted cheddar. The potato skins had a good amount of crab and shrimp, but were pretty small and overly seasoned with Old Bay. The wings were hot and meaty, but under seasoned. 

The burger is one of their specialties and that fact shined through. Juicy, perfectly cooked, a little messy. The beers were cold however the glass (which Target had to ask for his) was not iced. Plenty of flatscreens showing the evenings' sports. The music was faint, yet decent. And the tab was not painful at all. A few nicks and scratches, but otherwise the 410 is doing a good business with a strong local following.  

     We have often asked if the end of the Crew was near. But the Crew is more than just surf and turf. It is friends getting together, braving the elements, discussing the obstacles, relieving life's stress, breaking bread, and washing it all down with an ice cold beer. Hell, I can count on one hand the number of times I've surfed this season, yet I still look forward to the possibility of the next session. Some rehab time due; shake off the specters. This will be a nice retreat for the Crew to come back to... when all is healed up. 

THE RATINGS-

Beer: B-

Seafood Skins: C+

Old Bay Wings: B

410 Smash Burger: A-

Atmosphere: C+

Value: B

Overall Score = 2.83

Not A Drop, the Target's notes.

Not a drop of water shed this session 'round. Thigh to waist beckoned, 60th Street Break. 10/6/2022

     It's been 10 months since our last retreat. I could say a lot had happened but in reality, time just keeps moving forward. The question is, are you riding the wave or duck diving for the next set? It seems to me I am just trying to stay afloat. With the mid-fall evening in its last hours, the beach option was a pass and we planned to head directly to the tavern of choice. For this monster occasion LWatt had prepared her famous chocolate chip cookie squares as a gift. Of course, Wattman had to stop to do his surf check. Thus, they both showed up blaming the other for being late. No worries, it was good to see friends smiling all around after such a long absence. We had decided on a location we visited 4 years plus ago. Shottie's Point is situated in a small space that is part of K-Coast Surf Shop on 35th and the main drag, and with this being the start of the Endless Summer Crusin', we had to wait for a table. Business was good.
     After being apart for such a long time we had a great deal to catch up on, and remembering what we had told each other previously was a challenge in itself. Being seated at a booth in the corner, we got to the first order of business- the menu. The beer selection was a combination of drafts and cans. The Watt requested glasses and while cold, they were not iced. As we made our beer selection, I announced I had been sober since our last meeting ten months ago. Not a single drop of beer. It seemed to me only when I was down with the Crew (Wattman I suspect) that any level of alcohol was required.

However, the beer was cold and we made our dinner selections of Old Bay Wings and "the Chooch," a seafood pizza with Old Bay, crab, and shrimp. The wings were large, hot and well-seasoned. But it was my first wings in ten months so maybe that played a role in how quickly I devoured my share. The pizza itself was nicely made and while we did find small portions of shrimp, the crab was a bit scarce for my liking.

              Even with a small waitstaff, the service actually was pretty good and there was music playing in the background though it tended to blend into the background noise. To Watt's pleasure, there were several TVs in the bar, all running loops of different surf contests. We spent most of the eve jaw jacking and soon enough we started saying our good nights. After ten months, it all felt like some sort of special occasion. We had good food, cold beer, and lively conversation with great friends reunited. You would have thought we had picked up without missing a beat. But alas, NO.  As we stood outside it suddenly occurred to us that we hadn't done our ratings. Hastily, we wrote down our thoughts, did our high fives, and planned the next retreat.

THE RATINGS-

Old Bay Wings: B+

"The Chooch" Seafood Pizza: B-

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: C+

Value: B-

Overall Score = 2.64

     Did we mention the Endless Summer Cruisin'? The town rumbled with Hot Rods, Customs, and Classics through the weekend. This year being the 25th anniversary we could not let this post close without a few pics. With each flashing cruiser, we all unanimously agreed...this summer had flown by. Definitely got to do a better job of taking advantage next summer. Let's face it, they're never really endless.

It's your one way ticket to midnight

Call it Heavy Metal

Higher than high, feelin' just right

Call it Heavy Metal

Desperation on a red line

Call it Heavy Metal- Noise!

-The Red Rocker