Ryleigh's Oyster started out in Federal Hill as a relaxed oyster bar with upscale cuisine. They pride themselves on making everything from scratch each day, using quality seasonal and local ingredients that support sustainability and local farmers. Recently they expanded to a second location in Hunt Valley, so we decided to check it out and see what they can do with local ingredients. Read on to see how it went!

It's not often that you come across a crab ranch. But when you do, it's nothing like you expect. Sadly, there aren't men in cowboy hats, riding narwhals corralling crabs into traps. But what it is is a local establishment in Towson that opened in 2011, featuring steamed crabs and southern barbecue. Usually, you'd expect to smell either smoked meats or Old Bay, but usually not both. But sometimes you have to ask yourself, "Why not both?" Fighting the urge to snatch one of the many trays of steamed crabs walking by our table, we decided to corral us up a crab cake and see how things are out on the Ranch. Read on to see how it went!

Never underestimate the small mountain towns.  Yes, they may be landlocked and far away from the Chesapeake Bay.  No, there may not be much to do there.  But it all depends on how you look at it.  That small diner that you pass off as being too ordinary may have once served Harry Truman and his family.  The French restaurant may seem out of place, but may have once served as a private club for French airman back in the 1950's.  And maybe, just maybe, Noah's Ark might finally one day be built.

Today's fiber optic field trip takes us to the far reaches of Maryland, out in the Western panhandle, to a small town called Frostburg.  You may have heard of it.  If you're a history buff, then it will be because Frostburg was one of the first towns on the National Road, and quite a popular stopping point for passing celebrities and dignitaries.  Or you may have gone to school here, or known someone who has (go Bobcats!).

Which brings us to Sand Springs.  Now, this establishment may not have the history as some of the other restaurants in town (such as the Princess Restaurant or Au Petit Paris).  But it has been around since 1994, and will probably have some stories of its own to tell.  But they have crab cakes, which will always draw the CCR in.  So how were they?  Let's find out!

Last week, the CCR reviewed Schultz's Jumbo Lump crab cake. This week, we continue our review of Schultz's and try their other popular offering, the Backfin crab cake. In case you missed it, Schultz's has a history dating back to 1950. Originally a barroom, in 1969 the place has expanded to the establishment that it is today while still carrying on the Schultz name. We felt their Jumbo Lump crab cake was quite nice, but the backfin is certainly cheaper and was on special the night we stopped by. Is it as good as the Jumbo Lump? Let's find out!

Schultz's Crab House is a Baltimore landmark that dates back to 1950. When Schultz's first moved into their current building, it housed three separate storefornts: the bar, a spaghetti carry-out, and an appliance store. After knocking down some walls and moving some things around, Schultz's Lounge was in business. The Lounge operated as a barroom only until 1969, when the liquor license was sold to the current owners, who then renamed the business to what we know it as today. With all of this history, in addition to the business' longevity, we would expect them to know a thing or two about crab cakes. Read on to see how our adventure was!