The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's soft-shell-crab season! And 17 downtown restaurants are celebrating Soft Shell Crab Week from Monday through May 30 with special preparations on their menus.

Here's a sampling:

Soft-shell crabs in phyllo pastry with spinach and feta cheese at The Black Olive.

Soft-shell crab with green papaya salad, pineapple coulis, and grilled pineapple at Mr. Rain's Fun House at AVAM.

Sautéed soft-shell crab, cornmeal crusted rock shrimp galette, silver queen corn succotash, and Old Bay buerre bland at the Point in Fells.

Other participating restaurants include: Aldo's, B&O American Brasserie, Charleston, Diamond Tavern, Grille 700, McCormick & Schmick's, Miss Shirley's Cafe, The Oceanaire, Phillips, Pickles Pub, The Prime Rib, Rocco's, Ryleigh's Oyster, and Tio Pepe.

Photo by Rita Maas courtesy of epicurious.com