With a name like The Harp, you instantly know that they are an Irish bar. Not just any Irish bar, but one of 2013 Baltimore's Best Restaurants according to Urbanspoon, and was named one of Baltimore's 25 Best Bars by Baltimore Magazine, as well as one of Restaurant.com's top rated restaurants in 2012. Now, Irish bars will generally serve your Irish menu regulars, such as Bangers & Mash, Fish & Chips, and a fresh pint of Guinness. While all of your favorites are there, but there are some items that aren't so Irish. Like, for instance, crab cakes! Read on and see if they lived up to The Harp's reputation!

While we may not have had much of a winter this past season, it's always winter over at The Lodge.  The central theme is winter ski lodge, complete with chair lifts for seats, wooden statues for some of the barstools, and lots of ski artifacts, such as signs, snowshoes, skis, etc.  Of course, when winter strikes, thoughts usually don't turn to crab cakes.  But, this is late spring, and crab season is upon us.  So should you brave the cold and snow to get your crab cakes?  Or stay in and keep warm by the fire?  Continue reading to see what we thought!

The Mallet is a fairly large crab house and sports bar, located on the corner of Rt 1 and Mountain Rd in Fallston. Many other restaurants have been at this location, but the Mallet has been going strong since it took over the spot in 2011. There is something for everyone, ranging from enjoying a meal in their fancy dining room, to the inside Tiki Bar with 2 bars and live music, to cracking crabs and sippin' Bohs on the outside patio.  Whether you're brining the family or going out with your friends, The Mallet seems to offer something for everyone. And as any Maryland crab house, crab cakes are on the menu. How were they? Let's find out!

For over 20 years, The Olive Tree has been serving fresh, local, authentic Italian cuisine in the Aberdeen area. What started out as 10 bar stools and 8 booths has quickly grown to two newly renovated locations with a loyal (and growing!) customer base. In July 2013, friend of the CCR and one of the owners, Mindy H., invited us to come sample their local seafood offerings, particularly the crab cakes, which have been one of their top sellers since they opened. Look online at any of the reviews for The Olive Tree, and they will all mention crab cakes. So we recently stopped by to pay them a visit, and check out one of our favorite treats. Read on to see if the crab cakes are as good as the pasta looks!

The Peppermill Restaurant, located right off the beltway on York Rd. in Lutherville-Timonium, has been a local institution since they opened back in 1982. While The Peppermill has been on tour radar for a while now, it took the suggestion of Friend of the CCR, Mike A., to convince us to go. He, along with most other online reviews, warned that the clientele is made up of a mostly older crowd, but the younger generation are starting to discover what they have to offer. Will their crab cakes wow and amaze diners of all ages? Let's find out!