two decades!!

Just a couple of things (well, three) since last posting, but wanted to commemorate the fact that today was the 20^th anniversary of the WAPO “Dining Guide” under Tom Sietsema’s reign succeeding Phyllis Richman (1976 - 2000)

In his introduction he says over the years he’s consumed more than 9000 restaurant meals.   Let’s see (said the engineer) 20 times 365 is 7300 days, and  9000 meals means he had a restaurant meal every 1.2 days. 

Anyway, looking back he made a lists his top ten, 10 classic restaurants (not all loaded with stars), and a “Dining Hall of Fame”, celebrating 11 places that set the standard, along with 77 reviews.  Have not had a chance to digest all of this, so only giving a nod to the man’s work (yes, it is) over the years.

My own!

Certainly in the (food) top ten around here, we dined with friends last night at the enigmatic

Mingling with other “Diners” DFD’d in flip flops, muscle or logo T shirts, and the occasional ball cap that stays glued to the noggin,  but it is to be expected so you converse with your friends, just look at your food.  so far the food is worth the pain.

We began with the usual drink(s):  a Hendrick’s Martini (not so) “up” with a lemon twist

And got table appetizers of crab balls (which were very good)

And some Thai shrimp that were.... not so much.  

C’mon fried oyster season!

Entree's consisted of lamb chops,

Scallops in Buerre Blanc (MFO)

A salad, and I threw sodium to the breeze and got a fried perch dinner. Which was quite tasty

Almost anything that comes from the fryer is very well done here.   Went well with the Albarino, but not the unmentionable other glass ware on the table.

We finished the delightful evening (food and company) with the always quite good Limoncello cake from wherever it came from.

Fake..

It is amusing and somewhat confusing to the Feeder the press and ink being applied to the whole subject of “plant based protein” most notably I the realm of burgers.  Last Wednesday’s WAPO food section had yet another spread on the subject

5218

Rating 4 brands:  the Impossible Burger, Beyond Beef, Sweet Earth Awesome Grounds, and Lightlife Plant-Based Ground (in that order).  As you can tell from the banner, the IB came in a resounding first.  The tasters were not kind to the Lightlife version with comments “praising” it with comments like: “not rubbery” and others describing it “like the inside of a hot dog, and not it a good way”

The feeder has yet to indulge, but soon.

Meanwhile Kudos to Tom Sietsema for 20 years of showing the way.

Not sure if he DFD’s

nor have I heard any opinion on MJ’s on the Table..

********

Lagniappe, MFO's Blueberry Muffins

Poring Over Pour Over.... is it

Worth it?

As alert readers will remember, I am messing around with Pour Over Coffee.  And alert readers will also remember I am a (retired) engineer.  That being said.. off to the races for an update

Although very convenient, I have grown tired of the colored water that results from the Keuring.  After some experimenting, I have found that the Caribou Decaf is tolerable.  But, as for “real” coffee the Half Caff Green Mountain is only good for the (half) buzz.

I have also found (for some reason!) caffeine does not give quite the shock to the system as it used to.  With the result that I am seeking a good cup of coffee, which I think I’ve mentioned before.  I have (religiously) followed the “9 step” method with St. Inie’s Guatemala, which in coffeespeak features “Creamy with milk chocolate and dried pear notes”.. at least they have a different phrase wheel than the wine community (no “barnyard with overtones of sweaty saddle”).  Anyway, I had a cup of the Guatemala at a meeting in St. Inies shop and liked it, so got a bag o’beans for the project. 

I keep the beans in the freezer in a cryovac bag

only opening when I want to put them in a little jar for daily use (which also resides in the freezer)

So, the first step is to retrieve jar from freezer and do the mise en place – “frozen” beans with Tablespoon measurer, a “cup top” (conical) ceramic holder for #2 coffee filters, (cheapo) Krups coffee grinder, measuring cup, coffee cup, and instant read thermometer.

Next, we put 4 rounded tablespoons of beans in the spice/coffee grinder, and get 12 Ounces of cold tap water.

