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��� It�s my favorite time of year. The sun is coming out, the temperature is topping 70 degrees, and my favorite restaurants are opening their doors and gearing up for summer 2008. What better way to celebrate spring than by rounding up my best friends and heading to Bamboo on the oceanblock of 9th Street, within the Paradise Plaza Hotel? This year, my friend Kristi Kruger and I kicked-off Coconut Times� Best Bites at the authentic tiki bar that serves up competitively priced local fare. The island-themed restaurant�s impressive menu is the creation of locally renowned head chef, Dale Fields, and focuses on Hawaiian recipes. Owned by husband-and-wife team, Joey and Emily Capo, and Robert Nock, who are lifetime locals of Ocean City, the family-friendly restaurant boasts extraordinary dishes, affordable libation specials, and live entertainment 5 nights per week.
��� After entering the restaurant on the street level, and ascending a wide staircase to the second floor, Kristi and I were greeted by friendly locals, happy families, and Dale�s smiling face. We chose a tall table top between the tall-backed wooden booths and sleek bar, and next to a bright wall of windows. Tiki masks and torches, and a sunset and palm tree mural behind the stage, add to the mellow atmosphere of the large, open restaurant. An outdoor deck will feature pleasant outside dining as the summer heats up. Plus, four flat screen television sets, Mega Touch, and an array of arcade games�like Golden Tee, Silver Strike, and Big Buck Hunter�are sure to keep kids of all ages entertained.
��� Sipping on a tasty glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and a tall pint of Blue Moon with an orange slice, Kristi and I glanced over the �starters and salads� menu. I ordered the South Pacific Salad, which combines Macadamia nuts, mandarin oranges, hearts of palm, and crispy won-tons with mixed greens and homemade mango vinaigrette. Kristi came very close to ordering a pound of Pirate Wings�available mild, hot, old bay, bbq, sweet chile, or with Caribbean secret sauce�but decided to try the Coconut Shrimp with mango chutney. Other tempting starters, which are all priced under $10, include Kingston Quesadilla, Chicken Tenders, Jalape�o Crab Dip, Phat Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Volcano Nachos, and Cancun Crabby Corn Chowder.
��� As we contemplated which entrees to order, owner Joey Capo�also known as DJ The Other Blues Brother�stopped by our table to chat. After making sure we were satisfied with our drinks, appetizers, and menu options, he recommended the Eastern Shore Crab Cakes and Bamboo Pork and Pineapple. The house specialty, the center cut pork chop, is seasoned, grilled to perfection, and garnished with grilled ripe pineapple. Kristi opted for the Maui Mahi, which is served pan seared in a coconut milk and almond sauce on top of a grilled caramel banana. My mouth watered at the thought of ordering the Adobo Ribeye and the Tuna, but I opted to try one of the Skewers instead. Given the choices of pork, beef, shrimp, or chicken, I chose shrimp skewers served Hawaiian style�grilled with pineapple and glazed with a secret sweet soy and sesame barbeque sauce and rice pilaf. The other skewer styles are Jamaican, Tempting Barbados, and Puerto Rican Pincho. Unable to resist a lump crab cake, Kristi and I ordered and shared a third entr�e. Everything we tasted�from the mango vinaigrette on the South Pacific Salad, to the scrumptious zucchini served with the Maui Mahi�was delectable. Our favorite item was the Crab Cake. Born and raised in Maryland, Kristi and I both consider ourselves experts on the recipe, and we agreed that this was one of the lumpiest, tastiest crab cakes we ever had. All of the desserts are homemade, and Dale presented us with flan�a custard and kahlua combination that was sensuous to the last bite.
��� Bamboo also features a breakfast, lighter fare, and kid�s menu. The lighter fare includes salads, wraps, sandwiches, and burgers, all under $10. The kid�s menu features six selections, each served with a side dish and drink for only $6. And the breakfast menu is simply a must-try. Starting at 7 a.m., Bamboo serves up eggs, omelets, chipped beef, pancakes, French toast, and more for under $10.
��� Theme nights and drink specials abound at Bamboo, where Natty Boh is $2 all of the time. Mondays are Martini Mondays, with $5 specials. Wednesdays are $2 bottles, plus discounts on bombs and moonrockets. Thursdays are Green Side of the Moon parties, and Fridays are Team Trivia parties, with $2 beer specials and more.
��� Bamboo is open year-round, 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Debuting in March 2008, the new tiki-style restaurant is an original experience�from the Hawaiian recipes to the pole behind the bar that dons a beer list written in chalk. After wining and dining on our wonderful meal, Kristi and I stayed all night for the live entertainment and arcade game fun. Kristi was so impressed by Bamboo that she returned a few days later with her parents. With such a friendly staff, family fun atmosphere, and competitive prices, I will be back to Bamboo many times throughout summer 2008. It is definitely at the top of my Best Bites list.
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