Good news! We’re pleased to announce that a new edition of Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay is in the works and due out this spring. We’re excited to resume our quest to discover new waterfront destinations where you can devour fresh Maryland seafood. And we hope you’ll follow our journey as we make our way around the Bay.
We kicked off our research on Valentine’s Day with a crabby pub crawl around Annapolis. Strolling around Ego Alley, we checked out newcomers and old favorites, such as Annapolis Market House, Iron Rooster, Latitude 38° (the former Phillips Crab Deck) and Pearl Restaurant.
Each looked so inviting that we needed to contemplate our dinner options over happy hour cocktails in The Choptank, a spacious and lovely place with a fantastic view of Spa Creek. An ice-packed oyster shucking station at the end of the bar made it impossible to resist ordering a sampler of local bivalves – Atlas Salts, White Stone and Double T oysters — just plucked from the Bay’s frigid waters.
Each looked so inviting that we needed to contemplate our dinner options over happy hour cocktails in The Choptank, a spacious and lovely place with a fantastic view of Spa Creek. An ice-packed oyster shucking station at the end of the bar made it impossible to resist ordering a sampler of local bivalves – Atlas Salts, White Stone and Double T oysters — just plucked from the Bay’s frigid waters.
Feeling fortified and ready to continue our crabby research, we couldn’t help but notice the gaping hole of real estate where the beloved Pusser’s used to stand. Coming soon will be an Italian chop house and a Mexican tequila bar courtesy of Atlas Group. The Baltimore-based developer also plans to fill the old Stevens Hardware building with a new version of their Fells Point music venue – The Admiral’s Cup.
When a chilly breeze began to swirl around the harbor, we ducked into Middleton Tavern, a cozy seafood staple dating back to the 1700s when our founding fathers would sip rum and lay the groundwork for America. The classic colonial architecture and hand-carved wooden bar offered the perfect historic b
ackdrop for a delicious meal of creamy crab dip, crab cakes and broiled halibut.
ackdrop for a delicious meal of creamy crab dip, crab cakes and broiled halibut.
Our overstuffed bellies encouraged us to walk up Main Street that’s lined with cheerful shops offering everything from Mayland souvenirs and Irish kilts to fine chocolates and nautical antiques. We had two final destinations in mind that are must-see places when in town.
For a nightcap, we entered O’Brien’s Oyster Bar, an old-school pub where an eclectic assortment of locals, tourists and Navy cadets are treated to good tunes and amiable bartenders who enjoy sharing the local scoop about what’s happening around the harbor.
Our last stop was Chick & Ruth’s Delly, a time capsule of a 1960s diner that is heralded as Crab Cake Central. Waitresses bustle past bright yellow and orange walls to deliver platters overflowing with crab cakes, omelets, specialty sandwiches and classic deli dishes. The sweetest part of all is the bakery display loaded with homemade cakes and other sugary sundries. Slices of blueberry and pecan pie were boxed up for a late-night snack when we got home.
For more crabby updates, stay tuned as we continue our journey around the Chesapeake Bay.
