It seems like the regular Sun articles attract more comments from the lunatic fringe than here. I liked the smoking guy. I loved the comments on your Cinghiale review. So clearly employees or associates of the restaurant. Hi, I'm Jim from Seattle and i just happened to see some random restaurant review in a far away city... HIlarious. Somehow your bad review has inpired him to put on his Birkenstocks and fly to Baltimore and ask for a specific waitress. Hilarious.

One interesting thing is that the comments on the online articles, unlike the blogs, aren't screened by anyone. They just appear when you write them. I would think they -- uh, we -- would want to have a uniform policy.

My theory about the lunatic fringe is that they aren't so attracted to my blog because I make you work. EL

Forgive me, EL, if you have answered this in an earlier blog. I noticed in this review of McCabe's that you only mentioned the price of one entree. Is there a reason why you don't list more, or list a price range, or mention the size of the bill at the end of the meal?

And, please, no more peeps about Peeps. TY

I list the price range of appetizers and entrees in the information box in the print edition. I have no idea why the web editors take it out. Maybe to make the review have a longer shelf life? In general I therefore don't list prices in the body of the review unless one strikes me as particularly significant. EL

I couldn't agree with you more on your review, especially with your closing remarks. That is an outrageous price for a crabcake, unless of course the crabs are beer-fed and massaged daily.

I know where McCabes is...but I don't know where the Hampden library is.

I'm beer fed and massaged quarterly and nobody's paying $30 for me.

And it's too easy. The Hampden Library is the magazine rack at the Royal Farms.

You know, on a different thread I was going to mention the heightened level of posts on D@L (note the listing of different Indian/Asian cuisines found in India, and the economic treatise). I was also going to mention the relative civility and good-natured ribbing that goes on in the Sandbox.

Sigh - and then Ted had to go and ruin it.

Actually, I'm still laughing out loud so I think I'll leave early ... for a beer.

People are relatively civil here because they know the sandbox regulars will pelt them with cream puffs if they get out of line. Of course, anyone who mentions the Cheesecake Factory or Rachel Ray had better duck and run for cover.

It IS an outrageous price for a crabcake. The good, jumbo lump crabmeat that many restaurants use comes from Venezuela--year round. It is beautiful stuff, and those huge lumps that are on the top are also down to the bottom of the container. It is worth it to the restaurants to buy this--even if they are going to break some of it up to make the crab cake bind better--because this grade has virtually no shell or cartilage to pick out. Ergo, minimal labor cost in the prep. The price fluctuates some, but it is sometimes as low as about $13/lb. and usually never more than about $19. And, mind you, the jumbo lump at this price is what is additionally graded as "colossal" jumbo lump. I doubt that most bars use this highest grade.

The crabcake in the photo looks to be about 4 oz. max, so when you add whatever filler, you'd probably get 5 cakes out of a pound--more if you're trying to cheap it up. Add in the ice cream scoop of slaw, the lettuce and tomato and that sad little bun, and you've got some mighty fine profit for your investment.

Just in case it wasn't clear in my review, that was for a two crab cake platter. Unfortunately the photographer didn't know what I was writing about when the photo was taken. EL

The good, jumbo lump crabmeat that many restaurants use comes from Venezuela--year round. It is beautiful stuff

It's beautiful, but it doesn't taste that good (although not as bad as the pasteurized Asian stuff). I accidentally bought some of it a couple of weeks ago (the fish stand at Broadway Market had never done that to me before, and I wasn't paying attention). It very definitely doesn't have as much crab flavor. My crab cakes were disappointing as a result.

Even though I live about a mile or two from McCabe's, I've never ventured in there. It seems like the kind of place that would great if I lived within a few blocks, but not special enough to get in the car over. If I'm going to Hampden, I'll end up at Dogwood. And, if I'm going for a bar/restaurant deal, I'll probably end up at the Mount Washington Tavern.

I am a big fan of McCabe's. The food has always been consistently great even through changes in the kitchen. I would call it an upscale Alonso's

I loved McCabe's during my college days, but the jump in prices as well as the limited seating mean it just isn't in our rotation. That said, you nailed when you said everyone's neighborhood wishes they had one.

Everyone knows McCabe's is known to be good, but it's just a real pain to park near there. If there's worse parking than Fells and Canton, it's Hampden. There are so many good burgers, crab cakes, and steaks done by many bars in this town - for me, it's like, why bother with the parking hassle for McCabe's when I can get the same stuff for less trouble? If I lived near there, I'd go all the time, but it's not a destination place.

Parking is the worst but if you grab a spot after a hour of searching.Its well worth it

Oddly, I haven't managed to have a good meal anywhere in Hampden yet. Guess I have to keep trying, but I'd rather work on my Eastern Ave. restaurant project. Maybe I should try eating at the Hampden Royal Farms next time.

The Hampden library, however, is very cute. It also has a fascinating history.

Where have you tried? EL

Haven't been in Hampden too much. I can't remember the name of the first place I ate there, months ago. Holy Frijoles was a huge disappointment.

The place I ate at during Hon Fest...I won't hold that against them. You just can't serve decent food under those conditions.

I'm certainly open to suggestions. After all, I don't have to park there, since the 27 will drop me right on the Avenue.

Have you been to Dogwood, Lissa?

Nope, haven't been to Dogwood, Rosebud. I take it I should go there. Thanks - I'll add it to the list.

Lissa, I'd recommend that you try Rocket to Venus as well...Tasty fried oysters, calamari, mussels, sliders and more.
Also, I'm wondering why there's so much whining about parking in Hampden. Sure, not everyone is going to get a spot right on the Avenue. Park a block or two away and hoof it - it's no big deal. I'm thinking the whiners must be some of the same people who I see circling my gym's parking lot for a close space when they're going to work out!

Speaking of Hampden and how one would pass up McCabe's for Dogwood, I received an email about the end of an era - no more BYOB at the Dogwood. So sad.

Thanks very much for the tip. It will be good for their business, though. EL

Hmmm--one of the charms of Dogwood was that it was BYOB and just a few steps from our favorite wine store. No more BYOB is definitely not going to encourage our return visit.