Evening on the Waterfront

Becky and I decided to go down to the waterfront this evening to walk around and have some dinner. It was a beautiful day and we were looking forward to a very nice evening too and it was spectacular down at Canalside. Except I immediately noticed no one sitting on the patio pier of the Liberty Hound which was where we were planning to dine. It was empty and then we found the door was locked. Canalside was incredibly crowded but that great seafood restaurant and pub was closed. The sign said open Wed through Sunday. Well, we walked around for awhile and spent some time sitting on a bench near the newly opened carousel. There was a great crowd all along the waterfront and there were many people taking the boat tours. The waterways were filled with people in boats, kayaks and waterbikes. It was a happening place except for the Liberty Hound.

One must wonder about the business decision to not be opened on a Tuesday evening in August. I can sort of understand Monday night but the season is short and the weather was great. Could it still be an issue of the pandemic or perhaps they have staffing problems like many restaurants all over the country.

We walked along the quay over the other end until we came to where the other two restaurants have never reopened at the Erie Basin Marina since the start of the pandemic. They are both great locations. The Hatch was always a nice place to stop for a snack and a beer and the other restaurant was a great place to have a nice dinner with a spectacular view. I hope someone reopens them sometime soon. 

We then decided to walk back to the car and then drive over to Elmwood Avenue and have dinner at Cole's. Elmwood was hopping and as we got to the Bidwell area we realized that there was a Tuesday Evening Concert on Bidwell Parkway. There was quite the crowd of people sitting on the grass with their popup chairs. Parking in the area was intense but we skirted around it and made our way to our usual parking area around the corner from the restaurant.

We walked over and were shocked to find that they were closed. Apparently they are closed Monday and Tuesday too. As we went back to the car we thought about going to The Steer but after driving in that direction for a few blocks we decided to go home and have some leftovers or make a sandwich since it was already getting to be around 7. It was 7:30 by the time we sat down for dinner. Now I'm sitting at the kitchen table writing this and drinking a beer that I thought I would have had hours ago sitting on a nice patio overlooking the lake. Oh well, next time which will be later this week. We still had a wonderful evening on the waterfront and got a nice walk in.

I should also add that today Aug 3 according to my Facebook postings we had dinner on this day at the Liberty Hound three year ago and five years ago I was at the Liberty Hound on this day with my cousin Bill for happy hour. We then picked up Becky and had dinner together at Cole's.

We also made arrangements to meet a couple of friends at the Liberty Hound for happy hour next Wednesday.