Dining With Bill

By Bill Bailey

 

 Woodson Brothers Seafood Grille

 

 

...After the short bus trip to Beachway, we arrived at our destination, Woodson Brothers' Seafood Grille. The capable staff appeared to have anticipated our arrival, and seating was accomplished, water and menus provided, and in a blink of an eye, pens were poised over pads for our drink and dinner orders.

 

Probably the one word that would describe Carole Beck's part in this venture would be omnipresent. Acting as hostess, tour guide, aide, and utility outfielder, we wondered when she had time to eat. This event went off slick as a whistle.

 

Several astute members of our group had saved the coupon from Tuesday's junk mail for Woodson's Month of Crab Specials. This week, blue crab claws were featured, which took awhile to prepare. We ordinary mortals, who forgot the coupon, ordered from the rather extensive menu, and this writer can report on three menu items in addition to an excellent Romaine salad that was touted as Caesar.

 

Cortez Candy Platter was the eye-catching phrase that beguiled two of our table of four to try it. Fancy, if you will, a platter of fried shrimp, scallops, oysters and grouper, all accompanied by a side dish of rice, potato, sweet potato or vegetable. Not the wisest choice for small appetites.

 

A less filling, but equally attractive entree, was Shrimp Scampi. Shrimp prepared in an elegant reduction of garlic, herbs and white wine. It was ordered by the third member of our quartet, who remarked that it was scampi as scampi should be.

 

Joe's Crab Cake was really three golden brown crab cakes, served in a rather peculiar way, with Jalapeno Jam. Actually, it was red pepper jelly, but the blend of flavors that resulted was a marriage made, not in heaven, but in a little hotter environment. If one says no to peppers, there's always Tartar Sauce, but this combination has at least one convert.

 

At six o'clock the live music started, and for anyone who is a Jimmy Buffet fan, this would be the place to be. It was pleasurable listening and dining music and the dance floor was well populated. (Not by us, of course.) Casual dining, fine food, reasonable prices and companionship all made for a good time.