When in Maryland…. eat crab!
The flight went perfectly – short and on time.
We brought out a few mid-flight snacks: dried fruit, almonds and a bite of banana.
After we settled into the hotel, we went out walking around the harbor and stumbled upon this big band!
I’ve actually been coming to the Inner Harbor since I was a little girl. My grandparents live in Towson and my grandfather works (to this day!) in this Legg Mason building. He used to bring us in to see his office and we’d go to the mall across the street for food court macaroni and cheese. Mmmm!!! I wish I’d had an extra afternoon to go visit them on this trip 🙁
That big famous boat –
These dragons were hilarious!
We ended up walking 2.5 miles to the restaurant in a little over an hour. It was the PERFECT evening for walking – warm and breezy.
I think the KERF animals are following us. We found this furry creature on our walk. Not sure what kind it was, but the big tail suggested rat??!!
Our final destination was Bo Brooks, famous for crab! I was really hungry when we arrived.
We arrived a bit early and decided to have drinks by the sunset
Cheers to Andrew’s graduation!
I ordered a Black + Blue – 25% Guinness and 75% Blue Moon.
I never order Guinness in restaurants, but I do like it. This was a fun combo.
Being a food blogger, I have to try the local cuisine wherever I go! So when in Maryland, crab is the top choice. I’ve actually been eating steamed whole crabs my whole life. Since mom is from Baltimore, she taught us how to eat one when we were young. No one likes crabs as much as mom does! We’d go to the Outer Banks every summer and we’d get crabs and make a mess pulling them apart. Larbs and I were never fond of the lungs or “mustard” on the inside, but it’s always a fun experience. Like sardines, you just have to close your eyes and enjoy the good taste.
We ordered a dozen and split them 4 ways. I had about 2.5’s worth. It was a MESS!!!
I ordered a grilled shrimp side salad to go with my crabs (which came with olives, portabellas and maters)
And the boys split crab cakes, giving me about 1/4 of one. SO GOOD. Maryland sure knows crab cakes.
The mess
Andrew got this fruit explosion of strawberry sauce, icing and pound cake for dessert and I went a little overboard, probably eating 25%??!
We also shared this Key Lime Pie – 2 bites were consumed happily –
Crabs are a lot of work for not much meat, so I wasn’t that full – but these desserts put me over the top!
We are all four sharing a hotel room, so it’s nice and cozy. 4 books are being read by 8 eyeballs!
Goodnight 🙂
Help Meghan Run says
That looks fun! 🙂 I have actually never had crab like that before. Guess I need to get myself to Baltimore! Enjoy the trip tomorrow and safe travels.
www. HelpMeghanRun .com
Christina says
The crabs look amazing…brings back good childhood memories for me too! Have a safe trip and enjoy your vacation!
Erin says
Hey Kath, love the Bmore pics. That’s my hood. 🙂
Yay crabs. Yumzzz.
Also, that’s a muskrat! See:
http://k53.pbase.com/v3/29/336929/1/44263790.QET6898MuskratEatingCattails.jpg
Becky says
Looks like a really fun dinner! Have a relaxing vacation!
Sharon says
What a wonderful and tasty time!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
Yum yum yum – what a great night! I’ve never had a fresh crab!
daniele says
just wanted to make a quick comment about your short, dark and furry stranger – definitely NOT a rat. I have 3 pet rats (and had many in past) – so i know my rats! 😉
Erin says above that it’s a muskrat; it seems logical – and harmless! 😉
have a great vacay!
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
UNBELIEVABLE CRABS!! I can almost smell the sea air and Old Bay… Have a fabulous rest of your trip!
Beth says
How big was the furry creature? It looks like it has a round tail, which makes me think it was a nutria. They’re about the size of a large cat. Muskrats are much smaller – like a big kitten.
Priyanka says
What a great start to the vacation!! Have fun!
KatieTX says
haha that is a nutrea! They are kinda like big rats. They live in the canals in New Orleans. I am guessing they live near the harbor in Baltimore. they are horribly ugly things.
Michele (aka Raw Juice Girl) says
Looks like a fun day! (Love the pics of the water.) 🙂
Enjoy the vacation–you deserve it!
*smiles*
Michele
Tiffany says
Love the MD crabs. I can’t wait to have some this year. Glad you had a good time in our city!
Lynne says
I love crabs – grew up eating them.
I miss MD! Baltimore, the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards…
Jo says
Those crabs look amazing but I wouldn’t have a clue how to eat them!
Jenn )) j3nn.net (( says
Yum, crab! You guys look like you had a blast. Lots of fun! Great pics.
