My recent Saturday afternoon was delightfully consumed by a classic Maryland tradition: a crab feast! And no, not the bad kind of crabs – though that sentence certainly invites a chuckle. We’re talking about the delicious, iconic Maryland blue crabs, a true culinary staple of the Mid-Atlantic region, known for their sweet, tender meat and vibrant orange shells.

This particular crustacean carnival took place at the Cabin John Crab Feast in Maryland, a fitting location for such a quintessential experience. While my afternoon was indeed filled with the satisfying sounds and sights of cracking shells, I must admit that by the end of the “feast,” I wasn’t exactly bursting at the seams with crab meat. As many seasoned crab eaters know, the effort involved in extracting those sweet morsels often burns more calories than you actually consume. It’s a wonderfully peculiar food custom when you truly consider it: hours spent wielding wooden mallets and metal pliers against a pile of shellfish, all for a few precious tablespoons of delectable meat. Yet, this communal ritual is precisely what makes it so special and memorable.

Is it an odd endeavor? Absolutely. Is it worth every bit of the effort? Without a doubt, absolutely. The experience is about more than just the food; it’s about the tradition, the shared laughter, the unique atmosphere, and the simple joy of slowing down to truly savor a meal with good company.

Beyond the culinary adventure, the crab feast provided a perfect backdrop for a special occasion: bidding farewell to my long-time blogger friend, Caroline. She was embarking on an exciting, month-long journey of job-related travel. It was a poignant reminder that we are officially “grown-ups” now, navigating new phases of our careers and lives – a fun, albeit slightly bittersweet, realization that marked a significant moment in our friendship.

While the sheer volume of crab meat might not be the primary reward, the process of eating them is undeniably fun. I absolutely love it because it’s inherently low-key and wonderfully entertaining. It forces you to pause, disconnect from digital distractions, and truly enjoy the company you’re with, fostering genuine connection and conversation. Unlike many other indulgent meals, you never feel uncomfortably full to the point of nausea at the end. Instead, you’re often left with a satisfying feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie, along with a delightful lingering aroma of Old Bay.

There’s an unspoken etiquette at a crab feast: it’s perfectly normal to end up with Old Bay seasoning smeared across your face or hands, a badge of honor for any dedicated crab picker. No one bats an eyelash if you accidentally send a piece of crab shell flying across your table, or even to a neighboring one, during the vigorous smashing process. It’s all part of the authentic, lively, and delightfully messy experience that makes Maryland crab feasts legendary.

In fact, at one point during our meal, a surprisingly large piece of crab shell unexpectedly landed on our table, having sailed over from another table approximately four feet away. Given the enthusiastic shouts and boisterous laughter emanating from that direction, I can confidently say that children were definitely involved in that particular projectile launch! It added a humorous, memorable moment to the already festive atmosphere.

At the event, nestled among the food stalls, there was also a vendor selling classic toys – do you remember those wooden paddle-ball toys with the string? I can’t quite recall their exact name, but they instantly brought back a vivid childhood memory. I was reminded of a fourth-grade talent show where a contestant’s entire five-minute routine consisted of repeatedly throwing this toy into the air, only managing to catch it on the string about one percent of the time. What truly stood out was his complete lack of embarrassment – a valuable life lesson in perseverance, or perhaps just blissful ignorance, that stuck with me!

Tickets to the Cabin John Crab Feast offered attendees three distinct options, catering to different preferences and appetites:

• 6 crabs
• 3 crabs and 3 sides
• chicken and 3 sides

Believe it or not, a fair number of people opted for the chicken! I, however, chose the half-and-half option: three crabs and three sides. This wasn’t because I doubted my ability to eat six crabs – especially since they were on the smaller side – but rather because I wasn’t sure I had the sustained energy for the demanding task of meticulously picking six crabs. So, I complemented my crab serving with some surprisingly delicious collard greens and cinnamon-spiced carrots. I’m ashamed to admit I’d never tried collard greens before, but they were quite good! In hindsight, I wished I had gone for the full six crabs, but at least the flavorful veggies provided a satisfying fill and a welcome balance to the rich crab.

