Rehoboth Foodie

It's basically a foodie version of one-stop shopping. Liquid Assets is nestled into the crowded (but festive) 94th St. Shopping Center in Ocean City, MD, about 40 minutes south of Rehoboth. Just walking into Liquid Assets is an experience. The racks of bottles for sale and the row of glassed beer coolers suggest that it's an upscale liquor store. But look closer: Ensconced in the middle of it all is a circular bar serving booze and food, and just past a cute little bistro-style seating area (with couches and easy chairs) is, of all things, a full-service dining room. A foodie's playground, to be sure.

Your humble Foodie has ventured southward to Liquid Assets many times for both lunch and dinner, and so far he has failed to find any major faults with this place (in the spirit of self-sacrifice, he WILL keep trying...). On the most recent visit, I ordered the Bruschetta (I always order the Bruschetta), piled high with peppers, onions, sausage and cheese. It was almost like being back on the boardwalk in Wildwood, N.J. (but you're not standing up). Others in our party ordered the Calamari (crunchy, not rubbery, with a great dipping sauce), the Antipasto Board (a fun, en plank presentation of mainated peppers, spicy meats, cheeses and veggies) and the Nutty Irishman (a savory bacon and cheese dip). My #1 dining companion also gorged on...I mean, ordered...the Caesar Salad (straight ahead, but cool, crispy and fresh).

Though I still mourn the loss of their wonderful Airline Chicken, the new additions to the menu do not disappoint. The L.A. Burger, stacked with a cucumber/pepper relish, arugula and cheddar, remains a mainstay. It's beefy and filling (the thick-cut fries could have something to do with that). Though I believe you could stuff a tennis shoe with Mac 'n' Cheese and it would be good, Liquid Assets eschews the shoe in favor of Acorn Squash. Think of a stuffed pepper or a Chili Relleno (but not fried). Our other dining companion (we'll call him "Dr. Steve") had Pan Roasted Duck Breast and loved it. Confit of duck is pulled, then coated with truffle oil and a dark au jus glaze. Shrimp 'n' Grits seem to be the big thing now, and Liquid Assets' take on it is right up this Foodie's alley--in other words, it's fried. The grits are infused with spicy chorizo and topped with the crispy shrimp, with enough grilled bread to facilitate the all-important sopping-up of the shallot and garlic broth.

We couldn't get dessert! (If you read the last two paragraphs, you've probably figured out why). I implore the Foodies-in-Waiting and the Foodettes out there to post a note below if you've had any of the desserts, unless we beat you to it. Liquid Assets is just south of the high-rises, on the west side of Coastal Highway at 94th St. Lunch is served from 11:30am 'til 4 with some easy-on-the-wallet specials. They're open year'round, but it never hurts to check (410-524-7037) Click here for the dinner menu. (L., D., Bar) Price range: Moderate +.