Archive: Around Town

I came home from work and pointedly stared at my husband. “Any ideas for dinner?” It was hot, humid, and I was in no mood to fire up or get creative. What’s a woman to do?” Rogue’s?”, I asked. Matthew replied, “Just what I was thinking”.

It had been a while since we had dined in that direction, but an Anniversary coupon arrived in the mail. What a nice idea, we thought. There was a bit of a breeze, the house was hot, and with the bushing out of the Chinese elms in front of Rogue’s Harbor- we were pretty sure there was going to be shade. Off we went.

Arriving at Rogue’s, there was the heavy smell of cooking meat exiting from the kitchen fan. Just enough to get your taste buds revved up. Upon entering the dark, cool interior, there is a feeling of stillness and a formal relinquishing of responsibility. It is in their hands now. As always, you are greeted with sincerity and ushered to your seating of choice. We opted for the porch and were not disappointed that there was already a breezy coolness marking the five o’clock shift to evening air. Although the server remarked that he was one of two on duty that evening and service might be slow, we found that not to be the case. Ernest effort and politeness is a hallmark of the serving staff at Rogue’s Harbour.


We ordered medium hot garlic wings and a medium rare, Aioli pepper burger to share along with a few beers. Rogue’s has expanded culinary efforts into beer brewing this year and have a few varieties ready for sampling: a Cream ale, a Red ale, and an IPA ale. We sampled the Red ale. It was earthy, with a good bitter, hoppy note, although it sat light on the palate. I always veer towards a pint of Harp after time away. The wings showed up quickly and were plump, crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside, with plenty of flavorful garlicky sauce and just the right hot finish. The blue cheese had plenty of real cheese chunks in the sauce, and the celery was crisp and fresh tasting. Nearing the end of the primitive wing fest the hamburger arrived.

It was the best burger that we have had in the county. Better perhaps even than the venison burger served on our home table. And that is saying a lot. The burger was perfectly cooked, lean yet tender, served on a crisp toasted ciabatta roll with lettuce and aioli pepper sauce. The sauce is delicious in and of it self. I kept spreading it on every bite that was undecorated. No one looked at us funny for sharing the entrée (we are watching our waistlines) and we were perfectly content when all was said and done. We look forward to trying more entrees in the future if this meal is a good indicator. The evening was relaxing and perfect to the nth degree.

As I sat there satisfied and full to the gills, I went back in time to the first afternoon I stepped foot in this building 21 years ago. I had just moved to town and was curious to see what was within. The trees were not present. No gardens ornamented the perimeter. No creative sign marked the verge. It was simply a tired old building with the faded grace of yesteryear.  I entered Rogue’s through the parking lot entrance and found dust, grime, and empty rooms with an abandoned feeling. There was an antique bowling machine in the middle room. No comfy benches. Nothing ornamenting the walls. The only sign of life was the dank North room with a faded old wooden bar decorated with a few daytime drunks. I asked to see the building and I was taken on a tour by the bartender. Upstairs there were rooms for let, supplied with old sagging metal bedsteads. The only sign of nobility were the angled decorative wooden paneling on the ceilings. If I had taken bets, I would have bet that the building would never come aright again.

How glad I am to be proven wrong on that account. Little by little, sensible improvements were made. Dead ends such as a fish market proved short-lived, the bed and breakfast decorated and well-established. Under Eileen’s good taste and substantial attention to detail, Rogue’s Harbor is a tribute to the value of history not just in the past, but as a positive contribution in the present and the future.

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