Maryland Crab

A crab died, in vain, for this soup.

Ordered with the half sandwich and house salad combo, the Beacon's Maryland Crab Soup arrives in a small porcelain cup--a size equivalent to what will be an inadequate cease to the average stomach's midday growl.  Upon first spoonful I was, however, impressed by the plethora of morsels unfeasibly squeezed into the meager serving.  Tomato based, the crab pieces are plenty, accompanied by generous bits of tomato, zucchini, potato, carrot, onion and celery bits.  Unfortunately, the crab is slightly overcooked, thereby surpassing the sought-out delicacy of the perfectly cooked crab lumps known to a good bisque or an unforgettable bowl of luscious cream of crab; it is as though the crab is running the show, trying to hold the concoction together, where, as the name features, it ought to be the main event itself.

Though I'd slurp at it again over an expense-paid work lunch, this is not a soup to seek out for its high price and sub-par quality over a competitive lot of pots just mere blocks away.  Note:  I only review soup, but I feel it's my duty here to advise that the house salad included on the lunch combination is approximately ten pieces of mixed mesclun lettuce only, coated lightly in olive oil and vinegar.

Location: Beacon Bar and Grill, 1615 Rhode Island Ave, NW

Price: $6.00 for a bowl, or $13.00 for a small cup, house salad, and half sandwich