Ready, Set, CRACK ! @PhillipsSeafood #phillipsseafood

Ready Set ..CRACK..with those 3 words we commenced being the origin of the sweetest sound in the world. The cracking of the crabs. Not just any crabs, but the world famous Chesapeake Bay Blue crabs. Where was all this cracking taking place you ask? At the world famous Phillips Seafood restaurant at The Power Plant in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor http://www.phillipsseafood.com/locations-and-menus/baltimore

This venerable mainstay has been serving up the crustaceans at the Inner Harbor for over 30 years. First at the original Harborplace pavillion, now they are right on the other side of the Inner Harbor at 601 E.Pratt Street. It was a beautiful warm summer afternoon when we arrived. Diners can choose to sit inside for a full service restaurant experience or sit on their amazing outdoor section on a actual pier that juts out from the mainland. This section is for a unique steamed seafood al fresco experience. We also witnessed their curbside delivery service of large crab orders ! We chose to sit outside.

On the pier they actually have full size commercial steamers where your order is steamed fresh. I’m talking mussels, clams, shrimp and of course the star of the show..CRABS !! Our server Jeanette was affable and bevy of information. She has been with the Phillips family for a number of years. I say “family” because Phillips is still family owned. But more importantly I say family, because Jeanette advised that is how they treat their employees. In a world where employees feel neglected and treated as a simple commodity she said they not only recognize their employees for superior work but they also do annual events for the employees as well. Phillips knows that a company with happy employees is a company that succeeds.

We started with some cocktails. We tried their award winning Bloody Mary and also the Blue Margarita. Both we incredible. Now on to the food !

First up were the steamed mussels pot. Large and perfectly steamed. They came with farm fresh corn and potatoes. Next up was the crab mac and cheese and jumbo pure lump crab cakes. All jumbo lump, no filler. both were incredible. The cheese and crab combo was sublime. The crab cake was incredibly delicious!

All of a sudden a steaming hot paper bag showed up on our table. It could only mean one thing..CRAB TIME !! We unceremoniously dumped them out on the classic paper wrapped table tops. The unmistaken pungent goodness that “smells like Baltimore” filled the air. Heaven had arrived. Although I am a native Baltimorean I had Jeanette show us step by step how a blue crab is taken apart. It is second nature to those of us born here but to the novice it can be quite intimidating and confusing. She obliged nicely and the pics show each step! Dessert was offered but who I am kidding , there was room for none. We left Phillips smiling as if in love again for the first time. I may no longer live in Baltimore, but thanks to Phillips, Baltimore will always live in me.

Next time in Charm City, go to Phillips and tell em’ SOBESAVVY.COM sent ya !

Enjoy the pics of that great afternoon.