The Grand Tasting Of The Outer Banks Taste Of The Beach.

Mr. Hawthorne and I arrived at Pamlico Jack's for the Grand Tasting.

Luckily, we were able to park in Pamlico Jack's parking lot and not have to drive down to the Outlet Mall and take the shuttle. I noticed the car with Virginia tags in front of us was directed out of Pamlico Jack's lot, but we were directed to a parking spot about 20 feet from the entrance. Could've been that we were locals or could've been that we knew the fellow directing traffic. I like to think I received preferential treatment. We first went to the check-in tent and got our goodie bags, then went back to the car to wait until we could go in.

You can see the line forming in the background.

This was a new addition to our goodie bags - the plastic tray with the holder for the wine. I left mine in the car since I knew that was an accident waiting to happen with my wine glass sliding out. As it was, I was already juggling a camera, camera bag, and pen and pad to take notes.

The line started moving promptly at 5:30.

I'm going to give you Rosie's recap as best I can. I really need an assistant to help me out. A recorder wouldn't work either, since it's so loud in there. But wait, Rosie, you say, you have an assistant - Mr. Hawthorne! To that, I say, BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Our first table was Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern.

They were serving tasty little seared scallops with pasta cavatappi, mushrooms, peas, dill, chives, and marscapone cheese.

They also had creme brulees, but I didn't try any of the desserts offered. Once must draw the line somewhere.

Next station is Mako Mikes.

Mako Mikes was serving tuna, with seaweed, wasabi, ginger, and chile sauce.

Pamlico Jack's offering was coconut shrimp, fried plaintain, with mango/mint mojo and a chipotle pineapple salsa. Rosie Likie.

Next up, Darrell's Restaurant. Darrell's is one of our favorite restaurants. Whenever the Hawthornes want a fried fix, we head to Darrell's in Manteo. The service is always terrific, no matter how busy they are. Try the Caesar Salad with Fried Oysters sometime.

Darrell's was serving up fried oysters, fried shrimp, and local rockfish with an Andouille Cajun cream sauce. I just might have to recreate the sauce.

Next is Adrianna's Restaurant in Manteo. We haven't been there yet, and I'm going to have to correct that. First was crab dip on toast.

Then they offered some really good braised beef short ribs over a sticky rice cake with a spicy citrus soy glaze and sesame seeds.

Pigman's BBQ.

Sorry, but I didn't try the BBQ. I want seafood and there's but so much room in my stomach.

Moving on to Coastal Provisions Market.

Coastal Provisions' offering was very good - lemon-dusted scallop on asparagus and country ham risotto with an herb sauce.

So far, this is my favorite.

Next up - Argyle's Restaurant and Piano Bar. Bailey's Ganache with Candied Pecans and Cayenne Whipped Cream. I passed. No desserts for Rosie.

Argyle's also offered Cuban chicken

on a tostada with pineapple tomatilla salsa and citrus caramel glaze. Mr. Hawthorne and I have enjoyed eating at Argyle's, but what you really need to try is their Belgian Chocolates. They are divine. Next stop, The Great American Grill. I'm sorry but I didn't even know about this place. It's in the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk and I look forward to trying it out.

The Great American Grill

had two offerings. First was a Garlic Peppercorn Crusted Bistro Filet with Brandy Sauce and Shitake Salsa. This was very good.

And then I had the Grilled Mahi Mahi with Rum Sauce and Kiwi Strawberry Salsa.

Loved it. So far, this is my favorite.

I'll be making this.

Next, the Ramada Inn and Peppercorns Restaurant.

I found out last week at the cooking class at the NC Aquarium that we can get a $1 tax credit for every bushel of oyster shells that we recycle.

Andouille and Smoked Gouda Roasted Oysters and Lobster and Steak Kabobs.

Here's Awful Arthur's station. Crab and lobster bisque. Raw oysters. Shrimp on saltines with cocktail sauce. Next up, Good Life Gourmet.

The Good Life served grilled Mahi Mahi with Tropical Salsa - pineapple, strawberry, and kiwi - on a Johnny Cake with a Balsamic Drizzle. Very good.

Their strawberry dessert crepes looked wonderful, but Rosie ain't into desserts. Gotta draw that line somewhere.

Uh oh. My "system" is breaking down and I apologize for that. What I have in my notes here is Bad Bean Taqueria and roasted garlic guacamole with Queso Fresco, smoked bacon, and salsa.

