Pirates Cove

My party of 6 came for lunch and overall, our experience was good.  Some of our party are deaf and we discovered that the busboy had deaf parents and could sign so that enhanced our experience.  We started off with the smoked bluefish appetizer.  I have never liked bluefish but smoked as they do here hooked me.  It came with chopped red onions and a horseradish sauce, yum!

I've been going to Pirates Cove since I was a kid; I'm now 36.  One of the few places you can take your boat and dock for free in AA County.  The view is lovely; even in the winter while dining indoors.  Most visits prove the clientele is older than  that of the adjacent Key West style Big Mary's Dock Bar and Thursday's, next door.  I've never had a bad meal here.  The fare is typical Maryland seafood dishes as well as burgers, etc.  

On my last visit (with my parents and older family friend) we were seated on the lovely sun porch.  The table was tiny, understandable in the summer months with so many patrons.  However, it was a Sunday evening post-Labor Day.  Our server just didn't get it right.  We had a bottle of wine (white) as well as a few cocktails for the table.  Though not an expensive bottle, she did not provide any attempt to make sure it was acceptable upon opening.  After pouring me a full glass I noted the glass I was given was dirty and she told me, "it just came out of the dishwasher", but ok, she'd get me a new one.Upon her return, she poured the already spent wine from the old glass into the new.  Again, not an expensive bottle, I can get over that.  And then....she placed the open bottle on the table (nearly 90 degrees out this day) and left it to warm.  Though not a large party, we ordered several salads and apps. The crisp salads with tasty dressings arrived along with clams casino that were quite good.  Sadly, the entrees arrived only minutes later.  With no room on the small table we were forced to give up our first courses to make room.  Also to note, the menu states, in very small print, "bread available upon request".  The breads are delicious; do yourself a favor and load up on your carbs for the week; request a basket.  

All of the dishes were quite tasty.  Just goes to show how a first class meal can quickly turn into a so-so experience.  Our server was certainly friendly, just didn't have any training.  If you're reading this and think I'm being too picky, I guess you've never had an "ok" dinner that could have been great.  After tax and tip (yes, she still received 20%) the check was over $60 per person.  Even if I'm wearing flip flops, at that price I feel the service should be reflective.

We go here quite often and have never had a bad meal.  Some entrees are better than others, but the food is consistently good and the service is always good. The only time we had a long wait was on a Saturday night in August, and the place was completely overwhelmed by the number of people coming in for dinner and wanting to sit out on the patio near the water.  We try to go on Sundays and have enjoyed many great meals out on the deck without having to wait for a table.