Friday Food, Fun, and Folly

Just a couple of notes and a rant to round out the week….

Food Related (what a surprise!)

We joined another couple for dinner at the Dry Dock last night on Solomon’s Island. I am not sure if it because Ben is back in the kitchen, but I think the place continues to approach its old status as one of the better dining places around, and the best waterfront fine dining.

There were different servers than I’ve seen, but the same talented (but taciturn) bartender, and of course the kitchen staff. Another nuance is that they bring bread (rolls and garlic butter) to the table even before ordering, perhaps right after the drink orderis taken. Our server got right to that task without any naming speeches. Knowing that the bar could pass the drink test, I instead opted for my newer diversion of the Gray Goose Dirty Martini (served up). The menu also has shifted some with more small plates/appetizers and maybe a fewer entrees ~ for instance last night there was no rockfish option. Regular stuff otherwise, surf and turf, pasta, crab cakes, steaks, etc. Prices for the smaller plates are mid teens, and larger mid twenties. One could have a reasonably priced evening with a cup of soup or salad, and a small plate. Drinks, of course, are drinks. Without the usual dragged out descriptions, everything we had was good. I would have constructed my shrimp and mahi-mahi a little differently, but still a good evening.

To Do:

Tonight is first Friday in Leonardtown, with live music (John Shaw) in the bookstore, wine tasting in Qualitystreet, art (and vino) in the North End Gallery, and MFO will be displaying the Historical Society's Patchwork Quilt in the quilting store. Another welcome feature will be that The Front Porch (nee Corbel’s) will be open. I expect that to be mobbed.

There is also the “speaker program” at Sotterley Plantation (7:00, no charge). Tonight’s program is by David O'Neill, President of the Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail.. He will share the story of Capt. John Smith and the creation of the first water-based national historic trail delving into the politics and the policy behind the new park entity. Current plans to implement the Trail, highlighting how it is being used to advance geo-tourism and regional conservation planning policy and practice will also be discussed.

The feeder is going to double dip… program then first Friday.. so much to do in the land of nothing to do. And, the River Concerts are right around the corner.

Sporting Rants:

1. I normally do not watch professional basketball on TV. Period. The only exception is that if driven to it, I will watch the “finals”, having no other options. Yes, not turning on the TV is an option, but never mind that. So, I decided that I would catch some of the game last night, the first between the Celtics and the Lakers. After the speed and teamwork evidenced in the “Big Dance” of the NCAA, this just seemed like street ball on a court. Run (well, lope) down the floor, look for an opening, drive the basket, slam it home. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, and well, maybe throw in a couple of threes from time to time (they can shoot). Booooring! And, to top it all off,this morning I tuned into the “Mike and Mike” show , (another feature I am growing tired of), where I can at least get last night’s scores, sports headlines, etc. They started off giving the score of the game, Lakers win, and so forth. They are pretty much NBA centric, but this morning they then said they were going to devote the ENTIRE show (4 hours, mind you) to “breaking down last night’s game for you"! I didn’t clock the game, but I believe that they were going to talk about the game for more time than it took to play it. Click.

2. I do normally watch golf on TV, and you can say what you want, but I enjoy the lovely green courses, the laid back nature, and especially (some of) the commentators. CBS’s David Feherty, Gary McCord, and Nick Faldo are original and entertaining. So I tuned in to watch the Memorial (“Jack’s Tournament”) yesterday. Some golf fans will know that Tiger is in the field this week. When I was watching, the leader was at 7 strokes under par. Tiger at that point was one over par. The network spent the next hour (when I gave up) covering a golfer that was 8 strokes off the lead (many more players were much closer to the leader) playing at best an average round of golf. “Here’s Tiger in the bunker! Oh, he hit twenty feet past the pin). Love the media…

3. enough.

Have a good weekend, try to find something to do, and if it entails food, consider

DFD