Crab Cakes

In a move some might compare to carrying coals to Newcastle or shipping barbecued ribs to Kansas City, the crab cake has landed in Baltimore-area fast-food restaurants.This weekend, all 91 McDonald's in the area will serve the cake, up from the 23 throughout Maryland that began serving crab cakes this spring. In addition, 12 Wendy's restaurants in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia serve crab cakes, a product put on the menu in March.A traditional Maryland crab cake -- lump crab meat held together by little more than willpower -- is a bite of heaven.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and longtime Ravens nemesis Hines Ward has a new job as analyst for NBC's "Football Night in America. " But he's still feeling the old "hate" when he comes to Baltimore. Ward, who will be working in Baltimore tonight during the prime-time matchup between the Ravens and New England Patriots, posted this little chronicle on the "hate" he received on his journey to Baltimore for the game. Judging for all the parenthetical "haha's," I'm guessing there's some tongue in cheek from Ward here, but he was a much better receiver than he is a writer, so I am not so sure.

This week's question How do you like your crabs? Cleaned and picked Slathered in Old Bay Steamed As crab cakes In soup Not at all Last week's question What's the best part of Ravens training camp? 3.3 percent Autographs (1 vote) 23.3 percent Getting close to the players (7 votes) 50 percent It means the season is starting soon (15 votes) 0 percent The food and attractions (0 votes) 23.3 percent Watching practice (7 votes) 30 total votes

Baltimore has more than its share of Irish pubs, but as far as I know, Tyson's is our first British pub. I have no idea why. England's pubs can be just as historic and charming, the natives as friendly, and the food as dreadful. Tyson's wisely keeps the historic charm and friendly staff, but its food is British pub fare in name only. Yes, there are a couple of savory pies and fish and chips; but Americanisms like gourmet pizza, wraps, crab cakes and nachos dominate the menu. Poor:]

Who pays for the food involved when mayors and governors make bets on football games? When it comes to Faidley's crab cakes, the centerpiece of the market package Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has wagered on Sunday's AFC championship game, Faidley's is prepared to provide the goods. Faidley's owner Bill Devine said he has promised and provided crab cakes for municipal bets before, dating back to the William Donald Schaefer era. "It's a feel-good gesture," said Devine about his make-good promise.

From: Maryland Price: $11 Serve with: Crab cakes, grilled fish Maryland's oldest winery has come up with a winner in this fruity, lively, fresh pinot grigio, which surpasses the quality of most of its price peers from California or Italy. It's a well-balanced, dry white wine with flavors of citrus, nuts, peach and pears. It would be best to enjoy it in its youth, but it should hold up well until the 2010 is released.

So who is this mysterious "Developer B" who shows up buying gift cards in the indictment of Mayor Sheila Dixon? Among the names being tossed about is Patrick Turner, the Turner Development Group president, who appeared before the grand jury in June. The Baltimore Sun's Annie Linskey asked Turner if he's the guy. Turner denied it, adding that he's never been "B" at anything. Whoever he is, Developer B must rate an A-plus in our ex-schoolmarm mayor's book. The indictment suggests that Developer B dropped everything and dashed out to the store when Dixon asked for gift cards on Dec. 13, 2005.

Nora Ephron, who died this week, will be remember for writing books such as "Heartburn" and movies such as "Julie and Julia. " But around here, as Baltimore Sun columnist Susan Reimer notes, she'll also be remembered for helping to bring Baltimore to the big screen, as a setting for the classic comedy/love story "When Harry Met Sally. " "Sleepless in Seattle. " Here's an excerpt from Reimer's story: Ephron ... was called in to doctor a screenplay about a long-distance love affair between an architect in Seattle ( Tom Hanks )

Last week I was on vacation, so I published a Top 10 master list on my blog of earlier posts with information on where to get great seafood. You can go to baltimoresun.com/diningatlarge to view the actual posts. Here's the list: 1 Top 10 Best Crab Cakes 2 Top 10 Best Seafood Restaurants 3 Top 10 Crab Houses 4 Top 10 Places to Eat on the Water 5 Where's the Shrimp [Salad]? 6 Top 10 Places to Get Soft-Shell Crabs 7 Top 10 Places for Fish and Chips 8 Top 10 Places to Get Raw Oysters 9 Bar Food: The Best Steamed Shellfish 10 Top 10 Crab Cakes With a Twist Readers talk back Thanks for the aggregation!

Boston Mayor Thomas N. Menino has a crab cake dinner coming courtesy of Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. The two mayors wagered a seafood dinner on Sunday's AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens. Menino pledged lobster if his home team lost, and Rawlings-Blake promised to fork over crab cakes from J.W. Fairly Seafood in Lexington Market — a bet she didn't expect to pay out. And for much of the game, it looked like she wouldn't have to as the Ravens kept pace with the Patriots.