The Marina Bar & Grill - A Perfect Place - Charlotte's Texas Hill Country

There are certain restaurants that we love because of the food and others that we love because of the atmosphere and the sense of place. When we find both in the same location, we feel like we have won the lottery. Discovering the uber-casual Marina Bar & Grill in Galveston Harbor last year, Michael can’t wait to visit again—he loved the fish and chips.

Fog, Fog, Go Away

Backing out of the driveway, the fog is light, and the weather is almost perfect—not too cold—which is a good thing because the seating area at Marina Bar & Grill is outdoors—under a roof, but outdoors.

As we drive down Seawall boulevard, the fog rolls in and begins to thicken and thicken and thicken. Looking at Michael, I say, “This may not have been such a good idea.” I cringe–it was my idea.

Michael reminds me that I always worry for nothing, and we drive on; the east end of the island has zero visibility. Heading inland, we turn toward the Marina Bar & Grill. I look up and see the tiniest patch of blue. Then the sky gets bluer and bluer, lighter and lighter, until we reach the parking lot. Now the day and the weather really are almost perfect.

Marina Bar & Grill

We climb the stairs, and Michael moans, “They’re closed!”

That can’t be! But there is no one here—no customers anyway. It is a Tuesday in January, and sailors and fishermen usually eschew venturing into the fog on their sea-going craft unless they absolutely must. And not many vacationers are here in January—on a Tuesday. In the fog. But us.

I do see someone behind the bar. The single employee smiles at me and Michael as we walk further into the dining area and tells us to sit where we like.

Choosing a table overlooking the water, I gaze beyond the fishing boat docked close by and see low-lying fog crawling along the far side of the harbor—and it is beautiful. At least to me, it is beautiful.

While I snap pictures, Michael orders us each a bottle of Landshark Lager from Margaritaville Brewing Company. We clink our bottles, cheering the day and the place, in honor of Jimmy Buffet (who founded the Margaritaville Brewing Company) and all old sailors—and our sailing adventures of yore.

Fish & Chips

After looking at the menu, I decide to try Michael’s favorite—fish and chips. Like in England, the fish is beer battered and fried. Michael always chose cod when we spent time there, while I preferred haddock. Today there isn’t a choice—the fish is cod. Michael is happy. I’m not so sure. But still, I follow suit saying, “I’ll have what he is having.”

The chips are coated in a spicy (flour?) mixture, fried to crispy perfection, and are delicious. The fresh, creamy coleslaw is a perfect foil. The fish is good (Michael says great), but I’m still not sure I love cod. He just rolls his eyes when I tell him, “Next time, I think I’ll get the shrimp.”

My decision makes perfect sense to me—cod is from the cold Atlantic waters—not here. The shrimp on the menu are from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico—HERE!

A Sailor’s Sense of Humor

Nibbling away at our humble feast, I look up and start reading the signs attached to the beams that support the outdoor roof. I laugh, telling Michael what some of them say. For dessert, I take pictures of every sign I see, bothering no one—because no one is here—the dining area is my proverbial oyster.