Dungeness Crab - Northern California coast
Jan 20th, 2009, 12:56 PM
#21
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Stu, is the Marina market the one at the corner of Hillsdale and Norfolk? I don't know about their seafood, but I've heard their pot stickers are out of this world, and sell out early in the day.
Jan 20th, 2009, 01:17 PM
#22
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Stu: we don't keep live lobster or crab in the frig. We keep them in the bathtub. 
but usually we bring them home and start cooking immediately.
You're so correct! Dungeness is the best tasting crab - ever!
but usually we bring them home and start cooking immediately.
You're so correct! Dungeness is the best tasting crab - ever!
Jan 20th, 2009, 01:37 PM
#23
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"FWIW, I've had crab in France, and several times in Maryland. I prefer the Dungeness. I've only had Maryland crab with Old Bay - which kinda smothered the taste, IMO."
"You're so correct! Dungeness is the best tasting crab - ever!"
Well I must tell you I'm really looking forward to it.
As to crab superiority, I'm keeping an open mind. It's true, though that the seasoning on blue crabs is strong, and usually very spicy. No one around here would ever think of steaming crabs without lots of seasoning, usually made of Old Bay, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper. Eating crabs in Maryland is more a social event than a culinary one. It's rare for someone to eat crabs alone - usually it's done in very loud groups, and it's washed down with lots of cold beer. Oh, I'm looking forward to summer...
"You're so correct! Dungeness is the best tasting crab - ever!"
Well I must tell you I'm really looking forward to it.
As to crab superiority, I'm keeping an open mind. It's true, though that the seasoning on blue crabs is strong, and usually very spicy. No one around here would ever think of steaming crabs without lots of seasoning, usually made of Old Bay, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper. Eating crabs in Maryland is more a social event than a culinary one. It's rare for someone to eat crabs alone - usually it's done in very loud groups, and it's washed down with lots of cold beer. Oh, I'm looking forward to summer...
Jan 20th, 2009, 05:10 PM
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I live in Sonoma County and would love to know where they are selling crab for $3.99/lb.
That said, the best price we have found in county is at G&G Market
one here in Petaluma, the other in Santa Rosa - $4.99/lb live or
cooked.
Love 'em simple with a fresh sourdough bread and a green salad.
Hmmmm, what's for dinner ?? LOL !
R5
That said, the best price we have found in county is at G&G Market
one here in Petaluma, the other in Santa Rosa - $4.99/lb live or
cooked.
Love 'em simple with a fresh sourdough bread and a green salad.
Hmmmm, what's for dinner ?? LOL !
R5
Jan 20th, 2009, 08:05 PM
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Well, just today Costco in Rohnert Park had Fresh Cooked Dungeness Crab for $3.99 a lb. & the other day G&G Supermarkets(a local store) in Petaluma & Santa Rosa had it for that price. As far as over at Bodega Bay there is a place on the back side of the Bay that you can get your Crab at a little shack of a place (not as cheap) to eat at a table out side or take over to Bodega Head for the view. I love the Fisherman's Wharf in the City but again I have to be there first & then the mood has to make me spend the extra money. I make a Crab Cioppino a few times a Crab season using the old Alioto Family recipe & fresh Crabs, Mussels, Clams, shrimp and fresh fish that me talking about makes me want to make it tomorrow. The secret is the Crab Butter for the Sauce. The Recipe I use is suppose to be the one that started the Cioppino thing in the City, at least that's the story I heard. Anyway, love that Crab.
Jan 20th, 2009, 08:29 PM
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Every once in awhile G&G has it for $3.99, I bought some there just the other day ; maybe a week ago for that price there, but like I said Costco had it for that price today & they were fresh in today from the city. I know you have to check for the prices in the paper (Press Democrat) on Wed. for the prices for the supermarkets in the county but even Safeway had it for under $4.99 just the other day. Also Pacific Markets sometimes tries to beat G&G's prices(or OLivers) so they put it on sale. Also Raleys has it on sale quite often. Since I'm disabled & retired I do travel & cooking things for my family & friends & part of that is to tell them where things are on special. There is also the Crab Pot up in Bodega Bay for fresh cooked crab. My Wife & I eat at a few different places up at Bodega Bay: The Tides at the Wharf, The Sandpiper( for Breakfast as well as lunch) The Duck Clu
for Dinner) and then maybe go over Coleman Valley Road into Occidental to the Union Hotel for an Itailian Dinner. On our way to the coast we stop at a Bakery that bakes great breads & scones in Frestone, they are open Friday-Monday. They are closed right now for a vacation but I think they reopen on the 23rd.They use a brick oven & it is really an European Artisian style Bakery. Get there early for the Scones or they may be gone. We love the Chowder at Bodega Bay also is one reason we go over there. Right now all the different clubs are having their Crab Feeds, I think most are probably over with but some may still be going on this weekend.Check KZST.com, a local radio station that has a Crab Feed thing on it's site.
