Tim’s on the Riverfront

What bad can be said about this place? Okay, the beef sucks. My partner ordered a steak sandwich and got something resembling steakums that had been cooked too long. But I ordered a piece of fried cod that was amazing, and our roommate got clams casino (terrific) and Caesar salad with crab that almost had too much crab. How often does that happen?
Tim’s on the Riverside is well hidden and I’d suggest that if you’d like to try it, go to the internet for directions, cuz it’s hard to find. It’s well worth the effort. It’s a drive up and boat up restaurant. You can either drive there in your car, or boat up to it in your, well, boat! They have about a dozen berths along their docks as well as a water taxi for those who want to anchor further out. It’s located where Neabsco Creek enters the Occoquan Bay. During the height of boating season, it’s the rockin’ happenin’ place. On the weekends, they have live music in the evenings, and things can get pretty rowdy. Why Guy Fierie (Diners, Drive Ins, And Dives (HGTV)) hasn't found this place is beyond me!
Tim’s is a good old-fashioned waterfront experience. Part of the restaurant seating is inside; part is on the pier; and part is on the “beach” front. They try to get as many people facing the water as they can.
It’s a seafood place. Don’t order the steak sandwich. I’ve had the fried shrimp, the fried fish, and the hamburger. All of them were excellent. My partner has had the fried shrimp, the hamburger, and the steak sandwich. All were good except the steak sandwich. Our roommate has had the crab cakes, and the Caesar salad with crab meat, and the clams casino and all were excellent. So my best advice is to stick with the seafood. It’s really good. And the hush puppies are amazing! Sweet, crunchy, the epitome of what a hush puppy is supposed to be.
During the summer, on the weekends, they have live music. The bands play on a raft out in the bay attached to a pier so they can’t float away, but it gives a sort of floating feel to the experience. The bands we’ve heard have been of the rockin’ sixties/seventies variety and have been very good. We recognized the songs and sang along. I haven't heard any bands that were obnoxious and there are many of those wandering around.
There is a bar inside and outside. The outside bar is a little louder and more “in your face” than the inside bar, but that’s to be expected.
The reason for going to Tim’s on the Riverside is to have a good time and to experience something you might not have had an opportunity to experience, namely the boating lifestyle. Soak up the amazing atmosphere; feed the stray cats wandering around; enjoy the conversations at nearby tables; and have a blazing amount of fun.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!

Braised Cucumbers

Okay, so like nearly anyone else who's seen "Julie and Julia", all I can say about Braised Cucumbers is "Yumm!" Cooking this vegetable completely changes its personality. Cukes normally are eaten raw and cold, in a salad or with a dip. Cooked and hot, they are a great side dish for anything. You can taste the flavor of the melon, but it's so much richer and deeper than it was before. It doesn't take long to prep, and it doesn't take long to cook. I modified Julia's recipe a tiny bit. And again, all I can say is "Yumm!"

2 medium to large cucumbers
2 tablespoons butter
1 pinch sugar
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice (white vinegar if lemon juice is unavailable)
1 pinch dried mint leaves or 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh mint leaves

Peel cucumbers, then slice in half lengthways. Remove all seeds, then cut cucumber in half lengthways so there are four pieces for each cucumber. Cut into one inch sections.

On medium heat, melt butter in a heavy bottomed skillet until bubbles disappear, then sprinkle sugar into the butter. Add the cucumbers and stir to coat. Cover the skillet and cook for 5 minutes stirring twice during the cooking time. Add the salt, lemon (or vinegar), and mint and stir to mix thoroughly. Cover and cook for two more minutes, then remove from heat. Serves 4.

I added the sugar to the original recipe so it can safely be omitted, but it adds a nice brown crust or carmalization to we enjoyed. So to you, Enjoy!