Mardi Gras Celebration!

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Please come to Havre de Grace for

a True Blue Mardi Gras Parade.

Check info below:

2010 Mardi Gras Parade on Bourbon Street in Downtown Havre de Grace

Parade starts at 6:30 PM on the 600 block of Bourbon Street

And ends at the Laurrapin on N. Washington Street

Come join the festivities with our fourth annual Mardi Gras celebration

Featuring Live Music by Radio Caroline

Hurricane Drink Specials and Purple Haze Beer brewed in New Orleans

Creole and Cajun food specials will keep you jumpin'

Beads Beads Beads

Proceeds to benefit the Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps

and at http://www.laurrapin.com/

The Golden West

Rest assured, I always have an interesting time any time I decide to go to the Golden West Cafe nestled on the Avenue in Hampden. I first visited Golden West back in 2002 when it was at its original location on the fringes of the Avenue (closer to Breathe Books and Ma Petit Shoe). I had brunch there and was thoroughly impressed. In 2007/08, I've since returned to the Golden West in its much larger and noticeable location closer to Falls Road. Upon first entering, there are all sorts of knick knacks adorning the walls and shelves, and in the bathroom, record covers wallpaper the wall and personal messages are etched into the bathroom walls and doors.

Occasionally one will find a bartender who only 'fills in' and serves beer. Sometimes an odd server will check his Gmail Account on the left side of the bar. The perfect margarita is served on Tuesdays nights by a co-owner of The True Vine. On the night of the perfect margarita (which was 2 bucks, btw), I knocked over a couple figurines behind a wall across from the bar. I am reasonably sure that no one will notice for the next five to ten years. A knitter sat too enjoying her beer.

Last Friday I found myself staring into a wall that had three to five versions of the Last Supper. And if I peered up above me to the right, there were tins, boxes, paintings that had 'Golden West' somewhere on the item. I enjoyed a seasonal dish of white bean hummus with quite a spicy kick on top of shredded carrots and romaine. I was able to save half for lunch the next day. A ghost taste of garlic remained in my mouth for the next day despite brushing. I am always leery of a restaurant that prints up a page of rules in the first page of its menu, but somehow I find myself returning again and again.

NO2R2V, Gold West, and Extended $2 Margaritas

On Tuesday night, we decided to go out for a quick appetizer and drink. 'R2V' as the hipsters/scenesters say was the first choice. Upon our arrival, we were dismayed that there were only two separate seats open at the bar and there was a half hour wait for unreserved parties. Five reserved tables sat mournfully empty. Can a restaurant/bar be able to afford the luxury of holding tables and turn away paying customers?

Yes was the answer; away we scurried to Golden West Cafe on the Avenue in Hampden. We opted for the more ambient bar and learned to our surprise that it was $2 Margarita night. The owner of the True Vine (also on the Avenue) worked there Tuesday nights, providing the 70s Funk/Rock/Bo Diddley soundtrack and tasteful drinks. I proclaimed that the drinks were the best Margaritas ever! Our happy hour extended beyond the customary 8 PM. Jason's secret lay in orange juice, triple sec, lime juice, and tequila. Even the glass was rimmed with lime juice to make the salt stick. The result was a less sour drink, easier on the stomach and hid the acridness of the rail tequila. With that we ordered the Caprini Crostini, which came with a bed of mixed greens drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil/sea salt toasted points, soft oily roasted garlic cloves, sundried tomato paste and goat cheese. Boy was it delicious!

Other than that we heard crazy stories about 60s go go dancers in Australia, the Isle of Lesbos style adventures, and possessed ex Tasmanian lesbian brunettes. I am not sure one will find that elsewhere in good ole Charm City...