When you enter the building, cross thru the waiting area, the foul odor should alert you as to what to expect in terms of a dining experience. I have eaten the fish and chips...served with tarter sauce, no malt vinegar to be found on the premises. I ... more

When you enter the building, cross thru the waiting area, the foul odor should alert you as to what to expect in terms of a dining experience. I have eaten the fish and chips...served with tarter sauce, no malt vinegar to be found on the premises. I have eaten a very so-so burger, dried and over cooked even though ordered medium rare. While far from good, both were edible, although I do desire, if not expect, better than edible when I go out. But my final choice was had tonight, as this was my last attempt to prove to myself that this establishment has something more to offer than its quaint atmosphere. Soft shell crabs which were promised on the menu to be lightly dusted with flour then sauteed just so were delivered looking pretty tasty...but the unedible was in disguise: the potato turned out to have been baked hours before. However, while cold and old still edible, the green beans were even good. But the star attaction, the 3 soft shell crabs, had been sauteed in white wine after being dusted in Old Bay. This was obviously an effort at up-town culinary gone wrong. The wine and Old Bay did not mix, the crabs were soggy, and under done. One bite and I could not eat this offering...even though it, too, was served with the obligatory tarter sauce. Yum! Yum! old bay, wine AND tarter sauce a very creative combo, to be sure. I'm done with Washington Street Pub EXCEPT and only possibly for a BLT (if they even offer this simple sandwich) for even they shouldn't be able to mess that up. Well...unless they sprinkle on a little Old Bay, or serve it with a side of tarter. PS. to the cook, (chef would be a stretch): try actually dusting with flour the soft shell crab, after sprinkling a little salt and pepper on it, then actually sauteed in clarified butter. This simple preparation will gain you raves...that is if you will leave off the tarter sauce. It doesn't enhance certain fish. less