When you think of Little Italy, your thoughts drift immediately to visions of spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, and gelato (mmmm....Vaccaro's).  If you had to think Italian seafood, then you would probably just imagine calamari, and maybe a nice bronzini.  But certainly not crab cakes.  But that is where Pacific Coast is different.  Located amongst the Italian eateries lies this new establishment to Baltimore's restaurant scene, which opened in April 2011.  The idea is a California grill using fresh, natural ingredients, which is something that a seafood town like Baltimore can appreciate.  So how does West Coast fare do on the East Coast?  Continue on and find out!

While situated near water and not on a dock (as the name may imply), Canton Dockside is one of Baltimore's newest crab houses.  The outside patio is as you would expect with a crab house: wooden picnic tables that get laid down with brown paper before a tray of Maryland's finest are presented before you.  Go inside, and the crab house feel takes on a more upscale feel.  Family owned and operated, Canton Dockside was listed by the Baltimore Sun in 2011 as one of 15 crab houses that you need to visit this summer.  If they know crabs, then one would figure they know crab cakes.  Do they?  Let's find out!

To pass by Todd Conner's (or as it's referred to around the neighborhood:  TC's), one would not think that this would be a quality eating establishment.  If you're looking for someplace where you can sit down at a table for a meal, you'll probably keep walking as you'll more than likely notice that large bar area in the front half of the restaurant, and the size/age of the clientele (which tends to be on the younger side, not that there's anything wrong with that).  But push past the crowds, and you'll see tables for eating in the back, as well as on the sidewalk if it's nice out.  (There is also a back door on Aliceanna as well)  While many businesses have occupied this space, Todd Conner's has been there since 2007, and seems to be a popular place to hang out and enjoy your Boh's and O's.  But we're not here for beers and baseball (well, ok, maybe).  We're here for crab cakes.  How do they compare?  Read along and find out!

The other weekend was Honfest, which despite all the controversy surrounding it, is a festival celebrating Baltimore and the hard working ladies of the 50's and 70's with their beehive hairdos and cat's eye glasses, otherwise known as Hons.  This yearly festival brings thousands to The Avenue (aka 36th St) in Hampden.  If you were there, you were most likely distracted by all of the activities going on and all of the other food vendors selling everything from grilled cheese to, yes, crab cakes.  Even without the distractions, it may be easy to miss one of Hampden's newest eateries, Alchemy.  Recently opened back in December 2010, Alchemy bills itself as a modern American eatery, that also boasts The Avenue's only champagne brunch.  Looking to escape the heat and craziness of Honfest, the CCR stepped inside to sample what they had on offer.  Read on to see how it all went down!

The Mt. Washington Tavern has been around since 1979, priding themselves on serving a stiff drink with a heavy hand, and providing a comfortable neighborhood eatery.  Declared a historic landmark, the interior of the tavern is filled with artwork and decorations that honor their local heritage.  You could easily get lost in this place, as there is a connected maze of unique rooms throughout the tavern (after passing through the bar area with the carved wood, you wouldn't expect the back garden room).  Always having stuck to drinks during any visit, we decided it was time to give their food a shot.  How did their crab cakes hold up to expectation?  Let's find out!

The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront has to be one of the most convenient locations for a hotel around the Inner Harbor.  Located in Harbor East, it is centrally located for guests to walk as far as Canton or Federal Hill in either direction without the need to use public transportation (although if it's a hot day, you may want to take the Circulator, especially if you're looking to go up around Mount Vernon/Charles Village).  With all that there is to see and do in the area, one might scoff at eating in the hotel.  And in our opinion, we'd recommend venturing out and experiencing the true B'more crab establishments.  But if the weather isn't cooperating, or you've already been out and about (that walk from Federal Hill to Canton can be brutal to the uninitiated!), then you might want to consider staying in.  There are other seafood options in Harbor East, so is it worth hanging out at the Marriott, or should you go elsewhere?  Follow along and find out!