I’m madder than a starting pitcher who gets taken out when he’s one out away from earning an easy win because he’s reached his pitch count over the fact that I can’t for the life of me control the weather, and now it’s getting in the way of me doing what I do best — eat.
Look, you all know the ol’Screecher can’t wait to get to and try new restaurants, so I was really excited when I learned that the Brothers Wahlburger (Mark, Donnie, and Chef Paul) were bringing their delectable delicacies to Surf Avenue, right across the street from my old favorite haunt, Nathan’s.
Now, I could ride Tornado over to Coney and have hot dogs and hamburgers just like we used to do back when we had barbecue every Sunday in Prospect Park.
So the day of the so-called “soft opening” couldn’t come soon enough, and I was all set with my press pass to get in and get eating!
Of course, this wouldn’t be a story without any conflict, and here comes a biggie: there was a giant security guard there that didn’t take a liking to me, and was intent on making sure I didn’t get in.
I found out that the brothers would be inside the restaurant with 300 seats and a retractable roof from 4:30 to 6, and got there right on time.
However, by restricting me to an enclosed gated section, the aforementioned security guard unwittingly placed me and Tornado in the path of Donnie Wahlburger when his entourage entered. If none of you are familiar with the Friday night hit series “Blue Bloods,” — on which Donnie is a star — you are really missing a really great show with a great cast and an intelligent story line. And I tell you this right now, without reservations, that I now consider Donnie Wahlburger to be a fantastic actor who can play an ultra-hard-nosed detective that makes bad guys and bad cops squirm. But contrary to his harder-than-nails facade, I found him — on two separate instances — having a sweet disposition and personality.
First, he walks over to me on Tornardo, smiles, shakes my hand, and says “Hi buddy, how are you doing?” and then his entourage pushed him away from me.
To spare you the horrible thoughts, curses, and language I had of this overzealous security guard that continued to restrict Tornado and me from my rightful place up front, I’ll jump to the moment when his back was turned and I was near the press desk. Lo and behold who comes directly to me, sees one of my six cellphones in my hand, grabs it, and takes a selfie of us — Donnie.
Wow! The selfie hit the Facebook and I’m still getting calls about it.
But that’s when I got hit by one raindrop, and high-tailed it out of there out of fear I would get soaked by a storm that never game.
Sadly for me, I was unable to complete my assignment: to write a column on the burgers there as only I can.
Now I just got to get back there to try the food, which I’m sure is as delectable as a Nathan’s frank.
Screech at you next week!
