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Showing results for tags 'Crab'.
Found 4 results
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It's amazing we don't have a thread on The Shrimp Lover (website). a Thai-owned quasi-seafood shack, located in a strip mall just off Route 28, very convenient for Washingtonians traveling to Dulles Airport. I went for lunch today, had wonderful service at the bar, and a kick-your-butt shrimp plate that's worth knowing about. Seated at the bar, I was asked what I'd like to drink - I wasn't drinking alcohol, so I got a Diet Coke ($2,50, unlimited refills) while I waited for one of the most interesting raw seafood dishes I've had in quite awhile: Shrimp Nam-Pla ($12) - five (the menu said six, but I got five) large, split, raw shrimp in a cold, Thai-ceviche-like broth that was a combination of lime, intense salt, pepper, and heat (and I do mean heat), each shrimp topped with a small piece of bitter cucumber and raw garlic, and the entire dish topped with a few basil leaves. While officially an appetizer, this was more than enough for a small lunch, and while the intensity of the "severe ceviche" might take some getting used to, heat-lovers will really enjoy this. The combination of the dish itself, the wonderful atmosphere, and the uber-friendly staff makes me take note of The Shrimp Lover anytime I'm close to Dulles Airport, and you should too.
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So, who do you prefer to order from?
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For her 12th birthday (to put this request in context), my daughter wants to go to a restaurant for alaskan king crab. Hopefully someone can suggest someplace other than Red Lobster or Joe's Crab Shack. We have never sought these out in this area. We may end up buying a steamer and cooking them ourselves, if all else fails.
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Another sign of the decline of fine dining: arguably, if not hands-down, the best crab cakes and lobster roll in the DC area are to be found at this casual brain-child of long term veteran of the DC restaurant scene and friend, Bob Bloch. Certainly, and without a doubt, the best value. A near perfect crab cake of pure, sweet (mostly) East Coast (in winter!) and (some, in the off-season only) Gulf Jumbo Lump, 5 oz, no shred, no filler, no bread crumbs, perfectly seasoned and broiled. (Mind you, this 5 oz cake has more Jumbo Lump than any 8 oz stems and seeds cake that you pay 250% more for downtown). Only flaw--the homemade tartar sauce is a bit too sweet from sweet pickle. Otherwise perfect. Better than my Crab Royale (better crab, better recipe, better execution), and at least on a par, arguably better, than the Crab Bomb at Jerry's and the Crab Imperial at The Prime Rib-- to my mind, the only other true examplars of crab excellence in a market where every chef and his publicist is expected to trot out his "signature" crab cake to prove his commitment to regional blah blah blah and local blah blah blah and passion for blah blah blah and to tell the story about the inspiration and life-lessons blah blah blah of summers fishing with Paw-Paw on the blah blah blah and how his children now blah blah blah. And also the best lobster roll outside of New England/New York/Long Island whose only sin is too much lobster bursting out of the twice-toasted bun and not quite enough mayonnaise. Also, the bun could use a little more butter (but I say that about Maria Schneider too). Bobby is a true food purist and it shows in his exacting reverence for both the ingredients and the heritage, traditions and authenticity of these iconic specialties. Also excellent: a delicious but not overly decadent mac and cheese with elbow macaroni, maytag blue, Parmiggiano Reggiano and aged Vermont cheddar; an achingly, hauntingly traditional New England Clam Chowder; and a bracingly refreshing, perfectly earthy cole slaw. The fries are perfectly executed--both cured (!) and double-fried (p-nut oil)--and best in class, if suffering a bit from bitterness in the skin, more of which should have been trimmed off before cutting. But I think fries and the attention paid to them reveal the weakness in American dining, and I think all of the fries in this country pretty much suck (except, oddly enough, at the Georgetown Cafe--more on which later, should the subject ever come up). But here's the real kicker--his key lime pie beats mine. No contest. Gasp. Sigh. The website is bobbyscrabcakes.com and maybe one of you technologically gifted marvels can link it and/or post the menu so that everyone can see how shamefully, shockingly non-contemptuous his prices are.
