Friday night in Clifton Forge (part 1)

We had dinner at Jack Mason's Tavern, last Friday, and as we arrived our friend and neighbor Wilma McClung was just leaving, hurrying home with a “Cobb Wrap” for husband Tom. After we exchanged the usual pleasantries, she asked whether we were staying for “Fun Friday”, but all I could do was stare at her blankly.

Fun Friday?

Carolina came to my rescue, saying she had seen something about it in Horton's daily, and Wilma explained that there would be a band and a beer garden and that Mercer was playing – not all of which made sense to me, particularly that last bit, but by this time I had learned to just smile and nod as details emerged. And when C volunteered that we already had our folding camp chairs with us, stowed away in the trunk of the car, at least one thing seemed all but certain: we would probably be attending the evening's festivities, whatever they might be.

Inside, dinner was delightful and exactly as I have come to expect at Jack Mason's. Once again our waitress was Amber, same as last time, and once again the service was outstanding. Carolina had the “Fish Tacos”, which she had been eying on the menu for some time, and I, having stolen a small bite of hers on a previous visit, could not resist trying the “Fish and Chips” for myself.



Everything was good. The deep-fried cod was tasty, fresh and hot when it reached the table, nicely crisp outside and tender inside. C had the sweet-potato fries again, which she dearly loves, and I had the house salad along with the traditional fries. The total damage, while not necessarily cheap, was certainly reasonable and compared favorably with the price of comparable fare in comparable establishments.

By the time we finished, and I had downed the last of my Bass Ale – draft, no less, still a very pleasant surprise in little old Clifton Forge – there were more than a few folks waiting for a table. Much to the credit of management and staff, though, I did not feel the slightest pressure to hurry along – though, for the sake of courtesy, hurry along we did.