Crab Deck Updates - Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay

Crab Deck Updates

While cruising around the Bay, we often discover changes in waterfront eateries. As soon as we learn about new crab houses or restaurants that closed their doors and blew out their tiki torches, we’ll post the latest scoop on Crab Deck Updates.

Who’s In and Who’s Out

Good news, crabby fans: We are releasing a new expanded Maryland edition of Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay on Memorial Day! For months, we've been cruising around the Bay, investigating every neck, cove and marina. As a result, the number of waterfront seafood houses in the 2013 book will grow from 158 to more than 200. That's 30% more crab-picking destinations!

Bad news, tiki fans: Our research also uncovered a number of crab decks that closed since the 2011 edition. In case you're heading out to the Bay soon, we’re sending you a list of places that have packed up their mallets and blown out their tiki torches.

Please take note of these restaurant closings:

Bluefins Seafood Restaurant in Baltimore
Bridge Restaurant in Tilghman
Clearview at Horn's Point Restaurant in Cambridge
Cove Restaurant in Crisfield
Crabby Dick's in Port Tobacco
Dock of the Bay Restaurant in Sparrows Point
Drift Away Bar & Grill at Cobb Island
Goose Landing Restaurant in Benedict
Granary Restaurant & Sassafras Grill in Georgetown
Hell Point Seafood in Annapolis
Irish Crab Waterside Pub in Easton
Marli's Dockside Grill & Crabhouse in Essex
Olde Crisfield Crab, Steak & Tiki Bar in Crisfield
Sharky's Tiki Bar in Chesapeake Beach
Susky River Grill
Torpedo Bar & Grill in Drayden
Wild Duck Café in Middle River

We'll post info about any additional closings on this Crab Deck Updates web page. And we'll keep an eye on these locations to see if anything new opens.

Stay tuned! Crab season is almost here, and our new book will be available just in time to help you find the crabbiest and tikiest spots on the Chesapeake Bay.

Susan and Bill Wade

We send a fond farewell up north to Susky River Grill in Port Deposit, MD. After a long winter in a tough economic climate, the crab deck and comedy club closed its doors in late 2012. We’ll miss the laughter, music, and its tiki island groove.

Good news, Annapolis! Factors Row restaurant and bar is coming to the City Dock in the old Riordan’s location that’s been sitting vacant for years. The building was constructed in 1771, and new renovations are highlighting the original wooden beams and brickwork. By late February 2013, fresh local seafood will be served inside this historic site. Contact: Factors Row, 26 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401, www.factorsrow.com or email hi@factorsrow.com

Hopkins Creek in Middle River just got a little tikier. At the former site of Marli’s Dockside Grill, a new restaurant named Steele Fish Grille opened on March 28, 2013. An outdoor deck and plenty of tropical décor and rum drinks will help get your island groove going at this spectacular waterfront location. Contact: Steele Fish Grill, 203 Nanticoke Rd., Essex, MD 21221, 443-559-9073

A new waterfront hot-spot is bringing a boatload of cheer to Baltimore’s Fell's Point. Bond Street Social’s menu fuses Chesapeake Bay, Latin and Asian cuisines to create sharing plates that encourage friends to gather and sample a range of dishes. Think hip upscale tapas with a fantastic view of the harbor. Contact: Bond Street Social, 901 South Bond St., Baltimore, MD 21231,
443-449-6234, www.bondstreetsocial.com

Clearview at Horn’s Point is located on 130 acres of waterfront property outside Cambridge, MD. In addition to an 18-hole golf course and a swimming pool on this expansive estate, it has a restaurant under new management renamed Mantra. Contact: Mantra, Clearview at Horn’s Point, 5650 Clearview Key, Cambridge, MD 21613, 443-382-0257, www.clearviewathornspoint.com

The Smith Island Ferry departs from Crisfield in front of Olde Crisfield Crab, Steakhouse & Tiki Bar. However, hungry passengers are going to find another place to feast on Chesapeake seafood, since the restaurant and tiki bar closed at the end of the 2012 season.

News from the Middle River in Maryland: The former Wild Duck Café has new owners, and the restaurant is now called Sunset Cove. You can still grab an orange crush at the tiki bar and dine outdoors on the sandy beach, but a more extensive menu features Caribbean-influenced local seafood, burgers, chicken, and salads. Contact: 3408 Red Rose Farm Rd., Bowleys Quarters, MD 21220,
410-630-2031, www.sunsetcovemd.com

On the Back River tucked between Essex and Dundalk sits a giant neon blue marlin. Bluefins Seafood Restaurant & Bar changed to Malibu Beach Bar Restaurant, but that marlin remains on the sign. Contact: 8247 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224, 410-282-5050.