Jenn
Christie @ BeadLuvah says
I have never eaten crabs that way before, looks fun but messy 😀
Enjoy the trip!
MaryBe says
“That big famous boat” LOL!
I
Amanda @ Fake Ginger says
Whatever that animal is, it’s super cute. And I know it’s probably one of those large rats but I kind of want to squeeze it.
Anyway, I’m not a big crab fan but I’m definitely craving seafood now.
Mom says
I’m pretty sure the boat is the USS Constellation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Constellation_(1797)
Elizabeth says
Ah – I remember going to crab feasts as a little girl with my grandfather….. any excuse to eat with my hands. 🙂 Actually – crab is the only meat I’ve ever “missed” during my 17 years of being a vegetarian.
Have a fabulous vacay! You’re off to a great start!
Elizabeth says
Mom’s right (no suprise!) 😉
Emily says
Looks like a fun trip, Kath!
I’ve never had the whole crab-eating experience before, but it looks fun and messy! Glad you guys are having a good time! 🙂
Recipes for Creativity says
Looks like a fun night!
melissa says
wow everything looks fresh and amazing!
melissa says
wow everything looks fresh and amazing!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) says
My family vacations is Ocean City, MD every year and I love to eat crab cakes when I’m there. Sometimes restaurants will offer them broiled instead of fried – definitely the way to go! Enjoy your vacay!
Mom says
Elizabeth, Thanks! Megan, Just finished a novel for kids set, in part, in a fictional Ocean City. Lots of boardwalk lore.
Brittany says
“Larbs and I were never fond of the lungs or “mustard” on the inside, but it’s always a fun experience”
I couldn’t agree more! Crabs taste delish, but some of that goo insides makes a cringe a tiny bit. I think I like the legs best. You get a big chuck of meat for little to no work!
Matt (NoMeatAthlete) says
Maryland is where I live; great to see a feature on your blog! Crabs are the best; they’re one reason I’ll never be a total vegetarian. I just can’t imagine passing up a crab feast. Great post and good pictures!
Oh She Glows says
Good for you for fearlessly digging in, I don’t think I could do the same.
Beautiful pictures!
capedaisy says
but Cape Cod crab-cakes reign supreme! :o) and chowduh
K says
Oh my goodness! What a feast! Sounds like a great time!!
Heather says
What a fun time Baltimore! Glad to hear that you were able to enjoy some of the local cuisine. Everything looks amazing… you sure know how to order! 😉 Have a wonderful stay there!
lainb says
Anything with a tail like that is a rat to me! I remember seeing those in the lawn outside the White House so it must be some type of species local to that area. They’re kind of part cute, part scary.
Lee says
I love crabs. I grew up in MD and have them every time I go home when they’re in season.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
yikes! I don’t know if I would have gotten as close to that furry creature! i HATE rats! They are my biggest fear (more so than spiders, bugs, anything else!)
crabs look DELISH! and so fresh 😉
Marcia says
Hey, that kinda looks like a Navy band (used to be in the Navy, kinda recognize the uniforms). I used to live in DC, and we’d go to Baltimore occasionally (usually a volleyball-related trip) I really like Baltimore and the harbor area. Hope you are having fun! Whenever I travel anywhere near the ocean, crabcakes are what I order.
Emily says
I know what the animals are – they’re squirrels!!!
I grew up in PA where squirrels had, you know, bushy tails. I visited one of my best friends at University of Maryland Baltimore County, and I saw those THINGS. I said to her, WHAT are RATS doing running around your campus.
And that’s when I learned that Baltimore county squirrels are the saddest creatures EVER.
Cammy says
That is a muskrat, trust me. Ondatra zibethicus. It is a rodent, but not closely related to house rats at all.
Nicole says
Mmmmm…crab. That looks amazing!
Michelle Hisae says
Boy those suckers are creepy looking! But they taste oh so good! Pick and choose 🙂
Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar says
godddd i love crab. i’m going to ri soon, so maybe they’ll mail me some md crab hahhaha
grace says
Hey Kath I don’t know when you’ll get a chance to see this but that “big band” is actually the U.S. Naval Academy Band! My Dad is in it and I recognize a bunch of those guys (my Dad has been in the Navy for about 20 years so I know lots of his co-workers). Yay for MD!
Jaclyn says
I have family in Towson as well – funny that you’re grandparents live there! I grew up going to the Outer Banks each summer as well. I love Wilmington.
Sarah says
Honest to goodness, I have never eaten crab! I guess its because no one in my family eats it. I think I may have had a bite of a crab cake before but thats it! Your meal looked yummy though 🙂