It was belated birthday celebration time and my brother from Staten Island NY drove up to take us out for lunch. We have passed the Captains Table in Monroe NY at least a billion times, (Maybe just a few hundred...but you get the idea), over the past 20 years, but for some unknown reason, we never went in. The place is always packed and if you get caught at the light on the corner, the smells from the place are divine. I had planned on going to the 208 Grill that day (on RT 208 in Monroe NY), but they were closed, so we zipped over to the Captain's table on a wim...(Actually we drove in two cars, one was a Ford Wim).
All right, enough with the useless fluff, sorry I'm on my third Sambuca and Espresso of the day.
The place is very deceiving from the outside,...no really...very deceiving. "The '70s called and they're looking for a missing resturant". A passerby...as I have been for many years now...would think it somewhat small and dated. However, were we wrong! once you enter the main dining area you will find it quite spacious as restaurants go. The tables were large, very nicely spaced and construcetd from oak with a nautical flavor. Our waiter, (I still call them waiter and waitress, there's something demeaning about the word 'server'), was on his game. Very clean and presentable with a charming personality. He was extremely versed on the menu and answered everyone's questions, even the stupid and farcical ones from me.
I never had to ask for a refill on my coffee. Being a 'REAL' 6 cup a day COFFE FLAVORED... COFFEE drinker, the quality of the 'brown nectar' is something I always look for in an eatery. The coffee was absolutely fresh and delicious. It was on the strong side, bold and robust. As strong as the mountain burros who carry the heavy 800 lb. sacks of beans for Juan Valdez down the rocky and dangerous paths. As bold as the Columbian mountain peasants who brave the treacherous, Drug Cartel infested jungles of northen Columbia to bring us the most delecout beans, picked at the pinical of ripness and goodness ...and flavor-ness! Robust as a mountain stream in the green mountains of Columbia as it is flowing through the rich black enriched soil of her...soilness.
Where was I?
There were 5 in our party. All adults and a few 'adult plus' who did had relevant questions in regards to the preparation and portion size of their orders. There were two basic burgers, one swiss burger, a Philly cheese sandwich, and a cobb salad (ooooh, big spenders here!). Now you might ask yourself how can you ruin a burger?...trust me there are many, many people who are expert at running burgers. The three that we ordered were prepared exquisitely, they melted in our mouths causing said mouths to rejoice and eyes to roll in celebration. They were the kind of burgers that you look at lovingly at while chewing, with every bite, and completely ignore the conversation at the table. The fries were fresh cut and not the frozen kind..and if I'm wrong...they certainly tasted and looked fresh cut. The Cobb salad was generous in size as to the price. There was no need to send out search parties for the elusivee "Cobb' (whatever the heck a Cobb is) as the salad was riddled with them. The green leaf to meat ratio was astounding. My sister-in-law had meat in every bite right to the end. Impressive. The Philly steak was also thinly sliced and bathed in an ample amounth of fresh cheddar. Very nicely done!
I don't know if they allow small humans, commonly referred to as children or as the 'non-parents' call them...annoying, in to eat with the general population. The room was quiet, pleasant and brightly bathed in natural light. The prices were actually low compared to the level of taste and enjoyment of the chared bovine as well as the Cobb salad. We will be going back with friends...(like I really have more than one)...to try the dinner menu, and in the summer months,... the 'adult hour'.
The bar area is quite dated and unfortunately faces the street, giving the deceiving appearance of the place from the roadway (Rute 208). read more