And Rosie has eaten her way through Room 1. She has 2 more rooms to go.

Here are my buddies Mark and BJ from Lucky 12 Tavern. Thanks for the beer, BJ. I needed something to wet my whistle.

Lucky 12 served New Orleans style shrimp with andouille and onions and a cute little baby biscuit with rosemary to sop up the sauce. I always like Lucky 12's food.

Next, is the Black Pelican.

Grilled NY Strip with arugula, watercress, and caramelized onion fondue. I liked this.

Boardrider's Grill.

I didn't try this, but it looks like BBQ and coleslaw and tomato on top of a cornbread pancake.

Yup.

On to Sam and Omie's.

Sam and Omies was serving up Jambalaya Shrimp, cheese grits, and corn cakes.

Sugar Creek Seafood Restaurant served a scallop chowder. Quite tasty.

Uh oh. I apologize profusely. I have no idea who served the tuna with wasabi and chili sauce on the bed of seaweed. But I loves me some tuna. Next is the Outer Banks Brewing Station.

Champagne poached oysters on top of sauteed spinach, topped with applewood smoked bacon, black truffles, gruyere cheese and fried shallots.

Mediterranean Tartare. Local yellowfin tuna, fresh fennel, celery, onion, Granny Smith apples, and cantaloupe, topped with horseradish sour cream and salmon roe served in an inedible bamboo cone.

Next, Weeping Radish Farm Brewery. My system is breaking down. Sorry, I have no idea what they served. Moving on to Cafe Lachine at Mallards Marsh.

Rosie's on her third room now and apparently is not her usual well-oiled machine.

Looks like a dessert and a seafood chowder, but I'm probably wrong. And I apologize to Cafe Lachine. I hadn't heard of Cafe Lachine, but when I checked out their web site I found that they're having their grand opening April 4, so I'm looking forward to another restaurant to try out.

I hadn't heard of The Brine and Bottle either. It's located on the causeway in Nags Head. We'll have to check out this place too.

Fish and chips.

Rosie Likie!

Red Sky Cafe in Duck.

Pan-seared Shrimp and Redneck Risotto with Asiago.

And here's Amy Huggins of Outer Banks Epicurean on Colington Road.

Amy served fire-kissed collards done in a hot and fast pan with garlic. Smashed sweet potatoes, shrimp, and a mustard cream sauce completed the dish. Rosie Likie.

Aaaaarrrrrgh, mateys! It's the Jolly Roger Restaurant.

Bread pudding with bourbon sauce and Seafood Carbonara.

Moving along to Aqua S Restaurant in Duck.

Mr. Hawthorne and I haven't tried out Aqua S yet either. I'm putting this one on our To-Do list.

North Carolina poached shrimp in coconut and lemon grass with a parsnip risotto and a spicy Louisiana shrimp roll with wasabi and pickled ginger. Rosie Likie!

Dirty Dick's Crab House.

Sorry for the blurred pictures. I have no idea what this is.

Maybe some shrimp? I apologize to any restaurants I've slighted or misrepresented. It's impossible for me to try everything offered here, but I did the best I could. I need to clone myself. Thank you to all who participated in this event. I had a great time.

And Rosie leaves the building. Congratulations to the WINNERS!

2011 TASTE OF THE BEACH WINNERS!

by OBX Taste of The Beach on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 10:14pm

BEST OUTER BANKS CUISINE

1ST PLACE - GREAT AMERICAN GRILL

2ND PLACE - PEPPERCORNS

3RD PLACE - SAM & OMIES

BEST IN SHOW

1ST PLACE - GREAT AMERICAN

2ND PLACE - BAD BEAN

3RD PLACE - ARGYLE'S

BEST BOOTH PRESENTATION

1ST PLACE - OUTER BANKS BREWING STATION

2ND PLACE - BRINE & BOTTLE

3RD PLACE - COASTAL PROVISIONS

PEOPLES CHOICE - BEST DESSERT

1ST PLACE - KELLY'S OUTER BANKS RESTAURANT & TAVERN

2ND PLACE - OUTER BANKS BREWING STATION

3RD PLACE - GOOD LIFE GOURMET

PEOPLES CHOICE - OVERALL

1ST PLACE - OUTER BANKS BREWING STATION

2ND PLACE - LUCKY 12 TAVERN

3RD PLACE - ADRIANNA'S

CHEF'S AWARD

BRINE & BOTTLE

Outer Banks on Dwellable