Hard Shell Crabs

This past Sunday I set out on my weekly drive out of the city and headed to the shore just to walk on the beach.  About a half hour into the drive a large electronic bill board was flashing all lanes closed at exit 41.  As my luck would have it I need to get past exit 41 to in order to arrive at my final destination which was to be Lewes, Delaware.  On the positive side of that I was just outside of Annapolis and it was around 3 pm so I felt it would be appropriate to start happy hour a bit early.  Since I am not one to just drink, I need to eat as well.  I figured what better way to celebrate the perfect weather than with beer and crabs.  And the search began.

This being only the second time I have been in Annapolis I started by calling some former locals and as well as some crab lovers.  After a few texts, calls and emails the recommendations were in and it was unanimous, we were on our way to Cantler’s on the River.  It’s now 3:30 and I’m figuring it’s the perfect time to get in quickly and hang for a few hours before making the trip back to DC.  As I pulled into the parking lot there was an attendant directing me to a secondary overflow lot because lot 1 was completely full.  I park and head over to the restaurant, I’ll tell you as I approached the restaurant I knew I had been given great advice.  There was what looked like a lemonade stand selling beer right outside the patio on the river.

Walk inside and I was in heaven it was a simple old school environment nothing but canned beer and basic booze.  I put my name in and head to the bar while I wait for a table outside.  I kick back with a margarita and simply relax, the only thing missing at this point is some Buffet on the radio, Margaritaville perhaps.  As my I’m paying my bar tab my table is ready and I transition to the outside where the tables are large communal picnic style lined with heavy brown paper.  Since there are only two of us we just go for the crab boil with crab legs added and a crab cake entrée.  I order up another margarita and am starting to become giddy with anticipation.  All around me the only sounds are of the hammers cracking the crab claws and the sound of oh so rewarding slurping of people getting into the legs, back fins and cavities of the recently steamed hard shells.   About ten minutes later our food arrives and it is glorious plump clams and mussels with shrimp and of course hard shells.   As I dig in I go for the low hanging fruit first, clams, mussels and shrimp.  Then its time to get my hands dirty. Fins first little bits of heaven, then the claws crack them right and it’s the perfect cocktail claw.  Now to the body pick out the lumps of meat and dip them in the drawn butter, I could do this all day. The crabs were delicious, tender and tasted like more.  Unfortunately it was time to head back to the city so I pay up and head out the whole time looking forward to the next time I find myself in the Annapolis area so that I can enjoy a four to five hour crab fest.

Yes with hard shells there is work involved but the reward is well worth it.  Crack a couple open today.