But his enthusiasm (and pro-Patriots stance) won us all over and off we went.

The great battle!

First up, the New York Roasted Cauliflower.

ChowderGirl gave it a 4/10 because she has recently decided she hates cauliflower. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have known it had cauliflower in it without the sign but okay. Her only statement was “uhhhhhh.”

ChowderBoy loved it, ate it all in about 2 bites, and proclaimed it was the best he’d tasted so far. Then decided MAYBE it could use less cauliflower. Also, he hates the Giants.

Yeah, that was pretty good!

On to the New England Cheese Steak Chowder.

• ChowderGirl gave it a 7, with no compliments. Just one small question, “why is all their food yellow?” (Note: not yellow). To be fair, she was up until midnight the night before, boot scooting to Footloose with her little buddies so we weren’t surprised.
• ChowderBoy ate a second helping and licked the cup he liked it so much.
• The random woman at the ChowderTable said it tasted like a cheeseburger.
• Our guest reviewer arrived later and said it was the best thing he’d ever eaten.

Overall, the parental testers were less than thrilled but supportive of the efforts. We always like a Liquid Lunch in general.

Helping #2

Chowder Lovers Unite!

We had a great day. ChowderBoy and I discussed our strategy early in the day and we made up ChowderFamily review ballots for ourselves (knowing that the official ballots would not hold all our thoughts). We made them based on our old ranking system and had columns for each person to rank the chowder. Big mistake. Or, rather, big waste of time! The whole ChowderFamily just ended up scribbling notes on napkins and the official ballots and on the backs of our homemade ones.

We arrived later than we intended. The original game plan had us there right as the doors opened so we could get a table and avoid the lines. We dawdled and ended up arriving around 11:30. But we got a table and settled in for a few hours of eating!

A few general comments:

• Overall, it was really wonderful. A lot of generally happy people, chatting and enjoying the day.
• The whole Patriots – Giants thing added an extra level of interest to the day. And people were really funny about it – not antagonistic, just fun.
• The way the lines form (or don’t form, as the case may be) is frustrating. Some folks are lined up and eating as they stand in line, sometimes leaving people standing in front of a booth, not eating, waiting for the next one. And then people have to try and dive through the line.
• We find it nearly impossible to eat every single chowder. We all felt sleepy and stuffed about 2/3 of the way through. I wish we didn’t scarf down so many so quickly!
• They have the Sacred Heart Band play – great idea! Next year, maybe they can play upstairs so it isn’t so loud. We could barely hear ourselves think to review the chowder!
• We saw so many people we know there. It was really neat to see so many people enjoying our very favorite food!

Chowda Chick!	Chef Quahog	Great Stuff!
Dubious	Apparently, thumbs down.	OMG. So full.
Cannot. Move.	Too Much Chowder	No, really, I'm fine!

We can’t wait until next year! But before we move on to the official reviews, we want to thank Jim Keenan for an awesome day! Next year, we want to help!

Freshness
Quantity of clams
Quality of Clams
Potato
Seasonings
Butttery-goodness
Temperature
Thickness

Each on a scale of 1 to 10. Note to friends: If you are attending and your kids want to review their day – use these criteria!

ChowderBoy agreed to hear about some of the samples and here’s his pre-game commentary:

• Re: Crab Shell in Stamford who is offering a New England Patriots Corn Chowder alongside a New York Giants Lobster Bisque “I’m just going to get the Patriots one. I am not going to try any chowders or soups that root for New York.”
• “Great news, ChowderBoy! There are two chowders called NEW ENGLAND PATRIOT CHOWDER.” I say, discovering that Dunville’s is also offering New England Patriots Chowder. He says,  “Great news? That is literally the best news I have heard all day.”
• Re: Super Duper Weenie’s entries. “That probably isn’t going to be too good because Super Duper Weenie makes weiner dogs. And, no offense, they aren’t even great at that.”
• And as I’m sitting here, I’m all aflutter over the SBC Sausage Egg & Cheese Sandwich Soup Entry. “What are you so excited about, Mom?” I tell him and he says “That does not sound like it will be very good. It sounds kind of not like chowder.”

But my very favorite thought of the day from him is this…

“Hey mom. I need to bring my own spoon today. Maybe we should go get me a special chowder tasting spoon. Do we have any golden spoons?”

