- From Metrocurean: Cork is opening a market next the the Black Cat.
- Chef Spike, he’s just like us. Gets evicted.
- Matchbox is opening a spot in Capital Hill. It will focus more on American comfort food. GOGs have more info.
- The diner that got moved to Bladensburg had some massive issues. The City Paper has all the details on this clusterfuck. Frozen Tropics has photos.
- Choose the next Dunkin’ Donut. Sm’Oreo seems to be in the lead.
- Jim Graham hates the jumbo slice.
- H Street Country Club…officially open. Tim Carman from the City Paper forsees problems, but when doesn’t the City Paper forsee problems. I’ll be posting links from Tuesday night’s press preview in the comments, let’s see what other people have to say.
- P.F. Chang’s is giving away lettuce wraps.
- Potato portraits.
Memorial Day means summer and summer in the Mid-Atlantic means crabs. The Chesapeake Blue Crab is in season from around April to October. It’s still a little early, with key crab season happening closer to July, but local crabs are available at some spots. If you’re not sure, ask if they are Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs.
My family hails from New England so I grew up picking lobster. When I moved to this area crabs were a whole new ball game. So, if you don’t know how to pick a crab, no worries. There are handy little tutorials for you here and here.
If you want to buy crabs to take home, try out the fish markets in Southwest. Based on Yelp reviews, Captain White’s seems to be the favorite. Make sure to ask for “freshly cooked” not just cooked, unless you want to do the work yourself.
If you want to spend a day drinking beer and picking crabs at a restaurant, there are a few good options locally. The newest addition to the scene is surprisingly Art and Soul which is doing “Crab and Beer Wednesdays.” From the release:
- Crab and Beer Wednesdays special includes three super jumbo crabs, corn on the cob or seasonal vegetables, hushpuppies and potatoes, price will vary depending on the market price of the day. The restaurant recently went local with its brews on tap, and is now only serving beer from area breweries such as Double Dog Double Pale Ale from Flying Dog Brewery in Maryland andBeach House Golden Pilsner from Old Dominion Brewing Company in Virginia. Buckets of six 7oz. “nips” are also available for $14. Crab and Beer Wednesdays is from 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. on the patio every Wednesday until the patio closes for the season.
- If you’re in Fairfax Captain Pell’s is pretty much the place to go. $35 for a crab feast and they mix males and females.
- Up for a drive? Tim’s Rivershore sits on the Potomac in Dumfries. It has a party vibe and a huge menu.
- If you’re heading to Annapolis, Cantler’s remains the all around top choice, but it’s a little ways out
- Want to pick crabs in Annapolis proper? Go to Buddy’s. It’s touristy, but the location is good and you’re still eating crabs.
- I’ve never picked crab in Baltimore, but I’m making the trip soon. Looks like some popular places are Obrycki’s in Fells Point, LP Steamers, and Mr Bill’s Terrace Inn. The best suggestion I’ve gotten is a place called Costas Inn in Dundalk, which may or may not be next to a strip club.
Maybe this is silly to say, but I think a crab feast should always be done in a backyard/roof-deck/outside with a beer/newspaper/corn and lots of paper towels. There’s a reason my old license had a crab on it.
May 27, 2009 at 1:02 pmbethesda crab house, baby! call ahead to reserve your crabs early in the day.
May 27, 2009 at 1:27 pmCrabs should be bought by the bushel out of the back of someone’s truck on the side of the road. Period.
May 27, 2009 at 2:24 pm
That diner is awesome, but worst location ever.
Should have put it at 11th and V at the defunct Michael’s auto repair shop.
May 27, 2009 at 12:37 pm