Back in the formative days of the Bottom Feeder, I routinely
asked: “where DOES that time go?” well, nothing has changed much… it still
seems like it flies by. Here it is Sunday
already and another week looms.
Restaurants: existing and new:
Just Ducky: Last Thursday, I ate all my meals (except
breakfast which I never eat anyway) at both arms of the Ruddy Duck.. I decided I would join the crowd at the Brewery and Grill and watch
the USA Soccer Match. Kind of more fun
that sitting in a quiet house by yourself.
With the noon kickoff (I still think that term applies) I got there
about 11:30 and settled in in front of one of the many big screens
Ordered one of their excellent beers, and watched the game. While most people were rooting for the USA –
USA – USA, I noticed the gentleman to my left was kind of quiet. Further observation revealed that he would surreptitiously
pump his fist a bit when the Germans made a good play (which was often). Bouyed by a beer or so, I finally said “you
don’t seem to be pulling for the Americans!”.
No, he said, I’m from Germany. We
chatted a bit as the game progressed he was a very nice guy. Eventually I had some empanadas to go with my
beer which were quite fine. Either my
line is moving or they have the knack of adding just enough heat that it
provides a nice punch to the meat filling..
They were quite good.
As to the game, most folks will know that the Germans won as
expected, but our loss was characterized by calling it a win, because the USA,
along with Germany, will “go through”.
That evening we met a friend at the other Ruddy, the Seafood and Ale House. You can’t ask for a better setting on the
water, with both sides revealing nice views. We split a great oyster appetizer
Which was followed by a daily special of rockfish topped
with shrimp. Kind of a “Surf and Surf”
dish
All the food was well prepared, served properly, along with attentive service, which is what you would expect from people who have extensive experience in good food. It was a great evening..
The King: lots of buzz and press about “the Rex”
soon (?) to occupy the space vacated by Cerro Grande II in Leonardtown. Oddly enough, apparently it will be
owned/managed(?) by the son of somebody I used to work with in the early days
of the F-18.
Brasserie on the
Bay: Charles Street Brasserie, will be the
latest occupant of the Harbor Lights/Sounds space across from the Tiki Bar on
Solomons Island. I see that they have obtained their liquor license, usually
one of the last boxes to be checked before opening. They only have a FaceBook page at present,
but boast that they will be a “Fine Dining Restaurant, Bands and Musicians, Tapas
Bar and Restaurant” Quite a tall
order. We’ll see!
Jerky: Alerted by a friend, yesterday while on
my way down to the City for Chapel duty I stopped in at the Charlie’s Deli spot
which has been dark for a number of months (?). I saw this:
Originally when the friend said: “CoCo’s”, I immediately
thought of the Cantina that had a run in Lexington Park for a while. I contacted the former chef there and was
told “It isn’t me!” and indeed when I saw the sign it was obvious. I wish luck (?) to anybody who opens another independent
restaurant, but you gotta wonder what motivates somebody to go into a spot that
has closed twice (three times?) and think they’ll be different. Not only that, but featuring a cuisine that is
already kind of covered by Flex Island in San Souci Plaza. As I said, we’ll see!
Ham it Up!
One of the benefits of having an archivist in the house is
that occasionally she comes up with what is technically called: “Neat Stuff”. The other day she brought home a copy of a
1988 article published in the Pittsburgh Gazette:
Foodies should perk up when they see the author is none
other than the legendary food writer/critique Phyllis Richman, and then the
subject of Stuffed Ham and St. Mary’s County.
It is kind of a review of the old Belvedere that used to be the centerpiece
of Lexington Park. Maybe if your
technology is good enough you can read it, but I thought it contained some
interesting statements. One, there were
twenty four REAL Tiffany lamps, specialized in blue margaritas, and family
style veggies. But the thing that kind
of caught me up short was that she claimed that the Belvedere was most famous
for their Stuffed Ham. As you can see,
she sort of took the slant that the Belvedere was preserving the dish. Well, I certainly am not a “County Boy”, but
I have to think there were a lot of stuffed hams out there besides theirs. Mattingly’s was always “famous” for theirs. She gives (her) history of the dish, saying
it grew out of slaves using hog jowls when the “good cuts” went to the Masters,
along with whatever was in the garden (Kale, cabbage, peppers). Anyway, it is an interesting piece of
history. I do remember being here off
and on during that time, and even stayed at the belvedere. Remember the bovine on their sign? Great place to live, eh?
Chapel Duty
Spent the afternoon yesterday at Historic St. Mary’s City out at
the reconstructed brick chapel of 1667.
I had quite a few visitors, but was kind of partial to this little
fellow
He didn’t have much to say, but my guess is that he is
DFD
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