Sure honey! We can go get you some before we go to Westport! In fact, I love you so much, I will get you 20!

Anything for my baby.

ChowderBoy worked up a Colonial Viper today.

Adama and Starbuck need revised hair and style.

He assigns me to the character work because I am apparently crummy at ship design. And he’s right, I am not great at that level of detail.

Here is some of my handy work. It is clear to me that I really need to get massive amounts of minifigures and assorted pieces, especially hair. I had ONE hair that would have been good for Sharon but I needed multiples. And I didn’t have the right hair to make Number Five so I just gave him unruly Harry Potter hair. If anyone wants to donate to the cause, let me know.

Sharon x 3, with Tyrol

Cally & Galen Tyrol

Six, Caprica Six, Baltar

]]> http://chowderkids.com/2012/02/03/waiting-on-chowdafest/feed/ 1 chowderkids 20120202-205718.jpg 20120202-210036.jpg 20120202-210140.jpg 20120202-210151.jpg http://chowderkids.com/2012/02/02/manhattanchowder-an-abomination/ http://chowderkids.com/2012/02/02/manhattanchowder-an-abomination/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:35:01 +0000 chowderkids http://chowderkids.com/?p=858 ]]> Our Founding Fathers’ chowder preferences predict who will win the Super Bowl!

We’ve been gearing up for the Super Bowl here and have learned some very interesting facts about our nation’s history, our founding fathers, and the role New England clam chowder played.

It is clear that New England beats New York in all chowder debates. Senators Kerry and Gillibrand may be goofing around about the merits of chowders, and there is a plethora of evidence out there that demonstrates clearly that Manhattan clam chowder is an abomination. And that to root for New York is just un-American.

In a chowder-tastic twist on Super Bowl predictions, we are going to look at our founding fathers and their chowder preferences to try and predict the winner. SPOILER ALERT: Go Patriots!

A Brief History of Chowder

In November 1620, John Howland (who fell off the Mayflower) explored the coast with a few other Pilgrims. Upon returning to the ship, he brought with him a bushel of clams, a cow, a pig and some potatoes. And thus, the first meal of our new nation was born.

Since then, the Greatest Americans have all preferred New England over New York. Fact.

The 10 Best Founding Fathers Loved New England

It's Right There On the Label.

1. & 2. The Adams Family

There is absolutely no question where John Adams’ loyalties lie.

The man was a true Patriot in every sense of the word. The man had his priorities in order. He once said “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. And the facts are clear. Those weenies in New York make a crappy chowder.“

In addition to John, Abigail wrote a series of letters to her husband, largely centered around the rights of cream based chowder lovers.

Brewer and Patriot Samuel Adams is known for many things, but did you know that he staged a Chowder Party in 1801, against the introduction of tomato into chowder? True fact.

For the extra point – The Sam Adams Winter Lager I am drinking right now is very tasty.

Patriots 7 – Giants 0

Image from http://brewingsomefun.com

3. Benjamin Franklin

Given Philly’s proximity to New York City, you might think he would prefer Manhattan style chowder. You would be wrong. He was a Bostonian, through and through and his words remind us of the horror of tomato based chowders.

He had this to say about New Yorker, “Savages we call them because their manners differ from ours. But does tomato in one’s chowder make one a savage? It most certainly does.“

It is also clear that Ben would much prefer the enlightened values of thrift, hard work, and education so thoroughly connected to New England.

Fact: Benjamin Franklin loved New England clam chowder.

For the extra point – Harpoon is a much better beer than Brooklyn Brewery.

Patriots 14 – Giants 0

Photo from http://www.thewindsorterraceblog.com

4. Alexander Hamilton

I have to give this one to New York, obviously. Where would Wall Street be without him? And of course, he was a New Yorker through and through.

He was a bastard in the technical sense and in the broader sense. And he had affairs. He was AN IMMIGRANT! He wasn’t even a REAL AMERICAN for crying out loud.

Of course he would choose New York. He probably stood “on line” too.

For the extra point we looked at some of his namesakes. The F and G lines are atrocious. His parkway stinks too. Outside the uprights.

Patriots 14 – Giants 6

5. Thomas Paine

Attempt by New York to claim this Philly-Jersey boy. They can have him.

But wait, there’s a flag.

The call is “irrelevant and lacking in any important data.”

