A few questions from a Texan

[Flipping Birdie]

To all you all saying it's the wrong time of year for crab cakes, I hope you do know that "whole lump" crab cakes, even the ones sold in Baltimore, even during the peak Chesapeake crab season, use crab meat from the Gulf of Mexico or Indonesia - 100% of the time. There are zero crabbers or distributors in the Chesapeake region that separate out whole lump crab meat. No crabbers or distributors in the Chesapeake region have EVER separated out whole lump crab meat.

There is no such thing as a crab cake season.

Also, best crab cakes in town are at Faidley's. G&M and Kokos are fine, although I think Kokos is more of a whole lump giant crab imperial than a crab cake, but Faidley's is still tops. Although *warning,* Faidley's is in the ghetto and closed on Sunday. Basically, any crab cake you get in Baltimore at a quality restaurant is leaps and bounds better than in any other city in the country because the standard is so much higher here than elsewhere else restaurants have to use more and better crab meat to be competitive.

Mista T, what you are referring to as "traditional Maryland" crab cakes sound to me like what are called "Eastern Shore" crab cakes, which adds more spices and occasionally diced veggies. What you are referring to as "bland" crab cakes are typically referred to as "Baltimore" crab cakes, which focus more on the taste of quality crab meat. Both are great, but they follow two separate traditions. I think in the olden times "Eastern Shore" style were more popular down near Annapolis, but nowadays "Baltimore style" is more typical of what you'll find in an Annapolis restaurant.

Also, I agree with HoustonRaven, people: stop trying to force this guy to rent a car to go to your favorite suburban hangouts. There are plenty of great crab cakes and seafood restaurants within walking distance of the stadium.

[alien bird]

You all are going to send this poor lad to the burbs when there are equal / better crab cakes within walking distance of the harbor?

Shame on y'all.

My thoughts exactly.

The dude is a tourist, so let him be a tourist. Places that are familiar to all of us, yet not within walking distance of the downtown/harbor area are not really pratical suggestions. Even with a car and GPS, it is pretty easy to get lost in an unfamiliar city and end up in the wrong part of town.

If you are thinking about going to Fells Point, take a cab. Walking is a bit of a hike and through a couple of crappy blocks; driving is a parking nightmare. Frankly, I would just stay in the Harbor area and enjoy the nice things about it. If you really want to find a nice place to eat, I'm sure the hotel desk has some legitimate and practical suggestions.

[Flipping Birdie]

If you are thinking about going to Fells Point, take a cab. Walking is a bit of a hike and through a couple of crappy blocks;

That's no hike, and there's no better way to enjoy a strange city than a nice stroll. No need for a cab. You miss everything from the inside of a cab.

[weezer]

Olive Grove and G&M are overrated, food usually comes out cold and bland, skip the drive to the Burbs and stay in town.
Plenty to do Satuday, Science Center, Inner Harbor, National Aquarium to name a few. All around the waterfront and very accessible.

If you decide to do the harbor, then grab a taxi over to Little Italy. Aldo's would be my first choice.

[pyite32]

My thoughts exactly.

The dude is a tourist, so let him be a tourist. Places that are familiar to all of us, yet not within walking distance of the downtown/harbor area are not really pratical suggestions. Even with a car and GPS, it is pretty easy to get lost in an unfamiliar city and end up in the wrong part of town.

If you are thinking about going to Fells Point, take a cab. Walking is a bit of a hike and through a couple of crappy blocks; driving is a parking nightmare. Frankly, I would just stay in the Harbor area and enjoy the nice things about it. If you really want to find a nice place to eat, I'm sure the hotel desk has some legitimate and practical suggestions.

There are no longer any crappy blocks between the harbor and Fells, with the growth of "Harbor East" it's a nice walk.

