Mulligan's Beach House Bar & Grill

Who doesn't love a road trip? Long or short, it always carries a promise of adventure. John and I took our first break on our trek toward Baltimore from Miami at Mulligan's in Sebastian, near Melbourne, Florida. With seven locations in the state, this one is right on Indian River Lagoon and gives you the option of reaching it by boat, docking, and stepping right into a laid back Caribbean atmosphere.

   

     I craved a frozen drink from their extensive cocktail menu, but I abstained out of respect for the hours of driving I would be doing after lunch. And speaking of the menu, it provides a wide variety, including much beloved brunch items like eggs Benedict. Also burgers, tacos, flatbreads, wraps, seafood, steak, you name it, anything you might be feeling, I believe Mulligan's can deliver. But a bold sign advertising the 'Monster Fish and Chips' repeated in several places around the restaurant, and would not be ignored, so we gave in. It was, indeed, a monster-sized slab of white fish over crispy fries with a small bowl of coleslaw. The fish was thick, the breading light and well-seasoned. John, who stands staunchly by his conviction that well prepared proteins need no embellishment, found it quite acceptable, and the tartar sauce provided unnecessary. Even I, lover of all mayo-based sauces, felt the tartar sauce would compromise the perfect meaty-crispy balance.

   

     The appetizer selections were also enticing, and in an impulsive afterthought, I ordered the Pretzel Bread Sticks. I'm glad I did. Warm, doughy, salted just right, and in the company of melted cheddar. We surveyed the dessert menu and found nothing we hadn't seen before, so we settled on what they call Key lime pie. It turned out to be an unconventional Key lime cake, two layers of cake with a subtle Key lime cream in the middle. John the Purist was slightly disappointed. He was expecting the traditional, sweet and tart custardy pie we all associate with Key lime pie. I, however, found it refreshing and original. Not what I expected, but happy to try it.

   

     Here's yet another place I wish was closer to home. The endless menu choices, the huge bar and cocktail menu, the proximity to the water, the tropical vibe are all elements that encourage patrons to become regulars. You know, like the famous theme song says, "You wanna be where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came."

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