Then we grind said beans about 10 – 12 seconds (yes, I time it, remember the engineer part?) to about this grind.

The 12 Ounces of cold tap water heats on high in the microwave for about 2 minutes 47 seconds till it registers ~205 degrees

Then after pouring some of the water in the empty filter to just wet it and then discarding it from the cup, add the ground coffee and soak it just enough heated water for 30 seconds to let it “bloom”

Then finally, continue to (slowly) pour the 205-degree water in a circular motion over the coffee, maintaining an even level with the grind.

After letting it drain completely, and disposal of the filter/grounds, remove the conical doo hickey and

Voila!

A very tasty cup of coffee! Elapsed time maybe 15 minutes, but if you have the time, yes, it is well worth it!

Comings and goings in:

Solomons: the most recent bust was the “Striped Rock” and maybe before that “Catamaran’s”, has been once again resurrected as the “Bugeye Grill” ("It'll be different with me, see!")

 A quick peek at the menu reveals the usual standard fare for a touristy waterfront place

with pretty much standard stuff and prices… panko crusted rockfish ($26); maple-walnut salmon ($24), single crab cake Sammy (Hmmm a blend of lump and jumbo lump?.. for $18) and the requisite steaks ($28), 

Leonardtown:  SweetBay continues to race toward opening.  They’re performing some modifications to the front of the place, I think constructing larger windows (doors?) that may allow al fresco dining on the sidewalk sort of like Loic’s old place (sigh) did. 

And lastly…

The “other” emails I get besides my wcmat….that most people are familiar with, is the emails associated with the Blog account .  Over the years, that address has become fairly widely "known" to the point where I get 40 or 50 per day for things like military flashlights, products that will allow me to lose 80 pounds in one day, or make me a virile monster.  And in addition, many other pills and devices for purposes that don’t belong in the blog.  Also get my share of invitations from “Jennifer” who would really like to meet up with me for amorous purposes.  

Along those lines, I also get invites to meet up with “Hot” Ukrainian women.  I am not sure why Ukrainian, but that option is fairly common.   Now, (Please!!) don’t take this wrong, but my instant image of a Ukrainian woman is, (mostly created by news reports and images I suppose), a chunky woman, in an ill-fitting baggy print dress, babushka, non-New World shaving habits, and going over 350 pounds.  “hot” is something that never comes to mind.  

Okay, enough of your time (and I hope understanding)

Leave those Mason Jars in the box, and go

DFD

Just for....

The Hal-i-but!

Had a chance to get some lovely halibut and decided to pan sear it. So did the Mise En Place with the proper cooking implements (yes, that's a barely visible Dry Manhattan in the back ground)

And got the All Clad stainless pan smoking hot (with just a little grapeseed oil) and committed the fish (presentation side down) 

and then engage in the second battle I’m fighting (besides minimal oil) is:  Leave the Damn thing alone!  Tough for an engineer!   Finally after 4 minutes or so, I nudged it and it slid easy so turned it over with the trusty Lamson Sharp. Left it alone until the ThermoPen indicated about 140 in the middle.   So nice to have a piece of fish that is thick enough!  Turned out beautiful and also tasty (notice careful avoidance of the “y” word in any of it’s obnoxious culinary forms!!)

Pour it on!

I have become interested in doing the “pour over” coffee method.  Keurig is boring, it’s only redeeming value is convenience.  I have yet to have a good cup of coffee with it.  I gravitated toward grinding my own beans (from St. Inies) but using the little “do it yourself” plug-in thing is a pain resulting in having to clean the little basket, etc.  So I used Amazon (see it today, use it tomorrow)  to get one of those cone shaped thingies that sits on your cup, and awaiting MFO’s visit to store for #2 filters.

