Back to the Basico...
Driving near Park Circle, I stopped to see the new restaurant that opened July 4 next to the
Mixson Market off Durant Avenue.
Basico is the name and it shares its dining & bar space with the general public as well as the Bath & Racquet Club. (That's Pool & Tennis.)
I sat on the public side and saw this succulent in front of me. Nice touch.
Well, actually, I thought it was part of a lamp but it wasn't.
It sat in a little bowl. I sat and perused the menu.
This new place is known for its modern take on Tacos,
I chose the shrimp (L) and the Pulled pork.
The side was a delicious tomato salad.
These I cannot make at home.
These were tasty and VERY filling.
Which, unfortunately, stopped me from ordering scoops of mango ice cream for a dessert.
Next time for sure.
Of course I had a beer.
Thought I spotted a can that did not look familiar.
It was labeled a dark lager and had an odd-looking "bear" as the symbol.
Antlers? And a shawl?
Because I had kept track on a phone app called "BREWSTER," I knew I had had 540 different unique beers in the past 2 years.
Now I was able to add number 541.
Had a kind of IPA taste which I liked with my tacos.
The app also plots where I had the beer so this new Mixson place is starred on my beer map. It's by the
Flats @ Mission.
I looked around a lot and liked the louver-effect across the back bar area.
The ceiling was VERY high which created an open feeling for the room.
Bright colors and arty artwork hanging on a wall made the place friendly, bright and cheery on a slightly muggy early afternoon in August.
The bartender said the pool was filled with salt water.
Well, sure, to reach our beaches - and the ocean - means having to get in your car and driving a few miles.
We remarked that it didn't seem very busy today.
The server smiled and said she'll look back fondly on these quieter days after the 1-BR and 2-BR Flats are completed and start leasing.
The population in the neighborhood will grow by leaps and bounds she added..
Looking up, I saw a grouse that was famous, hanging out with a bird friend who probably wasn't.
A Modelo Mexican beer in a can, about to be served, had the traditional lime slice wedged into the opening.
I could hear children splashing and enjoying themselves in the pool right outside.
Two other couples came in and took seats at tables.
Don't know if they "lived there" or were visitors too.
Not sure if any of the Flats have opened yet.
Finishing my meal, and heading for a movie, I thanked our server and wished her well as the crowds grow larger.
I had the feeling she looked forward to it.
Nice working for a company that can afford to open to a smaller audience and be patient until all the pieces are in place.
I'm thinking they're going to have to enlarge the parking lot.
Make one MUCH bigger.
(Click on the photos for more detail.)
The links will provide all the promotional details on the rates and amenities.
I had stopped by when Allagash Brewing "took over the taps" a few months ago in the Market and enjoyed myself.
Now I've sampled an upscale taco.
Park Circle is expanding.
Labels: Allagash beer, Basico, dark lager, Durant Avenue, Famous and not-so-famous Grouse, mango ice cream, Modelo with lime slice, pulled pork taco, saltwater pool, The Flats @ Mission, The Mixson Bath & Racquet Club
Having a beer at Mixson Market...
My younger brother called and asked if I wanted to go on a mini-Photo walk to test out his new camera.
I had already planned to stop by a beer-tasting event by Allagash Brewing Company from noon to four on Sunday.
We agreed to see what photo ops would present themselves at
Mixson Market over in the Park Circle neighborhood.
Even if there was nothing to photograph, I would enjoy the
Allagash Tap Takeover and sip some of their fine
Black, a Belgian style stout.
There was PLENTY to take pictures of at this growing "urban community" that was about as far from a typical housing tract as could be!
The friendly pourer was Les Addis, in charge of Southeast Sales for
Allagash.
I told Les I had had their white on tap around town but had not seen the black very often as a draft choice.
He took care of that need.
At his suggestion I tried a flight of 4 small 4 oz. samples of their Dubbel, Tripel, the black and Curieux.
My brother and I wandered around looking at some of the homes already built.
The map showed where we were standing in the proposed very large community along Durant Avenue.
The development hit a snag during the financial slowdown but has picked up steam again.
I am quick to explain these two buildings were shot with my Fish eye Lens Effect setting.
It causes distortion, curves and contortions NOT envisioned by the architects.
The pinkish building on the left reminded me vaguely of a visit I had made to Amsterdam a few years ago..
No. Not a flashback to a "coffee shop" experience.
The "stacked" roof line had a definite Dutch look. Really.
If you've been there, you would see it too. Maybe.
Live music was provided by the
Local Honeys, a smiling trio set up with construction going on behind them.
It appeared to be a series of structures of corrugated metal.
One looked like a large silo.
I thought the ladders added a constructive touch.
Found myself humming along to a song they were playing and realized it was "
If I only had a brain" from The Wizard of Oz. Don't hear that everyday.
Meanwhile, inside the
Market, I saw it was really a grocery store for the people living around it.
And a deli, bodega and cafe. It's a place to buy the kids an ice cream cone or to pick up some sun block.
Or buy milk and bread from the in-house bakery. Neat place for the residents.
As people came in and out, Les would fill their Allagash beer needs. Bratwurst sandwiches and other small snacks were available.
I noticed this locator sign when my brother and I arrived and parked.
The pink area seems to be what I was seeing where I stood, surrounded by very active construction.
I saw a marker for Summey Street.
When you look at images of the overall projected layout online, it does not state
"You Are Here."
Because we were so close - and my brother Dennis had not been there - we drove on up to the Circle and around to Montague Street East. I wanted to take a look at DIG in the park.
Lots of improvements in the outside seating area. They've added an outdoor bar and colorful umbrellas on the large patio.
My brother had a chance here to experiment with a feature on his camera that clicks three times, while bracketing the exposures. The "normal" shot and one slightly over-exposed and another a little under, then combines the trio.
Shadow details show even on a bright sunny afternoon. Very cool, Bro.
Before we left the Mixson Market area, I spotted a happy couple.
They "hammed it up" in a picture for me.
I knew not to "trifle" with her.
They seemed a perfect match.
(Click on the photos for more detail.)
Oh, if you've ever been served a "flight" of beer, you noticed the paddle that's used to hold the 4 (or 5) glasses.
Met Brendan Sweeney who makes them. He had a small booth set up. His paddles were being used inside.
His company is called BeerFlight.com. The slogan is
"try everything."
Too bad I still had my camera set for taking a fisheye view.
When you meet him, he'll look differently.
I showed this picture to his wife and the newly-weds had a private laugh.
Use the fisheye lens effect responsibly.
Thanks for stopping by.
Labels: Allagash Black, bodega, Curieux, DIG in the park, Dubbel, Durant Avenue, Les Addis SE Sales, Local Honeys, Mixson Market, Park Circle Neighborhood, Summey Street, Tripel, You Are Here
