Two weeks ago we took a ride to the outskirts of Annapolis, Maryland.
Our destination was the Cantler's Riverside Restaurant, where Gregg met his sister about a year ago when she was visiting the area. He had always wanted to take me, and as we felt like a mini-road trip he suggested we go there for lunch. It took just under two hours and we arrived around noon.
In the picture above is a large container at the side of the restaurant. We assumed it was refrigerated and full of blue crabs.
This isn't what you would call a fancy place but it has one of the best reputations in the area, and is well known beyond that.
We elected to sit outside under the covered patio. There is also a patio open to the sun. The specials are advertised on the side of the napkin dispenser, and you can see the tools you need for eating the crabs.
If you look closely in the photo below, to the left of the outside storage bar next to where the lady is standing, there is a tub full of mallets. They get quite a crowd here.
Hubby ordered the Crab Feast, which consisted of blue crabs, snow crab legs, shrimp and corn on the cob. It comes with melted butter, Old Bay Seasoning and a slice of lemon.
My order was grilled scallops with steamed vegetables. Gregg's wanted me to try his crabmeat, so I had a smidgen. I also had a couple of shrimp. Because of the process he took a lot longer to eat his meal than I did, but it was entertaining watching him and the people around us.
The crabs are steamed with Old Bay Seasoning. I found an Old Bay copycat recipe here.
All gone!
Butcher block paper is spread on the table before every meal is served, and there are plenty of napkins. Damp cloths would have been nice. Yes I am a namby-pamby and could be accused of missing the point. This when all is said and done, is the fun of it all. I did see a few customers holding their hands up after they had eaten, like a surgeon going into the operating theater, except they were heading for the closest water faucet. Gregg had to go wash his hands also. Mental note, don't forget the wet wipes next time we come here. Yup, namby-pamby to the core! I have come a long way as far as eating many kinds of seafood, but I still have a ways to go.
Gregg quietly pointed out this lady who had ordered at least a dozen steamed blue crabs. You can see her taking a photo of her meal. She was there when we came in, and she was there when we left.
We visited on a week day. Even though we chose to eat outside, there is seating inside also. Like I said, nothing fancy but people come here for miles, just like we did. Many locals and many out-of-towners.
This restaurant reminds me of a few I have been to in seaside resorts, usually tucked away off the beaten path. The first time you kind of scratch your head as you drive through a very pretty wooded area, and then a very pretty residential area and bingo, there was Cantler's. It has been going for over 40 years, opened in 1974.
I enjoyed all the bric-a-brac on the walls, and my eye caught an old print of crab fishermen.
This one too.
We took a few photos before we left.
There are homes built on the water across from the restaurant.
There are some steep steps you can walk down to a floating dock. We saw at least one couple tie up their boat and head to the restaurant. The steps were a bit too steep for me but Gregg popped down out of curiosity, while I sat down on a bench at the top. Not much bird life but a few cormorants sitting on pylons, and a family of ducks.
Also he took photos of an old osprey nesting platform. No occupants at this time of the year.
A very pleasant excursion for us but soon we were driving out of Maryland...
and back into Virginia.
The traffic started getting heavier the closer we got to home, and we had to deal with rush hour. When all's said and done it was well worth the ride. We had a very enjoyable time and hopefully it won't be too long before we go back to Cantler's.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week everyone.
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