Dancing Crab in Tenleytown

Continuing the crab quest, we debated where to go.  Bethesda Crab House and Joe's Crab Shack in Fairfax were too far away.  We compromised with the Dancing Crab.  A divey interior, the restaurant moved from its previous location next door.  http://www.thedancingcrab.com/

Jumbo hardshell crabs.  1/2 dozen for $45.

Bib on and ready to attack.

Picking steamed crab is labor-intensive.  I went the lazier route with the Alaskan king crab dinner ($39.99).

Fish Market's Anchor Bar in Old Town

Capping off a full afternoon of P90X, running, walking and attempts at frisbee (I'm still working on the toss), we headed to the Fish Market in Old Town.  Given the option between the restaurant and the livelier Anchor Bar, we settled into a wooden booth in the bar surrounded by tvs showing football and sporadic Simpsons audio.http://www.fishmarketva.com/index.php?/site/menus/

 2 pounds of snow crab legs with coleslaw, butter and fries ($31.99).

The Captain's Fried Platter of oysters, scallops, shrimp, fish fillet and crab cake with coleslaw and fries ($25.99).

***

We shared everything.  The crab legs were sweet and reminded me that we should pick some up the next time we go to Super H.  The fried crabcake was surprisingly good, not too much filler, and good flavor.  The scallops were plump, juicy and my favorite part of the mix.  The fried shrimp were forgettable.  The Fish Market's house pilsner is light and a good foil for the grease, and comes in 16 oz or 32 oz schooners. 

Old Ebbitt Grill in DC

We meant to go to the Rally to Restore Sanity and even rode bikes up from Old Town.  But my stomach started to protest once we hit the streets of DC.  Messages from my friend on the Mall confirmed that acquiring a seat, a well-earned beverage and some food was the better way to go.  http://www.ebbitt.com/

 Off the back bar there's a hidden, quieter nook and excellent perches for people-watching.  We saw many costumed-people carrying signs amble by.

On this cool crisp autumn day, oysters called to us.

 We ordered a dozen oysters from the East Coast.  ($23.95)

The East Beach Blonde (RI) and Harpswell Flat (ME) were my favorite.  The Raspberry Point (PEI) and Wellfleet (MA) were my boyfriend's favorite.

 We also ordered a dozen Jonah crab claws ($16.95)

The glutton in me wished there was a ramekin of drawn butter to dip the crabmeat into.

 French Dip au Jus sandwich ($10.95)

 Fish and Chips ($13.95)

***

We should have just shared one sandwich after the raw bar order.  Our bike ride home was definitely slower.  Unfortunately the  bartender left a lot to be desired.  We saw he was getting busier, but providing plates and napkins with silverware after we ordered food would have been appreciated.  Then his slow pace and surly handling of the growing number of patrons was noticed by not only us but other parties nearby who waited and waited to order drinks.

Summertime in DC

Hot sun, humid weather, cold beer and sitting on a deck eating steamed Maryland blue crabs with friends at Cantler's.

http://www.cantlers.com/

458 Forest Beach Road, Annapolis, MD 24140