Poe... Purr... eee....

No, not poets, nor felines, just stuff that has accumulated during the week….

Luncheons…

Had a very nice lunch at Capt. Leonards a bit ago. Another on the list of “just right” places. There was a fair amount of multi generational family groups there, eating lovely looking hard crabs, sandwiches, fries, chocolate milk for the kiddies, Buds for the grown ups,everybody enjoying themselves and the food. Sure sign. There is a little clock over the (two stool) bar with a swinging pendulum showing the time as 5:03. No matter what time you’re there, it’s 5:03. Had a fried grouper sandwich, that lopped out both sides of the bun. And fries. And Bud. Great place. Just Right

Yesterday we had a little lunch for the visiting parents of a friend, we had fresh local tomatoes, some delicious Maryland goat cheese, and several other little nibbles before a smoked duck sandwich. Started off with Prosecco to clear and chill the palate, followed by a lovely chardonnay and graduating to a Pinot.

Dinners..

We enjoyed our first leg of Restaurant Week at Café des Artistes the other night, partaking in the offerings of local ingredients, beginning with mushroom soup, then local Bison Bolognese pasta sauce, and local egg crème brulee, which was “bruleed” table side. Although not local, you get anchovies on your Caesar salad, which of course you should. Without asking.

A reminder to keep your little receipt that shows what you had so you can turn in two of them at the Port O’Leonardtown Winery and get free stuff. Our server at Café was familiar with the process. Not sure where leg deux will be…

California Dreamin’….

We are getting a couple of road reports from FOJTE and another friend who are (separately) enjoying California at present. FOJTE helpfully is sending me photos of sitting in lovely tasting rooms, or sipping bubbly at Pebble Beach overlooking the 18th. I’m so glad he is thinking of us (envy, envy). As he often reminds me, living well is the best revenge....

Our other friend started out in SFO, and since he has an aspiring palate, forwarded some “String Feeder” reports. Their first attempt at dining was at the “famous” Scoma Seafood House. Not a good experience….” After some rapidly delivered, but well watered down drinks, our fishy dinners arrived promptly. It was indeed reminiscent of fish, but one had the feeling it was some sort of trash fish. It just had that “I’m a second class fish” flavor, despite the rather delicate white sauce under which it was intentionally disguised.”

Their second attempt was much more enjoyable at a little place called the Blue Mermaid. Being around the Wharf area it was still a bit touristy, but done much better.” The hostess, the manager and especially the waiter were each attentive to our entire dining experience without being overbearing. One need only say horseradish under one’s breath and lo and behold three ounces of very fresh horseradish appear. Nothing was delivered until its exact time. We ordered the cold seafood platter for two and the award winning corn crab soup. Both were generous, presented nicely, and very tasty.”

Sometimes “famous” ain’t so good.

R’sters

Funny thing about blogs. Heaven only knows where these things go once in cyberspace. After my recounting of our home like experience at Morris Point, I got a comment from somebody over in Virginia responding to the “just right” theme. Turns out he owns an Oyster Farm over there, the Deltaville Oyster Company, “Proudly located in Deltaville, Virginia”. Good on them.

Final Friday’s

Tonight is the final edition of the 2010 River Concert Series at St. Mary’s College, entitled “The Grand Finale”. The program will feature “singing sensation’ Kate Baldwin, plus Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Weather should be acceptable so c’mon out. I’ll be working at the adult beverage stand on “vendor row”, doing quality checks of the product. Come visit…

And it being Friday I always check the Enterprise to see who Mr. Mercer bestows his accolades on this week. Turns out it’s the Laughing Buddha over on the Solomons. He was at least sensitive enough to tip his hat in the direction of China Harbor. I personally would have stopped short of calling them “two transcendent Chinese Restaurants”. I don’t know how Dickson has established himself as not only the house restaurant whisperer, but author of almost every article relating to anything that could remotely be thought of as “cultural”. Oh well, small town.

Eat, buy, consume local, and

DFD

Postscript – MFO will be piloting the Momster to Wisconsin tomorrow morning. Going solo this time. Her Mother is experiencing some health issues and she’s going up to help. So the feeder will be batching it this week. Good thing it’s restaurant week!!