August 6th, 2009
Is it a Restaurant in a Liquor Store or a Liquor Store in a Restaurant? I introduce you to Liquid Assets, Ocean City, MD
On a rainy night in the Delmarva Peninsula, Debbie, Peyton, Brennan and I decided that a few rain drops were not going to stop us from having an evening where we could enjoy one of our favorite pastimes, which, you guessed it, is tasting the flavors of the different restaurants in our beach towns. The traffic was testing our patience, but we made it and even though it was early in the evening, in Ocean City, the parking was crowded and Liquid Assets was alive.
The address for Liquid Assets is 94th St. and Coastal Highway. Their tel. is 410-524-7037. The web site is www.ocliquidassets.com and it is full of information, even recipes. This restaurant is located just past the 94th street if you are coming from points north. Once you are inside, you forget that you are, actually, right by a highway and yes, in a strip mall.
And, that is when you start asking yourself if you are in a restaurant or a liquor store. The concept is different and I have not seen it here in the beaches. There is a bar in the first room as you come in and there are tables and a few sofas with cocktail tables, as well. Around the walls you will find wine bottles and other types of spirits. We felt we were in a wine cellar. We were seated in this big room but there were customers coming into the “liquor store/restaurant” just to buy liquor. Our table was in the middle of the action. There was another dining area adjacent to where we were sitting, with an additional bar and that room was more private. It even had more of a wine cellar feel.
We proceeded to order some drinks and check the menu. I have been to this restaurant before, and have always enjoyed it and hope this time it would not be any different. For an appetizer, we ordered Pan Roasted Mussels which had aged chorizo, shallots, garlic and ciabatta (bread). The broth was great. We also ordered the House Made Hummus & Tapenade. That was delicious too. For our entree we all ordered different things like Seared Scallops & Mushroom Risotto, Clam Bake, Stuffed Tomatoes with Crab and Beef Skewers. We were happy with our food and its presentation and in no time we were finished. The waitress was very nice and not intrusive; cordial and there when we needed her.
What really made this evening special was the company. No food will ever be good enough if the people you are sharing it with are not enjoying themselves as much as you are. The conversation was interesting, fun and relaxing.
Soon we had to leave since the night was still young and some of our party was off to another event. But, it won’t be long until we get together again.
Note: Prices at Liquid Assets were good.
We did not have dessert since we were satisfied with our meal so why not include the following cake whose recipe was given by another Debbie:
Peachy Crunch Cake
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsps. Salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 cups oil
2 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 ripe peaches, thinly sliced
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup Applejack brandy
Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Mix oil, eggs, and sugar; add flour mixture.
Add peaches, nuts, vanilla and brandy; mix with electric mixer. Batter will be stiff. Spread in a lightly greased 10″ tube or Bundt pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 – 55 minutes
Tags: cocktails, drinks, entrees, Full Bar, Liquor Store, lunch and dinner, Ocean City, Recipe, Restaurant, Reviews, wine bar
