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