Going Fishing in Annapolis

I’ve been finding excuses to take Charlie to Quiet Waters dog beach once a week just so I can stop by Annapolis Seafood Market down the street.

For one, the quality of the seafood is terrific. Customers can choose from delicious looking whole snapper, rockfish, cod, flounder, and whatever else; it’s so fresh, the eyes are still clear– not easy to find in Washington. Use the tongs to transfer fish to a bin and bring it over to the fishmonger, who filets and weighs it. 

In the center of the store, ice filled bins showcase scallops, smelt, sardines, hundreds of little necks, head- on shrimp in three sizes, mussels, and razor clams. In cases across the way, it’s the point drill for lobsters, tuna steaks, salmon, crawfish, crab claws, crabs, crab cakes, soft shells, and whatever else. For more visuals, check out the overflowing bins stacked with unshucked corn, potatoes, piles of lemons and limes, or tomatoes.

The lunches alone are worth the trip. I adore the soft shell or crab cake BLT, or a cup of cream of crab with a drizzle of sherry.  I can’t remember the last time I had something with sherry in a to-go cup.

A fun picnic option would be the Steamer Suppers. An example: a pint of New England clam chowder, a pound of spicy shrimp, and two one-pound lobsters for $54, with four other options in the same price range. At the park, there’s a lovely overlook of the Chesapeake. Bring some linens, wine, a citronella candle, and it shapes up to become a fine spot when stuck in town for the weekend.

Is there a fish market with such a bounty in DC? Should the Annapolis field trip remain in my weekly repertoire? Cannon’s can be a pleasure, but has limited supply if you hit it at the wrong time. Whole Foods and Teeter’s fish counter is fine, but the shopping experience is sort of souless. And I haven’t been to Maine Avenue lately, but rarely hear resounding enthusiasm. I hope I’m wrong and I’m just missing something.