Possession, Patriots.

Patriots 14 – Giants 6

6. John Hancock

Smuggler, merchant, fancy signature making Bostonian and devout cream based chowder Patriot.

While Mr. Hancock wasn’t busy financing much of the revolution, he spent most of his free time clamming. He and his BFF Paul Revere used to go out to Deer Island Park and get a few bushels every Saturday morning.

In 1774, he spoke bravely against one of the more Intolerable Acts, the (Alexander Hamilton supported) “Pork Act” which sought to tax bacon and pork fat, without which he famously said

“Our very right to a free and democratic society is under direct threat. Without our pork, we may be forced  to consume weak tomato based chowders. We should be no better than savages.“

No extra point.

Patriots 20 – Giants 6

Tommy & His Favorite Chowder

7. Patrick Henry, 8.Thomas Jefferson and 9. James Madison

Virginia is for lovers. And New England clam chowder fans.

Down where the south begins, they know how to make seafood soups. They also know how to make Brunswick stew out of squirrel but we don’t need to go there. Virginians love oyster stew made with a cream base.

Field goal:

Patriots 23 – Giants 6

Another important history lesson from this famous Virginia threesome is that there is a great and long standing loyalty among Virginians toward New England and toward creamy clam chowders. Unfortunately, much of the evidence of Henry, Jefferson, and Madison’s passionate defense of creamy clam chowder was burned by a band of Giants fans during the Civil War.

Well. They weren’t Giants fans YET. But they would have been. I know it.

Therefore, while it is certain that their belief in New England would warrant at least a TD or two, without hard evidence, we are unable to ethically assign points to New England for this lot.

Patriots 23 – Giants 6

10. George Washington

Swearing in the big guy.

On April 30, 1789, George Washington and John Adams were in New York City, then our nation’s capitol, for the presidential inauguration.

But did you know that it almost didn’t happen at all? True story.

On his way to Federal Hall, he stopped in at Fraunce’s Tavern for a bit of lunch. He ordered his favorite dish – clam chowder. When the waiter brought his pewter bowl, he saw it was red and flipped the eff out.

It is said that he jumped to his feet, brandished his steel-hilted sword, and sliced the throat of the waiter who “dared present him with such foul stench.”

Alexander Hamilton showed up and started to challenge George to a duel but Senor Hamilton got scared and ran away crying over spilled chowder.

TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS.

Since that day, Manhattan style clam chowder has never been served in Fraunces Tavern again. Extra point, Patriots.

Final score for SuperBowl 46?

Patriots 30 – Giants 6

Image from Tasteofhome.com

If you’re interested in celebrating the Patriots with some of the best New England clam chowder in Connecticut or  Massachusetts, here are our all time favorite recommendations for all your chowder needs. Some of these locations are ideal places to watch the big game. Some are better for take out. Some are better for a pre-game lunch. But they’ll all leave you thankful to be in New England.

Shoreline CT

Fairfield County, Connecticut

• Westfair, Westport
  If I weren’t making my own, this would be my #1 recommendation. Take out chowder from Westfair. Go home, light a fire, add Harpoon and watch the game. Then you don’t have to deal with the whole “we live in Connecticut but we’re a suburb of NYC and therefore we’re not really New England” problem.
  Our Review of Westfair
• Black Duck, Westport
  This would be an insanely hard place to get a table for the the Super Bowl. But it may well be the best. The place is perfect – the right TVs, great drinks, great view, insane crowd, walkable to the train…and the chowder is exceptional.
  Our Review of the Black Duck
• 

  TVs and Great Chowder @Donovans

  Donovan’s, South Norwalk
  Another fantastic spot to watch and enjoy the big game. We’ve said before that it is our absolute favorite chowder in Fairfield County and we mean it. While I give Black Duck the slight edge out in best place to watch the Super Bowl, it’s only due to the proximity to Metro North and because the closer you get to New York City, the closer you get to Giants fans. And no one wants that. But Donovan’s chowder is better.
  Our Review of Donovan’s

• The Mansion Clam House, Westport
  I’m pretty sure they don’t even have TVs but you could totally go grab a fantastic lunch here pre-game.
  Our Review of The Mansion Clam House

New Haven County

• Temple Grill, New Haven
  Now THIS would be a fun time – Yalies, great food, a likely Super Bowl board, and great chowder.
  Our Review of Temple Grill

The Best in Connecticut – Worth a Drive

• The Griswold Inn, Essex
  So, it is the best New England clam chowder in Connecticut. However. They don’t have televisions except for in common areas of the hotel. So your best bet here might be to start of a celebratory weekend and visit for lunch.
  Our Review of The Griswold Inn

Not in Connecticut? Here are our favorite Cape Cod Treasures:

• 

  Take out and watch at home!

