Pam, Bernie, Mel, Radar (with our old Sadie in the background), and Charlie at the Garbonzo Reef Bar... May 07
Heard through the grapevine that our buddy Bernie was in town. Called and sure enough, he is. So we made plans to pick him up in the Albury the next day and find lunch somewhere.
It was a bit puffy, but we decided it was good enough. The Dolphin Bar was the destination.
Bernie and his wife Pam are friends we first met in the Abacos, we run across each other often and have visited them at their place in Teluride, Colorado. We always find a way to have fun. We're looking forward to hangin out with these guys while they're here in Stuart.
Brain Cells, be damned
More on page 2
It was pretty bumpy, but the Albury took to it without a problem. Out of the St. Lucie River and into the ICW and there we were, The Famous Dolphin Bar.
The Dolphin Bar is very cool old bar that's been around forever. Originally owned by a former movie star, Frances Langford.
Interesting story.
Cut from the Dolphin Bar website:
The location of The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, as it was created by famous movie star Frances Langford, is unique, literally over-hanging the river’s edge, and this gives the site the area’s most spectacular panoramic views. You can literally see from the Stuart Causeway all the way up the river to the Jensen Causeway Bridge – the view is unparalleled! But the river vistas fall short when compared to the sight of Dolphin a la Dolphin before you on your plate. This signature dish of the freshest locally caught Dolphin Filet sautéed in flour and egg to a beautiful light brown glaze, flavored with dry white wine, butter, lemon, capers, and fresh herbs, as it lies simmering, exuding its savory odors, is captivating… And this dish, a compilation of The Dolphin’s Chefs and Owner, is as flavorful as it is lovely - just one example of the many sumptuous treats that are offered at The Dolphin.
Frances Langford entertained America’s fighting forces in the Pacific theatre during WW II, including Lt. Frederic M. Ayres Jr. who captained a US Navy Sub Chaser and was the father of the Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House’s founder, Fred Ayres. And it was Frances Langford’s love of the Polynesian Islands she visited during those early travels that inspired her to build the Outrigger Restaurant and Resort, which she opened on this site in the early 1960’s. Fred Ayres visited The Outrigger with his father in the 1960s while the resort was in it’s prime, and when Ayres saw the once magnificent Outrigger in a state of disrepair in the 1990’s, he knew the historic structure still held the warmth that Frances Langford had instilled in it. And it was with Frances Langford Stuart’s help and well wishes that the building, that had once held the exotic Outrigger and it’s famous patrons, was refurbished and restored. And while gratitude towards Frances for her help and the historic past she bestowed upon these premises will never fade, The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House is a house built on a foundation of exquisite food and fine and happy times. While she was alive, Frances celebrated special occasions, family birthdays, including The Christmas Holidays, at The Dolphin. She was among the first customers to be greeted at the door by owner Fred Ayres on The Dolphin’s opening night, and her kindness and grace will never be forgotten. But Frances loved good food and she loved to have fun - and it will be great food and good times that carry forward in the spirit of The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House, as they will in the spirit of Frances Langford Stuart.
For her warmth and the celebrity of such friends as Bob Hope who graced this house as Frances’s guests, we say “Thanks for the Memories”. For the wisdom and quiet generosity with which Frances enriched our community, we say, “Thank you very much!” And for the soldiers and seamen whose days were brightened as they fought a nightmarish war, we say to Frances, “God Bless You.” But Frances was a person who looked forward in a spirit of optimism and the enjoyment of life, and in her honor we raise our glasses to good food and good times, past and future, and we say “CHEERS!”
After a couple of sliders and several fine Margaritas we were in rare form as we left and headed out the channel and back into the ICW. I forgot to slow down and motored at half throttle under a bridge, then... On came the lights and a siren. We were being pulled over by the Sheriff and after having a few drinks, I figured this was not going to turn out good.
But as luck would have it, the kind Sheriff let us go with just a warning and we were off again.
Another good day amongst many.
Adios,
Istaboa
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