Well, as with anything else there’s a whole mystique around such a seemingly easy procedure.  Anything, especially involving coffee seems to turn into a cult thing seeking the “perfect cup”.   Just get some coffee, put in filter, add hot water, let it drip (Mom and Dad's Chemex with bagged Maxwell)…  Oh no java Joe!  Research on “the net” turns up dozens of YouTube videos of hirsute guys with body art from esoterically named hip coffee shops telling me how to do it (oh, by the way you should get one of those long curvy necked pitchers).  One such (9! Step) procedure is:

Heat filtered water to 205 degrees (not 202 or 208)

Use two rounded tablespoons of (whole bean) coffee for every 6 oz. of water

Grind beans to consistency of coarse sand

Place unbleached filter in the little cup thingy

Pour some hot water into the (empty) little cup thingy, and discard the water

Put the ground coffee into the little cup thingy (with the soaked filter)

Slowly pour water into the center of the grounds and in a slow circular pattern work your way to the outer edge of the little cup thingy

Wait 30 seconds for coffee to “bloom”

Continue adding water in a circular pattern, slow but steady pace, keeping level consistent in the grounds.

After fully drained, remove the filter (and presumably the little cup thingy) and ENJOY!

I could probably have gotten in the car and driven to Starbuck’s by now!

Anyway, a work in progress!

Gathering – sort of

2019 minus 60 = 1959, the year MFO and I graduated from East Lansing High School (in Michigan).  Those that still have a foot in East Lansing, and some able travelers are getting together to celebrate the occasion.  Funny how as you advance in years, those relationships have more meaning.  I think I have commented before, but passing years rounds corners, and those who didn’t have time for you in high school are all very friendly now. We considered it, but just too friggin’ hard any more. 

Suicide is painless, it brings on many changes

Early this morning noticed flashing lights on our bedroom walls, and became aware of helicopters with powerful searchlights scanning the water and shorelines.  Many boats with flashing blue lights were cruising in the river.  Have seen this before, and is usually a result of reports of somebody jumping from the Gov. Thomas Johnson bridge into the Patuxent River.  Such a shame that people feel they have no recourse but to resort to considering that action.  Never been in those shoes and hope I never am. 

Ending Rant

Kind of hate to close on that low note, but can’t help but remark on NBC 4’s newscast that 98% of the time opens with “We begin with breaking news at six” which quite often is a passing reference to something that happened days ago. Thanks to an alert reader who reminded me… Plus, I’m sorry, I can’t stand much more of Pat Collins. I have often thought of suggesting to Channel 4 (who’s working for me!) that they give him a segment entitled: “Pat Performs the News” which divorces any attempt at real journalism in favor of his typical “report”:  mug the camera; flap your arms with a (never referred to) manila folder in one hand; mug the camera; hop around some; mug the camera; look oh, so sympathetic; mug the camera and close with “Jim, Doreen, back to you”.   Can’t he retire?  And while I’m on a roll if (weather person) Lauryn Ricketts isn’t doing lines (or shooting Tequila) when off camera I’d be surprised.  She talks so fast these old ears and brain can’t understand most of what she says… Out of my Yard!

Happy Birthday to MFO on her “somethingth” birthday today (October 2^nd) dinner might be coming to us.. and most likely we will not be especially

DFD

And there are no Jars in the house

Day in the Life volume II

Well, after that thrilling first volume, I got more, hopefully a bit more condensed, but another “day in the life” coming your way, with boats and birds and…. Ummmm, you know what?  I’ll bet nobody much gives a hoot about the boats and birds and such..SO, let’s forget that for the time being and do something more interesting, like a reviewing a eating place

FORE!

Having lived in Breton Bay for three years, near the golf course (ah, those were the (geographic) bachelor days) I often played some of the course, but rarely went to the club house.  Well, as fate would have it, we had a small meeting

 of a committee and it was at the Breton Bay Golf Course club house.

It was lunch time and there were quite a few non-golfers there, enjoying the views of the course and having lunch from a surprisingly varied menu, although probably slanted toward the sporting side

With many choices of sandwiches, wraps, and…. HEY!  What’s that in the middle of the menu, eh?  OMGosh it’s

Beauty! What a surprise.

