Aah…summer, the time for flip-flops, long, hot days, and oh yes, family vacation.  This year, my wife and I followed this tradition, heading out with our gaggle of children (you can use that term once you have over three) to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  With the two-day drive and constant bickering of sibling rivalry in the backseat, I felt much like Clark Griswold, minus the dead body tied to the luggage rack.  Although, there were a few times along the way that we came close.  On a serious note, though, we were headed to the beach for some R&R.  And, of course, to eat our weight in seafood.

Upon arrival, we dove headfirst into the typical tourist fare – fish, fried shrimp, crab legs, and any other seafood we could muster up.  But midway through the week, my taste buds began to cry out for some diversity.  On Thursday night, my wife and I were able to hand the munchkins off to the grandparents and sneak away for a casual dinner alone.  My wife, un-phased by the barrage of seafood, was craving fish tacos.  After an Internet search for best reviews, we made our way to Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar and Grill.  The place has a small dining room and Hawaiian themed influences throughout.  I didn’t think I would get the reprieve my palate was crying out for in this place.

However, when our waitress listed the special of the night, I knew I was in the right place.  The special was blackened duck tacos, cooked medium rare to medium.  The tacos were served with a side of jasmine rice, warm flour tortillas, a pineapple and mango salsa, baby greens, goat cheese and a sweet reduction sauce on the side.  It was just the break my mouth was looking for.

If you know me at all, you know that I am a big fan of duck and a bigger fan when it’s cooked properly.  That being said, the last place I expected to find it was stuffed in a flour tortilla on the beaches of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  I decided to take the plunge and go for the special duck dish.

The best part about this meal was that I didn’t feel like the place was trying to “elevate” the food but instead, showing that duck is a truly approachable protein.  It was a great reminder to me that I often overlook duck in my every day meals.  I enjoy de-mystifying duck to people who have the impression that you have to bust out the fine china and white linen tablecloth to enjoy a dish prepared with duck.  But even I get caught up in the hype from time to time and need to be reminded how versatile duck can be.

I felt just as comfortable eating my duck tacos in my shorts and flip-flops in this Tiki bar as I would have eating a foie gras dish at a white tablecloth, fine dining restaurant in New York.  It made sense and wasn’t trying to be fancy, just showcase the duck in a playful summer way.  I can honestly say that I left the restaurant that night re-inspired to think outside of the box on how I can incorporate duck into more of my everyday recipes.

The other night I made a simple meal of “breakfast for dinner” for my two youngest daughters and my wife.  The kids had egg and cheese sandwiches and my wife and I enjoyed omelets made with cheese, onions, duck, and a tiny bit of chevre.  It was so quick and easy to prepare and the duck acted as almost a breakfast steak in the omelets.  My four-year old couldn’t resist trying a bite, and I am now proud to say that she has tried, and liked, duck.

Duck is often seen as such an exotic or even high-end ingredient by the common consumer.  I think it takes places like Mama Kwan’s to show diners that duck can be just as friendly as any other protein when it comes to the everyday dinner table or the backyard grill-out.  So if you’re tired of having chicken EVERY other night, just remember every now and then to give duck a chance.  You won’t be disappointed and may just be very pleasantly surprised.