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Weekly reviews of crab cakes around the MD and DC area

Bellissimo

When you hear the name Bellissimo, you instantly think of Italian cuisine, not upscale Mediterranean. Bellissimo opened in 2009 with a vision of delivering delicious healthy eating alternatives, featuring fresh ingredients and a warm casual environment. Greek and Italian-inspired murals adorn the walls, and the bar area resembles the hull of a ship. One thing is for sure -- they are in Maryland, and like any respectable local establishment, they have crab cakes on the menu! So we paddled in and decided to see how they stack up. Read along and find out how our visit went!

Bellissimo's Maryland Crab Cake platter is available in a single or double, and served with two sides. There are also other menu items that pair the crab cake with another item, like the Surf & Turf. Other crabby delights are available as well, like the crab pretzel and crab dip.

The crab cake is made with jumbo lump crab meat, mixed in a classic Chesapeake bay recipe. It's definitely Maryland style, using bread in the binder, along with egg and a minimal amount of mayonnaise. Some light spices are mixed in as well, but not in any noticeable amount.

We found this crab cake to be very good. And it's HUGE! Make sure you're hungry if you order a double platter. The crab meat has a good, sweet flavor to it, and the lumps aren't too broken up. The bread binder adds some moisture to the cake, and lends that smooth bready texture you would expect, which sometimes comes across a bit soggy. As mentioned before, there isn't any discernible spice to the cake. Ask your server if they have any shakers of Old Bay available if you like a little spice. We highly recommend squeezing some lemon juice on the cake to add some flavor complexity and help draw out a bit more of that delicious crab flavor.

Bellissimo Seafood and Grill Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Additional Info

  • Restaurant Name: Bellissimo
  • Address: 510 Marketplace Dr. Bel Air, MD 21014
  • Neighborhood: Bel Air
  • Restaurant Type: Local
  • Website: http://www.bellissimobelair.org/
  • Review Date: 03/27/2013 7:19pm
  • Atmosphere: Not Busy to Moderate
  • Item(s) Ordered: Maryland Crab Cake
  • Cooking Style: Broiled
  • Other Styles Available: No
  • Available by mail order?: No
  • Price: 18.00
  • Order Type: Single Platter
  • Crab Content: Jumbo Lump
  • Filler: Average
  • Spice: Minimal
  • Overall Impression: Very Good
  • Rating (out of 5 crabs):

    4-crab
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