Liquid Assets

It's a foodie version of one-stop shopping! Liquid Assets is nestled into the crowded (but festive) 94th St. Shopping Center in Ocean City, MD, about 40 minutes south of Rehoboth. Just walking into Liquid Assets is an experience. The racks of bottles for sale and the row of glassed beer coolers suggest that it's an upscale liquor store. But look closer: Ensconced in the middle of it all is a circular bar serving booze and food, and just past a cute little bistro-style seating area with couches and easy chairs is, of all things, a full-service dining room. A foodie's playground, to be sure.

Your humble Foodie has ventured southward to Liquid Assets many times for both lunch and dinner, and so far he has failed to find any major faults with this place (in the spirit of self-sacrifice, he WILL keep trying. Pass the ketchup, please…).

So, without any further ado, let's get started. The Fried Shrimp & Grits is beautifully presented with cheddar and chorizo flavoring the creamy grits in a roasted red pepper broth. This one could be the star of the show, along with the Pan Roasted Duck Breast w/risotto, veal demi, onions, duck confit, spinach & villa mandori macerated cherries. We ordered another version of this dish a year ago (I left the description below in memory of Dr. Steve), but this one is kicked up to new heights. This amazing combination of flavors might have been a special, so hopefully it will be available when you visit.

A reminder that coastal restaurants change their menus like the tides. So many of these items may still be on the menu, and some may not. But it's all good at Liquid Assets. These people know what they are doing.

We also recommend the Bistro Steak served with arugula and a brightly pickled red onion salad. Also ordered twice and enjoyed twice was the whimsical Kobe Beef Hot Dogs. These plump and flavorful all-beef puppies are topped with a delightful piccalilli-style mix of peppers and pickled goodies with a mild slaw on the side. If you like hot dogs, these fine-dining versions will make you bark.

It's hard to cook scallops perfectly, but the Seared Scallops atop Risotto were perfect both times we ordered them. The risotto blends with roasted garlic, shallots, mushrooms, bright green peas and grana padano (a semi-hard, aged Italian cheese). The humble scallop never had it so good.

We again ordered the LA Burger, and again, it did not disappoint. The smoked Tuna Melt is served on ciabatta with red onions, roasted tomatoes, arugula, cornichones, cheddar and fries. Two humble dishes, both elevated to Liquid Assets' standards. This ain't yo'momma's tuna melt, kids.

On the most recent visit, I ordered the Bruschetta (I always order the Bruschetta there), piled high with peppers, onions, sausage and cheese. It's almost like being back on the boardwalk in Wildwood, N.J. (but you're not standing up). Others in our party ordered the Calamari (crunchy, not rubbery, with a great dipping sauce), the Antipasto Board (a fun, en plank presentation of marinated peppers, spicy meats, cheeses and veggies) and the Nutty Irishman (a savory bacon and cheese dip). My #1 dining companion also enjoyed the Caesar Salad (straight ahead, but cool, crispy and fresh). By the way, on an earlier visit we especially loved two of the desserts. I'm willing to bet that they are no longer available, but I've got to tell you anyway: the fresh fried donuts (they make them to order) and the Smith Island Cake. If either is on the menu, go for it. Both were tested several times and deemed delightful.

Though I still mourn the loss of their wonderful Airline Chicken, the new additions to the menu do not disappoint. The L.A. Burger, thankfully, remains. This one will fill you up. Though I believe you could stuff a tennis shoe with Mac ‘n' Cheese and it would be good, Liquid Assets eschews the shoe in favor of Acorn Squash. Think of a stuffed pepper or a Chili Relleno (but not fried). Our other dining companion (we'll call him “Dr. Steve”) had Pan Roasted Duck Breast and loved it. Confit of duck is pulled, then coated with truffle oil and a dark au jus glaze. Sadly, like the affable Dr. Steve, it is no more. Shrimp ‘n' Grits seem to be the big thing now, and Liquid Assets' take on it is right up this Foodie's alley–in other words, it's fried. The grits are infused with spicy chorizo and topped with the crispy shrimp, with enough grilled bread to facilitate the all-important sopping-up of the shallot and garlic broth.

We couldn't get dessert on our last visit! (If you read the last two paragraphs, you've probably figured out why). I implore the Foodies-in-Waiting and the Foodettes out there to post a note below if you've had any of the desserts, unless we beat you to it. Liquid Assets is just south of the high-rises, on the west side of Coastal Highway at 94th St. Lunch is served from 11:30am 'til 4 with some easy-on-the-wallet specials. They're open year-round, but it never hurts to check (410-524-7037) Click here for the dinner menu. (L., D., Bar) Price range: Moderate +.