Palm trees sway and the waves gently roll onto the shore. The splashing of children playing at the water’s edge with fishing nets they grabbed at the hostess stand lingers in the background. The warm sun is setting over another night at Macky’s Bayside Bar and Grill. However, the party is just beginning.
    Macky’s offers not only kid-friendly lunch and dinner atmosphere by day, but hopping parties by night. Macky’s literally offers something for everyone in the family. With a motto of “Where life is good”, how can anyone go wrong?
    While dining at Macky’s Tuesday evening, I was able to sample a few items on the menu, but wished I had had time, and room in my stomach, to try it all! The daily dinner specials that evening were seared mahi with lobster in a dijon sauce, seared salmon with tiger shrimp in a ginger pineapple sauce, and the dish my dinner partner Jenny ordered, a sautéed chicken and shrimp dish served over fettuccini in a bacon chardonnay cream sauce.
    When it came time to choose a couple of appetizers, our very attentive and friendly server, Kyle, informed us that Macky’s typically dishes out their crab dip, jerk chicken and coconut shrimp appetizers most often. Jenny could validate their yum-factor, so we chose two others that were also listed on the menu. Our table was soon filled with a plate of Smoked Fish with tortilla chips and guacamole for dipping. We also enjoyed the Citrus Scallops which were seasoned sea scallops with a walnut crisp and lemon buerre blanc.
    As much as I would’ve liked to just order more of the appetizers, as they were so delicious, the list of delicious entrées beckoned me to choose. Upon Kyle’s suggestion, I ordered the single Maryland style crab cake. I ordered it broiled, and it was full of jumbo lump crabmeat and savory spices. Paired with a nice seasonal vegetable medley and sunset blend rice pilaf, I was thoroughly enjoying my dinner.
    Jenny ordered the special of the evening, the chicken and shrimp fettuccini. This entrée included a house salad, the field of greens, or “sea-sar” salad, as well.  When the plates arrived to the table, a large bowl of creamy pasta filled with chicken and shrimp was placed in front of her. Eating to her fill, she looked forward to being able to take some home with her to enjoy for lunch the next day.
    The list of other delicious entrées seem to be unending - they all sound great. Other pastas available include a lobster mac and cheese, which is a lobster tail sautéed with sherry, cheddar, and smoked gouda pasta with a crunchy parmesan topping, and the Tuscan chicken pasta, which is a grilled chicken breast, asparagus tips, roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and smoked bacon, tossed with penne pasta and parmesan cream sauce.  
    With a wide variety of dinner options, Macky’s provides a delicious meal for all, even in parties of divided tastes. The menu includes plates from their Texas Kick Ass Ribs, a full rack of their dry rubbed baby back ribs served with coleslaw and corn on the cob, to Chicken Chesapeake, a pan seared and roasted chicken breast with jumbo lump crabmeat in a lemon buerre blanc sauce. They also have options for a 10 oz. cab sirloin steak or a 12 oz. cab N.Y. strip, both served with corn on the cob and roasted garlic red-skinned mashers.
    For a lighter option, Macky’s includes some classic salads with the option of upgrading yours to an entrée by adding a variety of toppers. Besides their staples, the Field of Greens and the Sea-sar salads, there are two others, which sound great. These include Boaters Choice, a mixed greens salad with dried cranberries, candied walnuts, cucumbers tomatoes and red onions, and the B.L.T. Wedge, an iceberg lettuce salad with bleu cheese dressing, bleu cheese crumbles, bacon and tomato. Make any of these salads an entrée by adding shrimp, grilled chicken, a broiled crab cake or grilled or blackened fresh fish.
    Dessert finally came, and the featured options for the night were a Smith Island red velvet cake, a chocolate peanut cupcake or a slice of key lime pie. Being the local girl that I am, I naturally ordered the Smith Island cake. Seven layers of delicious red velvet and a sweet, white frosting was the perfect finish to a delicious meal.
    Macky’s is also open for lunch with additional lunch options including burgers, four more creative salads, and some delicious sandwiches like the Macky’s Club Wrap or Fish Tacos. Also, pick up a copy of their carry-out menus to enjoy Macky’s food anytime, anywhere.
    As the sun began to set, Macky’s came alive. Macky’s offers a great bar atmosphere at night with live music, energetic bartenders and a cool beach to sink your toes into while enjoying the moonlight over the bay. This past Tuesday night was one of their awesome theme parties, which happen every week on Tuesdays starting at 10 p.m. I highly suggest those in attendance take the theme seriously as there are thousands of dollars worth of prizes being given away to contest winners. Attend any theme party before 11p.m or win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place during one of the contests and be entered to win the big prize - a cruise for two to the Bahamas. This upcoming week, Macky’s invites you to spend July 4th with them during the Red, White and Blue theme night.
    At Macky’s, there are many chances to win great prizes. Get your picture taken at the door while coming in for the party. Like Macky’s on Facebook, like and tag pictures, and be entered for prizes. How much better can it be? Get rewarded for having a good time! You can also win by hitting up Macky’s happy hour every day from 3 to 6 p.m.
    Other great nights at Macky’s include Little Black Dress night on Thursdays and Wednesday night reggae with artists such as Kaleb Brown. Grab your discounted Red Stripe that night and enjoy the Caribbean beats. Sundays are Let’s Do Trivia nights with Carl, aka Deejay Crazy. As always, you can never go wrong with a Friday or Saturday night Beach Bash.
    Macky’s Bayside Bar and Grill is located on 5311 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Md. For more information about events or details about Macky’s, please visit their website at mackys.com or call at 410-723-5565. Also, like them on Facebook for the inside track on events and to check out the cool prizes. Most importantly, get to Macky’s- “Where life is good.”