Tag Archives: tavern

Darby’s Tavern

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A trip up the coast to Belfast brought us to Darby’s Tavern.

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It was built in 1865 and still has its original tin ceiling.

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The bar screams prohibition era retro.

And speaking of the bar…

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A ruby red grapefruit martini hit the spot.

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I think the Babe approved.

Darby’s is famous for it’s “from scratch” kitchen, and lunch did not disappoint.

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I started with homemade cornbread with blueberry maple butter. Ooh la la! So good I didn’t want to share.

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But the husband started with a sinfully rich cream of broccoli soup and kept reaching for my bread.

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Above the bar? The antique Budweiser lamp my husband has been trying to cajole off his brother who owns the same one . When you switch it on, the lamp lights and the Clydesdales start walking. Real man cave material, but Darbys wouldn’t sell theirs either.

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I ordered off the specials menu, though I had no idea what made a crab’s toe peek.

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Didn’t matter, it was delicious. Toes et al.

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Husband chose a broiled haddock in scampi sauce with a fresh green salad and maple Dijon vinaigrette.

Good drinks, good food, good place!

👍

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Colonial Williamsburg… Duke of Gloucester Street

 

Done with the Governor’s Palace, we headed to the main thoroughfare.

 

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Colonial Williamsburg is a town, like any other.

 

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If all the other towns were full of beautifully restored 18th century historic buildings that is.

 

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George Wythe was Thomas Jefferson’s mentor.

So, you know…. that kind of town.

 

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At the corner? The Bruton Parish Church, established in 1674…..

 

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Still an active Presbyterian presence…

 

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You can almost see George Washington walking amongst the stately old live oaks.

(Yes, he worshiped here.)

 

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Taking a left put us on Duke of Gloucester Street, the busiest section of town.

 

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Every house and business was decked out for Christmas….

 

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With the traditional natural fruit and greenery it’s become famous for.

Another carriage made it’s way by….

 

 

 

And as much as I wanted to take one…. the husband had no interest whatsoever.

 

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I mean, look at them…

They were just waiting for me to climb aboard.

 

 

But no. The husband had caught sight of this:

 

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And that was where we went next.

 

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Yay. More weapons…

 

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Okay, the collection was impressive as hell.

 

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And filled with various painful ways to kill people.

 

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And yes…

 

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The armory fellow was well versed and full of interesting facts.

 

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But… but…

 

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Horsies….

 

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Are cuter than cannons any ole day.

And you can’t ride a cannon.

(Or maybe you can… but you probably shouldn’t.)

 

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Next up was lunch at Chowning’s Tavern, where it’s wreath spoke volumes.

 

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A reconstructed public house Josiah Chowning operated in 1766…

 

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The menu of Brunswick Stew, Shepherd’s Pye and Welsh Rarebit reflected the fare of the day.

 

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I opted for the hot smoked turkey trencher which was marvelous…. while the husband continued his French Onion soup trend.

Rum cake?

 

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Don’t mind if I do.

Light, rummy and utterly fabulous.

 

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Hot tea and mixed berry crumble for the other half.

 

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Which to be honest, was so God awful sweet he could hardly eat it.

( Lunch photos just for you Martin.)

 

 

Cape Cod Day 4, Black Dog Tavern, Vineyard Haven.

 

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If you live in New England, I can guarantee you’ve seen numerous bumper stickers, t shirts and assorted swag with the ubiquitous black dog silhouette.

 

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But on day 4 of our fabulous Cape Cod adventure, we had lunch at the real thing.

 

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The original Black Dog Tavern on Martha’s Vineyard.

For a sweetly illustrated history, click here.

 

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It’s a rustic little place…

 

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With some fabulous views.

 

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Filled with maritime history as well as the flavor of the sea….

And on the day we had lunch there?

Even an adorable real life black dog on the beach.

 

 

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(No worries… it was a cool day, he had water and his owners checked on him regularly.)

 

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Cocktail?

Don’t mind if I do….

 

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Since we were at the Black Dog, I tried a Black Dog Orange Crush.

 

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Which might have to become my new favorite way to wake up the day.

 

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Happily sipping, we enjoyed watching the ferry.

 

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The boats..

 

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The harbor…

 

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And local craft beer disappear.

But yes, the food. We came for food…

 

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Quahog chowder. Thick, creamy and delicious with homemade croutons made for a nice start.

What’s a quahog you ask?

It’s a large hard shelled clam.

 

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Isn’t that just typical human behavior?

Name your pet, then kill him to find out how old he is.

Sorry Ming, you deserved better. And I sincerely hope you weren’t in our soup.

 

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I was in the mood for a good chargrilled burger and this one didn’t disappoint.

 

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The husband? He inhaled two dozen mussels.

Replete, we said goodbye to the real black dog….

 

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The views…

 

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The pier….

 

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And the original Black Dog Tavern.

 

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Fervently wishing they would come to Maine and build one on our coast!