I don't know about you, but I rarely order crab cakes at a restaurant. When I do, I'm often disappointed. That was the basis of today's Dish column.
I love crabs and hate to see a restaurant kitchen take this sweet meat of the sea and turn it into a leaden lump or a mealy mess. To think a crab gave up its life for a poorly produced patty just, well, bums me out.
So I was skeptical about Henretty's Prime Meats $5.99 crab cakes. But I must say, these cakes, made by the Hockessin shop off Old Lancaster Pike, aren't bad at all. For $5.99 crab cakes. (That's a photo of the cooked cakes.) Don't get me wrong - it's not the BEST crab cake I ever had. But, again, for $5.99 not at all bad.
The crab cakes at Valle in Pike Creek are certainly worthy of the accolades, but each cake is $13.50, (two for $27). Steep, steep. And that's all you get for that price - crab cakes. I got a side order of grilled asparagus. It was $4. I'm not saying it wasn't tasty, but if you're on a budget, this isn't the meal for you.
Where have you found top notch crab cakes? Let's hear it. (I thought the crab cake at Sambo's Tavern, $11.50, in Leipsic were very good. See earlier post.)
Comment, comment, comment. I feel a follow-up column is coming.
UPDATE: Here's an email I received this morning:
Believe it or not, Seasons Pizza has amazing crab cakes - they got their hands on the old Tiffin Restaurant crab cake recipe and they give you two, huge crab cakes which are loaded with sweet lump crab meat - Very Good!!
10 comments:
Harry's Savoy Grill. I was there for a lunch following a funeral, and crab cakes were served. They were excellent, but I have no idea what they cost.
Normally, I just make my own. I get the crab meat in cans at Costco and use a recipe from an official Maryland seafood cookbook that the MD department of commerce / agriculture / something use to sell. Lots of crab, very little filler, nice crispy outside.
If you are ever near BWI and want the best crabcake I have ever had, try G and M Restaurant. Little if any filling, just jumbo lumps of crab. They also ship overnight. Each crab cake is about $12 and worth every penny. You bake, not saute, them.
http://www.gandmcrabcakes.com/
I buy the crab meat at Costco too - it is terrific.
Last week, I commented about the delicious pizza at Bella Vista in Pike Creek. Someone responded that their cheesesteaks were good too. I was there last night and there are no cheesesteaks on the menu. The person who wrote about that must have been thinking of another place.
Bella Vista was very crowded....glad to see it has caught on.
Bobby Chez has the best crabcakes I have ever tasted. They are a Jersey chain, but recently opened (thank God!) a shop in Glen Mills, in the Brinton Lakes shopping center. I highly suggest trying them out.
The Back Burner makes a great crabcake! If you're not in the full sit down dinner mode get one to go at the take out shop next door. They're a bit pricey (around $11 each) but are gigantic and oh-so-good.
I love Vallee's crabcakes but after being there a few weeks ago and discovering that the cake cake "dinner" now includes just 2 crabcakes and no sides, no way will I be back. The dinner formerly included excellent mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. When I asked our server what happened he was pretty surly and said "Things have changed." Well, guess what buddy? I'm changing too, and it's to another restaurant!
We've been to Bella Vista about a dozen times and everything has been fantastic. Pizza is the best and the most consistent I've had.
http://www.bellavistatrattoria.com/menu.html
Bella Vista does have cheesesteaks and they're very good. Check the menu above.
The BEST crabcakes are at the Farmhouse in Avondale. My wife orders crabcakes everywhere and these are the best by far.
Try the crabcakes at the Marriott that is run by the UD culinary program. I've had them at the past two Wine and Dine Newark, and they are great. Very little filler; lots of crab meat.
Captain's Galley in Crisfield, Maryland make the very best!
Huge crab cakes, broiled or fried. In the off season the prices are way cheaper. Dinner platter you get 2 huge crab cakes.
ALL MEAT! No filler!!
I justlove the crabcakes at Christopher Crabcakes located at the Boothwyn Farmer Market. They are all hand-made on the premises. They are very tasty with mostly all crab with just enough filler to hold together. They are only $4.99 for 4 oz.
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