Editor’s Note:
This article is by Guest Writer Matthew T., although I was present at Quarterdeck with him. In truth, I have softened his article a bit, not because it was untrue (because it’s true), but because the article was painful to read. Also, it turns out that reservations are the way to go for this establishment, but that does not excuse the poor service with regards to seating.
As for Todd’s Dirt’s Crabby Dirt, I looked it up, and it is not solely intended for crabs, which explains the choice of spices and the lack of rock salt. I agree that it was great on the fries. Sensei’s interview of Todd is available here.
On to Matthew’s review:
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My experience at Quarterdeck in Rosslyn did not live up to what I expect from a crab house as for as cost/value, food quality, comfort, service, and even restroom capacity.
First, I will tackle food quality. I was very unimpressed with the quality of the crabs in the crab buffet feast. Even 2 years overseas in Korea before having this meal did not dull my intuition on the qualities of a good crab. When I was a boy growing up running trotline on the bay, we would have called nearly every crab served a “trash crab” and tossed it over the side. They were small, light, and overly wet. The positives, is that the spice on top was both well mixed and plentiful. Overall, I can say though, that these are some of the lowest quality crabs I’ve ever had in my life. This also considers the fact that crab buffets are known for giving low quality crabs. It was still very poor. In fact I can’t remember a time in my life I pushed myself from a crab feast, and was not full or satisfied. This meal left me frustrated and very unhappy.
What did impress me were the fries. The fries were delicious. They were golden brown on the outside and thickly crispy, with a tender and moist center. They were probably the best fries that I can remember eating in a restaurant. After sampling some of the fries, we put on them a spice blend called Crabby Dirt. This was a well balanced earthy spice mix in which I could taste the cinnamon. It is advertised as a crab spice, and while I think it would do a passable job (mixed with rock salt as it had none) I think it was most suited to pork. Each sampling of the spice spoke to me of pork or possibly chicken.
The entire crab buffet consisted of a single basket of fries and the crabs. At about $37 per person, I considered this to be a very poor investment. Most crab buffets I know offer other additions. Typically this would be corn, and sometimes shrimp. I felt the value for the cost was poor, especially when coupled with the poor quality of the crabs.
When we arrived, we found the small indoor seating area full, and requested to be moved as soon as any room was available inside as it has rained and the seating was damp and muggy. We were told we would be informed when inside space opened up. At the completion of our meal we found the inside dinning area had ample room, but were not told we could be moved inside. As we had made a considerable issue of this (including almost leaving due to inadequate seating), I considered this poor form.
Additionally, our service was poor. It took 20 minutes to get our drink, and an additional 10 minutes to get the fries. I began getting antsy for the crabs which took an additional 20 minutes. During the meal, our waitress left (without informing any of the tables) and it took a maybe 20 minutes before anyone noticed her tables being visibly upset at the lack of service. When the new waitress came, the service did improve though only marginally.
The restrooms consisted of a single area (for each sex) where there was a line (I’m sure in no small part due to the attached bar). A single restroom for each sex is not sufficient for the amount of business that goes through this restaurant. The restrooms and space leading to them are very cramped.
In summary, I was unhappy with my experience at quarterdeck, and was embarrassed that I had taken a guest there as I consider myself an aficionado of crab houses. Hopefully the establishment will improve the service and quality.
-Guest Writer Matthew T.
