Save lunch along the Freedom Trail for Quincey Market, or Faneuil Hall. An absolute party with shopping, amazing architecture and little tastes of fresh Boston fare throughout. But, for me this day, it had to be the Clam Chowder! I had my list of “œmust haves”, and this seemed like the perfect venue for sampling the best. A beautiful little square, but when we entered the hall, I could hardly move. Well, it was Saturday. The aromas and delectable platters were almost intoxicating, but the intensity of the body heat was sobering. As soon as we all got in the door, each was led by nose in a different direction.
Aha! Boston Chowda! I am in! But, the line is too long so I will wander and take it all in. Get a chair. See if I can relocate my family. The little samples offered by the Boston & Maine Fish Company were deadly delicious.
What’s a girl to do? I bought one of each, and found my family already sitting at a table enjoying their quests.
Only the Pizza that Vanja bought from the Pizzeria Regina was photo worthy. However, our new best friend, Howie, told us that the only
href=”http://www.pizzeriaregina.com/” target=”_blank”>Regina Piizzeria to go to is the original in the North End. We were actually by there latter in the day, and there was a line up halfway down the block at 4:45 in the afternoon! If we didn’t have dinner plans, we would have fallen in line. Even this one made at the fast food market looked worthy or a little wait.
First, the Boston Chowda: really chunky and tasty. Next, the Boston & Maine Chowder: not at all chunky, but a greater depth of flavour. Not packaged nicely, either. Thus, no photo, but the winner in the taste category! Now, the crackers! A must with any kind of soup, if you ask me. And, the cracker is important. Clearly. Here, each is different. The New England Oyster Crackers are the ones with the hole. They were cuter, and crunchy, but the Westminster Crackers were creamier, and by far, tastier. So, Boston and Maine won, hands down. Now, will I ever go back, or dream of this culinary experience. Probably not. But, it was fun! Everyone got into it. It was a great little memory experiencing Boston food. See the gals whisking my soup from me?
I make better clam chowder, and it was clearly apparent that none of the kiosks in the hall made it from fresh clams. That would be killer! All major fishing vessels now have freezers for their catches, so it is really rare to get fresh seafood even right at the harbour. Yes, they have it, and the Haymarket has a Fresh Fish kiosk. But, the old days of running down to the harbor and buying a fresh lobster or bag of clams from the boat have long gone.
looks so yummy mommy! i love the picture of the 4 of us outside faneuil hall. i miss you all already! and now i am hungry for some chowda! xo