Baltimore

While I agree with the idea of a boycott, you should be aware that some of the MD crab houses are most likely selling Texas and Louisiana crabs, so the impact isn't quite as it appears. That said, vigorous advocacy in defense of the Chesapeake's blue crab population is both a wise and noble act. If you are dead set on having some crabs, Gunnings Crab House (S. Hanover St., Baltimore) is pretty well-known, well-respected, and serves (I hate these, but others seem to like them) green pepper rings--like onion rings, but sweet. Also, Bill's Terrace Inn in Essex. Our experience at Obrycki's, another well-known crab house, was so negative that we've never been back. We took a bunch of out-of-town guests, who ordered a variety of dishes. The food was below expectations for almost everyone. When the manager asked us how our meal was, and we all pretty much responded by saying "not that good, actually," he really seemed not to care. It was very disappointing. As we eat a huge number of meals out for business and social reasons, and have a nice selection in Baltimore, not to mention D.C., I can't see us ever going back there.

I've had really good, enjoyable RW experiences. As someone who works for a non-profit, I rarely have the cash to eat with any frequency at several of the RW restaurants, and it is a nice opportunity to try a lot of different places and not kill the budget. Last year, I had planned ahead, saved up and went to 6 different places (three the time before that)--the standout was Equinox, where not only was the food great, but the FOH was particularly welcoming. When we save up to go out to eat--that's where we go (in DC). The (not really much of a) low point was Galileo, where the food was fine, not spectacular, but the FOH seemed to treat the RWers as if we were a real inconvenience. As this is a restaurant that I get to visit occasionally with a (really generous) friend, I know that the food is often spectacular, and generally you get treated very nicely, so maybe it was an off day. Frankly, when you consistently produce really remarkable food, it seems that if there is any downward variation, you really suffer for it, particularly when lots of RWers have their hopes up, so I'm inclined to give them a break. Other standouts from last RW were Butterfield 9, Tosca, and Mendocino Grille. Tosca has become a regular "special occasion" lunch place for a number of us working downtown, and keeps a tasting menu lunch now year-round, I believe. I hope local restaurants keep participating--if for no other reason than RW allows the hundreds of interns working in DC to educate their tastebuds a bit and try out some serious restaurants.

I'll toss in our household favorites: Lump crabcake sandwich, with a little tabasco. Thinly sliced country ham from Virginia, slice of onion, hot mustard, on a hard roll. And my wife's favorite--peanut butter, grape jelly, but here's the kicker......it has to be on toasted RYE bread, the stronger the better. Personally, I've never gotten used to it, but she converts the occasional visitor. Mmmmm.....now I want lunch.