Dining out: Colossal crabcakes at Patrick’s of Cockeysville
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com
On a visit to Patrick’s of Cockeysville in the Cranbrook Shopping Center (550 Cranbrook Rd.) to check out how the longtime favorite restaurant is doing since it came under new ownership, we discovered a place to which we’ll gladly return.
Patrick’s retains its three-room configuration of pub, casual and up-scale dining areas. We chose the casual and found that many diners arrived dressed in bermuda shorts.
The up-scale menu also is offered in this attractive, dimly lit room. Listed are: Appetizers & Starters, Patrick’s Crowd Pleasers (two sharing platters @ $29.99 and $54.99 for groups), Chef’s Homemade Soups, Sandwiches & Platters, Colossal Lump Crab Cakes, Charbroiled 100% Black Angus Burgers, Crisp Salads, Light Fare, Pastas, Fresh Fish & Seafood, Beef & Chicken.
We decided to select from the Light Fare, which is served with a garden salad and choice of vegetable. I chose the colossal lump Maryland style Crab Cake ($16.50) and a baked potato with a glass of White Zinfandel ($4.99). My friend opted for the Petite New York Strip aged Choice Beef ($17.99) and cole slaw with a glass of Iced Tea ($2.50).
Our ever efficient server Jack soon had a basket of hot crusty rolls set before us with our crispy fresh salads. The rolls tasted like “more” but we reminded ourselves that we must save room for the main course.
And what a treat that was!
Never have I ever had a crab cake with such huge lumps; they were truly colossal. Delicately flavored, they held together with seemingly no filler. The potato was baked to perfection without the aluminum foil used by so many other places.
His New York Strip “was thick enough to be prepared to medium order just as it should be; tender, tasty, delicious,” he commented between forksful.
Chef Carole M. Brosso owns Patrick’s with her mother Mary Lou and takes personal pride in turning out outstanding offerings from her kitchen.
But how would the signature dessert of the previous (and now deceased) Spanish chef compare? We ordered the Pinenut Roll ($6.25) and found it supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
What’s even better is that Chef Carole has transformed her kitchen into a trans fat free production area. So, this spectacular dessert is now an even healthier taste treat.
With tax and tip, our delicious dinner for two came to $58.
Restaurant’s Rating
Food – 4 forks
Service – 4 forks
Atmosphere – 4 forks
Cost: $6.99 – $29.99