I have many reasons to rave about my sunset experience at 45th Street Taphouse Bar & Grille. For starters, the restaurant is ideally located in the heart of the 45th Street Village, which is the annual headquarters for parades and events like Bike Week and Ocean City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I can’t wait until September when the village parking lot will be overrun with vendors and bikers celebrating the annual festivities that Bike Week brings to OC.
    Secondly, the 45th Street Taphouse Bar & Grille features indoor and outdoor seating with direct panoramic views of the sparkling bay. I took some amazing photos of the pink and amber sky during my visit to the restaurant. Third, the Taphouse boasts 36 brews on tap. Serving my favorites, such as Lancaster’s Strawberry Wheat and New Belgium Fat Tire, plus beers I had never heard of before, like Saint Michael’s Magic Hefeweizen and Southern Tier 2XIPA, the 45th Street Taphouse is a beer connoisseurs dream come true.
    Another distinguishing feature that sets the Taphouse leagues above other restaurants is its amazing breakfast menu. Served daily from 9:00 a.m. until noon, homemade breakfasts include Eggs, Pancakes, Sausage & Gravy Biscuits, Creamed Chip Beef, French Toast, Bananas Foster, Homefries, Breakfast Sandwiches, and Benedicts! Try the Surf n’ Benedict for lightly fried green tomato, country ham, and petite Maryland lump crab cake on two poached eggs with Old Bay hollandaise. Or, select the Poor Boy Benedict, Canadian Benedict, or Key West Benedict. All three are sure to please.
    I ate dinner at the Taphouse this week with my date, Joey Steward, who is a seasoned fan of craft brews. We sat at a lovely two-top table directly on the bay. I could barely take my eyes off the incredible view of the water and bridge. The outdoor area is on a raised deck, creating the illusion of being on a boat over the water. Tall and short tables surround a gazebo-style tiki bar with recessed lighting, ceiling fans, and flat screen televisions. Classic rock tunes keep the atmosphere laid back, as do the servers and staff. Just one of many advantages to sitting on the bay is a constant cool breeze in the hot sunshine.
    Our server was Joe, who is very knowledgeable about the food and drink menus. “The B&B is really good,” he advised when Joey ordered the Bruised & Battered Burger with bacon, crumbled bleu cheese, and caramelized onion jam. And after Joey polished off his pint of Burley Oak Rude Boy, Joe expertly recommended that he try the Heavy Seas Seasonal Loose Cannon—a burnished gold brew with a rich citrus hop aroma. Joey took his advice and enjoyed every sip of his cold beverage.
    Joey and I started our meal with orders of Tapped Up Tuna and Old Bay Wings. Fresh local sushi grade Ahi tuna with black pepper, sesame seed, wasabi mayo, and Sirachi Thai chili sauce is an excellent appetizer. The wings, served with ranch or bleu cheese for dipping, are crispy and juicy. For our main meal, Joey enjoyed his “B&B.” He raves about the caramelized onion jam. “Man, that’s good!” he says. I ordered Chef Jeff’s Maryland Crab Cake Sandwich with fresh jumbo lump crabmeat, red leaf lettuce, and tomato on a Kaiser roll. With a dab of zesty tarter sauce, this sandwich is delectable to the last bite.
    Owner Jeff and assistant manager John also attended to our table, and presented us with a Chicken Chesapeake Sandwich—grilled chicken breast, crab imperial, red leaf lettuce, and tomato on a Kaiser roll. This is an Eastern Shore delicacy, and I highly recommend it.
    Large Plates are available at the 45th Street Taphouse after 4 p.m. Crab Cakes and Taphouse Tuna are two big dishes. Jamaican Jerk Chicken is half of a fresh chicken in true Caribbean jerk marinade with grilled pineapple and wild rice. Sea Fra Diablo is fresh local rockfish, calamari, mussels, shrimp, scallops, spicy marinara, and pasta. Pasta Primavera is a hearty combination of fresh vegetables, San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, basil, and pasta.
    Other specialty items on the food menu at the Taphouse are Tuna, BBQ Chicken, and Natty Boh Brats with braised onion in spicy Guinness mustard. Try the Pulled Porky for Boston butt that is smoked in house with BBQ and jalapeño coleslaw on potato roll. The BBQ Chickenlicious is prepared with sharp cheddar cheese. Tuna, Chicken Salad, and Shrimp Salad on flaky croissant top off the sandwich selections at the Taphouse.
    On the Burgers menu, the Surf N Turf is loaded with crab imperial and Old Bay mayo. The Shark Biscuit is two burgers with bacon, cheddar, onion, fried egg, and habanero mayo. Gnarmax is jalapeño, pepper jack cheese, and habanero mayo. For healthier options, try the Turkey Burger with avocado or the Veggie Burger with Quinoa, veggies, hummus, lettuce, and tomato.
    Other “Tapped Up Tizers” at the restaurant are Steamed Shrimp and Taphouse Pretzel—Bavarian pretzel sticks with spicy Guinness mustard and Natty Boh cheese. The Crabby Pretzel is topped with fresh local lump crabmeat, cream cheese, mayo, celery, and Monterey Jack. Crabby Balls are nothing but lump crabmeat, and Fish In Chips is fresh local Rockfish in a homemade potato chip crust with spicy mango ketchup and Old Bay tarter. Buffalo Chicken Dip is roast chicken with Monterey Jack, wing sauce, bleu cheese, ranch, celery, and baguettes for dipping. For wing lovers, the 45th Street Taphouse offers six flavors, ranging from mild to inferno hot.
    Soups at the Taphouse include Maryland Crab and Creamy Crab. House and Caesar Salads are available, and the Bleus & Berry Salad is a must try: strawberries, walnuts, crumbled bleu cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette on romaine.
    The 45th Street Taphouse is kid friendly and offers a “Little Surfer’s” menu. Happy Hour takes place Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:00, and Late Night Happy Hour is every day from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. Nightly drink specials vary throughout the week, and live entertainment is every day from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. with a 2 p.m. Sunday deck party. EVO, Ommegang, Flying Dog, Longboard Island, and Dogfish Head are just a few of the 36 brews on tap. For more information, call 443-664-2201.