Bel Air's most recent restaurant, the Main Street Oyster House, has a good bit of history to it, as well as boasting Harford County's longest oyster bar. Yes, this very location dates back to the post civil war area, and has been home to John's Barbershop, a watch repair store, the original headquarters of the Aegis newspaper, and most recently, the Dark Horse Saloon. But a new era has come into this very location, and bills itself as an upscale seafood venue. If you've been here during the Dark Horse days, things seem very familiar, yet slightly different. But with new management and identity in place, were the crab cakes on par with what an upscale seafood restaurant should be? Read on and find out!

Mama's On The Half Shell set out to provide Baltimore with a "classic" seafood house that the city was desperately missing.  A seafood house with tastes and smells that Baltimoreans can remember growing up with.  While there are still some out there, you first have to find them, and then get to them.  And they'll most likely not be anywhere near the Inner Harbor.  Luckily, Canton is accessible by water taxi, so the adventuresome tourists can leave the sanctity of the Harbor and venture out to parts unknown.  And it must be worth the trip, as this place was packed on a Tuesday afternoon with tourists and locals alike.  But a raw bar and drink specials aren't enough.  A classic Baltimore flavor is the crab cake.  How did they do?  Let's find out!

If you can believe it, McCormick & Schmick's have been around for over 40 years. It all started in Portland, OR, when the company's namesakes purchased an old crawfish restaurant, and revitalized a 100 year old landmark. Today, with more than 80 locations, they've become one of the premier names in seafood. Quality, hospitality, and freshness are just a few of the things they strive to provide every day. With a reputation like this, we knew that we were in for a treat. Were they worth the trip? Read on and find out!

One of Baltimore Magazine's Top 25 Crab Cakes of 2013! Michael's Cafe dates back to 1984, when the Dellis family opened a restaurant where they focused on quality, service, and atmosphere. Fast forward 30 years, and that winning combination, in addition to a world-famous crab cake recipe, has Michael's Cafe going strong, recently completing their third major renovation that adds an inside lounge and an outdoor patio. Considered one of Baltimore's top crab cakes year after year, we just had to stop by and pay our respects. Was the hype worth the trip? Read on and find out!

Mo's Seafood is no stranger to the CCR. In fact, Mo's Crab and Pasta Factory was one of our very first reviews. Just in case you're not familiar, Mo's Seafood has been serving quality seafood in the Baltimore area for more than 25 years. There are 5 locations around the area, with a 6th coming to White Marsh. Despite our experience at the Factory with the backfin crab cakes, friend of the CCR, Donna F, had enthusiastically urged us to go to Mo's back in 2012. So it was finally time to revisit Mo's at a different location. Was it worth the trip? Let's find out!