CANTON — The sight was uncommon for most restaurants — a waiter approaching holding a tray topped with a large, steam-filled bag containing seafood.
As the plastic bag was opened at A + Crab in Canton, steam curled upward, and so did the aroma of cajun spice. Inside was a bounty of shrimp, crab legs, corn, potatoes and sausage.
Plastic gloves and bibs were distributed for a meal that was expected to get messy, particularly peeling the sauce-covered shrimp.
But the food was absolutely worth the effort.
My wife had eagerly anticipated the visit, based on rave reviews for the A + Crab at Howe Avenue and Buchholzer Boulevard in Summit County.
Our 15-year-old daughter wasn't planning to join us until she found out the Canton restaurant served seafood boils similar to the ones we've enjoyed on vacations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
We ordered two different seafood combinations, one flavored with cajun spices and the other seasoned with garlic butter. Lemon pepper is another option.
For cajun, we selected the hot spice level, which had sufficient kick but wasn't too intense. We picked medium for garlic butter, which had noticeably less heat. Mild and extra hot are other options.
Shrimp was tender, and a dip in either the garlic or cajun sauce boosted the flavor. Sausage added a delicious counterpoint. Crab was succulent. Another high point was corn on the cob, which absorbed the garlic butter and spices.
The lobster was slightly disappointing because it wasn't as tender as the shrimp.
As good as the South
Overall, the food was superior to some of the high-quality boils I've sampled in tourist hotspots in the South.
We also tried a basket of fried shrimp with hush puppies ($13), a lesser-expensive but highly tasty option. Breading was light, possibly panko style, and the shrimp inside was tender.
Other fried selections, with choice of cajun, regular or sweet potato fries; onion rings; or hush puppies); include tilapia ($11), catfish ($11), calamari ($10), soft shell crab ($13), and oyster ($13).
Make sure to check out the daily special boards when you enter the restaurant.
We ordered a featured combo platter for $46.99 (half-pound of snow crab legs, one pound of shrimp, lobster, corn and potatoes); and the "hungry feast" special was $30.99 (half-pound of snow crab legs, half-pound of shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes).
Lots of leftovers to take home
Don't let the prices deter you from trying A + Crab. Portions are generous. One of the platters would have been enough to feed the three of us. And two people easily can share a seafood boil.
Leftovers provided us with a trio of full meals the next day.
Duo combos include snow crab legs and shrimp for $44.99; shrimp and crawfish for $25.99; and snow crab legs and green mussels for $40.99.
Trio combos include snow crab legs, shrimp and crawfish for $55.99; and king crab legs, crawfish and green mussels for $58.99.
Corn and potatoes are included with the combo dishes.
Sausage is extra but highly recommended; when soaked in cajun spices, it's pleasing enough to be a meal by itself — $6 for half a pound and $10 for a pound.
Renovated restaurant space
On its website, A+ Crab describes its seafood boil as being similar to "Frogmore stew," which is considered a classic low-country South Carolina dish.
A "secret cajun recipe" is also cited.
Opening in mid-May, A + Crab is a stellar addition to the Canton dining scene.
Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The restaurant is at the former site of Top China Buffet in the Country Fair Shopping Center at 4309 Tuscarawas St. W.
Renovations make the space inviting, spacious and visually appealing. Decor has an oceanside vibe, with bright wood, stylized fixtures and crab-themed decorations. The interior is reminiscent of popular waterside eateries in Florida or the Carolinas.
A full bar is sleekly designed at the rear of the dining room; it's easily accessible but not in the way of the dining area. The restaurant, however, is still awaiting its liquor permit to be approved.
Exceptional service
Our server was exceptional. Benson thoroughly answered all of our questions about the menu while explaining the spice levels and how the seafood boils are prepared and served. He even untied one of our boil bags when we struggled with it.
Banana pudding ($3.50), ordered by my daughter, was luscious and put a yummy finishing touch on a superb meal.
Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com
On Twitter @ebalintREP
The Link LonkJune 02, 2021 at 04:01PM
https://ift.tt/3uKrufg
A + Crab's seafood boil comparable to best in the South - Canton Repository
https://ift.tt/2MkGRbk
Crab
No comments:
Post a Comment