Crabs and Jewish Food

[clm80]

I am aware that these two things don't quite go together. But I am looking for both the best crabs in the area (is Cantler's still the best??) as well as the closest place to downtown DC to get good jewish-type of food (herring, white fish, babka etc). I have been going to Wegman,s but wondering if there is a secret haven of this type of food in the city that I am unaware of. Any advice??

[jerf]

I know there's a difference between "Jewish type food" and kosher food, but if you're in the market for kosher, I highly recommend Pita Plus in College Park. They serve a mixture of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food, and everything I've had there is top notch and comes in large portions. You should definitely try the lafa bread.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/res...

[daynasch]

If you want to travel up to Baltimore, there is Goldberg's bagels on Reisterstown Rd in Pikesville, they have some items like that. There is also a Russian place, I can't remember the name of it, but I think the Sun or City Paper just reviewed it that has all of that stuff (lox, herring). There is a Kosher grocery store off of the road that goes behind White Flint (Can't remember the name, senior moment), I think it's called Katzs if it still exists. It's pretty dirty inside too. I agree with Adam23, there is really no "good"kosher deli around the DC/Baltimore area.

Crabs - I used to go to Bethesda Crab House when I lived in DC. Does it still exist?

[DanielK]

Bethesda Crab House is still around, and still has the same policy - you make a reservation in advance for crabs (size and number), NOT for a table.

[hill food]

not Kosher, just a traditional Jewish-style deli but if this thread is opening up to Baltimore, then Attman's around the corner from an old Synagogue, has great pastrami (if it's your first time you get a free taste) and the Matzoh ball soup - perfect amount of schmaltz.

[skipper]

I second your opinion of Attman's, but it isn't downtown DC. Were one looking at Baltimore for Kosher restaurants, s/he could look on Reistertown Road, tho there is no place in particular I could recommend.

[hill food]

I know the OP was asking about downtown, but some were mentioning Baltimore, so I tossed it out there.

were there an Attman's in DC... or (in delerious fantasy) a Russ + Daughters or Zaybar's.

[michael4ny]

I second the "Zaybars" but in all fairness you have to throw Barney Greengrass in there as well. :)

[hill food]

(and imagine my chagrin that I misspelled Zabar's)

[Hue]

Just an FYI...the Llyod Street Synagogue is the first synagogue constructed in Maryland(@1845)...in what was then the center of Jewish activity. The Synagogue, Attmanns and Weis are the sole remants of the that era.

[hill food]

Lloyd Street Synagogue is the proper name? a beautiful Moorish-style building. the area is a little vacant on a Sunday AM, but if you're craving, it's worth the effort IMHO.

[Hue]

Maybe a liitle sparse in the AM but As good as any corned beef in NYC
As to Lloyd St
http://www.jewishmuseummd.org/html/hb...

[hill food]

I will agree it's darn worth the effort in Baltimore.

[thecheeseisblue]

The Russian place is EuroDeli on Reisterstown in Owings Mills. They have not only the best lox and feta that I've ever had, but they have amazingly low prices for it to boot. The folks there can be a bit "abrupt" with the non-Russians in the crowd, but the product speaks for itself.

[Chownut]

Harris Crab House is my favorite crab place in MD. Cantler's is ok, but more hype than good.

[deangold]

My fav is LP Steamers. Gulf crabs year round but ebcause they support them year round they get great product year round. I know there are those who do not agree with me on this joint. I do like Harros but have not been in a long time. The place right before the bridge to Tighlman Island is also good for AYCE for juicy, if small, crabs.

[dining with doc]

crabs: underated place in howard county called Crossroads Pub
jewish food: Kosher Mart or Shalom Kosher.

[tommyskitchen]

Isn't/wasn't there a Kosher deli on 19th street NW just North of 'M'?

Tommy

[hill food]

I don't think there's any actual Kosher food in the District proper. 10 years ago there was even a Kosher French restaurant. but no more.

[mselectra]

There actually is a kosher restaurant, Eli's I think, right about where tommyskitchen describes (it might be 20th or maybe New Hampshire if not 19th?) -- it's not a deli, although it does have deli type food, and it's not really very good, but it is kosher if that's what you need.

[hill food]

really? I wish I'd known when I worked over there. I always passed on Eli's as it looked kinda haphazard then (about 3 years ago)

[mselectra]

I've only eaten there once and was not impressed with the food (it actually could have been a couple years ago, I've been losing track of time). I think probably the only reason to go is if you need a kosher lunch -- not a place I'd recommend to the OP who wasn't asking for kosher specifically.

[hill food]

Thanks I don't need to keep Kosher, although I do think Kosher chicken beats free-range any day in general.

[skipper]

In defense of El's, I've eaten there several times (sticking with the corn beef or pastrami except for one breakfast) and have enjoyed it each time.

[tommyskitchen]

Good to know, Thanks - I'll skip it!

Tommy
Tommyskitchen.com

[milocat]

My dad and I went to Captain Billy's in Pope's Creek Maryland last weekend and had local crabs. They were medium small but packed with meat and very good. I think they are only Thursday-Sunday but you can check their website.

[Bethheth]

Try Royal Bagel Bakery in Germantown, the best I have had in the area!

[Adam23]

There is Kosher Mart and a number of other places up in Silver Spring/Rockville that have jewish-type food. But if you are close to Wegmans, its your best option. There isn't anything here of note like one could find in NY or South Florida.

[Jeserf]

Kosher Mart in Rockville is gross - horribly dirty.

I thought I read about some Jewish-style deli in Silver Spring...maybe someone can give the name.

Wegmans is where we get my boyfriend's lox when we can. love that place.

[skiwebster]

There is nowhere in downtown DC that has good jewish food. period.

The place out in Silver Spring is called Parkway Deli.

[skipper]

In addition to Parkway Deli, which is fine, there is Max's in Silver Spring (a more or less full service restaurant with the best falafel and schwarma) which is right next to Shalom, a kosher supermarket which has its own bakery. There are several places in the Kemp Mill Shopping Center including Shaul's, another kosher market, and 2 kosher restaurants including a "gourmet" kosher bakery. If kosher is not critical, there also is Pumpernickles in Olney on Rt 108, and the Woodside Deli on Georgia Avenue. Truth is that for simple things like lox, etc., in addition to Wegman's (which is the best), you could go to a Harris and Teeter or even a Giant. Most bagel stores also carry lox and kosher-style salads.