Would you like to own a crab deck of your very own? The Granary Restaurant and Sassafras Grill in Georgetown, MD, have closed. Owners of the gorgeous property along the Sassafras River are looking for a new tenant. For info, go to www.granary.biz or call 443-480-6138.

Remember Magothy Seafood Crab Deck on Mill Creek? Unfortunately, it closed down a while back, leaving Ferry Point Marina without its local watering hole. The good news for Arnold, MD, locals is on the same spot a new eatery opened on Aug. 31, 2012. The new kid on the block is called The Point Crab House & Grill, which serves fresh local crabs, oysters, and other seafood Maryland-style. It’s open year-round, seven days a week. Contact: 700 Mill Creek Rd., Arnold, MD 21012, 410-544-5448,
www.thepointcrabhouse.com

Now everyone’s welcome at the new Paradise Ocean Club in Hampton, VA. The officers club at Fort Monroe was recently decommissioned, and on July 20 it became open to the public with a lovely wooden deck, tiki bar, and breathtaking waterfront view. Come and enjoy fresh seafood and bands on weekends. Contact: 490 Fenwick Rd., Fort Monroe, VA 23651, 757-224-0290, www.paradiseoceanclub.com

During the research of our first book we didn’t venture upriver past the Nice Memorial Bridge, but if we had our first stop on the Maryland side would have been Proud Mary Restaurant. While tucked away on Piscataway Creek in Fort Washington you can enjoy Southern-style food served at its best on the three-tier outdoor bar or indoors with live music. Contact: 13600 King Charles Terrace, Fort Washington, MD 20711,
301-292-5521, www.proudmaryrestaurant.com

You now have three new outdoor decks where you can pick crabs along the water, thanks to Phillips Seafood. In Annapolis, head for the tip of City Dock at the spot formerly held by Hell Point Restaurant. Washington, DC, crab fans can now dine al fresco along the Potomac River at Phillips Flagship. And at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, you
can order steamed crabs while admiring the stunning city skyline. For details on all three new crab decks, go to www.phillipsseafood.com and look under “Menus and Locations.”

If you’re looking for a place to get a bird’s eye view of bikini contests and local bands, check out the newly renovated second-
floor space at Red Eye’s Dock Bar. Now called The View Bar & Restaurant, the new digs are open year-round and have a
fresh clean look with plenty of room for special events
overlooking Kent Narrows. Contact: Red Eye Dock Bar,
428 Kent Narrows Way North, Grasonville, MD 21638,
410-827-3937 or 410-827-8888, www.redeyedockbar.com

It’s got a new name and new management, but the restaurant at Dennis Point Marina still sits at one of the loveliest locations in Southern Maryland. In July 2012 the sign switched from Torpedo Bar & Grill to Waterman’s Creekside Restaurant, and they’re serving a nice variety of local seafood favorites. Contact: Dennis Point Marina & Campground, 46555 Dennis Point Way, Drayden, MD 20630,
301-994-2288, discove1.www72.a2hosting.com/DennisPointMarina/
dining-2/watermens-creekside-restaur.html

In May 2012, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company joined the conga line of eateries at Baltimore’s Harborplace. Located in the space that Phillips held for 31 years, the Houston-based chain has set up its first shop on Maryland soil. It’s offering sit-down and fast casual dining, as well as a retail store for clothing and souvenirs. You can order all kinds of shrimp, crab cakes, steamed clams and mussels, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Contact: 301 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-244-0838, www.bubbagump.com/locations/baltimore

Disheartening news for Eastern Shore crab fans: Irish Crab Waterside Pub at Easton Point Marina has closed. Insiders tell us that this pinnacle of rustic dining is gone, but they plan to fill its shoes with a new restaurant by the end of the summer 2012. Stay tuned for updates on their progress.

In November 2011, a new face appeared in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor at the Four Seasons Hotel. The upscale tavern is called Wit & Wisdom, and it’s making a big splash along the harbor. Sleek, contemporary décor blends with hand-crafted cocktails and Eastern Seaboard comfort food. Contact: 200 International Dr., Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-576-5800, www.witandwisdombaltimore.com

Life around the bridge to Tilghman Island is going to be a little quieter this summer. Unfortunately, the landmark Grassini's Bridge Restaurant has closed its doors. The building is up for sale, so we’re hoping a new eatery opens soon on this terrific location on Knapps Narrows.

