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Showing results for tags 'Deck'.
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So far as I know, all of the places down there on the waterfront suck (with the possible exception of Agraria and the jury is still out on that one). Sequoia is on its umteenth owner and probably only turns a proft from the Miller Lite in plastic cups it serves by the gross at its outdoor bar in the summer. That whole area seems to close up after the weather turns chilly in the fall and after the interns all go back to school. The 2 areas in the middle, Tony & Joe's and Nick's are both owned by the same people. ETA: But that doesn't mean I don't go down there once in a while for cold cup of beer and a cigar. -
I drove past this place off of a feeder lane on Rte. One/Jefferson Davis Hwy in Dumfries and did a U-turn when I saw/smelt the smoker out on their front lawn puffing out the most fragrant smoke ever. Inside the little house (parking in the back) Raven behind the counter advised that the wings, ribs and chopped pork were the most popular items. I couldn't decide between the chicken or the pork so I ordered the ribs platter with sides of green beans and corn on the cob with peach cobbler for dessert. The ribs were tender and delicious - smoky and moist but the BBQ sauce on the table also set it off nicely. It seemed like a cross between a vinegary Carolina style and sweet Memphis style sauce. The dry rub on the ribs was not too salty. The corn on the cob was a cobbette that may have been frozen at some point. The green beans were seasoned with molasses and pot likker and were generously salted. I'll go for the collard greens and yams next time. Peach cobbler was delectable but lacked in presentation - it came in a little plastic tub and looked like afterbirth. Banana pudding was also offered and I think I will go for that next. Can't wait to go back! Fine service, concentration on what matters (the food) and they are open from 11 am to 8:30 PM Here is their facebook page. -
I pass by Mango Mike's driving to work in the mornings, and this a.m. they had a big smoker working out in the side parking lot. Don't know what was inside, but there's something BBQ on the menu today -
I met up with my Mom this weekend and we went to the Severn Inn for lunch so we could sit outside and listen to the waves crash into the shore underneath us. We had chardonnay and an umbrella to keep us shady and a nice breeze. Mom got a crab salad that was really good, crab salad served with sliced avocados, hard boiled egg and lettuce either for making cups, wraps or cutting up to be more of a salad. I got a chance to try it and the crab was nice and fresh and the flavors were very refreshing. I had a chicken sandwich on foccacio with mozarella, roasted tomatoes and peppers with pesto that was fantastic, the chicken was crisp and juicy and the whole sandwich was full of flavor and juice that got nicely soaked up by the bread. I was not expecting the lunch here to be near as good as it was, I was really impressed. -
Tidal water has a presence, a cadence, a palpable feeling of being. You know the moment you arrive, without looking, that you're there. The water pulse is in the air, and it's more than witnessing the sudden drop off landscape behind a row of buildings. You can feel it. The enduring rhythm, ions, and humidity are also nature's sedative. People residing in a small seaside town live several steps lower on the anxiety scale. Shallow life worries are replaced by the constant reminder of nature and the broader world, with an ever-present hum of liquid life bigger than ourselves. Occoquan lived for me on a recent Friday morning. I arrived around 9:30, early for a breakfast appointment, and walked the empty, main drag on Union Street. Damp, chilly, counter-intuitively dense air embraced me, emanating from the river as a thief of the heat. Union Street is the stuff of my wish-for-the-world business dreams. The avenues showcase small mom and pop shops, cafes, boutiques, and services, many with hand-painted signs and the other personality tells of an owner carefully expressing the hopeful art of selling. I considered each storefront, made a quiet wish for prosperity and happiness, and sent virtual smiles to any new patrons who would enter their doors that day. The Blue Arbor Cafe, tucked away on Union and Mill streets, was my destination. Recommended by a friend, the website seemed promising of a good experience, reinforced by the enthusiastic reviews on FourSquare. I opened the door to perhaps a dozen tables, via two small rooms, and greetings from nearly every staff member. My dining companion had chosen a table adjacent to a bay window. It encompassed a stained glass interpretation of the building, providing a cozy, sunny environment. I received an attractive menu of surprisingly enticing soups, sandwiches, and breakfast fare, a good-value price range of $4 to $12. The daily specials board indicated a lobster roll option, and at least one soup of the day. Paralyzed by good choices, I wound up mirroring my companion's selection, berries and cream crepe ($5.95). I dined lightly with the intention to order a couple of sandwiches for takeout. Unfortunately, our lively conversation ran overtime, and I was unable to do that, so I must return in the near future to try the French Orchard (ham/apple/brie/pepper jelly) and the Not A Reuben (which read very much like a Reuben, there must be a story there). The crepe was immensely delicate and flavorful, graced with honorably treated fruit and rich, whipped cream. Split this as a dessert when you go, if you can look past the homey options such as Bourbon Street pecan pie and peanut butter bomba. Service was attentive and caring. The friendly owner shared his smile with us, and every table, halfway through the meal to ensure complete satisfaction. We lingered far longer than we should have for such a small repast, and business was picking up dramatically by 11:30, but we felt zero pressure to "turn the table". And the thoughtful server literally ran out to my dining companion's car with alarm when she realized he left his phone on the table. These are signs of authentically caring hospitality, leaving each patron a bit more relaxed than when they arrived. I noted the small town lull only goes so far. On the quiet street, no strangers passing by made eye contact nor uttered "good morning" as they focused intently on their destination or data devices. The pulse, ebb, and flow of the calming river tide followed me to my car, out of the area, and evaporated back towards it's source as I merged onto the crowded highway to return to the city.
