Cappy's Crabs, the new incarnation of the former Crane & Turtle located at 828 Upshur St NW, opened Friday, May 27th. I was invited to the launch party and snapped a few pictures so you can see what it looks like. (It's a community service thing.) See a full gallery below.

Inside Cappy's Crabs you'll find the kind of seafood restaurant you'd expect to see along the Bay, complete with nautical-inspired art and kitsch along the walls. And lots of National Bohemian beer (I have to admit I really like Natty Boh). There's even a small "memorial" artwork to Crane & Turtle near the entrance.

According to owner Paul Ruppert, for this opening weekend, they'll be serving blue crabs and pitchers of beer – plus a small menu of sides and specials. Jumbos, Large and Mediums will be available by the dozen (and they'll be offering half-bushels of steamed crabs for take-home / back-yard parties).

Continuing the theme of naming restaurants after people he knows, Paul named this restaurant after his father, who gained the nickname "Cappy" when he was a little boy.

I also ran into chef Chris Beasley, souz chef Jeremy Riley and baker Liza Moran from Slim's Diner sitting out front with Cappy, enjoying some Natty Boh. (Slim's is named after the carpenter who has worked with the Ruppert family for more than 25 years on all their restaurants.)

From the food samples I tasted to the buzz that already exists around the neighborhood, I imagine Cappy's is going to be popular.