Top Ten Tuesday Is Here
This week's top ten: Best Seafood Restaurants. The problem: Some of these restaurants I haven't visited recently. The solution: I'm going to pretend that...
...a rich uncle has come to town and is taking me to ten seafood restaurants, my choice, and in whatever order I want. Here are the ones where I want to have dinner:
1) The Black Olive in Fells Point. Elegantly simple seafood with a Greek accent. Yes, I know it's very expensive, but I've had meals that weren't half this good that were even more expensive.
2) Mama's on the Half Shell in Canton. Done up beautifully as an old-fashioned oyster house with food to match.(Thanks to Terri Bishoff for reminding me this is also a kid friendly place.)
3) O'Learys in Eastport. A white tablecloth Chesapeake seafood restaurant that has never disappointed me.
4) Mr. Bill's Terrace Inn in Essex. A classic Maryland crab house with great vibes. I know they serve other things, but have the monster steamed hard shells.
5) Blue Sea Grill next to Power Plant Live! Sometimes you want a hip setting with your seafood. I'd go for the raw bar, and the lobster mac 'n' cheese.
6) Schultz's in Essex. Love the old-fashioned atmosphere here -- knotty pine walls and stuffed marlin. Don't miss the lobster tail stuffed with crab imperial.
7) Robert Oliver Seafood in Mount Vernon. I've heard mixed things since my generally positive review (mostly complaints about service) but my mouth is watering for those oysters Oliver and the swordfish.
8) Kali's Court in Fells Point. The Mediterranean seafood was inconsistent last time I ate here, but the beautiful setting and good service make it well worth another visit.
9) Oceanaire Seafood Room in Inner Harbor East. It's the seafood equivalent of those upscale steakhouses. If you're not a snob about chains (and have a fat wallet) give it a try.
10) Pisces in the downtown Hyatt. I agonized that I didn't have one Inner Harbor restaurant on this list, and I finally picked this one for the view. Sometimes a great view of the water is what you want most.
OK, I know I left out as many good ones as I put on my list. What are your favorites?
Comments
Hello, I agree with most of your entries and also agree that you have left off several that deserve to be included. That being said I think I would go to a restaurant for the food over anything. Views are nice but if the food is questionable I'm sure I could find a good view for far less expensive than some of the restaurants listed. How could a list of top ten seafood joints be created without even mention of McCormick and Schmick's. I'm generally not one for chains but they do have great seafood. Thanks!
Posted by: Damian | April 24, 2007 12:54 PM
I hope you will also review restaurants in the metro-Balto area. Not just downtown and other trendy spots like Fells Point/ Charles Village.
Surely there are some excellent places to eat in the 'burbs?
BTW, Who has he best steamed crabs?
Posted by: irie | April 24, 2007 1:29 PM
You seem to forget SeaSide in Glen Burnie on Crain Highway at B & A Blvd. Their seafood is exquisite and the crabs are to die for any time of the year.
Posted by: Ann Poggioli | April 24, 2007 1:59 PM
My favorite crabhouses are Obrycki's and Bo Brooks. I know they are the obvious choices, but rightfully so!
Posted by: Kate | April 24, 2007 2:05 PM
Any list that doesn't include Cantler's for steamed crabs is SCANDALOUS!
Joking aside, thanks for some great dinner suggestions!
Posted by: Heather | April 24, 2007 2:13 PM
There is a restaurant in Essex, Grab-A-Crab, that has a lump crabcake & 10 oz. Ribeye for $12.95 that is awesome.
Posted by: John | April 24, 2007 2:34 PM
Talking about fresh seafood. McCormick and Schmick's does not have a freezer.
Baltimore is about crabs and ethnicity. After crabs you have to include restaurants that reflect what this city is all about.
