Comings and Goings and Movings..

Before getting into the subjects at hand, I should say that today, 31 August, 2018 marks the 55^th year that MFO and I have been husband and wife.  What a great ride, and I am not sure how she put up with the Feeder that long, but God (and myself) love her!

Okay, the subject is comings, goings, and movings;

Let’s see, we’ll start in sort of reverse order with:

GOINGS

Somehow, this one escaped the attention of the Feeder, or if I did say something I have forgotten.  A bit of windup here, when I first started coming to Pax River (before my ’96 permanent (as it turned out) relocation), like back in the 70’s, there was a flight test guy nicknamed something like “Fast Freddie”.  Those who know, will know who I am talking about.  Always working a deal, finding an angle, pulling trades (some shady), etc., in order to keep the Hornet flight test program going.   When I did my stint in Spain teaching the Spanish Air Force about flutter testing, he went along.  On the weekends we toured across, and one story comes to mind to illustrate his personality.  In Spain, like other European beaches, many of the women go “topless”, and it is common enough that it is accepted practice.   Well, we were at some beach (maybe on the Med) trying to be the nonchalant Americans, when a particularly attractive female came by, whereupon Freddie exclaimed in a loud voice “wow! Look at those!” at which point we all checked for sand in our shoes.  (Seinfeld:  “they’re real and they’re spectacular” would apply)

Anyway during his last days at McDonnell, he and his family opened a restaurant called Bear Creek Barbeque.  For many years it was pretty much the only place around to get “real” pulled pork, sliced brisket, ribs, etc.  They were very community oriented and catered may events at places like Historic St. Mary’s City. 

Well as it turns out a couple of months ago, they closed the business which had moved from a nice location on Route 5 near Callaway to the old “Chicken Shack” tee pee on Piney Point Road.  I am not sure of the cause, I know there were health problems involved and the business remained in the (extended) family.  Kind of too bad.  But see “Comings”

Another place shuttered (which was no surprise to this office) is Cheese Burger in Paradise, which was located in the Wildewood Shopping center.  In carrying out the “Island” theme, it always looked almost abandoned anyway with tropical grasses, sand, etc., which was totally incongruous with a parking lot in a shopping center.  Have to admit I was there maybe once but did visit one on St. Barts, which was more appropriate.  Heard nothing but bad reviews on the local one.  Another chain gone!!

COMINGS

Sort of…. The closure of Bear Creek left kind of a hole in the BBQ market (okay, there’s Mission BBQ (one of at least 40 others around – and hoping to double by the end of 2018).   But as far as independent place (save a few various road side places) Smokey Joe’s in Lexington Park stood alone. A couple in Calvert but mostly locally was Smokey’s.   Well, they have now closed the little store here in the park, but there is now

Which now occupies the BBQ spot that failed in Leonardtown.  Recently opened, they appear to be doing well, judging by the parking lot census.  Have not been, but there is a ton of experience there.  Should be great and can expand their services.

GETTING BETTERS

In the same little area, there is Jessie’s Kitchen.  I have spoken about this before, but I had a chance to enjoy lunch with a friend there this week, and have to admit they are doing better.  It is still a pleasant enough place for a store front

Good wine list, top shelf spirits (not at lunch however) and seemingly very fresh foods.  Given my sodium restrictions, I have to be careful but the helpful server checked with the kitchen and said the vegetable broth used in their soups was quite low, and their reputation is good on the soups.  You pick your noodles (ramen, Udon, etc.) then broth (veggie or beef) and then the ingredients (chicken, pork, bulgogi, etc.)  so I chose Soba (buckwheat) Vegetable Broth and the Vegetable version.   [quick rant: why is it so damn hard to find menus for places like this?  Down load PDF, go here, go there; c’mon! show me the menu!).  Also ordered a glass of wine.   Pretty quickly the dish came out

Quick quiz: of the three items pictured which two does the Feeder wish would go out of fashion?  Correct!

And I would add a fourth.   I suppose it’s because I’m in the wrong culture and not familiar with foreign eating customs, but I had a heck of a time with that black ladle, quite deep -  how do you get noodles in that? And what about the broth?  You have to tip it so much to get the broth into it, the other ingredients fall out.  Eating noodles with a round utensil is daunting.   I finally had to break out the fork and treat the noodles like spaghetti.

All that being said, all the ingredients were cooked nicely, and seemed very fresh.  Overcoming the mechanics of getting it in your mouth, it was great once it got there!  Either lessons or a wrap next time!  Go have fun.

QUICK FACT

I had a friend do what I have often thought of, but never carried through.   He counted the number of Tex/Mex restaurants in the area and came up with ten if you include Chipotle and Taco Hell.   I have wanted to do this for Asian places, and maybe Pizza joints, but will remain for a future effort.

Okay, time to go crack our bottle of 55^th Anniversary champagne.  

Thanks MFO for 55 years of fun! 

While we DFD and help carry forward NMMJ

Next up: a cooking lesson!