for Dinner) and then maybe go over Coleman Valley Road into Occidental to the Union Hotel for an Itailian Dinner. On our way to the coast we stop at a Bakery that bakes great breads & scones in Frestone, they are open Friday-Monday. They are closed right now for a vacation but I think they reopen on the 23rd.They use a brick oven & it is really an European Artisian style Bakery. Get there early for the Scones or they may be gone. We love the Chowder at Bodega Bay also is one reason we go over there. Right now all the different clubs are having their Crab Feeds, I think most are probably over with but some may still be going on this weekend.Check KZST.com, a local radio station that has a Crab Feed thing on it's site.
Jan 21st, 2009, 06:47 AM
#30
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Well the ads show that the lowest price I can find for Crab is $4.99 a lb this week. That is for the stores that have an ad in the Press. But as I said Costco still may have it for $3.99, who knows. When you go to the Tides Fish Market at Bodega Bay you get it for about $8.99 a lb or so. It's all about location, location, location. At G&G you can buy them live from a tank or cooked & cleaned, it's up to you. So $4.99 is still a good price to me but not $3.99 I know & I'm going to get a few today & make a Cioppino today for Dinner. Good Travels & Good Dining.
Jan 21st, 2009, 10:12 AM
#33
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"You folks just don't realise how hard it is for those of us not exposed to these markets to read this and not to drool!"
kiwirob - don't you hale from New Zealand? You must have crabs to dine on there!
kiwirob - don't you hale from New Zealand? You must have crabs to dine on there!
Jan 21st, 2009, 12:36 PM
#34
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I purchased 2 pre-cooked Dungeness crabs for dinner tonight !!! I do this for Wendesday dinner, because trash pick-up is Thursday. We'll have them with Sorrel soup as a starter.
First went to Costco because we needed lots of other stuff. Crab was $3.99/lb. Shrink-wrapped, two to a package, with a "purchase by" date of something like 1/26 - several days from now. Don't know how long they had already been in the refrig.
Went to 99 Ranch. Crab was $4.50/lb. I did not see any already cooked & sitting in the store displays. There were four huge tanks, where they kept lots of live crabs in water. I was worrried. My wife would probably not eat any crab if she saw them wiggling in the refrig or especially in the bathtub. I was figuring out how to hide the crabs from her, get a cooking timetable from easy or Shaing, and cook them myself - when she is out of the house. I asked the fish guy at 99 Ranch if he could cook them & he said "sure" - come back in 15 mins. That's what I did.
So it's Costco @ $3.99 with undetermined age vs. 99 Ranch @ $4.50 & cooked 15 mins before I received the crab. Now I have to figure out how to get the cooked crab smell out of my car.
Stu Dudley
First went to Costco because we needed lots of other stuff. Crab was $3.99/lb. Shrink-wrapped, two to a package, with a "purchase by" date of something like 1/26 - several days from now. Don't know how long they had already been in the refrig.
Went to 99 Ranch. Crab was $4.50/lb. I did not see any already cooked & sitting in the store displays. There were four huge tanks, where they kept lots of live crabs in water. I was worrried. My wife would probably not eat any crab if she saw them wiggling in the refrig or especially in the bathtub. I was figuring out how to hide the crabs from her, get a cooking timetable from easy or Shaing, and cook them myself - when she is out of the house. I asked the fish guy at 99 Ranch if he could cook them & he said "sure" - come back in 15 mins. That's what I did.
So it's Costco @ $3.99 with undetermined age vs. 99 Ranch @ $4.50 & cooked 15 mins before I received the crab. Now I have to figure out how to get the cooked crab smell out of my car.
Stu Dudley
Jan 21st, 2009, 12:49 PM
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Stu: LOL!
You are soooo funny!
Let's see now, use a lemon scented oil to wipe down the leather seats in your car?
(Next time, use a cooler to carry crab - LOL!)
BTW, that was quite ingenious, asking the guy at 99 Ranch to cook it for you. Never knew they could do that. Did they boil or steam?
You are soooo funny!
Let's see now, use a lemon scented oil to wipe down the leather seats in your car?
(Next time, use a cooler to carry crab - LOL!)
