Getaway Guide To Inside-Out Eateries
When I'd hear complaints about getaway weather woes, I'd always respond, "Remember, it never rains in the bars." That was until I got drenched in a Rehoboth Beach tiki bar as Hurricane Allison churned offshore. Now I look for spots that have indoor and outside options. With the Labor Day weekend on the horizon, here are a few favorites at the most popular weekend getaway destinations. -- Jay Lloyd.
WILDWOOD
Rain or shine, the Two-Mile Landing eatery fills the bill. Outdoors you'll find a broad deck, a familiar label draft and bottle beer menu and a seafood filled board that covers fin and shell nibbles - fried, broiled, steamed and raw. The ideal setting for pitchers and shared bites while watching the sun go down over the marina and the waterway. Should the weather turn foul, head indoors for cover and a menu that ranges from steaks to clam bakes and the signature raw bar.
CAPE MAY
The iconic Cape May landmark is awash with indoor-outdoor sipping and supping options. They cruise from a counter breakfast nook to a handsome harbor view dining room and bar and a popular happy hour horseshoe bar on a schooner, moored alongside the Lobster House dock. The dock deck itself is perfect for strolling with an up-close look at the fishing fleet, unloading the fresh catch-of-the-day. The deck is studded with first come-first served tables for slurping fresh shucked oysters or spooning the prized clam chowder. The outside menus are raw bar intense. The dining room takes it up several notches with an emphasis on seafood but with a nod to the hoof and cluck crowd. Sorry, my days and nights here are strictly fin and shell affairs.
POCONO MOUNTAINS
If the holiday takes you to the mountains in search of tree shaded strolls, cool nights and the sound of flowing streams, the Lake Harmony area is rich in eateries and outdoor bars. We've enjoyed parking on the deck at Boulder View Tavern on its shimmering namesake lake. There's lively weekend entertainment and a classic take on finger food apps that go well with favorite drinks. But if the skies turn gray, a rustic themed dining room and bar takes the party indoors for dinner with familiar preps that blend traditional steaks and ribs with contemporary Mahi and Ahi decorated plates.
CHESAPEAKE BAY
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is a magnet for holiday getaway seekers and the focal point is the little town of Rock Hall, population: 1,500 people and 1,700 boats. With that many boats to people, you can guess what this town's about. And it has the eateries and bars to keep the waterborne crowd happy. If you have to choose one, head for the spacious deck and boat dock at the Waterman's Crab House. Steamed Maryland Blue crabs are the draw. The outdoor deck and bar with a view to the distant Bay Bridge is the backdrop. Raw oysters fresh from the bay are the bonus. But when storm clouds crowd the horizon, head indoors to a window table in a bright dining room for the same bay fare oriented menu and nosh the day away.
NEW YORK CITY
If your holiday destination is the Big Apple to the north, head for Greenwich Village and one of my favorite New York stops. Plan to spend over 2 hours at dinner, test your Spanish skills with the servers and just relax with Spanish wines and Estrella beer. The tapas and paellas put you on the streets of Madrid and Barcelona while you find a table in a cozy garden setting or streetside in an iconic New York neighborhood. But if the drops start to fall, the dining room is a comfortable re-creation of a bistro in Spain. By the way, don't be surprised if, after spending a couple of hours at the table, the house buys you a nightcap. And maybe you'll order a tempting Spanish cheese plate to go with it.
