Footballs and Faux Pas

I don't think this qualifies as a rant, just an opinion and sort of an amusing food experience...

I suppose any loyal readers that follow sports, especially Pro Football, are aware of the recent action of the league in levying fines and suspensions for any players that are guilty of helmet to helmet contact or “destructive hits” or some similar term. At the risk of incurring ire or being called names like “soft” or insults to any remaining manliness I still may have, I say: “Good for Them!”. I am getting so that I don’t enjoy watching games as much as (I think) I used to. It seems that the focus of the game has shifted from outperforming the other team to seeing how many opponents you can eliminate via injuring them. Tackling? What’s that word? Hear that used much anymore? Nope, it’ “Hits”. No use of arms wrapping up the runner/receiver, just a missile shot.

I was listening to the radiocast of (It happened to be) a Skin’s game and after a particular play all of the announcers erupted with “Man! Did you see that hit! Wow!!” followed by much exaltation, laughing, and general gleeful carrying on, ending with “there’s a player down on the field”. Yes, it is a contact sport, and as MFO might interject “It ain’t ballet” but we can all tell the difference between a good tackle and a vicious hit. How many times do we see the burly linebacker “spike” the quarterback after he releases the ball, making sure his full weight is on the quarterback?

I’ve heard some of the (retired) players like Matt Millen and Golic go into histrionics about “how can we play the game? They’re taking it away from us!” and other testosterone driven comments. Well, guess what? Something needs to be done. Too many lives are being altered. Due to specific nutrition and careful training, players continue to get bigger and faster.

On a bit lighter note, and beginning the transition from sports to actually talking about food, I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend a Redskins game (against the Packers) and sit in the “business class” section on the club level. On each seat there is a “menu”, and you can go get stuff yourself or the nice lady assigned to your section will get it for you with an asterisk reminding you a ten dollar minimum is required for that service (which also adds an 18% gratuity). Well, that’s not a very hard requirement to fulfill. How about a cheeseburger? 10 bucks. Oh well then, maybe Buffalo Wings….same price. Bag O’peanuts and a coke? 5 + 5 = minimum. Beer or wine, 8 bucks. You get the idea. You don’t run a multi million dollar enterprise by giving away stuff do you Mr. Snyder? Anyway it was fun to see my first Redskin game in person…

Amateur Night?

Last night we had dinner with some friends over at the Dry Dock on the Solomon’s. Alert readers will remember that we have the place pretty much back on the rotation after the return of one of the former chefs and the welcome ditching of the “night” strategy. Yes, the prices are a bit higher than other places, but it remains as one of the nicest venues and “fine dining” opportunities in the area. With the burgeoning amount of chains popping up (Cracker Barrel, Texas Road House (or whatever)) it will get harder and harder for “independents” to survive. I am pretty sure last night’s experience was an aberration, and not shades of things to come at one of the more pleasant waterfront opportunities around.

We arrived around 7 and as we climbed the stairs, the noise level that greeted us assured us that it not crowded. Stepping into the room, most of the window tables were occupied, with only one couple seated at the bar. There was a bartender behind the bar and one server on the dining side, neither of which we had seen there before. Both were rushing around, acting like they were late for getting the kids to soccer practice or something, and neither acknowledged our presence. You don’t mind a couple of seconds waiting being “ignored”, but we all sense when it’s “too long”. We crossed that threshold, and then some and finally the barkeep said “be right with you folks” and continued to prepare drinks, etc. After another “too long” he came over, and we said 4 for dinner. He scanned the room and made one move toward the “duck table” (another story for another time) tucked at the top of the stairs but then, said if you’ll give me a minute I’ll clean that (only empty) table for you. At this point the server lady took over, bussed the dishes and set the table for us.

Before continuing, let me say that both of these folks were friendly, courteous, and obviously trying hard, but just evinced that “behind the power curve” persona. It did cross my mind that this could have been their first night on the job. She walked fast between tables, almost rushing, and he worked feverishly behind the bar. Our freshly set table was done in a hurry with silverware set akimbo, not aligned with each other (okay, okay, I’m picky), water glasses not filled, etc.

Eventually the barkeep came to the table with water, and asked about drinks (at least no time for Hi I’m…) and said he would bring bread as “soon as it was out of the oven”. We ordered a bottle of wine, but I couldn’t help but levy the “drink test”. The drinks were delivered (still no bread some ten minutes later) and with the exception of a lonely maraschino cherry bobbing along side the twist, it was prepared correctly. He also took our orders, without the aid of a pad. Our order consisted of three salads (green, Caesar, and mozz/tomato) and a cup of the seafood gumbo, Three mini crab cakes, and a seafood pasta. Off he went and we continued to enjoy conversation and the libations. Around this time, another party of three appeared in the door, again unnoticed (either intentionally or not) by the busy pair, to the extent that another party stacked behind them. No break in service to the tables. Once that catches your eye, you can’t help but watch and it got sort of embarrassing. The first party was eventually led to the duck table and the other to a table that had to be set in front of them. At that point you just relax and wonder "what's next?". Kind of amusing.

Our intrepid server had to make two trips back to the table, apparently forgetting exactly how many mini crab cake orders there were (same answer both times, three). Somewhere in there the bread came out as did the salads, and the evening progressed more smoothly after that. The food arrived pretty smartly (after the order was re-confirmed) and was very good. My pasta had several large shrimp that tasted pretty good, large scallops nicely just opaque (the way I like them), with bits of fish and crab lumps in a little spicy marinara sauce. The crab cakers liked theirs as well.

As I said, both were trying hard, remained cheerful and eventually everybody in the place had their food, and things calmed down. As I said, I am sure it was just a Tuesday night, and I would hope we will only remember the evening for nice food, good company, and a good story. So take the story for just that, an interesting evening, and go there. The Dry Dock is certainly worth visiting again if you haven’t for a while.

IF I were asked, I would easily forgive the other stuff, but I really feel that the moment somebody walks into your establishment, you should/could say; “Hi Folks, we’re really busy at the moment, but we’ll seat you as quickly as we can – or you can sit at the bar for a bit”. Had they done that, it would have defused a lot. Not hard, a good lesson for them.

Oh yes, of course we were

DFD

And, had I not been so verbose I have something to report along that line. Maybe tomorrow