Posted by: Jeff | April 24, 2007 3:01 PM
i have found the best crabs in the area at CJ's in Owings Mills and Glenwood Gardens in the northern burbs. There are good, very good.The sea food chains such as McCormic and Smitz and Legal Seafood. And there is still more.
thanks
Posted by: Frederick P Alpern,MD | April 25, 2007 9:33 AM
i have found the best crabs in the area at CJ's in Owings Mills and Glenwood Gardens in the northern burbs. there are good, very good sea food chains such as McCormic and Smitz and Legal Seafood. And there is still more.
thanks
Posted by: Frederick P Alpern,MD | April 25, 2007 9:34 AM
Include The Bicyle Bistro, 144 Light Street
Baltimore, Md 21230 (410) 234-1900
The chef has include crab cakes for the summer. Outside patio seating is available. The Bicycle is now open on Sundays.
Posted by: barbara mcbride | April 25, 2007 12:05 PM
Are you a fan of pan fried seafood, dusted with flour? If yes, I would like to recommend the chef-owned Acropolis on Eastern Ave in Greektown. My favorite there is the pan fired squid (easily a pound with two sides) for $12.95. I also found the pan fried whole flounder as well the half-of-chicken to be outstandinng. Use of the cast-iron frying pan is a lost art and may not be the best for one's health, but it is sure a treat.
Posted by: Ken | April 28, 2007 1:34 PM
No Phillips? No Bo Brooks.
What is up with that? I think it is about time that Miss Large go a vist the restaurants that have put Baltimore and Maryland on the map.
Posted by: rose irvin | April 30, 2007 10:08 AM
I've never had a bad meal at the Crab Shanty in Eliicott City The place has been there for years and is always crowded in a very crowded HoCo restaurant market. Huge menu, great portions and service and all the local faves you'd expect.
Posted by: Rick | April 22, 2008 12:06 PM
Bo Brooks has got to be the most overrated crab house in Baltimore.
And Phillips is fine if you like Asian crabmeat in your crab cakes.
Try G&M in Linthicum for a good crab cake.
Posted by: Steve White | April 22, 2008 12:27 PM
Was a good list, personally would have Blue Sea Grill and the Oceaniare a bit higher...
Bo Brooks is the best crab house in town with out question, but Ships Cafe in Catonsville is an underrated local place.
Posted by: Chris | April 22, 2008 4:58 PM
Maybe the author should actually go to the restaurant before putting them on the list. If this was the case she would know that number 10 is no longer open. They only use the venue for private events.
I am so tired of journo's who just write to write, no wonder the newspaper is almost dead.
I know it's confusing because the date of this list isn't obvious, but note the date of the first comment, April 2007. As I said in my introduction, some of these lists are a year or two old, and you are welcome to update them. If you were a regular reader of Dining@Large you would know that I've written about Pisces' closing at length. EL
Posted by: Joe | May 12, 2009 10:12 AM
Bo Brooks and Obryckis might be popular, but the crabs are seasoned with pepper and not the old bay/rock salt that we love up here in Baltimore. I prefer LP Steamers (rooftop deck), Chris's on Montford in Canton (carry out and delivery only). Dockside in Canton is also good and has indoor and outdoor seating.
Posted by: Pattie | May 12, 2009 11:12 AM
This topic is attracting shills. I count at least two.
Posted by: Lissa | May 12, 2009 11:58 AM
I went to a restaurant recently and aksked the host " Do you serve crabs?" to which he replied " Oh, sure we serve everybody":-)
Posted by: RayRay | May 12, 2009 2:51 PM
Fishermans Inn on Kent Island is by far the best seafood restaurant around! Food is unreal and so fresh.
Posted by: danny | May 12, 2009 4:27 PM
Please let this post go gently into the good night.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | May 12, 2009 6:11 PM
I've always had delicious, heavy, large crabs at Bo Brook. I used to eat at their original location years ago. When they moved I was a little worried the quality wouldn't be the same, but that hasn't been my experience. I love eating out on the deck. What's better then a cold beer, a platter full of hard crabs, and a view of the water on a warm summer night?
Posted by: Jack Ziegler | May 12, 2009 6:29 PM