The Crab Cakes appetizer at Sam's Bistro can be only be described as truly delectable: two generous-sized cakes made with lump crab meat, bread crumbs, and spices.

Lightly pan-seared and then baked, the crab cakes are topped with leafy greens and served with a cayenne pepper remoulade and black bean-corn salsa. This appetizer, at $10.99, is big enough to share or can be enjoyed as a meal along with soup.

Sam's Bistro, 107 Main Street, has been open since July 2010 and specializes in American cuisine. Michael Palmer, who also owns Stearns & Hill's Bistro in Melrose, owns and operates the bistro, which he said is named for his children, Sarah, Anthony and Michael.

The restaurant has full lunch and dinner menus, and "everything is made to order," said Linda Cunningham, a manager at the restaurant.

"Even our salad dressings are homemade and include blue cheese, caesar, and balsamic vinaigrette," she explained.

In addition to the crab cakes, popular items for appetizers include the Grilled Shrimp and the P.E.I Mussels, according to Cunningham.

The bistro has a separate lounge area and two small function rooms for private events and dinner parties.

Right now, Sam's Bistro is offering half-price appetizers on Monday nights, in the lounge only from 4pm-closing, if customers mention this article or see it on their website. 

The restaurant also has a Valpak coupon that can be used Sun-Thurs. If you buy any lunch or dinner item, you get one free of equal or lesser value. The coupon expires June 15.  

Sam's Bistro is open Sun-Wed, 11am-10pm, Thur-Sat 11am-11pm.  The phone number is 781-944-7267 or check out the website for their menus and other information.