Easter Sunday. Home sooner than planned. Not a whole lot going on today but visiting some friends in their new casa and maybe checking some patio furniture at Beth’s Bad & Beyond (intentional).
The spontaneous one insisted on going to the beach for dinner. Fantastic weather, I was dreading the 55 and all the stoplights that come with. It’s been a long weekend already, and wading through any Newport or Huntington street traffic did not help my appetite.
After calling ahead and discovering they would be closing within the hour, we beelined up the 5, towards 22, and made our way towards the marina. Not having been here before (only living vicariously thru Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives), we scouted the parking lot for signage. Down the way from Joe’s Crab Shack, we found our oasis.
As I told him, if I was a beer drinker, I would be so down with the Schooners. Instead, we settled on brekkie. To start, he tried their daily soup special. Always a choice between two, he was not a chicken tortilla fan, so instead inquired about their Portuguese (sp? that’s how the website did it) chowder. Basically a clam chowder with a tomato base, they add beans and corn. We jumped at the notion of fresh lemonade, but being the way I am - mine became an Arnold Palmer with a splash of cranberry.
Seating is very casual with faux granite top tables, plastic chairs, and oversized umbrellas shading the crowd. I liked their cushioned bench seating in the middle. There’s also some indoor and bar spots, but to make the most of our afternoon we remained outside. Looking out on the harbor, I was reminded of my stint in Ventura. Watching a sea of sailboats can be very calming.
Next was a mess, or should I say "The Mess" their infamous scramble of hash browns, eggs, green bell pepper, onion, and ham, then topped with Cheddar and covered until melty with some crisp edges. To that fine plate I added sour cream and avocado. No wonder this place gets waits that easily go beyond two hours (fortunately, ours was only 5 minutes).
His sweet tooth fell for cinnamon roll french toast. Dusted in a snowfall of powdered sugar, and nicely cooked. He promptly finished that off. I almost forgot the grilled sourdough that came with the soup and "mess". Tasty, albeit a little burnt.
Service was friendly and laid back as everyone else. I spotted one of the owners chilling by the bar. Nobody was in a rush to leave, even with umbrellas folding and chairs stacking. It was Schooner or Later, emphasis on later.
Schooner or Later
241 North Marina Drive
562.430.3495
schoonerorlater.com