My wonderful boyfriend, sensing my slight crab regret and seeing my slower pace, took pity on me and generously offered one of his own crabs. How sweet and thoughtful – a true testament to his understanding of the crab feast experience!

After our relatively light crab consumption (note the sarcasm!), we decided a mini-workout was in order to shake off any residual crab-picking fatigue. Taking inspiration from the energetic kids around us, we bravely tackled the climbing wall available at the event. Unfortunately, the wall was barely taller than me, so our athletic endeavor was short-lived and more amusing than genuinely challenging, quickly becoming another source of laughter for our group!

To compensate for our brief “workout,” I suggested a leisurely walk through the charming neighborhood surrounding the festival grounds. While I may not have highlighted it much on the blog before, one of my absolute favorite pastimes is looking at houses – a true passion of mine that often sparks endless daydreams.

Yes, it’s true: I’m a confessed real estate junkie. My name is Laura, and I have a profound appreciation for classic craftsman-style houses, perfectly curated flower pots spilling with color, inviting wrap-around porches that beg for a rocking chair, and the timeless appeal of authentic shingles. I was particularly captivated by the house pictured below, with its undeniable curb appeal and thoughtful design details that spoke to a rich history and comfortable living.

One of my enduring weekend traditions, stretching back to when I was just ten years old (and probably even younger, to be completely honest), has always been going to Open Houses with my dad. I’m pretty sure real estate agents absolutely adore it when we cheerfully inform them we’re “just looking for fun.” But hey, while some kids gravitate towards games and sports, I found my joy in interior design and the delightful daydreaming about decorating my future house or apartment. And, like virtually every other foodie out there, my absolute favorite room to meticulously snoop around in is, of course, the kitchen. My excitement reaches a peak if I spot luxurious Carrera marble countertops and gleaming Viking appliances – the hallmarks of a true dream kitchen!

I also get a genuine thrill from seeing well-tended food gardens, bursting with fresh produce. And speaking of gardens, it was abundantly clear from the crisp air and vibrant displays that fall has officially arrived! This means it’s unmistakably PUMPKIN season, with colorful gourds gracing every porch, doorstep, and market stall, adding a warm, rustic charm to the neighborhood.

After our brief rock climbing attempt and an enjoyable neighborhood stroll, the three of us found ourselves hungry again. In fact, it almost felt as if we hadn’t eaten anything at all, a testament to the “calorie-burning” nature of crab picking! So, we decided to do what any other rational human beings would do to remedy this predicament: go out for a delightful gelato, a perfect sweet treat to round off our eventful day!

Our destination was downtown Bethesda, a vibrant area that, in the past year alone, has seen a remarkable doubling in its array of pedestrian-friendly restaurants, charming shops (including a fantastic Le Creuset store – a dream for any home chef!), unique boutiques, and, most importantly for our current craving, a growing number of exceptional ice cream and gelato parlors. It’s truly become a bustling hub for foodies and shoppers alike.

Bethesda is also famously home to one of DC’s renowned Georgetown Cupcakes bakeries. As expected, there was a formidable 100-foot line snaking out the door, a common sight for this popular spot. I couldn’t help but overhear a bewildered young boy tell his mom, with a tone of utter incredulity, “They’re just cupcakes!” Well said, young man, well said. While popular, sometimes simpler pleasures or more artisanal offerings can provide a more profound and unique experience.

After much deliberation between the refreshing tang of tart frozen yogurt and the creamy indulgence of gelato, we finally settled on gelato from the truly incredible Dolcezza. Though it came with a slightly hefty price tag ($5.65 for my selection!), Dolcezza justifies it with its unwavering commitment to excellence. They offer artisanal, Argentinean-style gelato made fresh daily, utilizing only seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Furthermore, they proudly boast that their gelato contains half the fat, and thus half the calories, of regular gelato. My taste buds, however, happily begged to differ on the “half the calories” part, as it tasted utterly rich, decadent, and incredibly satisfying!

