SUNSET GRILL
I there in the begining of June for a late lunch and then again last Friday for a drink and some apps at the outside bar. Everything was good that we had. I'm VERY funny about crab cakes and don't order them unless a place is known for them. We have also been to Micky Fin's which is owned by the same person and liked their food as well.
Maybe you can ease your group back in by going for a drink and a few apps this time around. And if you do go back for dinner, stay away from the crab cakes.
I live in the area and have been to both Sunset Grille and Micky Fins dozens of times. They are two of my favorite places to eat. The menu at Sunset Grille is a little more formal than Micky Fins and I have tried many items and never had a major complaint.
In my opinion it's hard to find a crab cake made like the good old days anymore. Each restaurant seems to add their own little twist or flavor to set themselves apart. And with the price of crab meat ever increasing there seems to be less meat and more filler.
Mink66,
I'm glad you replied. I know this is one of your favorite places and I wasn't sure if our trip was an aberration. I have had better in PA - no joke. I still judge crab cakes in OC like the old Hobbit, Captain's Table, Coins, etc. I hope a good crab cake can still be found in OC.
We had breakfast at Crabcake factory last year. I had lump crabs eggs Benedict. It was nuts. I could eat that every day for breakfast. The lumps of crab were incredible. We will try them this year for crab cakes. I am looking forward to the Hobbit now that it is reopened.
I'll take the wife and kids back to sunset grill for the lobster. We sat outside as was recommended, and it was relaxing by the bay. This time I would like to sit inside as the decor was different than most places in OC.
Thanks for the responses,
brianpa
Brianpa,
Yes, the inside decor at Sunset Grille is really nice. I love all the hand carved wood doors and wall art. I wish my whole house was decorated like it.
If you are a crab meat aficionado like myself I might also suggest an appetizer that is sometimes on Sunset Grille's daily specials menu, but is a staple at the sister restaurant Micky Fins. It's called the Fried Green Tomato Remoulade and IT IS TO DIE FOR. It's got to be one of the most unique crab meat concoctions I've ever tasted. My wife and I continue to go back to Micky Fins just for this appetizer. It is delicious!
Mink,
That sounds like a great appetizer. Most places in OC seem to have the same basic menu. I enjoy going to a place with inventive presentations of local food.
Terp - this MD crab vs Asian crab thing is interesting. The one thing not too many talk about is all the folks who go to OC to get crab - Canadian snow crabs. People act like you need to go to the Maryland shore for Canadian seafood. Just hit your local supper market. If people don't understand that snow crabs and king crabs aren't indigenous to Maryland, I don't thing they will ever get the difference between Asian or blue crab. But keep up the good fight.
brianpa
We Marylanders sure are hard to please when it comes to crab!! Like I said in my earlier post, I'm a hard one to please when it comes to crabcakes because for a long time I always caught my own crabs and made the cakes and there is nothing better!!! FRESH FRESH FRESH.
I've had the crabcakes at Sunset Grille several times, and they have been pretty good most of the time. Once I had one that seemed to be a little off, but other than that no complaints.
However, if you really want an excellent crab cake, just drive down Golf Course Road a bit further and eat at Captain's Galley.
Off subject (as usual) IMHO...Asian crabmeat is virtually shell free....large lumps...and MOST important,...available. But the taste IS NOT there! Therefore, it never hits the capt's table at home. It's Md. or nothing!
I agree. I think Asian crab tastes like stale fish. I always ask. If it's not from the eastern shore, I don't get it.
I just starting thinking about our trip coming up in August. What is the deal with this place? I read good reports about it here. On trip advisor some posts paint a different picture.
We went there last year and it was inconsistent quality meal to meal in our group. I had a lollipop lamb chop appetizer that was great. My tempura battered lobster tail was small, but cooked perfect and delicious. Three crab cakes were ordered by others at the table. My wife described them as the worst all week in Ocean City. My dad complains about them to this day. I don't think I could get him in at gunpoint this year.
I would try them again just for the lobster, but not recommend the crab cakes to anyone in the group. They were all filler. The only crab was small shredded pieces. Honestly they were best described as a joke.
Now is this usual for the place? Off night?
brianpa