Diving into a bag of steamed blue crabs, cracking each open with a wooden mallet and going at it with hands-on, finger-licking abandon may seem like a far cry from fine dining. But for full-on Chesapeake flavour and a moreishly memorable Maryland meal, there’s no finer way to savour the best of Baltimore than with a visit to Phillips Seafood.
So Maryland is famous for its crabs. And after my decidedly tactile and especially carnal experience, I understand what the fuss is all about. If you love seafood – and don’t mind getting your fingers deliciously dirty – I can’t recommend Phillips enough.
Crabs (market price) were the main attraction and my favourite part of my meal for sure. But I loved picking at an assortment of menu items. Crabcakes ($29.95 as a main) and steamed clams with drawn better ($14.95) were awesome. According to the local folk cracking shells with me, some Maryland-made chocolate-coated Berger Cookies ($5.95) were the must-have dessert to end on; they were good. I downed a can of locally produced The Brewer’s Art Resurrection (a Belgian style brown ale, $6) with my feast. I’d have had another if staying longer.
During my early June afternoon visit I dined outside on the restaurant’s harborside Crab Deck. If it’s sunny when you go, I suggest you do the same. But I did poke my head inside Phillips’ dining room – nice, spacious digs that looked super comfy.
Service was swift, friendly and helpful.
Phillips Seafood is located in the Inner Harbor at 601 East Pratt Street, 21202. For more information about it and all Phillips outlets and concessions, including the original Phillips in Ocean City, Maryland go to phillipsseafood.com.
More Taste Baltimore posts coming soon.