Well, our table stuck with manly fare consistent with the setting (golf club house) of a Reuben

And an all American chicken salad sandwich

(And I’m not going to whine about the marbled rye)

And (reluctantly) the Feeder had his 9,466^th Chicken Caesar

Our table had nice view of the first fairway.  It brought back memories of when I carried clubs “Bill, I think your ball is across the street in those folks front yard”

Actually the food was quite good, fresh and served by a lady who know most everybody by first name, kind if Cheers like.

If you’re out that way and peckish it is a nice stop. 

FOR THE BIRDS

Okay, just to keep my word, here’s some bird pictures.

The Eagles are very active now for some reason, with the older generation quite present,

Although the kids are now joining in the fun

Plus we’re now getting more Vultures (NOT Buzzards) soaring around

then drying out their wings

The crow people and their antics are always worth watching

Hey Charlie, what ya got? Want to share?

No? well the heck with you, then -  you have to eat your lunch all by yourself

Later, dude.

OUT AND ABOUT

On those days when I avail myself of the “new“ drive-thru Starbucks,  I always look in the window of the “old” location as I pass.  For weeks there was only one sheet of 8 and a half by 11 white paper taped to the door presumably directing you to the newer location.  Today I noticed the windows were all covered with brown paper (a sure sign) and another sheet telling us

This genre of places seem to be rivaling and slowly outnumbering the old standbys of pizza and burger joints and so-called Mexican food restaurants.  off the top of my head, we got Mongolian BBQ, Peruvian Chicken, Copacabana’s Charcoal Chicken, Fiesta Pollo (Fire grilled Mexican Chicken), and I know there’s been several “Jerk/Caribbean" style places that have closed. 

ROAD SHOW

Also on the way home, I noticed an ever expanding “car show” taking place in the “Nicolletti’s” parking lot.  One of those places where (for lack of a better term) “muscle cars” are on display, mostly with hoods up, and more and more people milling around

Nearly got run off the road by a roaring something cutting me off to make a sharp turn to be with his buds.  All the way into the parking lot the engine was repeatedly “revving up” making guttural power sounds.  Have to admit sounded pretty nice.  Anyway a local sight to see on a Sunday morning.

And for icing on the cake, how about a few rants for sweetness:

RANT DEPARTMENT

    Have you noticed the increasing emergence of the phrase; “breaking it all down for you” mostly in newscasting.  “We’ll be back in a minute with the story of the jewelry store robbery when will break it all down for you. Translation: “we know you’re too stupid to understand this so we’re going to talk to you like 4^th grader”

    And in the interest of brevity, I’ll mention one more and leave two in the hopper. 

    Background: for MANY years when I coached hockey at various levels, teaching defensemen was kind of my favorite thing to do (no surprise, but both FOJ's played defense).  Players often ignored for the flashy forwards scoring the goals, they toil at getting the puck from opponent’s forwards.  If the forwards screw up, it’s just a loose puck, if the defense does, it’s “Good luck Goalie!”  so now a commercial appears for what turns out to be Doritos type snacks.  The little tyke rushes into the kitchen yelling “Mom, guess what?  Coach said I could play FORWARD today!” and proceeds to demonstrate what little dance she will do when she scores a goal.  Well, sweetheart, guess who’s going to give you the chance?

    Unintended impromptu: as I sit and watch the Ravens and the Chiefs. The latter are juuuust a little too much into posturing, pointing, and strutting.  Hey Andy Reid, how many Bowls have you won?

Okay enough for today

DFD and leave Mason Jars for canning.

A Days in the life

  

Strap in....

Editor’s note one: after starting, I find I will have to break up “day in the life” into a couple of volumes.  Don’t want to waste your time and energy

Editor’s note two:  Okay, I give up.  Have you ever starting something and keep finding things you wanted to do?  I have been waiting for three days for a lousy picture of a “commercial” head boat. But I’m not going to wait for that… off to press.

Editor's note three: a  LOT of pictures...

