Let Them Eat Crab Cakes

If you must know one thing about me, it’s that I’m obsessed with cake. Literally. My obsession is on the verge of becoming a problem. If I correctly recall, it’s been about five weeks of cake mania. Cupcakes rock my world and pound cake is amazing. And ice cream cake? Well, ice cream cake not only turns a frown upside down, but any moodiness into ultimate bliss. Indeed, all that cake succumbs to an overwhelming amount of sugar. Sigh … good for my soul, but not necessarily for my health and figure.

So, this week, I decided to lay off the sugar, but I’m still “caking” it big time — as in savory crab cakes, that is! Ever wonder why these scrumptious appetizers have been labeled “cakes”? Interestingly enough, it has proven difficult to form crab meat into meatballs in the same way red meat does. Because crabs are floating creatures, they have less connective tissue, hence the fact that morsels of crab meat don’t hold together as tightly. And with that, crab cakes were born.

Without further ado, I’m inviting all crab cake lovers to the following Ono, You Know eateries where “onolicious” is an understatement. Are you crabby? Yes? Well, in this case that’s a great thing. Have at it, my friends. Here’s your opportunity to have your cake and eat it, too!

Raging Crab

The Big Easy is on to something, and Raging Crab is right there with it. Located in Samsung Plaza on Keeaumoku Street, Raging Crab is a Cajun/Creole heaven, making it a top destination for seafood enthusiasts like myself.

Getting your grub on is a breeze. Simply select from a variety of fresh seafood, including Dungeness crab, king crab legs, snow crab legs, lobster, crawfish, mussels, shrimp, clams and oysters. Then, things get a bit saucy when your choice of Garlic Butter, Lemon Pepper and Raging Cajun seasonings are added to the mix. Go with your favorite, but I recommend “The Works” — a dynamite combination of all three flavors. Finally, take control of the heat with spiciness levels of mild, medium and hot.

It’s a feast for sure, but carefully peruse the menu and you’ll come across Raging Crab Cakes. For $11, you’ll receive your choice of four crab cakes or three crab cakes (three cakes come with a side of Cajun fries).

According to co-owner J.C. Moto Chow, the secret behind these delicious crab cakes is the elaborate craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Made with a blend of lump crab meat, seasonal crab meat and potatoes, Raging Crab Cakes are deep fried and coated with a special seasoning — so good, the restaurant remains “hush hush” about the details. The crab cakes are garnished with a slice of lemon, and Ninja Aioli sauce is served on the side. Yum!

Raging Crab
655 Keeaumoku St., Suite 101
955-2722

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse

Unleash your carnivorous instinct at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in Waikiki’s Royal Hawaiian Center. This third-floor restaurant wines and dines patrons with superior cuts of prime USDA Black Angus meat in an atmosphere of modern elegance.

Wolfgang’s Crab Cake ($20 lunch, $22.95 dinner) | Rachel Breit file photo

Founder Wolfgang Zwiener opened the Waikiki establishment in 2009, and since then it’s been bustling with patrons eager to cut through a sumptuous steak. Being a steakhouse, of course, the beef, famed for its dry-aging process, steals the spotlight. Yet, you can’t overlook Wolfgang’s other renowned selections. That’s because Wolfgang’s Crab Cake won’t let you! Priced at $20 for lunch and $22.95 for dinner, this amazing starter provides a glimpse of the renowned meal to come. Prepared with jumbo lump crab meat, Wolfgang’s Crab Cake boasts nothing less than quality ingredients — which means you don’t have to worry about fillers — so all that is left is to bite into pure, delicious crab meat enhanced with light seasonings. A side of tartar sauce and a lemon wedge, as well as a salad accompany the mouthwatering appetizer that’s perfect for sharing or indulging in all on your own. When it comes to Wolfgang’s, it just works!

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
Royal Hawaiian Center, Bldg. C, Level 3
2301 Kalakaua Ave.
922-3600

Ocean House

Bask in the beauty of the Islands at Ocean House, an open-air, plantation-style restaurant located beachfront at Outrigger Reef Hotel. Tourists and locals are drawn to the establishment’s casual elegance and relaxed vibe. Open daily for breakfast and dinner, Ocean House’s menu hosts a slew of invigorating island-inspired creations, as well as good, old American classics.

Ocean House’s Blue Crab Cake Benedict ($16) | Leah Friel file photo

A beacon for breakfast enthusiasts, the restaurant starts my day off right with Blue Crab Cake Benedict ($16), which features thick artisan brioche toast topped with savory crab cake patties and poached eggs donned with a lemon-laced hollandaise sauce. Ocean House has set a standard with its seafood and sources locally (when possible). General manager David Nagaishi says the crab cakes have a lot to offer taste-wise.

So, bid your morning crabbiness adieu, and get happy with crab cakes!

Ocean House
Outrigger Reef Hotel
2169 Kalia Road
923-2277