A quick trip to a Skechers outlet to buy walking shoes because we left ours at home, lands us too close to San Leon to ignore. I suggest my favorite down market hangout – Gilhooley’s, for an early dinner. On the way, Michael suggests eating at the Topwater Grill instead. I know it is good too – and I have never tried their grilled oysters, so reaching 9th Street, we turn right and point our noses toward April Fool Point Marina and Topwater Grill.
Topwater Grill
The parking lot seems to have a lot of cars today, which surprises me – it is a Wednesday, and we are here at an odd hour, but it is the week between Christmas and New Year’s, still a busy time for tourists. Reaching Topwater Grill’s entrance, an array of vintage Santas’ with smiling faces stand at attention to greet us. There is even a Santa hiding by an ice machine. Mrs. Claus, standing beside me, looks cold. Exactly the way I feel.
Inside, the hostess greets us with a friendly – yawn! She apologizes. It’s slow today, she explains. I remember the first time we were here; it was a sunny day in winter, and ALL of the outside tables were filled. Fortunately, we were able to snag the last table available indoors. Today, outdoors is out of the question, and the hostess asks if we would like a booth or a table inside. “Whichever one has a view of the water,” I reply.
Walking from the front of the restaurant to the very back, I see that the restaurant is barely a quarter full, but our table, when we reach it, is more than perfect. Windowed walls surround us with views of the bay and boats on three sides. I am happy enough that I don’t even need to eat – just sit. But we do order – appetizers and a main course.
Oysters
I’m here for the oysters. I have to be, San Leon means OYSTERS in any language. They have several types of grilled oysters, but wherever I am I always seem to veer toward the traditional, grilled oysters with garlic and parmesan.
However, Topwater Grill is trying to tempt me away from my normal preference with their version of Oysters Rockefeller – spinach bacon, parmesan and cream cheese. How can I say no to that? Or to Oysters Diablo with roasted garlic, jalapenos, bacon, shrimp and cheese! And Finally Chipotle Charlie Oysters with – you guessed it – spicy chipotle and parmesan – these don’t have a chance in my book. I’m afraid of chipotle.
I can’t do it. I must remain constant to what I know I love. I order a half dozen grilled oysters with garlic and parmesan to share — but then Michael orders a bowl of gumbo, and I tell him I may eat all the oysters myself. Raised eyebrows greet my comment.
When the oysters arrive, and I eat the first one, they are so delicious I feel compelled to share. I put two on Michael’s bread plate. He eats one, looks at me, and hands the second one back to me, saying, “They are so good I would feel guilty eating both of them. You ordered them, they’re yours.” I don’t argue.
Redfish
We both order fish for an entrée. Stuffed flounder with a roasted bell pepper and crawfish cream sauce for Michael, and chili pepper redfish with a tequila lime butter sauce, shrimp, scallops, and lump crab for me. Honestly, they both sound rather decadent, but our server tells me the woman at the next table ordered the redfish and said it was the best fish she had ever tasted. So, decadent or not, I’m hooked.
My dinner arrives on an oval platter, not a plate. I sit staring, wondering how I’m going to eat it all. But I begin, concentrating mainly on the seafood and the vegetables while ignoring the rice. I can make rice at home.
The redfish is delicious and melts in my mouth, as does the crab. However, when Michael’s plate is clean, I have barely made a dent in my platter. I continue eating, but it is too much. We should have shared an entrée, or I should have skipped the oysters, but there was no way I could do that. Topwater Grill has their own oyster boat; how could they get fresher or better?
I guess I now have two go-to restaurants in San Leon, Topwater Grill or Gilhooley’s. Choices – what a dilemma.
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