Maryland foodstuff

I finally found a decent place for crabmeat:  Chapel Market in Angel Islington (London, N1). You can buy a 1-pound can of claw crab meat for 5 pounds, which is about half the cost of Sainsburys.  Just look for the seafood vendor. The market is open everyday except Mondays, 10am-3pm.  It's not backfin, but it was pretty good. I think it was from the Gulf of Mexico so not true Maryland crab.  I've seen fresh backfin at the Borough Market for about 10 pounds but it looked grey, mushy and disgusting so didn't try it.

As for other Maryland stuff: You can get Old Bay and Lowry's seasonings at Rosslyn Deli in Hampstead.
http://www.delirosslyn.co.uk/index.htm

Oh, how I miss MD crabmeat-- and crabcakes that are full of yummy jumbo lumps of crab...and crab Imperial...and steamed crabs.  There used to be a place up in Harford County, on the Bush River, that served the most delicious fresh steamed crabs I've ever had. 

I've tried the Cromer(?) and other native types of crabmeat here--not the same, not nearly--in taste, appearance, freshness or texture.  There's nothing in the world like fresh Blue Crab meat...*sigh*

And Chesapeake Bay oysters!  Oh, to make a nice hot bowl of oyster stew...or have some padded/fried oysters...

gah, it can't be healthy for me to be pining for that stuff now, when I've just gotten my ILR!  LOL   

Islington's quite far from where we live, but thank you for the heads-up, apstyle!  (and for reminding me of those food memories...)

It's great to know about the Old Bay.  I've just recently tossed to two cans because they were six years old!

Count me as another Maryland girl (Eastern Shore) missing the seafood from home.

Can't help you on the Blue Crab front.  My local fishmonger carries great crabmeat of various types, but I think Plymouth is too far away!  You really need a good fishmonger to get good crab that's fresh.  If it's grey and mushy then.... ew...Plus I have figured out that crab meat can illicit great debates as to which one is best!
 
You can get great Oysters here in the UK (though again ours are locally sourced).  France has got wonderful ones if you are ever in Brittany.  They are all graded and sorted by region and type. 

Though speaking of things you can't get or I have not seen yet.... I just brought back a small can of Old Bay Garlic and Herb... OMG... it is so so nice.  I put it on some fresh sea trout and it was to die for as well as used it in crab cakes. 

I like mostly white meat crab with a bit of darker meat thrown in, how do you guys like yours?

Old Bay Garlic and Herb?   That's one I never knew about!   Sounds yum.

As for crab, I always liked the white lumps best.  Though I liked claws as well, when eating steamed crabs.   

vnicepeeps, what type of oysters have you found?  Any that are already shucked?  You know, how one could get a pint of fresh oysters in their liqour, at the grocery in Md.?  That's what I wish I could get.  I have seen oysters in the shell here, but never gotten them, mostly because I'd be squeamish--and totally inept!--at shucking!   Just the same, though, I'm afraid that even if I found them, I'd have to eat them all myself--my partner won't do oysters, LOL. 

Tam .. I am still crap at shucking.. though there are two secrets.. one..freeze them for about 30mins just until the shells pop open... they will still be alive.  Or steam them until the shells just open...the steaming won't give them that cooked consistency unless you leave them in there for a while. Freezing slightly is also the humane way to put lobsters to sleep.

The other alternative is to ask your fishmonger to shuck them for you and zip them home and use them that day.  I am not sure where you live in the London area, but maybe these might shuck them.  My fishmonger Lloyd and Anne Down At the Pannier Market in Plymouth will shuck them and let you eat them then and there. :-)

Hayman Fisheries (Rick Stein Recommends)
21 The Covered Market
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 3DU
01865 242827

Fishmongers (The Chef of Moro recommends them and Rick Stein)
Steve Hatt
88-90 Essex Road
Islington N1 8LU
(020 7226 3963)

Urbanpath has a few listed in London with reviews.

http://www.urbanpath.com/london/fishmongers/


Also online though they won't shuck I am sure:

http://www.freshfood.co.uk/
Phone:    01865 242827

http://www.mstevensandson.co.uk/shop/index.php

and yes the new Old Bay is great!

Oh, hon, we don't live in or near London--we're down in Wiltshire-- but maybe oneday we might be a bit closer than we are now--so thanks for all the recommendations!

there is a fishmonger in cornwall, martins seafood (google for address) that delivers fabulous crabmeat (not maryland unfortunately) and other fresh and frozen stuff. they overnight it to you for the next afternoon.  lots fresher than most fishmongers in london, including the cornwall stand in borough market. excellent scallops and a good honest owner. we have been very pleased with everything we have ever ordered.

I wish I could help you all out -- my uncle here in Wales is a crab & lobster fisherman, so I can get all I want! But ... I'm allergic!

Aren't there fishmongers everywhere in the UK, though? At local markets??

Well in that case Tam come down Devon/Cornwall way! 

LOL, would you believe--that's where we went for our holiday last summer?  Cornwall, that is.  Boscastle, specifically.  Such gorgeous country there!   

LOL, would you believe--that's where we went for our holiday last summer? Cornwall, that is. Boscastle, specifically. Such gorgeous country there!

That's where I am right now -- Cornwall. I'm visiting the BF. We had an awesome pub lunch today in Porthleven. Mmmmm....