Motorworks Brewing - Their main hub is in Bradenton. I guess they operate food services too. I had a Gronkzilla (just had to) Red Ale and an Intellectual Property IPA. 4 ozers for around $3 each. They had different prices. Odd. They were good. Just trying to knock this one of the list and not let the meter expire this time. They had a menu of flat breads, sandwiches, burgers, apps, etc. Place looks nice. I think they have been there for over a year.
Pokeworks - A chain. Not sure if I've ever had the pleasure. Don't recall. This one was better than most. Fresh ahi. Rice done properly. Had a small for $9. You choose from a few bases and proteins and toppings. Can also be had as handhelds and no rice, etc. The seaweed leeched green coloring. Dye? Modern look. Order at a counter. Been there a few weeks.
*Travel Notes - New York and New England: I flew into Albany because it had the cheapest car rental rates (and cheap, non-stop flights) in the country. Such a pleasure to navigate a next to empty airport after OIA. Although, lines not that bad this time. Ate dinner at Wicked Awesome BBQ in White River Junction VT. Had a spice rub to it. Not bad. They won't sell "sandwich" brisket in a platter. I expect that is the lean. Never heard that before. Good policy. I wonder how many places do that? Wasn't expecting to eat bbq. Not many choices around there. Had root beer basted pork and maple rubbed chicken. Slept at a Hampton Inn for $127. Went to Dartmouth in Hanover NH the next day. Slept at North Conway Mountain Inn in North Conway NH (Gateway to Mt Washington Valley) for $97. Ate dinner at Luchador Tacos. Bad burrito. Good Mexican (spice) Whoopie Pie supplied by Il Cakes. Had breakfast at Peachs (not a typo). Eggs with Guinness bratwurst. They had a lot of crazy dishes like eggs benedict crepes, apple butterscotch pancakes, banana coconut (inside) pancakes, a wrap with baked apples, cranberries, walnuts and chicken, etc. Drove on to NW Maine through Berlin (saw a moose and turkeys) and drove up Route 201 to Canada. Lovely scenery. Million Dollar Bird House Wall, lakes and Kennebec River. Then back past Plymouth State University and onto Squam Lake (On Golden Pond) and Lake Winnipesaukee (Grown Ups) and on to the coast and Rockport. Slept at the Starlight Lodge for $107. Staff from Longwood gave me a discount. Landed at Rockland Cafe for lunch after most Yelp places only took cash or were taking their sweet ass time. I had an under cooked (the inside had black sludge) one pounder masquerading as a pound and a half for $24. Still good. The internet says that sludge is eggs that haven't been cooked and a female lobster is a hen. It has been forever since I've seen that and some of the roe was cooked, so, I don't know if that is true. It came with lousy slaw and fries. I passed a sign that said (fish shop) lobster was $8 a pound. The other places were selling rolls for $22. I also saw cooked lobsters for much less elsewhere (ie some place in Winsooket across from the famous Red's had a pound a halfer for $17. They must rip off tourists (when not demanding cash to cook the books and avoid the tax man) in that area of the state. Drove a few miles south to Port Clyde and the lighthouse from Forrest Gump (Marshall Point). I ate dinner at the Maine Diner in Wells. It was on 3D. Had the Clam-o-rama for around $24. Fried bellies, strips, cake and chowder, corn muffin, baked potato, slaw. Pretty good. Not a huge fried seafood guy. Realized these places are so cheap that they don't cut off the "tail/trunk" of a steamer that you hold and discard when eating them steamed. Had dessert (whoopie pie ice cream and peanut butter pie ice cream) at Skins Scoop in Ogunquit. Slept at Mariner Resort Motel in Ogunquit for $107. Drove back north a few miles to Kennebunkport for lunch at Mabel's Lobster Claw (on Food Paradise). Had a lobster roll for around $24. Piled on a closed bun. Either lazy or purposeful to make it seem like a big portion. Was ok. Fries were better. Saw the Bush compound again. Back south through Portsmouth NH to New Castle Island and onto Hampton NH. Drank at Smuttynose Brewing Company. Had dinner at Shane's Authentically Austin BBQ. Another unexpected meal that was better than you'd think. Slept at Lamie's Inn for $124. Went west through Exeter NH (Phillips Exeter Academy) back through NH and VT to MA and Jiminy Peak (skied there a long time ago) and slept in Lenox MA at Wagon Wheel Inn for $61. Bought good sushi, pizza and Vermont cheeses at Guido's Fresh Marketplace. Drove through Pittsfield to see my pre-teen summer camp and onward west past Hancock Shaker Village to NY and Martin Van Buren NHS and up to Latham (near airport). Slept at a Baymont for $73. Had lunch at Latham 76 Diner. Challah French Toast and eggs and link sausage. Love that real diner link sausage. Had to finally try a diner. Accomplished everything except two islands. Ferries either not running that day or too early for my taste. Going back in a month. Maybe then? For places (especially Maine) that were so strict with Covid, no one was masking, etc now. Crowds already too. And the Governor of NY is full of it once more. No vaccination shot area at Albany airport. Asked a few people (ie TSA) and they said they haven't seen it. Ever! Our news (and maybe national) said Albany was an airport that would be doing it. Then again, just saying it (or tweeting it) seems to count for action in today's world. Enjoy this. Last one for a bit. And remember, the emailed advisory is going away soon.
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