Daily Archives: May 20, 2009

The Beach Cafe Chowder in Fairfield CT – Paprika? Ack!

Posted on by
Reply

ChowderGrandma took us on a Ladies Who Lunch day. We tried a new place in Fairfield.

Paprika

Thickness: 5
Clam Quantity: 4
Quality: 4
Buttery: 3
Seasoning: 5
Temperature: 9
Potatoes: 10
Freshness: 5
45/80 = F

Debating the merits

Chowder Grandma said it was very good, different from New England Chowder and she is okay with that because she lived in Newport for 12 years. It’s more like RI chowder. But that is not our gold standard, Grandma. So no go. Not classic, not good.

So much paprika!

It was barely worth taking leftovers to the house for the rest of the gang.

Oh and it had PAPRIKA? WHAT THE????

UPDATE: The Beach Cafe has closed. No need to fear the paprika.

The Mansion Clam House, Westport, CT, Mother’s Day

Posted on by
Reply

Pretty picture, pretty okay chowder.

We were all over the place with this ranking. Chowder Girl complained that the potatoes were mushy. ChowderBoy thought it wasn’t hot enough. Chowder Mom was cranky about the quantity of clams. And Chowder Dad…well. Strangely, he thought $50 for 4 cups of chowder and a few bloody marys was too much. Strange, that.

I’m going to average the scores.

Freshness: 7.75
Quantity of clams: 6.25
Quality of Clams: 6
Potato: 5
Seasonings: 9
Butttery: 8
Temperature: 6.5
Thickness: 10
58.5/80 = C-

As a side note. When the bloody marys arrived, we were both giddy. Horseradish! Tons of it! At first taste it was great! Then second taste was a bit overwhelming. By the time we finished, we were both sad.

The Mermaid, Fairhaven, MA

Posted on by
Reply

Buttery: 8
Thickness: 10
Quantity of clams: 8
Quality of clams: 7
Potato: 6
Seasonings: 9
Temperature: 8
Freshness: 9
65/80 = B-

We liked it quite a bit – the place was great and the chowder was very very solidly good. However, ChowderGrandma won’t stop talking about it. AND, one major thing that is a big sell for everyone – it is a PERFECT location for a pre-bridge traffic jam. Stop in, rest from the first leg of the trip, soldier onward.

Also, the people who own the place were so damned nice it almost hurt.

A review of the rest of their menu is here, along with directions.