Beach bar drops anchor downtown

Everyone wants to bring a little something back from their honeymoon, unless it's a kid -- man, why did you even get married?? Bringing back the idea for a bar from their 'moon, the couple behind Barracuda Tavern, soft opening this weekend.

The inaugural offering from a veteran bar/resto husband-wife team eager to import a little of their honeymoon locale (Key West) to Downtown Crossing, Barracuda's a nautical-themed 51-seat tavern/seafood joint decked out with a varnished L-shaped butcherblock bar, exposed brick/light blue walls, decorative seafaring accents like a lobster trap/working antique lamp from a Croatian merchant ship, and even a restored 14ft Gloucester whaling dory that's been aptly renamed the USS Barracuda and is hung from the ceiling -- which probably explains why women are constantly buying it drinks. Tasty seafare includes a deep-fried Oyster Po' Boy served on a tartar-slathered toasted baguette; a ginger/dill-marinated Grilled Atlantic Salmon plated with rice and veggies; and The Captain's Feast, a hearty combo of shrimp, scallops, cod, and clams all of which were battered before being fried -- basically the opposite of Bernie Carbo's pre-at-bat routine. For grub without gills, there's a horseradish cream'd Sirloin Steak Sandwich piled with thinly sliced beef, charred onions, and melted Gruyere; the Caribbean Tavern burger covered w/ spicy citrus slaw, cheddar, and a Cajun aioli; and a Grilled Caribbean Chicken, which would probably only be lightly grilled if it's being accused of murder in Aruba.

For afterwork imbibing (and snackin'), the 'cuda pours seasonal drafts (Shipyard, Peroni, etc) to accompany hearty apps like fried cod tacos, and chipotle aioli'd Key West conch fritters -- giving you an opportunity to conch out, savor it, cuz it won't happen again until that kid's like three.