Eating & Sleeping
Baltimore 1
5 LP Steamers Seafood $$
(%410-576-9294; 1100 E Fort Ave; mains $8-28;
hlunch & dinner) The best sit-down crab joint
in Baltimore is LP Steamers, which is a quick
drive from Fort McHenry, the historic structure
that defended Baltimore during the War of- The ‘LP’ stands for Locust Point, one of
Charm City’s blue-collar southside ‘hoods;
lots of residents here have been employed on
the Baltimore docks or are related to people
working on the waterfront.
4 Admiral Fell Inn Hotel^ $$$
(%522 7377, 800 292 4667; http://www.harbormagic.
com/admiral-fell-inn; 888 S Broadway; r from
$200; W) This old Fells Point sailors’ hotel has
been converted into a lovely inn with Federal-
style furniture and four-poster beds. It’s got
the best of both of Baltimore’s worlds, with
historic and nautical details abounding on the
one hand, and plenty of modern amenities on
the other.Annapolis 2
5 Cantler’s^ Seafood $$$
(%410-962-5379; 400 E Saratoga St; mains from
$20; h7am-2pm Mon-Fri) The by-consensus best
crab house in Annapolis is a little ways outside
of the city. But like many crab houses, Cantler’s
can be approached by road (Forest Beach Rd) or
boat (a waterfront location is crab-eating industry
standard). The soft crabs are particularly well-respected, probably due to large on-site peeling
sheds, where crabs are allowed to molt.Kent Narrows
5 Harris Crab House Seafood $$
(%410-827-9500; 425 Kent Narrow Way; mains
$11-30; hlunch & dinner) Off Rte 50 in the Kent
Narrows, just after crossing the Bay Bridge,
Harris Crab House is highly regarded for its food
and enormous wooden waterfront deck, even if
it’s a bit of a tourist trap.Easton 4
5 Mason’s American^ $$$
(%410-822-3204; 22 S. Harrison Street;
mains $25-34; h11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Sat,
5:30-9:30pm Tue-Sat) Food lovers are happy to
trek the extra mile (well, many miles) to reach
Mason’s and its New American goodness. As
great as this place is, it’s not stuffy; portions
are big, as is the restaurant itself, so there’s a
pleasant buzz accompanying your pan-seared
scallops and poached lobster with leek and goat
cheese ravioli.5 Out of the Fire Fusion^ $$$
(%410-770-4777; 22 Goldsborough St; mains
$15-38; h11:30am-2:30pm Tue-Sat, 5-9pm
Tue-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat; v) For all that Out
of the Fire put forward a playful attitude, this
spot is serious about several things, most
prominently sourcing sustainable ingredients
and turning said ingredients into delicious food
that bridges the globe, but is often influenced
by Chesapeake Bay. The crispy polenta with
gorgonzola sauce and mushroom ragout – oh
yes. Yes. Yes!WASHINGTON.DC,.MARYLAND.&.DELAWARE.TRIPS.17
(^) MARITIME MARYLAND