NOAH’S ARK: The place for party animals By Adam Donaghey You don't need a worldwide flood to set sail aboard Noah’s Ark; nor, do you need to hike up Mount Ararat! Just take a seaside drive to the city of Bacliff and you'll find Noah’s Ark Bar & Grill – a sprawling seafood and grill dining destination located on the edge of Galveston Bay, offering tasty treats and stunning, unobstructed views of the bay. From the outside, Noah’s Ark looks like a modular tree house, with expansive side patios and multi-level rooftop decks overlooking the sea - each named after a bird (except the indoor dance floor, named after the mythic unicorn). A giant tree looms over, shading patrons from the sun; along with a welcoming palapa, under which guests are greeted on busy days - perfect for the spring and summer weather! Go inside and you'll feel like you're in the hull of the giant Ark itself. Built with varying dark aged woods, including two great beams roughly thirty feet in length over the upper deck, the Ark provides a uniquely interesting handcrafted look you just won't find in most modern restaurants. Most fascinating is the fact that owner Fred Lyttle and his staff have been responsible for all of the renovating and expansion over the years – and they’ve never shut down because of it! Lyttle hales from Ohio, where he owned and operated three restaurants; but for the last 30 years, his heart has belonged to the Bay Area. A carpenter by trade, Lyttle opened his restaurant 14 years ago with a structure one-third the size of what it is today and has been adding on ever since. Just like Noah, Fred built the Ark. The restaurant’s name comes from a liquor ad Fred saw which depicted a cartoon version of the Biblical Noah’s Ark in the background with caricatures of animals toasting drinks. Instantly, Fred named his restaurant “Noah’s Ark” and ever since it’s been the “place for party animals!” The theme is seen throughout the restaurant complete with menu items named for animals and a large mural that acts as the backdrop to the restaurant’s dance floor and stage. With one of the largest menus around, the Ark serves a variety of seafood, oysters on the half shell, Angus burgers, steaks and much more. Popular menu items include the Ark’s signature Hot Mermaids (shrimp wrapped in bacon with a slice of jalapeño, dipped in beer batter, breaded and deep fried) and Hot Chicks (a Mermaid with chicken instead of shrimp); a rich seafood gumbo, and the Fisherman’s Platter (a sampling of fried fish, shrimp, oysters, stuffed crab and crab cakes). Signature drinks include the super premium 42-ounce “Margarilla”
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for two and spicy Oyster Shooters. Additionally, Noah’s Ark offers different specials each day of the week, so there’s never a bad time to stop by. Sneak away for lunch by the bay with blue plates under $5; or enjoy $1.75 Mimosas, Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers all day Sundays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Continued on Next Page
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MARCH 2011