myguideNewEngland

Seafood and Beer, it doesn’t get much better than this

January 11th, 2008

If you’re looking for great seafood, New England is the place to be. Growing up in New England, I’ve always taken great seafood for granted. But now that I’m older & wiser I realize that the abundant & fresh seafood New England has to offer should never be taken for granted.

As a child, my earliest memories are going with my family to the White Spot restaurant and ordering the fried clams. My siblings would make faces of disgust as I bit into the sweet belly of the clam, it’s juices splashing all over my face. They had no clue what they were missing out on. There was, and and still is, nothing better than a plate of fried Ipswich clams. Most folks around here like to dip their clams with tartar sauce, I myself prefer ketchup, which is considered sacrilege around these parts. But to each his own, that’s just the way I like my clams. There’s no right or wrong way to eat them, just as long as you enjoy them.

Another favorite shellfish of mine are the sea scallops from George’s Bank. This goldmine is located just off the New England coast, and is a shoal that was once part of the North American continent before it was submerged by rising sea levels. At one time, my favorite scallop was the bay scallop from Cape Cod, which is smaller and more flavorful than the sea scallop. But once I tried the larger, milder sea scallop I’ve never been able to go back to the bay variety. The best way to prepare the sea scallop is to drench them in butter and crumbled Ritz crackers, and then broil them for 10-15 minutes. I have no doubt that you’ll be hooked on this dish. The worst part about this dish is when you’ve finished it and all those plump, delicious scallops are gone. I guarantee that if you bake this dish it’ll become a staple in your diet.

But, if you’re not much of a cook don’t despair. There are many wonderful seafood restaurant’s throughout New England. Of course the most famous is probably Legal Seafood’s, with 34 locations up and down the East coast you’ll have no problem finding one. They make a pretty good Clam chowder, and excellent fried scallops. Wash it all down with a fine, award winning Sam Adam’s lager that they offer from Boston’s own Samuel Adams Brewery and you won’t be disappointed.

But if you don’t want to dine at the large chain restaurant’s, there are many small seafood restaurant’s and clam shacks throughout New England that serve food that is just as tasty. My favorites are Turner’s Seafood and Oyster Bar in Melrose, Massachusetts and Woodman’s in Essex, Massachusetts. Woodmans is a small unassuming structure that is more concerned about the quality of your food than whether you have a leather cushioned booth to eat in. They catch their lobster’s right out in their backyard, which is of course the Atlantic ocean. Their fried clams and scallops are an excellent choice, and they have some of the best clam chowder I’ve ever tasted. It’s located on the beautiful north shore known as Cape Ann. It’s definitely worth the drive, and your stomach will thank you. Turner’s Seafood is a quaint little restaurant that has a wonderful Oyster Bar separate from the dining room. All you need is a little pink ginger and a shot of hot sauce and that Oyster is ready to go down the hatch. Follow that up with a swig of Harpoon’s UFO (Unfiltered Offering) wheat beer and your good to go. They also have am out of this world fish and chips dish where the batter is made with Bass Ale. It’s the best fish and chips I’ve ever tasted, bar none! For the more adventurous, they have Japanese BBQ salmon, crunchy scallop taco’s with wasabi sauce, calamari and sushi……etc. And if you do go make sure to try the decadent fallen down chocolate cake with homemade whipped cream, you’ll thank me for suggesting it, but your waistline may not. They also have a fish market in the restaurant! What more can you ask for?

Other New England favorites are the Maine lobster, just boil it and dip in butter and your taste buds will be in heaven. Or, try the Atlantic salmon, which in my opinion are just as tasty as the Pacific salmon. Another specialty of New England are the yellow fin tuna caught right off the coasts of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, where the warm waters of the gulf stream flow northward. And you don’t want to miss out on the large quahog’s that Rhode Island has to offer.

Well, I could write on for days about all the wonderful seafood in New England, but rather than spend all your time reading this blog, get in your car, or on a plane, and come to New England to try it out for yourself. The seafood here is the ultimate comfort food, and there’s nothing better than gathering with your friends and tossing back some steamer’s (clams) and wobbly pops (beer) on a hot Summer afternoon, or even on a cold and snowy Winter night. Don’t procrastinate! Life is much too short! New England is having a seafood party and your all invited.

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