Moire, the owner of
Little Fish Huge Pond opened six months ago, a few minutes walk up from the historic district. The walls are covered in bright funky paintings — many for sale and many painted by Moire’s sister, Liz. The bar top is hand-painted with an ocean and questionably named islands. The plates and bowls are from Goodwill. (Moire told us that story too.)
Scoping: Like I said, on the night I hit Little Fish Huge Pond, the crowd was just me, my buddy, and those two girls taking a study break. Moire says (seeing a pattern here?) that during lunch, it’s an office crowd. As the weekend gets closer, she says nights are a mix of artists, students, pilots from the airport, and other neighborhood folk.
Drinking: No liquor at LFHP and no beer on tap — just beer by the bottle or can and a little wine. Bottles of beer run around $3 or $3.25 with some more exotic choices (Tiger, Carlsberg Elephant) and white-trashy lagers (Schlitz) worked in among the standard domestics ($2 Bud and Miller bottles). I even spotted a couple of the Oskar Blues canned (yes, canned) craft beers. For wine, you’ve got a few choices, but the standout is that classic bum beverage, MD 20/20.
Chewing: Moire is your bartender and chef, so she runs back and forth between the kitchen and the main room. When I asked about the chili ($2.95 cup/$4 bowl), she said that this batch was fresh and while it was good, it would be even better tomorrow. Made with beans but no tomatoes, it’s spicy but not painfully so. I like this recipe because it’s a little fatty. Too many chili makers go “lean.” Moire topped it with sour cream and shredded cheddar with no extra charge.
Next, the half-pound Big Ass burger ($6.50, or $7 with cheese). It’s a very “homemade” burger and a great value. Thicker in the middle than the edges, it’s topped with whatever veggies and condiments you want. Moire mentioned that unless customers ask, she cooks burgers “medium” for food safety. The beef was flavorful and plentiful, but maybe just a hint dry. Next time, I go “medium rare.” You also get a side order of Tater Tots, deep-fried with tasty little dark-brown bits.
The BRB Spam sandwich ($5.95) is served on white bread with a ring of grilled pineapple, a little honey and those Tater Tots. Moire says she actually researched this sandwich to find out what was popular in Spam’s heyday. My mom never made fried Spam, but it’s as tasty and “homemade” as the burger.
Never fear, vegheads. Moire also makes her own hummus,
tabouli, pimento cheese sandwiches and Boca Burgers. She’s even experimenting
with her own “Moca” burgers.
Departing: I’ll be going back to Little Fish Huge Pond, and I bet that next time, I won’t have the place to myself.
Add a comment