BTW, that was quite ingenious, asking the guy at 99 Ranch to cook it for you. Never knew they could do that. Did they boil or steam?
Jan 21st, 2009, 01:29 PM
#37
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Stu-
Try Oust Surface & Air spray in the can with the blue or green top.
Has worked miracles in our house and in the car. A sweep of the front and back seats-leave the windows cracked and your good to go.
smetz-
Now, about RonRey's great ramblings...
Costco doesn't count in my book as you have to be a member. So I would think it not a swell idea for out-of-towners-they'd never recoup the cost of a single purchase.
Better to go to G&G, which as I said was $4.99/lb. Whole Foods here has it for $6.99 and they do a superb job of cracking if you'd rather not.
The shacks out at Bodega Bay
could be the Island Deli at Lucas Wharf or perhaps Spud Point.
Lucas has it today for $7.99/lb.
If you are going to dine in Bodega Bay, the best place is the Seaweed
Cafe, IMHO, the BEST !
www.seaweedcafe.com
In between your crab lunch in Bodega and a trip over Coleman Valley road into Occidental, you might want to plan a good long walk
on one of the Salmon Creek State Beaches. The trip over to Occidental takes barely 30 mins.
Be sure to stop at the top and look back to the ocean, the view is spectacular and has been used in a few car commercials.
At the Union Hotel you can choose from a multi-course family style Italian dinner or keep it simple with one of their fabulous pizzas.
If you're not in the mood for Italian, check out the delicious and cozy Bistro des Copains
www.bistrodescopains.com
nearby on the Bohemian Highway.
Happy Dining & Happy Travels !
R5
Try Oust Surface & Air spray in the can with the blue or green top.
Has worked miracles in our house and in the car. A sweep of the front and back seats-leave the windows cracked and your good to go.
smetz-
Now, about RonRey's great ramblings...
Costco doesn't count in my book as you have to be a member. So I would think it not a swell idea for out-of-towners-they'd never recoup the cost of a single purchase.
Better to go to G&G, which as I said was $4.99/lb. Whole Foods here has it for $6.99 and they do a superb job of cracking if you'd rather not.
The shacks out at Bodega Bay
could be the Island Deli at Lucas Wharf or perhaps Spud Point.
Lucas has it today for $7.99/lb.
If you are going to dine in Bodega Bay, the best place is the Seaweed
Cafe, IMHO, the BEST !
www.seaweedcafe.com
In between your crab lunch in Bodega and a trip over Coleman Valley road into Occidental, you might want to plan a good long walk
on one of the Salmon Creek State Beaches. The trip over to Occidental takes barely 30 mins.
Be sure to stop at the top and look back to the ocean, the view is spectacular and has been used in a few car commercials.
At the Union Hotel you can choose from a multi-course family style Italian dinner or keep it simple with one of their fabulous pizzas.
If you're not in the mood for Italian, check out the delicious and cozy Bistro des Copains
www.bistrodescopains.com
nearby on the Bohemian Highway.
Happy Dining & Happy Travels !
R5
Jan 21st, 2009, 04:57 PM
#38
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Our main crustacean down here is the crayfish -- fairly similar to North American lobster but without the strong forearms and pincers, smetz. This is now regarded as somewhat of a luxury item.
What crabs there are tend to be rather small and nothing like the Dungeness and other big beauties that we encountered in Seattle and Alaska two years ago.
What crabs there are tend to be rather small and nothing like the Dungeness and other big beauties that we encountered in Seattle and Alaska two years ago.
Jan 22nd, 2009, 03:36 AM
#39
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razzledazzle - those are great tips, I really appreciate it. Last fall we took a hike around the headlands at the end of the peninsula that wraps around bodega bay. The trail goes right along the edge, and we really enjoyed the scenery.
I envy you Californians - it's such a beautiful state, with such a wide variety of geography & climate. I'm just glad it's in the US, because my wife and I love vacationing there, and we can often do it very inexpensively!
I envy you Californians - it's such a beautiful state, with such a wide variety of geography & climate. I'm just glad it's in the US, because my wife and I love vacationing there, and we can often do it very inexpensively!
Jan 22nd, 2009, 01:11 PM
#40
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Stu: so how did your crab fest go last night?
Curious minds want to know.
smetz: you can't go wrong with razzledazzle's tips on the North Bay area. She offers some of the best!
And come often! Especially if you can do it inexpensively!
Curious minds want to know.
smetz: you can't go wrong with razzledazzle's tips on the North Bay area. She offers some of the best!
And come often! Especially if you can do it inexpensively!
