"We'll never get in," my friend moaned as she manuevered her SUV into the very full parking lot of Falmouth's Foreside Tavern. Just park. My stomach rumbled. I wanted some mussels. Now.

To our suprise, we were greeted at the door with a smile and two menus. Plenty of room, the clean cut server in black assured us. Everyone  was in the side bar, I saw,the men munching on Nachos dripping with cheese.(8.95) to the The girls giggled over thier Cosmos, pretending they were too delicate to dive in to the plump fried chicken wings with your choice of sauce. (8.95) Or maybe they were distracted by the many big screen TVs on every wall.

My friend and I were escorted to our table and asked what we wanted to drink. We both happend to be tetotoling that night.Our soft drinks were filled with ice and a lemon wedge, which delighted me. Refills were free. Oh yeah. And a basket of french bread with an undetectable flavored cream cheese spread.

A little small talk and we finally opened the cloth napkins, and the leather tome that passed for a menu. We both decided on the mussels to split. (8.95) A huge white ceramic bowl came covered with another. For the shells, my friend explained. They came steaming hot and, to my delight, soaking in about an inch of melted garlic butter. I forgot every table manner I ever learned and shells and sauce began to fly. I ruined a nice shirt, lost the repect of my friend, but it was worth it. Every sweet, butter saturated bite. It reminded me of lobster, without  the expense.

A full selection of salads are also available. They are known for their gigantic ceasar salad. Topped with real, fresh parmesan and homemade dressing, it can easily serve 3-4.

The very observant server saw we needed some time to recover and gab.He refreshed our drinks and discreetly moved away.While I listened to the vageries of self-employment,, I eyed the menu Entrees included the Three-way Lobster (Mrkt): 4 claws; a grilled lobster tail; and hunks of the same in a sherry rowe. A hanger steak (22.50); The Foreside Burger (8.95)It is griiled at any temp on a Keiser Roll and served with regular or sweet potato fries. this is my usual favorite.Pan-blackend swordfish (16.95) is served in a skillet surround by fresh zuchini and mashed potato.

If you just want to grab a quick bite, some staples: The Rueben, (7.95) The Rachel, (7.95) A traditional Italian, (9.95)

I chose to order the Haddock sandwich (8.95) I was not pleased when my usual waffle fries were not available. The fries I got resembled dry, fast food fries. The haddock however, was lightly coated and fresh. It was so fresh, I felt like it had just come off a boat. It was white, flakey and greasless.

My friend went with the three way lobster, declining the sherry roe. She was in sheer heaven, not having had a lobster all summer. The surprise lump of mashed potatoes underneath the claw meat was an unpleaseant suprise. I thought it an odd pairing.

The dessert offerings were listed with no price. Strawberry Rhubarb Short Cake and Key Lime pie were trumped by a dish of homemade vanilla ice cream.

There is also a little childrens menu available. Kids are always welcome. For more info, visit www.foresidetavern.com. As I said, I am a novice and this review was purely for fun.