420132 Wed Jul 11 11:00:29 -0700 2007 0 12 Boston Area 0 2739876 Sunday afternoon found me at Singing Beach in Manchester, with deteriorating weather, a hungry tummy and two hours till my train home. Since my Plan A, Cala’s didn’t seem open (despite their web site’s claim to serve all afternoon), I proceeded into the village’s center, hid my sand chair behind a planter and went into The Landing at Seven Central. http://www.thelandingrestaurant.com/atsevencentral27.html Not only did they have Sierra Nevada on tap, but the Red Sox game was on (with no volume) in their bar. Luckily I fared better then our boys did. First I ordered their tuna tartare, which the menu told me was accompanied by sesame crisps. I got a solid quarter cup of tartare, with a lovely consistency, lots of tuna, in recognizable chunks, easy to eat, but not ground to oblivion. It was held together by the lightest of egg-based binder and, once I salted it, was perfect. I am not a nut who salts everything put in front of her without thinking; this tartare had simply not been tasted before being sent out. Two timid shakes of salt brought out the flavors exquisitely and improved the dish by half again. The sesame crisps were three rounds that reminded me of the Chinese noodles you get in New York Chinese restaurants that no one serves here in Boston. They were moist but still crunchy with an oily consistency and lots of sesame flavor. Ah, but I was still hungry. The bartender, Clay recommended their quesadilla of the day, which was swordfish and bass with goat cheese. I am usually very skeptical of cheese with fish, but this was excellent. It turned out to be large tortilla, generously but not over-flowingly, folded over the cheese and shredded bits of fish. It was served with sour cream and salsa from a jar. I asked for more salsa, which was cheerfully and promptly delivered. I ended up having no problem with the cheese and fish combo, but ended up wishing that they had chosen one fish or the other for this dish. I enjoy both varieties, but each seemed lost in the shadow of the other, so I lost the chance to relish what I love about each. I spent $34 for two beers and two appetizers. The room was set up effectively and folks were very welcoming, not like I was crashing their party. The food was well thought out and executed better than I had walked in expecting. A lovely, lazy Sunday afternoon. Wed Jul 11 11:00:29 -0700 2007 103052 bgavin