What does summer mean to you? To me, summer means sitting on a serene deck, overlooking sparkling water, soaking up sunshine, and enjoying excellent food and company. I had the opportunity to experience my first taste of summer this week when my good friend, Lyndsey Robinson, and I visited Micky Fins Bar & Grill at the Ocean City Fishing Center in West Ocean City. If you’re traveling from Ocean City, you see Micky Fins on the waterfront as you cross the Route 50 Bridge. If you’re traveling from west of OC, turn into the large park-and-ride lot at the foot of the Route 50 Bridge to reach the multi-level restaurant.
    When you walk into the establishment, you may recognize some familiar faces from Marlin Moon Grill, which closed its doors in October 2009. Micky Fins has acquired restaurateur Gary Beach and most of his experienced staff from the former steakhouse. He brings his extensive background, innovative recipes, and award-winning expertise to the table.
    Lyndsey and I arrived at Happy Hour for a late lunch on the expanded deck. Our friendly and knowledgeable server, Lisa, presented us with menus and recited the daily specials. She explained that the new menu features a lengthy list of sandwiches, too. Each day, Micky Fins offers a soup, fish, meat, salad, combo, appetizer, and quesadilla of the day. The options are certain to make your mouth water. The specials during our lunch included Capri Salad (fresh tomato and mozzarella), Maryland Seafood Chowder, Soft Shell Crab, Bruchetta topped with grilled shrimp, and Jerk Shrimp Quesadilla. The fish of the day was Halibut, and the combo of the day was Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Seared Tuna, and Fried Shrimp. A delicious, 14-ounce Rib Eye Steak and New Zealand Lamb Rack were the meats of the day.
    When I invited Lyndsey to lunch, I knew that she was a former frequent customer at Marlin Moon. She was thrilled to join me and sample Micky Fins’ delectable new menu items. From the moment we walked through the door, the friendly hostesses, servers, managers, and bartenders greeted us and expressed their excitement to see Lyndsey again. I couldn’t have picked a better dining partner. Lyndsey knows which menu items are new, classic, and favorites. Lisa and Lyndsey both recommended the Tuna Nachos for an appetizer. Lisa also explained that the Soft Shell Crab and Calamari—served with pesto cream and marinara sauces—are top-selling appetizers, too. Lyndsey and I ordered the Tuna Nachos, which consist of sesame-crusted tuna on won ton chips with seaweed salad and wasabi. Light and refreshing, this appetizer is pleasing to the last bite. The slices of tuna are fresh and enormous.
    Other “teaser” appetizers at Micky Fins include Wings, Mini Lump Crab Cakes, Buffalo Shrimp, Back Fin Crab Dip, Steamed Shrimp, and more. The Meat Sticks are made with grilled beef tenderloin and served with potato fries, chimichurri, and pickled red onions. The Chili Con Queso Sticks are corn tortilla crusted and served with chipotle dipping sauce. Soups and salads are also available on the light fare menu, including Cream of Crab Soup and Steak Salad—with grilled tenderloin, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, bleu cheese crumbles, and A-1 spiked creamy vinaigrette. “I know for a fact that the Steak Salad is incredible,” advised Lyndsey.
    As we sipped on our cocktails and devoured our Tuna Nachos, Lyndsey and I reviewed Micky Fins’ impressive dinner menu. Available after 5 p.m., the entrée menu includes scrumptious selections such as Twin Grilled Frenched Pork Rib Chops, Crab Cakes, Broiled Lobster Tail, Grilled Tuna Steak, and fried or grilled Shrimp. Another one of Lyndsey’s favorites, the Chicken Chesapeake is a broiled chicken breast topped with lump crabmeat béchamel sauce and diced roma tomatoes over tagliatelle pasta. My favorite entrée is the Center Cut Beef Tenderloin. Roasted garlic rubbed and topped with a bleu cheese herb crust and tawny port demi glaze, this dish is simply the best filet I’ve ever tasted. Attention steak lovers: You must try it! Micky Fins’ Surf & Turf option allows you to pair the steak with Lump Crab Cake, Shrimp, or Lobster Tail. Another must-try dish is Chicken Rockefeller—chicken breast with prosciutto, spinach, Parmesan, mushrooms, hickory smoked bacon, and Pernod cream sauce. Last, but not least, Tagliatelle Pasta a la Vodka may be served with grilled vegetables, grilled chicken breast, grilled shrimp, or backfin crabmeat.
    I plan to return to Micky Fins in the near future to enjoy one of their delish entrées. The sandwich menu at Micky Fins is also extraordinary. Lyndsey and I both wanted to try the Grilled Fish Tacos, Fish of the Day Rueben, and Jerk Shrimp Quesadilla. While we struggled to pick just one sandwich each, we witnessed a server present a “Man vs. Food Cheese Steak” to a bar customer. This jaw-dropping sandwich is 2-feet-long and nearly 6 pounds. Served on a fully loaded 24-inch baguette, the cheese steak sandwich is part of a competition at Micky Fins. If you can eat the entire thing without sharing, you’ll receive a free T-shirt and your picture on Micky Fins’ website. Wow!
    I opted to order the Jerk Shrimp Quesadilla. Packed with fresh ingredients, the crispy quesadilla was the perfect blend of flavors. It wasn’t too spicy, and the chunky tomato salsa topped off the fulfilling special. Lyndsey ordered the Grilled Fish Tacos with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar jack cheese, chiptole ranch, and potato fries. This is a light dish, but the size of the fish is quite satisfying. Broiled Lump Crab Cake Sandwich with island aioli, Fresh Fish Sandwich, Grilled Fresh Tuna Steak Sandwich, and Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich are just a few additional options on the menu. A variety of Reuben, Chicken, and Burger selections are also available at Micky Fins.
    Located on the dock at Ocean City’s Fishing Center, Micky Fins offers happy hour food and drink specials every day from 4-7 p.m. Live entertainment is booked for every Saturday afternoon throughout the summer. Overlooking the weigh-in center, Micky Fins is the ideal location for spectators during popular fishing tournaments, such as the Ocean City Shark Tournament on June 19, and the Ocean City Tuna Tournament on July 9-11. Whether you visit Micky Fins to take advantage of their popular happy hour, admire the large fishing vessels on the dock, or sample Gary Beach’s newest culinary creations, you’re sure to be impressed. For more information, please visit http://ocmickyfins.com.