Not many crab cakes have the background that celebrated chef Jimmy Sneed's does. The crab cake in question made its auspicious debut at Sneed's former restaurant, The Frog and the Redneck, in Richmond, VA. There, Sneed's humble creation gained in popularity and became "almost famous" as critics grappled with what to do with such an unadorned dish (Sneed's recipe is made up of four ingredients: Chesapeake Bay crab, stone-ground mustard, egg and mayonnaise). Its reputation was cemented as "Finally Famous" once R.W. (Johnny) Apple praised it in a New York Times article.
Chicago-area diners can now see what all the fuss is about at SugarToad, Sneed's new restaurant in the Hotel Arista in west suburban Naperville. (The Chicago Tribune has already named it one of its top 10 dishes of last year.) And, what's more, Sneed is serving up his "Finally Famous" crab cake for just a buck with every entree ordered for dinner on Mondays. The popular appetizer is usually priced at $14.
Additional dining deals at SugarToad through April include 25 percent off of diners' checks on Tuesdays and half-priced bottles of wine ($100 and under) on Wednesdays.
SugarToad is located on the lobby level of the Hotel Arista, 2139 CityGate Lane, Naperville, 630-778-8623.
