Hot Dish Review

That’s what’s on the door at Ormsby’s, the location chosen by L for her birthday celebration. The burly dude checking ID’s gave me a hard time about carrying in a bottle of champagne (L’s gift), as if we would drink it unchilled. What are we, heathens?

Decor is cozy at this neighborhood tavern, enhanced by lots of wood and dim lighting, but it was difficult to note details since the place was packed full of young patrons trying hard to look like they weren’t trying. LC was conspicuously absent as I joined our table for about 20 guests directly beneath the stairs near the bocce court.

My only prior visit was a late night accident with B, finding ourselves inebriated at the bar downstairs. I ate something but have no recollection, so I was excited to finally try their reinvented pub fare.

As we played musical chairs, chatting and catching up, our server ran her ass off delivering cocktails one at a time. I started with a Guinness draft. L ordered hummus and pimiento cheese fritters for the table as we perused the menu which includes a whole section devoted to wieners….gotta love wieners. The fried balls of melted cheddar didn’t impress me, but the hummus was a winner.

Entrees ran the gamut from a short rib (the priciest item at just $18) to shrimp and grits. I cannot believe L’s husband PC didn’t order it….it’s his MO. But instead, he ordered the bangers and mash, 2 big housemade brats with taters and green beans. He gave out samples to me and BH, his best friend (and one of my coworkers) seated next to me. I found it more fatty than flavorful, making me happy that I went with the chicken wrap, an odd dinner selection for me.

Although not a dish I would order, I was more impressed with BH’s fish ‘n’ chips. Flaky cod beneath crispy batter, a dash of vinegar, and a plate full of skin-on fries.

The birthday girl shared an order of chicken and dumplings with one of her pals. The very thought of dumplings makes me gag. Needless to say, I didn’t try it.

As for my wrap, it was full of roasted chicken, chunks of freshly cut avocado, crispy bacon, tomatoes and sprouts, each ingredient’s distinctive flavor coming together to make the perfect sandwich (which unfortunately didn’t photograph well). My side of sweet potato fries weren’t fries at all, but rather wedges. I would not have ordered them had I known, but my ignorance turned out to be bliss as they were sweet and spiced just right.

And what’s a birthday without cake? I ordered a round of chocolate cake shots at the end of the evening….delicious.

1170 Howell Mill Road 404-968-2033

Driving all night is not the best way to start a vacation. Nevertheless, me, little T, LC, and his sister’s son double T, hit the road late on a Thursday night headed for West Palm Beach.

We stopped once to nap for about an hour while the kids had the pleasure of sleeping most of the drive. When we arrived, we loaded up on snacks at a gas station and made our way across the bridge to the condo on Singer Island. But LC was on dead empty and promptly passed out on the sofa.

So, I was in charge of entertaining the kids and, most importantly, finding something we could all eat. I called LC’s Dad for advice since he and LC’s Mom had vacationed there recently and he recommended a few spots nearby.

After a thorough tour of the grounds, me and the kids hung out at the pool for a couple of hours, then hit the beach briefly before heading back up to the 23rd floor. With my remaining ounce of energy, I drove us down the beach to Johnny Longboat’s Tropical Grill. Its proximity made it the obvious choice, given my direction dyslexia.

The open-air restaurant was beach casual, with a typically kitschy nautical theme, complete with an enormous crab looming over the bar. It’s the kind of place where the locals hang out and visitors come back for the respectable food and fun atmosphere…perfect for kids and drunks alike!

LC’s Dad said they had fantastic fish ‘n’ chips, so that is what double T ordered. Perusing the lengthy menu of sandwiches, burgers, and entrees, little T and I landed on the same thing….beach chicken wrap with sweet potato fries. Fresh and tasty, the wrap was filled with all of my favorites….grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, sprouts, tomatoes, and lettuce. The fries were crisp with a hint of sweetness.

Our sandwiches also came with a small container of coleslaw. I usually wouldn’t care about the slaw, but their version was so delicious. There was some seasoning I couldn’t place that made it extra good. I ate all of my serving and little T’s too.

While double T finished his crunchy fish and fries, I ordered an additional chicken wrap to take home to LC. He needed some fuel for the days ahead on this long, long weekend.

2401 Ocean Avenue 561-882-1333