Crabaholic - Hayward, Hayward

At Crabaholic, the fanciest article of clothing you're likely to see is a plastic lobster bib. Don't be fooled by this, or the paper-topped tables; lurking beneath Crabaholic's down-home atmosphere is a host of intricately flavored sealife.

Whether the chefs are filling their boiling pots with lobster, crawfish, oysters, escargot, or any of four breeds of crab, they lock in the flavors of the bayou with liberal doses of cajun spice tailored to each diner's preferred heat level and seasoning. Crabaholic does not limit itself to cajun flavors, either. The dungeness crab might just as easily surprise the palate with a glaze of tamarind or Singapore sauce. Likewise, the restaurant stocks wines, sakes, and Korean soju along with a full complement of domestic and international beers. Adding to the experience of piling up empty half-shells and hollow claws are the undersea murals along the walls and ceiling, complete with surf paraphernalia and life preservers for diners who are a little too hands-on about selecting their lobster.