Paul Ruppert sent me an email earlier today saying that after the pop-ups, Crane & Turtle (828 Upshur St) will become a local crab shack: "CAPPY’S CRABS: A Summer-Only Crab Shack in Petworth." The new "Chesapeake Bay" concept opens on Friday, May 27th, and continues until Labor Day weekend. The future after that is still up in the air.

"As a teenager, I spent my summers on the Chesapeake Bay crabbing and running around in my boat," Paul told me today. "For me, crabs are at the heart of summer, which is my favorite season. I tried to go to Dancing Crab several months ago and it was closed. That gave me the first idea to open a crab house this summer."

Paul said that Johnny Spero will be the chef of Cappy's, and they'll be hiring new staff starting next week.

For 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).

Paul wrote that designer "Nick Pimentel will transform Crane & Turtle from elegant French/Japanese dining room into a Chesapeake Bay crab house. Picnic tables, hot crabs, happy hour specials, loud music, National Bohemian and Orange Crush! Enjoy the bounty of the Chesapeake without leaving your neighborhood."

Menu includes: