by RichardM » Sun May 08, 2011 11:23 pm
Late this afternoon we ventured out to Flabby's for a test meal. It needed to be late after taking my baby momma to Toast On Market in New Albany for breakfast.
Interior is pretty much as it was when Greg had it. I kept looking at the bar and expecting to see him behind it in his judge's robe and white wig from the days of FCC. Alas Greg is not the only thing missing.
Nothing bad.
But like the new Cunninghams it is not the old place and this is certainly not the 'old' Flabby's.
We got a rolled oyster. Taken right out of the freezer and fried up for us. It was about 1/3 the size of the ones we used to get and had one oyster. I walked back into the kitchen after we had eaten and chatted a bit with the cook. Nice fella he was. He said in a couple weeks he would be making the rolled oysters in house. My suggestion is to wait for those two weeks to pass. The ones we've had at HRB were way bigger and better really.
Lots of 'merkin beer. Nary a tap of locally brewed that I saw.
The new owner is Mo who owns the 7 come 11, quick stop, Mo's Market at Goss and Hickory. My guess is that there is going to be learning curve.
We ordered the 1/2 chicken with two sides to split between us. See Toast On Market above. It was well made, and I got fries and cucumber salad. The fries were mildly seasoned and good, hot done, frozen fries from a bag. The seasoning on them helped. The salad was quite good with crisp cucumbers. I can't make up mind if that is a good thing or if the cukes should be limp'ed out a bit. The chicken was crispy, done, tasty, and the cook split it between two baskets as we were sharing. There is/was something missing. Not in a bad way, but in an incomplete way. I think it could be Greg's secret ingredient - buttermilk - oh not so secret now. Or possibly some salt. I haven't put my finger on it yet.
No Bread! Greg served bread with every plate meal.
Service was adequate for bar service. The counter/bartender brought the food to our table. And, he came around and asked if we wanted our soft drinks refilled.
They have just opened and it is going to take some time I am sure to get in the full swing of things. Other things I noticed. They are making oyster shooters and the cook was teaching the counter guy how to make them. They have oyster cocktails. Everyday they have all you can eat chicken livers and fries, & wings and fries. I did not see salmon croquettes on the menu board.
There were three other 'tables' while we were there. One when we went in, and two came in. One sat at the bar and shared a beer. I don't know, honest, but mom,dad, son shared it. Guess they felt obligated to get something when they came in to look around. The couple already there when we came in had drinks and got a rolled oyster. And the couple who came in and sat at the table behind us ordered beer and did not seemed pleased that there was no Miller Lite in the house on draft and they had to settle for Bud Lite.
We'll go back. Give them a few tries to see if they up their game. Got to get them to get BBC or NABC in there. This is not Eiderdown or Natch Bar, but come on, one tap at least.
The Rich and Suzi food report will be back.
Richard Lord Meadows, Earl of Vienna, Marquess of Morgantown and Westover, Baronet of Parkersburg, and West Virginia’s Ambassador to the Portland Neighborhood.