*******************************************

Here we go:

We are very lucky to be living here on the (Patuxent River) water, we get a show every day.  As someone (MFO) always says, “there’s always something going on on the water!”.  So an album of the passing scene. 

The day usually begins with a “between the toes/bed posts” view of the sun; this was taken on the 7^th (of September) as I track the autumn march of Old Sol as he marches south from Drum Point to Cedar Point – very close to half way.

Of course, being “on the water” means (duhh) you see lots of water craft, from

Big Boys in the bay

Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Ship

Hong Jing Bulk Carrier

Spain to Baltimore

Grand Phoenix Vehicles

Jax to Baltimore

More Vehicles to Baltimore(note Towboat US)

Grimaldi Lines

Chesapeake Coast (tug)

Norfolk to Philly

And now that the LNG plant at Cove Point is “up” we see lots of these now (not my picture)

And thus a need for a whole fleet of “support” boats

I have no idea what their mission is, but they go back and forth a lot

Staying  in the “commercial” side of things there’s many “Triple A” type boats for boaters with dead engines etc.

Often referred to as the “ride of shame”

The Calvert Marine Museum runs the William B. Tennyson for a short ride in the river and bay

And also operate the Dee of St. Mary’s a renovated Skipjack that once belonged to our beloved waterman “Capt. Jack”

While in their day, Skipjacks were used for “oystering” and then would unload their haul to a “buy boat”.   Always kind of represents a dichotomy to me, that a lowly “working boat” has such beautiful lines.  Wonder if the watermen who made their living on one ever stopped and said: “Gee, that’s pretty!”

Another Level Down

Speaking of “working” it was apparently a good year for “Callinectes sapidus” aka beautiful swimmers, or blue crabs.  Many mornings we awake to “crabbers” working just out in front of us, some more elaborate than others

Toward the weekend, there’s always some so called ”head boats” with hopeful fishermen paying to use the fish finders in such boats to locate dinner.   Side note, I’ve never been on one, but they endure.  A lot of people enjoy having somebody bait your hook for you, take it off the rod, and ultimately clean and filet it for you.. and look like this in a converted crab/oyster boat

Others prefer to do it on their own:

Looks a little precarious to me

Or  a group of people get together in somebody’s boat from smaller to larger

Then there’s the whole universe of “pleasure boats”, sometimes with sail(s)

Extra Credit:  what type of rigging is this?

Or, sometimes without, or “motoring”

Or, if you prefer to get over there just by pointing the boat and going " over there" (instead of tacking 50 times) you have your “power boats”

Some faster than others

And there are those rugged individuals who generally come out when the weather is bad

Or those with “personal water crafts”

Which were known in my day as “jet skis”

Then there are those poor souls who like to be on the water, but can’t afford anything but a small powerboat

Had enough for Volume 1? I promise you the next volumes will be shorter.   Just wanted you to see the incredible variety we’re treated to. As yogi said “you can observe a lot just by watching” and I do!

End Papers

We had a brush with Dorian last week, here’s a record of the impact at the digs

If I enlarge it more, the formatting goes nuts, so to save your eyes:

Dark blue = barometric pressure (minimum was 29.70)

Green = wind speed in mph 9(maximum sustained 23, saw a gust near 40)

Black bars = rainfall in inches (max 0.09)

So all in all, not much – not that we’re complaining, mind you

English Lesson:

Palindrome: A palindrome is a word, number, phrase, or other sequence of characters which reads the same backward as forward, such as ‘’taco cat’’ or madam or racecar or the number 10801.

For somebody who used to pay a lot of attention to such things, I had to be reminded that we’re in a period of Palindrome dates:

  9-10-19; 9-11-19; 9-12-19; 9-13-19; 9-14-19; 9-15-19; 9-16-19; 9-17-19 ;9-18-19; and 9-19-19

   and guess what? here's another:

   DFD

   Thanks for hanging in, that was tough! are these how your      eyes feel now?

Caption: Not only have my eyes glazed over - they have turned completely into cinnamon rolls