  American Lobster Mart, Bourne Bridge Rotary
  If we were going to the Cape to watch the Super Bowl, this would be our second choice. Our first would be the Lobster Trap. But we might get a second batch from these guys – it’s that good. Conveniently located ON the rotary, you can swing in and grab some before heading home to watch the game.
  Our Review of American Lobster Mart

• The Courtyard, Cataumet
  Oh we could so watch the game there! Great fans, great food, great beer. You couldn’t do better for experiencing the Super Bowl in a local bar. And of course, their chowder? Rocks.
  One of our many Reviews of The Courtyard
• The Parrot,  Cataumet
  Or you could go across the street and visit the Parrot. Great chowder too – I always feel a bit overcrowded in there though.
  One of The Parrot Reviews
• Seafood Sam’s, Sandwich, Falmouth, Yarmouth
  The one we reviewed isn’t there any longer and it would be a terrible place to watch a game if they even had TVs but man, the chowder is good. You could take out a whole bunch, along with some fried clams, and have a great meal.
  Our Seafood Sams Review
• The Dolphin, Barnstable
  One of our all time favorites. Every. Single. Food we ate here was fantastic. And the beer selection was great. The bartender was wonderful. I’m pretty sure they don’t have TVs but again, great spot for lunch beforehand.
  Our Review of The Dolphin
• Quahog Republic, Falmouth
  So I have no idea about these guys. When they were in Bourne, we loved loved loved their attitude, the decor, and of course, the chowder. It’s only logical that it would still be fantastic in a new location, right? Gotta be. I feel secure recommending their chowder.
  Our Review From When Quahog Republic Was in Bourne
• Bobby Byrne’s Pub, Mashpee, Hyannis and Sandwich
  I would LOVE to watch the Super Bowl here. Any location, any time. Fantastic in so many ways, not just the chowder.
  Our Review of Bobby Byrne’s

So there you go. The best chowder for a great game. If you happen to try any of them, let us know!

ChowdaFest is being held at Bedford Middle School in Westport again this year. The first year we went, it was at the Unitarian Church in Westport and it was wonderful but a bit tight! Last year, they moved to the cafeteria and it was much better.

We’re happy to see it back in the middle school cafeteria this year. We plan on getting there bright and early so we can get situated and find. We’ll be tweeting our thoughts all day – follow along @chowderkids.

Looking over the list of the restaurants, we see a few favorites, a few places we’ve reviewed and panned, and a few new and exciting places.

Links to all of the restaurants, check em out!

Have you tried any of these places? Who do you think has the best chance at winning our hearts?

And what on earth is Super Duper Weenie doing on there? Scary.

Unrelated to chowder, we worked on a Lego scene from the Hunger Games. What do you think?

Preparations include nachos and of course. Chowder.

The kids have been hyping up the chowder here all summer, ever since I had to go to Chicago for work and the kids ate here with ChowderGrandma.

Well, it doesn’t disappoint at all!

How great is this chowder? Thick and buttery, perfectly cooked potatoes of just the right size, and fresh big clams. Tiny bit of grit, just enough to let you know it’s fresh. Perfect.

The nachos are fine.

You know what is really good though? The hurricane with the Myers floater.

Here’s hoping the Hurricane is as nice.

UPDATE: I just realized I never posted this entry in August – and am doing it now. I didn’t edit my comment about the Hurricane but it was actually a pretty easy way to experience it – on the Cape. We fared much better there than most of Connecticut did.

Way too fraking hot. Sweet. Not salty enough. Not fresh clams.

It sounded so wonderful too. It should have been like a dream come true for ChowderDad. Perfectly warm and quiet night, just the  two of us, outdoor seating…and all the beer choices! Heaven.

Tasty tastes.

Unfortunately, all I can say is that they do much better on their beer than on their chowder. And that’s okay. Not everything can be “Dancing in September”.