Baltimore businessman Isaac Solomon’s namesake lives on as Solomons Island, the southernmost point of Calvert County. It also lives on at Isaac’s Restaurant and Pub, which will be in the next edition. Waterfront dining inside or outside on Back Creek off the Patuxent River. Contact: 155 Holiday Dr., Solomons, MD 20688, 410-326-6311, www.isaacsrestaurant.com

There’s a change in the smallest town in Maryland: Port Tobacco (population 13). Port Tobacco Restaurant has taken over the space from Crabby Dick’s. The views are still spectacular from one of the largest outdoor decks in Southern Maryland. Located on the grounds of Port Tobacco Marina. Contact: 7536 Shirley Boulevard, Port Tobacco, MD 20677, (301) 392-0007, www.porttobaccorestaurant.com

Although Hell Point only served fine seafood on Annapolis’ City Dock for three years, the restaurant closed its doors in March 2012. The building at 12 Dock Street has been home to Harbor House, Vespucci’s Italian Restaurant, and a Phillips Seafood House. We look forward to seeing what will move into this spacious building with a fantastic waterfront view.

During research for the book, we mistakenly overlooked Davis’ Pub in the Eastport section of Annapolis. It opened in the 1920s as a general store and transformed in 1940 into a local waterman’s joint called Davis’ Tavern. Today, the pub is a cozy neighborhood hangout that dishes out good seafood for a reasonable price. Contact: 400 Chester Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403, (410) 268-7432, www.davispub.com

Passages Bar & Grill opened at Haven Harbour Marina in Rock Hall in May 2011. It didn’t make it into our book, because we’d already gone to press. But we don’t want you to miss out on this terrific spot. It’s already making a name for itself by serving cool tropical drinks, juicy burgers, golden crab cakes, and fresh salads. The view of Swan Creek is delightful. Contact: 20880 Rock Hall Ave., Rock Hall, MD 21661, (410) 778-6697, www.havenharbour.com/destination/bar-and-grill

Captain Tyler’s Crab House in Crisfield opened in June 2011. After shutting down The Cove Restaurant nearby, the owner relocated to a new spot with a fabulous view of Somers Cove. Open from May through October, this family-owned restaurant specializes in local crabs, clams, shrimp, oysters and other Bay seafood. It’s got a casual, family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of slips to dock your boat. Contact: 923 Spruce St., Crisfield, MD 21817, (410) 968-1131.

After 30 years at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Phillips Seafood Restaurant packed up its crab mallets and moved to a new location on the water. Now in the Power Plant where ESPN Zone used to be, Phillips can serve 400 hungry guests in the main dining area, raw bar and piano lounge. The menu features classic Chesapeake seafood and meat choices for carnivores. In the spring, you can pick steamed crabs and shrimp on the outdoor deck. Contact: 601 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202, (410) 685-6600, www.phillipsseafood.com/menus-and-locations/baltimore

Baltimore’s Fell's Point has a new kid on the block called Thames Street Oyster House. Executive Chef Eric Houseknect has created an innovative menu that combines authentic mid-Atlantic seafood with New England’s fresh catch. The raw bar features 10 different types of oysters daily. Atmosphere is smart casual, and reservations are strongly recommended. Contact: 1728 Thames St., Baltimore, MD 21231, (443) 449-7726, www.thamesstreetoysterhouse.com

If you continue walking along The Thames, you’ll find another new restaurant named Waterfront Kitchen. Plates are piled high with local and seasonal ingredients grown in partnership with an organization called BUGS (Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students). Chincoteague oyster stew, Maryland crab cakes, and roasted rockfish are among the treats you can taste at your table. Contact: 1417 Thames St., Baltimore, MD 21231,
(443) 681-5310, www.waterfrontkitchen.com

Goose Landing Restaurant & Bar in Benedict, MD, closed over the summer.
Locals report that nobody currently plans to open a new business on this gorgeous waterfront property.

The Cove Restaurant in Crisfield, MD, has steamed its last dozen of Maryland blue crabs. In mid-summer 2011, the owner locked the doors and moved to a new location under the name Captain Tyler’s Crab House.