spiffariffic

Right down to the complimentary tray of pickles. This is a real, honest-to-god diner and a Maryland institution. Be sure to get a milkshake.

My best friend (of 15 years!) and I had met there to spend the day together; it was chilly, but not terribly cold, so neither of us had our coats. Imagine our surprise when it began snowing - and not lightly, either. We walked all around the dock and town in the snow - got coffee; got lunch at Chick Ruth’s; then tea at that cute little place up by the traffic circle.

The actual City portion of Annapolis is beautiful and charming enough, on any day; the snow made it storybook.

We had a party of 12 during OSCON. We weren’t able to be seated for a long time; understandable. Three of our members were hassled about their driver’s licenses: one – US driver’s license, expired, because he lives in NYC; two – foreigners with valid international driver’s licenses; all three – forced to take a 15 minute cab ride to get their passports. And trust me, they are all well above the legal drinking age.

After that, you’d expect them to try to make up for the hassle. But no. The food was incredibly slow (sitting for well over an hour waiting on our food!), the service was incredibly lacking, the glasses were dirty, and the sushi I ordered was fishy smelling and chewy. I sent every bit back—$50 of it. Others in the party didn’t feel they could, although I think they should have.

Pretty much this is the worst dining experience I’ve ever had. Based on other reviews of the place, we had expected it to be a great night.

Combined with vastly more books than you can shake a stick at. Beats the living daylights out of The Strand.

... which is good, because the food does not live up to its price.

But that’s not why you’re there. So it doesn’t really matter all that much.

We were in California for a full two weeks and one of the things I dreamed of doing was going down to Big Sur. And so we did. Even though I was sick (developing a sinus infection—and worse) and it was quite a long drive for a day trip.

We found out about a restaurant named Nepenthe and made reservations a good long while in advance. Nepenthe is perched, cantilevered, on a hill, jutting out over the steep decline of the hillside into the ocean below. It seems like the only sign of civilization around for miles.

We had a late dinner, sitting outside on one of Nepenthe’s decks, watching the sun go down over the hills and crashing surf—worth it. The $30 steaks may not be great, but you won’t notice the taste, as long as your eyes are open.

The view and weather was amazing – so amazing, we didn’t want to leave (again with the 3 hour drive). We lingered as late as they’d let us, around the firepit; the flames danced, the moon rose over the steep hills, and the breezes blew gently.

It was incredible.

To this day, when I smell a certain kind of wood burning in someone’s fireplace - and I don’t know what type - it takes me right back.