My suggestion:
If you are here Saturday, walk around the harbor through Harbor east to Fell's Point and bar hop/walk around. For Crab Cakes go to Thames St. like houston said, they are the best in Fells, or if you keep walking Mama's on a Half Shell in Canton serves a mean crab cake. Basically it's best to stick to a seafood specific restaurant as it will usually be fresher. For good Beer, go to Max's, Bertha's has some good Mussels, there a lot's of decent bars there with good food. The thing that's really nice about Baltimore is we have multiple culinary schools down town and not enough fancy restaurants for all the chefs to work, so there is a lot of good food at the neighborhood bars.

Sunday, walk the other way around the harbor to Federal Hill, go to the area near Cross St. Market. Lot's of bars with people pre-gaming, plus it's an easy walk across one of the two bridges to the Stadium when you are ready.

My reviews:
Cross St Market: No where to sit, really good seafood counter service and 32 Oz beers

Mother's: Worth checking out the mayhem but a little crowded and overpriced for my tastes. They are one of the only bars open before 10 AM however and won't get crowded until after 10. They have a decent breakfast menu.

McGerk's: Best Cheese Steaks in town, other than that a pretty normal bar that will be crowded.

Now if you walk up the side st along Cross St. On the McGerk's side:
Stalking Horse: It's a vodka bar but they have a few decent beers, and basic bar fare. It will not be too crowded and you should be able to get a seat at one of the 2 bars or a table.

Abbey Burger Bistro: This is my favorite place down there, not too crowded, the food is fantastic. They have a great selection of beers, plus alcoholic milk shakes!! To find this place go up the st past McGerk's along the side of Cross St. Market, after you pass Stalking Horse there will be a wide alley where you will see a velvet rope, that is the entrance. They don't open until 10:30 I think though, so go there for lunch.

[Flipping Birdie]

If you decide to do the harbor, then grab a taxi over to Little Italy. Aldo's would be my first choice.

What in God's name do you people have against walking?! Little Italy is literally 1 block from the inner harbor. Aldo's isn't 5 blocks away from the Aquarium.
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=E+...sz=16&t=m&z=16

[HoustonRaven]

Just checked and rates at the Hilton Garden Inn on Presidents St and they are very good still.

I'd highly recommend staying there. It's right in the heart of Harbor East and a very short walk from the Harbor, Little Italy and Fells Point.

[SC_Raven_Fan]

Section 539 row 25 how's the view?
We're coming in Saturday morning, what's cool to do in Baltimore? Is there a warf area with bars and restaurants? Where should we get crab cakes?

Thanks

wrong questions.

Question #1: Will the Texans win?
Answer #1: Hell no.

Question #2: Is the trip worth it?
Answer #2: Of course, you're visiting Baltimore, a city with a wealth of people and their cultures and restaurants that sell the best of their cultural foods.

Question #3: Is there any hope for my Texans?
Answer #3: Refer to Answer #1.

Enjoy your trip!

[Mad Puppy]

Warms my heart to see the good suggestions to a Texan.
It has been a number of years since I prowled downtown B'more
Are the Water taxis from Inner Harbor to Fells point running this time of year? kinda nice to see the harbor. And Fells point is a nice hangout.
I was in love with Little Italy When I lived in Crofton MD, Wife and I would go regularly.

Keep up the suggestions, I have been away too long make any myself.

[bensmotorcyclehelmt]

I highly recommend Cross Street Market before the game.

It's the next best thing to tailgating.

On Cross Street (obviously) and Charles Street.

An easy (and safe) 5 minute walk to the stadium. It's especially easy, because after a few beers, you just walk out of the front door and head straight to get to the stadium!

Its a large market with a good selection and variety of fresh seafood, and local treats.

VERY casual. A few bar stools, but mostly standing room. But good food and drink!

We go before every home game and out of towners are welcome! Priced relatively well. Opens early (We usually get there at 9) on Sunday mornings.

And they sell HUGE beers for cheap!



Have a great time- Congrats on beating the Bengals! Good luck Sunday!

