Crazier than ever

AARRGGHH!

So there we was. Ehab and the head bar wench and me, the faithfull scribe, standing on the Sandbar late late on Saturday night. The DJ, ole Knox was spinning and a scratching from his new perch on the roof overlookin the Sandbar. The crowd was throbbin on the dance floor. Alcohol was flowin liberally and the assistant manager Young Evan was tryin to talk the police from takin him to the hooscow for too much noise. There was a dancer, wearin' little else but dental floss on top of the DJ booth. I could tell you where she had this tattoo of a big heart..... but that's another story altogether. To top it all off the Tank,barcat extraordinaire and highly decorated mouse ace, had gotten out and was standing on the ledge some 20 feet over the sandbar with a puzzled look on his face. Security was ID' ing and a couple of the 18 to 21 crowd at the door were being told by Security Chief Joker,colorfully, I might add, "NO DICE".

So the head bar wench says to Ehab, " Not exactly my vison when we acquired this space, sweety pie"  The old man's reply, " For eight hours a week, late night, we can let the young people kick up their heels, the rest of the time it'll be locals,  tourists, conventioneers, charity functions, weddings and corporate functions".  Besides, the music ain't too loud- we're too old!!

So the Sandbar is a hit, a whole new crowd seems to be enjoying it and we haven't had a lick of trouble, and don't expect none.

Come on down and see what's up. Always something new and fun at Gaspar's Grotto


AARRGGHH!
Ehab's faithfull scribe

Robbie Burns Night on the 25th of January

Chef Craig, native of Hull, England, must have been feelin a wee bit homesick when he told the old man we should be celabratin the poet laureate of fair Scotland on his Birthday January 25th. The old man instantly agreed, not unexpectedly.  Given a chance to break out the single malt scotches the old man keeps on the end cap, any excuse will do. Especially the wonderful speyside Ben Romach-- but that's another story altogether.......

So there will be specials on the single malts, readings of poetry by Robert Burns, and best of all HAGGIS!

For those who have never enjoted the pleasures of a good haggis lets just say this- sounds dubious- tastes like a spoonfull of heaven. Our promise.

We will be serving Haggis, neaps and tatties which in amercan english means  mashed turnips, haggis and mashed potatoes slathered in a whiskey (Scotch, of course) cream gravy.  If you look up 'comfort food' in the dictionary there will be a picture of Haggis, neaps and tatties no doubt.

So be prepared to sing a little Auld Lang Syne ( a Burn's lyric don't you know?) and be thinkin about what the Captain opines is the real birthplace of western civilazation- Scotland.

Oh, and that haggis- Chef Craig will do the honors, classicaly trained in Fort William in the Scottish Highlands , at the Southern terminus of the Caledonian Canal, not far from Loch Ness and in the shadow of the Ben Nevis distillery, his glowing bona fides will produce the finest haggis ever tasted in Tampa town.  Hmmmm..where to find a sheep??


AARRGGHH!!!
The Captain's faitfull scribe

Tank and worker's comp

5:00 AM. The phone rings at Ehab's house. "Oh Captain, sweet Captain. It's for you, It's John, something's wrong at the bar", said the head barwench to ol'  Ehab, wiping sleep from her sultry eyes.

Ehab tooked the phone and mumbled. John was in a Panic. All Ehab heard was- blood, the Cat, stiches, hospital and some other barely coherent speech.

So Ehab pulled on his pants, jumped in the old Ford truck and headed in toward the world Famous Gaspar's Grotto long before sunrise. Quite a bit like the days on the old New Orleans up in the Gulf of Alaska. But that's another story altogether.........several actually

Pulling up outside the bar Ehab saw John the cleaning guy standing across the street looking like he had just committed an ax murder.
He was covered in blood and. As he limped over to the truck Ehab could hear a squish that was a familiar sound of having a shoe full of blood.

Tank was sitting on top of a brick column licking the claws on his oversized right front paw. Ehab sighed. He's seen this scene before.

Tank, by the way, was moaning that low moan, one step from a growl that is the feline way of saying," If you mess with me in the slightest bit buster, you too will be in need of a transfusion". He stared hard at Ehab. Ehab sent John squishy shoe and all to get a big box.

When the box arrived Ehab held it up and the Tank jumped in. Flaps down, Carry it accross the street and into the bar. Problem solved.

Ehab loaded John into the truck and headed for the hospital. 4 punctures, multiple scratches. several contusions, new shoes and shirt
2 courses of antibiotic, 1 tetanus shot (  with an especially wicked looking needle in the butt) a 10 day quarentine, a visit from county health  and a onerous workemen's compensation claim and everything was as good as new.

moral of the story-- if Tank gets out keep an eye on him and call for help. Under no circumstances try to pick him up when he's unhappy:

Now- Pets on the patio tommorrow. Come on in for great specials and fun, fun, fun.

January 14th. The Cutest Pirate Dog contest presented by the Krewe of Alegria. See wwwgasparsgrotto.com for more info.

Check out our newest addition  THE  SANDBAR  things are just getting crazier at your favorite Grotto.

The winter menu is back, and with it Chef Darlene's pork shank chili. Lines are around the block.


When your in see if the old Tank won't do a meet and greet with Ye


Best Regards

The Captains faithfull Scribe