Maryland Seafood Festival - Huge Disappointment (Annapolis, Crisfield: organic, restaurants, beach)

[nurider2002]

We attended the MD seafood festival at Sandy Point State Park on Sunday. You would never know Maryland is supposed to be a seafood lover's State from visiting this lackluster event. We were shocked to find only a handful of seafood vendors at the festival and what they offered was less than memorable. No steamed crabs, mussels, fresh fish. Offerings were fried fish patties - a glorified McDonalds fish sandwich, crab nachos, crab panini (crab and cream cheese between toast). Just really pathetic. Notably absent were any vendors from established seafood restaurants or merchants locally. This could have been a great event, nice location at Sandy Point, great weathe. But lackluster entertainment and food that you could get at any local bar. I hope folks visiting from outside of Maryland don't think this is representative of local seafood. We won't be back!

[bande1102]

I totally agree. My husband manages a restaurant that used to participate--they don't any more for the reasons you mentioned. Also, the people running this are totally inept. In order to attract the better restaurants, you have to offer them great marketing. The folks running this thing just aren't capable/don't understand how it works. I no longer go, that's for sure. So irritating to see so much potential being squandered.

[Tiger Beer]

I didn't go to the festival.

But, I was in Annapolis about a month ago (as well as other parts of Maryland). We went to a famous crab shack. That was disappointing as well. Very plain, no sauces, nothing. They fried what I ordered.

Disappointing.

[MrRational]

Next year you can go to the actual one.

Held every year on the third Wednesday in July at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, this annual celebration is
named in honor of Crisfield native J. Millard Tawes - the 54th Governor of the State of Maryland.

This event, listed in Frommers Travel Guides and other National Event Directories is described as ..... "..an outdoor all-you-can-eat affair featuring crabs, clams, fish, corn on the cob, and watermelon, and in election years, lots of politicians."

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by MrRational

Next year you can go to the actual one.

Held every year on the third Wednesday in July at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, this annual celebration is
named in honor of Crisfield native J. Millard Tawes - the 54th Governor of the State of Maryland.

This event, listed in Frommers Travel Guides and other National Event Directories is described as ..... "..an outdoor all-you-can-eat affair featuring crabs, clams, fish, corn on the cob, and watermelon, and in election years, lots of politicians."

Yes, that's the legit one. Don't forget the "Miss Crustacean" competition!

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I didn't go to the festival.

But, I was in Annapolis about a month ago (as well as other parts of Maryland). We went to a famous crab shack. That was disappointing as well. Very plain, no sauces, nothing. They fried what I ordered.

Disappointing.

That sounds about right. Seafood from Maryland up to Maine is traditionally fried and no frills. A real lobster roll in Maine, for example, is simply a few ounces of lobster meat on a toasted hot dog bun with a little drawn butter. It may or may not include mayonnaise. And that's it. Well, I suppose it's not fried, too.

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

That sounds about right. Seafood from Maryland up to Maine is traditionally fried and no frills. A real lobster roll in Maine, for example, is simply a few ounces of lobster meat on a toasted hot dog bun with a little drawn butter. It may or may not include mayonnaise. And that's it. Well, I suppose it's not fried, too.

Call this hillbilly confused. I equate Maryland seafood to oyster stew, steamed crabs, broiled crab cakes, grilled rockfish, smoked shad (maybe more a VA thing) and Maryland crab soup.

Sure you can fry an oyster or a crabcake, but what always separated MD cuisine to me was the delicate touch. Seafood is ruined IMO when it gets too busy or greasy. Keep it simple, let the freshness shine through.

[Tiger Beer]

I order a lot of seafood in Japan. It's usually soaked in some pretty amazing sauces. Almost all of the countries in Asia have their own 'exotic' tastes to it...from lemongrass to butter to who knows what else...with some organic herbs, etc. All kinds of stuff.

I guess when I was in Maryland...I was just shocked that mine was completely fried. My wife ordered crabs, and it was completely plain. I can certainly see why plain is better than fried. Being that most things do get fried in the U.S., it probably is remarkable just having something that isn't.

That being said, before trying it, I was really expecting some interesting combination of something regional to define it with a taste. It's almost amazing that there aren't some chefs specializing in giving it some flavor/texture.

My wife and I were thinking we were better off just going to any mid-range Asian restaurant in metro DC and ordering clams/crabs, and we'd probably had a much higher chance of getting something more tasty.

[North Beach Person]

I don't know where in MD you got "plain" seafood. At a minimum a generous sprinkling of Old Bay is always included.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

I don't know where in MD you got "plain" seafood. At a minimum a generous sprinkling of Old Bay is always included.

I was about to say... "plain" seafood!? MD?
Plain enough to taste the meat, yes, but it's not like we stick a rockfish on the grill and then on your plate without spicing it somehow.
Heck, we even cover our green beans in Old Bay.