Tom Wolfe Dines Out

You can’t go home again, and we found that to be true last night.

Not wanting to deal with dinner at the digs we decided to “go out”. We finally eschewed an inclination to go to the Ruddy Duck opening, letting them settle for a while and decided on the Dry Dock. We knew that they had a new “summer menu”, supplanting the “night” theme that apparently did them well in the winter hours, and decided to give it a try. As long time readers will remember, we used to be “regulars” at the Dry Dock, and went there fairly often, enjoying good food, professional and friendly service, and the always pleasant surroundings. With various changes in staff, we have sort of drifted away and thought last night a good time to have another visit. After crawling over the bridge we finally got to the parking lot around 6:30 or so, found a parking spot, ascended the stairs only to find an almost empty restaurant. There were four long time patrons at the bar that we knew from the “old days” and that was it. We took a couple of seats at the bar as is/was our wont, but at the “service” end rather than our favorite spot. Although there was a lack of diners, there was no lack of staff. There were probably 6 or 7 including the barkeeps, and seemed to be enjoying each other’s company more than the patrons. They seemed to be having fun. We were pleased to see at least one was one of the “original” crowd, and was um, more of our generation. The rest were (relatively) young, and some featured body art. The taciturn bartender asked if we would like to eat or drink and we said both. Eventually a drink order was taken, mine the “test” drink, and MFO tried a glass of Gewürztraminer. Despite my misgivings, the “dry manhatten, etc.” was executed flawlessly, and the glass of (always too cold) white wine was delivered.

Meanwhile a few more people straggled in, some sitting on the porch, but there was still room for plenty more. While we were enjoying our drinks, an appetizer was served to our friends down the bar and when we asked what it was, we were told that it was a “trial” not on the menu, and we were offered an order. Of course! We were eventually given a plate of what turned out to be tempura (?) coated goat cheese stuffed squash blossoms. They were fairly tasty and pleasant to look at, but we thought a nice little sauce would have added something. Maybe a remoulade or mustard sauce, but we weren’t asked. Would be a good addition to the menu I think. Turning to the “new” menu we observed prices mostly in the mid twenties for entrees, appetizers in the low teens and salads below ten. Pretty much the same selections as always, at the top was the 31 dollar “Surf and Turf”, followed by a chicken, rib eye, (secret recipe) crab cakes, a couple of fish dishes (including a rockfish labeled “Atlantic” i.e., no PCB’s?) and a couple of sandwiches. I had always appreciated the fact that there was a vegetarian item on their menu, but none appears on the “new” one. When we asked our old friend server about that, she said that if one was desired, the chef would do the “bay scallops/gnocchi, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, Romano cheese” and hold the scallops. Hmmmmm.. Anyway, I selected the grilled mahi puttanesco with olives, artichokes, and tomatoes, and MFO took the Marinated Flank Steak Sandwich.

The food eventually arrived, and it was good, but not outstanding. My Mahi was about the size of a 3 x 5 card, cooked correctly, and perched atop the linguini that the Dry Dock appears to hold dear. The tomatoes were probably fresh, but still had skins and tops that were a bit problematical to eat. The dish seemed just sort of “put together” and wasn’t really harmonized if that makes sense. It was just an assemblage of stuff, and didn’t flow. The sandwich was appreciated by MFO. Service remained sort of distant, but adequate. Conversation among the wait staff continued.

At the time we left, we still were the only occupants of the bar, although a few tables were used along with the porch. For us, the old experience was gone; we were just another tab in the restaurant, Not among friends. I suppose we could rebuild the relationship with continued attendance, but nothing we saw last night would motivate us to do that. We didn’t fit. But, I would still recommend the Dry Dock, the setting remains one of the best waterfront experiences in the area, and the food is now reasonably priced and adequate. But, that’s only one visit in a long time. You can’t go home again.