Dolcezza truly distinguishes itself with an array of incredibly creative and adventurous flavors that push the boundaries of traditional gelato. Just a few examples that caught my eye included the intriguing Lime Cilantro, the sophisticated Red Watermelon Vodka, the exotic Thai Coconut Milk, and the aromatic Lemon Opal Basil – flavors that promise an exciting and unforgettable departure from the ordinary. Their dedication to fresh, inventive combinations using high-quality ingredients is apparent in every spoonful.

Following numerous “tastings” – which included delightful samples of rich Banana Foster, aromatic Orange-Cardamom-Honey, and refreshing White Peach – and a solid ten minutes of intense decision-making (a common dilemma at Dolcezza!), I finally decided on two half-scoops. This is a brilliant strategy that most quality ice cream or gelato places allow, and I highly recommend it if you, like me, want to sample a variety of flavors without committing to a larger, single-flavor size. It’s the perfect way to explore their diverse and innovative offerings without over-indulging in just one.

So, what were my winning selections that made my decision-making process so worthwhile?

Valrhona Chocolate Amargo (Bittersweet) & Yellow Peach-Southern Comfort

OH. MY. GOD. Both flavors were absolutely incredible! I can honestly say this was probably the best gelato I’ve ever had, surpassing even some of the revered gelato I tasted during my travels in Italy. The Valrhona chocolate was exceptionally thick and intensely chocolatey, but because it was precisely bittersweet, it never felt cloyingly sweet or overpowering. I typically shy away from chocolate desserts, often finding them too sugary and not ‘chocolatey’ enough. This gelato completely defied that expectation, delivering a deep, complex cocoa flavor.

The Yellow Peach Southern Comfort, on the other hand, provided a perfect counterpoint, beautifully cutting through the richness of the chocolate. It was perfectly tart and wonderfully refreshing, with a bright, authentic peach flavor. While I couldn’t distinctly taste the Southern Comfort, its subtle presence likely contributed to the gelato’s balanced sweetness and its overall sophisticated flavor profile. As culinary wisdom often suggests, a touch of alcohol can indeed temper excessive sweetness, creating a more nuanced and enjoyable taste.

Caroline’s Pick: Valrhona Chocolate Amargo & Milk Chocolate (I can’t quite recall the exact name of the milk chocolate flavor, but it was equally decadent!)

For those who might not be familiar, Valrhona is widely regarded as one of the finest brands of chocolate available globally, favored by professional pastry chefs and serious home bakers alike! If you’re ever planning to make a truly exceptional chocolate dessert and require high-quality bittersweet chocolate for baking, I wholeheartedly recommend investing a bit more to purchase Valrhona, or similarly premium brands like Scharffen Berger. These can typically be found at specialty cooking stores or high-end grocery stores like Whole Foods. Using such quality ingredients truly makes a profound and noticeable difference in the final product – it’s a testament to the transformative power of superior chocolate.

If you find yourself in the greater DC metropolitan area, I cannot recommend highly enough that you check out Dolcezza in Bethesda. Your taste buds, I promise, will not be disappointed by this extraordinary artisanal gelato experience. It’s the perfect sweet ending to any day, especially one filled with Maryland crabs!

While I haven’t yet faced the delightful challenge of crafting homemade gelato myself (though I have several intriguing recipes catching my eye at the moment, particularly Mario Batali’s), in the spirit of exquisite frozen desserts, I invite you to explore my recipe for Homemade Champagne Mango Lime Sorbet. The best part? You don’t even need an ice cream maker to create this refreshing and vibrant treat! It’s a simple yet elegant dessert that captures the essence of fresh fruit beautifully.