Two pan-fried soft shell crabs should have been crisper.

Equally outstanding were chunks of soft shell crab in a slightly different, faintly curryish batter.

Our first sautéed soft shell crabs of the season might end up being our most memorable.

I couldn't taste the special French butter promised with the soft shell crabs ($11.95).

Try the soft shell crab and grilled eel with cucumber (entrees, £5-9).

Soft shell crabs, a special, were tough and gluey.

Soft shell crabs are crisp, as I like them; the lemon-caper sauce is contrastingly lively and tart.

Q: What is the difference between soft and hard shell crabs?

Less compelling was the sautéed soft shell crabs (five small ones), which could have been crisper.

Maryland's distinctive way of eating hard shell crabs is often misunderstood by outsiders.