LEWNES LICENSE COMMOTION

At long last, for her anyway, the oldest daughter of one of the TQB founding fathers became "of age". Wasn't it just a week ago that the kid was wearing a Bulls jersey and throwing a beating on the neighbor's kid?

Anyway, to celebrate the event, Old DB brought Mandy B home from the world of Gamecock to spend the weekend with her family in Maryland. On Saturday night, we took her to an old favorite, Lewnes Steakhouse in Annapolis, to enjoy a big fat steak and a legal cocktail, or so we thought, anyway.

We have been to Lewnes maybe a dozen times over the years. The only negative i can tell you from all of those visits is the parking situation. Sucks a "donkey dick", so to say. Saturday night was no different. After dropping the gorgeous Julia, Mandy B. and her (boy)friend Josh - more on him later - at the front door, I spent about 15 minutes before finding a slice of on street asphalt within which to wedge the Wrangler. Another five minute walk to the joint, and I was ready for a nice cold beer. Unfortunately, upon reaching the table, Julia was in a major lather, having been told by the Lewnes "powers that be" that Mandy would not be able to get a cocktail because she was in possession of a "vertical license". Julia did what any normal, cool headed patron would do - she instructed management to contact the Anne Arundel County Police and send an officer over in order to verify the legality of the "vertical license". Long story short - cops came, approved the license, cocktails all around...the world was at peace.

Please understand that this TQB does not in any way fancy himself "a foodie". Dont like sushi, not into middle eastern or anything else I cant pronounce. My idea of a great restaurant is anyplace that has PBR on tap and a decent selection of tequila.

Ordered my steak the only way a man is supposed to eat a hunk of another mammal - "pittsburgh style". Amanda's (boy)friend, Josh - a very nice and decent fellow who reminds one of "Man Mountain Dean" from Aesops Fables - he ordered it the same way - washed it down with a couple loaves of bread and bucket or two of potatoes. My kind of guy.

As always - food was great - very different from your chain type steak house (think Mortons, Ruths Chris) - lot of great atmosphere, absolutely no complaints. The tequila selection was thin, but featured the Sauza Tres Generations Anejo. With that at the bar, frankly, you dont need to go much further. A buttery, mellow anejo - "mothers milk" as a buddy of mine says. Just great - served chilled in a mini-carafe awith a chilled martini glass - I had two and turned the keys over to Man Mountain Dean for the 45 minute ride home.

Good food + good tequila = good time for this TQB. Mission accomplished, despite the "vertical license"...