Catching Up....

With the lever in “drive” again, the RPMs are slowly rising and we can get back to…

Food Related Stuff

As mentioned in previous posts, FOJTY is a devotee of barbeque, but as things evolved we only had a chance to have one meal of it. And that was a carry out from the Grill Sergeant over on the Solomons. It was recommended by a friend as a local favorite of his. So on the trip back from DC they stopped and picked up an order. It consisted of a full rack of ribs, two “sliced” pork sandwiches, and fries. Now, as readers hopefully will remember, I place BBQ in the same category as crab cakes, chili, and pizza. There is no such thing as “best” because personal taste is the only guide, so all I can report is what I liked or not. The ribs were “dry” with sauce on the side. I think they were rubbed, but it wasn’t terribly spicy I suppose to let the meat/smoke flavor come through. The little cups of sauce did have some heat. They were (to me) enjoyable, but not memorable. I guess upon reflection (I don’t eat a lot of barbeque) I prefer ribs to be sauced. Since none of us had been there before, our coordinated order was for the ribs, but also pulled pork. Apparently pulled pork wasn’t on the menu hence the sliced. Basically sliced (a la deli counter) white pork on a bun, also without sauce. I think the comments from the ladies were it was “okay”. The fries, were, well, fries. I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t go back (is that a double negative?) but there are other places to try. Think I would seek stuff with sauce, but that’s just me. Up to you to decide what you like.

As mentioned somewhere in the archives of this blog, I noted that there was activity recently seen at the old “Charlie’s Deli” location south of the base. It had been dark for over a year (two? Time flies). Well, Charlie’s Deli has been re-opened, under the name of …..(wait for it)…Charlie’s Deli! The feeder may sneak in a visit soon, and maybe learn what’s the deal.. Stay tuned.

And, as alluded to yesterday there was a note in the paper that a new steak house may be foisted on us, joining the unholy trinity near First Colony, among which is already a steak house with already jammed parking lot. If today wasn’t “recycle Thursday” and MFO so efficient, I could tell you the name of it but the paper is happily on its way to recycle heaven. I suppose after it opens, there will be another packed parking lot. More chains..a seemingly bottomless market around here. Sigh.

While at Sbucks this morning, I picked up the County Times, our free local weekly newspaper. I just whizzed through it to see if maybe they followed the fresh steak house, but they didn’t. What did catch my eye was a story about the newly re-opened (there’s a lot of that going around) Willows. There’s the usual stock photo of the owners, along with the usual stock quotes about “fulfilling a dream” (remember the fastest way to go broke quote?) yadda yadda. The menu is characterized as “American food, seafood, and home made salsas (??) and burgers”. Okay, fine. But then,this…they are quoted as saying: “the most unique thing on the menu will be duck”. Doesn’t say much for the menu, but then they follow with and I directly quote: “That’s one thing you can’t really get around here”. Excuse me lady, all you need to do is go a mile up the hill to The Front Porch, and you will see not one but two duck choices on the menu, and further down the street at Café Des Artistes duck is a regular feature, Blue Wind Gourmet features duck sandwiches on a regular basis. Go across the bridge to Ruddy Duck and (duhh) duck appears as an appetizer and sometimes special. That depth of knowledge of food and restaurants doesn’t hold much promise for me..

And lastly (finally, you say) within the last week or so banners have appeared in front of some of the local purveyors of adult beverages announcing that Fat Tire Beer will soon be available. One place is having a special tasting. And there are half and full page ads in the local papers blaring the same advertisements. Most of them are sponsored by the local distributor who will be carrying it (along with other offerings from the New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, CO). Now, although through my volunteer work with the first annual Historic St. Mary’s City Beer Fest (next one 20 May 2012 bigger and better than ever), I have come to appreciate beer much more, especially the so called “craft” and “micro brews” that are filling the shelves of the liquor stores. There is a depth of flavors and “weights” that at least equal if not surpass wines. They are fun to try. At any rate, I have not been assaulting the proprietors of said stores with “when the hell are you going to get Fat Tire!”. I believe I have had it (in St. Louis as I recall), but I don’t remember yelling this is the best damn beer I’ve ever had! It’s probably good, but so are some of the other beers, like Maryland’s Clipper City beers, and Flying Dog. Oh well..buy local.

And I was going to go into a little rant about a TV commercial that’s driving me nuts lately, but I’ve taken enough of your time so I’ll save that for another day.

oh yeah,

DFD