[RedSkins Fury]

G&M is not that good... Popular, yes... good? Not really. Michael's (York Rd, Timonium??) is also another mediocre crab cake. Phillips is downright disgusting. If you want a good crab cake you will have to drive up Hartford Rd a bit to a place called Koko's. I haven't been to all the crab cake places, but I've been to a few. I'm sure there are other great places, but Koko's is by far the best of the 3 mentioned here.

[RedSkins Fury]

Also check this site out for good food recommendations... if you are really looking for good food. Little Italy is not very good, food wise. Baltimore has great food, but you have to know were to go. You want a good meal? Go to Peters Inn in Fells Point. I haven't been in couple years... but If it's the same it is really good.

http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/14

[RevTim]

Also, I agree with HoustonRaven, people: stop trying to force this guy to rent a car to go to your favorite suburban hangouts. There are plenty of great crab cakes and seafood restaurants within walking distance of the stadium.

Its not their fault that most places downtown are overpriced and not that great.

[AirFlacco]

Many that fly rent cars so why not use it for some
local flavor out in the hood. That's where the real
restaurants are around town, any town.

If he doesn't have a car then all the places mentioned
downtown are great.

[AirFlacco]

BTW, are Houston fans still over-confident about
winning?

[HoustonRaven]

Its not their fault that most places downtown are overpriced and not that great.

So not true ....

Thames Street Oyster House
Bertha's
Mama's on the Half Shell
Riptide by the Bay
Red Star
One Eyed Mikes
Mezze
Any restaurant in Little Italy not named Delesio's or Aldo's
Jack's Bistro
Alexanders

All reasonably priced, all a short trip from the harbor, all with amazing food (some of which are nationally recognized).

[nickh0801]

When I went to the Baltimore vs Panthers game a few years ago, my wife, my friend(the Panthers fan) and I spent all day Saturday down at the Harbor. Our hotel was about 15mins away from the stadium so we drove and parked at the parking deck down by the Aquarium. Of course, we drove from NC so we had our own vehicle. Our only mistake while there was trying to find the Edgar Allen Poe museum. lol I'm not sure if we were in the correct location, but the signs for it were very small, it was in the hood, and it kept us circling the block trying to find the building. My guess is that maybe it was his house and not the actual museum. Didn't eat any crab cakes then, but that's a must on our next trip! Later that night we caught a comedy show down at the harbor but I can't remember the comedian's name or the name of the building. If you live in a small city like I do, there's plenty to keep you occupied at the Inner Harbor as a tourists.

[pyite32]

So not true ....

Thames Street Oyster House = Delicious
Bertha's = Delicious
Mama's on the Half Shell = One of my favorite places for seafood. 3 different types of oysters on hand at all times
Riptide by the Bay
Red Star = Great Brunch
One Eyed Mikes
Mezze = Mmm... (drooling)
Any restaurant in Little Italy not named Delesio's or Aldo's
Jack's Bistro = One of my favorite restaurants, the Mac and Cheese and Chocolate is unbelievable. This is also the only restaurant I know of that will cook Sous Vide style
Alexanders = Some of the best bar food in the city, great pizzas.

All reasonably priced, all a short trip from the harbor, all with amazing food (some of which are nationally recognized).

Absolutely, I avoid the suburbs like the plague. See my comments in your quote.

[blah3]

Have not got a hotel yet. Do you think the upper deck at m&t is comparable to the upper deck at Reliant? Man that sucks its not the right time of year for crab cakes.

Go to Priceline, do name your price and pick 4 stars and downtown Baltimore. There are only a few, all are good, and close enough to the stadium.

As for the crab cakes, you can get great crab cakes at most places in Maryland. If you want to stay close to downtown Harbor area, I would suggest Mo's Seafood.

[RavnFreek]

If you are staying down town, and are looking for a good quality restaurant Bo Brooks in Canton is nice. A little on the pricey side though. Then head up the street to some Canton bars and enjoy. You can take a cab if you are staying downtown. Harbor place is for tourists and is over hyped. Fells point is great too, lots of places with live music and great food.