Weekly reviews of crab cakes around the MD and DC area

Maryland

Last week, we reviewed Annapolis Seafood Markets' Backfin crab cakes.  Based on a tip from friend of the CCR Kerry G, we set forth to see just how good this place was.  And when we got there, we discovered that there were two different kinds of crab cakes on offer.  If you missed the review, Annapolis Seafood Markets is a chain of seafood markets with 3 locations around the Baltimore/Annapolis area.  Their stores offer a variety of fresh seafood and prepared items available for carry out.  Annapolis Seafood tends to be a local's secret, with their seafood being bought and prepared fresh daily.  Seeing as how the backfin cakes were really good, we just HAD to try the jumbo lump cakes.  Do they meet or exceed the standards set forth by the backfin cakes?  Read along and find out!

Port Deposit is a quaint little town along the banks of the Susquehanna River, sitting in-between the Conowingo Dam and I-95. Since 2004, Backfin Blues has been providing an upscale dining experience in a causal setting. From Sunday brunch, to the main dinner menu, to a special wine and dinner event on a weekday night, Backfin Blues is sure to have something to amaze you with. Chef Bob Steele is always cooking something up, so don't think that the food for offer stops at the menu! Typically open just for dinner service, we managed to sneak a seat at their Sunday brunch, hoping that their namesake would be on the menu. Lucky for us (and you!) it was. Read along to see how everything turned out!

Summertime in Maryland means one thing to many -- road trip downy ocean, 'hon! And a trip to Ocean City might involve crabs. If you're not standing in line to sit at a paper-lined table to crack crabs amongst pitchers of Natty Boh and friends, then you're going to get your crab fix another way. Maybe, perhaps, a crab cake? That's where the Bad Monkey Bar & Grill comes in. Located midtown on 58th St, the Bad Monkey is conveniently located to just about anywhere on the island and ready to fulfill whatever your need -- carry out or eat in; breakfast, lunch, or dinner; free water or choosing from a wide selection of beers. Whatever it is, they've got you covered. And they certainly had us covered for crab cakes. Read on to see how they were!

Baldwin's Seafood has been serving Harford County since 1976. In that time, they have been recognized as having the Best Seafood and Comfort Food in the Greater Baltimore area by Microsoft Networks' Local City Guide with City Search in 2001 and 2006, and named one of the Top 23 Crab Houses by Baltimore Magazine in 2010. Open year round, Baldwin's is sure to have something for everyone, although they're best known for their crabs. And where there are crabs, there will be crab cakes. Were they worth the trip? Let's find out!

Every now and again, in the course of our reviews, we get to come across a place that we may never have known about, or at the very least, would have passed by without another thought, if it wasn't for the lure of crab cakes that lingered inside (and the help of a restaurant.com coupon as well!).  Barbecue, Blues & Seafood is such a place.  Located on 648 over by Marley Station, you might think this is strictly some sort of biker or dive bar.  But guess again!  Step inside, and immediately become engulfed in the delicious aroma of steamed crabs.  Then you notice the down home decor, and realize that everyone in there is as friendly as can be.  So are the crab cakes worth the trip?  Let's check it out!

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