Sea_w,
Some of my fondest childhood memories are from visiting SF's FWharf in the mid-60s and getting creamy little bowls of clam chowder and wandering around....looking for a Berkeley Barb to sneak home! ;)

To: NWMale From: Gene

I humbly agree Pikes Place Chowder has won the Newport Chowder Festival more than Captain Parker's.

Who'd a thought? I did not even know the Pacific Ocean had clams like those found in New England Atlantic waters.

I think someone though I mentioned Fisherman's Wharf. I said the Fish Market which in a small seafood chain, mostly in the South Bay Area. Also, Spenger's in Berkeley used to have very good chowder, but it's not as good as it was 10 plus years ago. I think they're owned by McCormick and Schmick now.

The REALLY funny part of the so-called "Pike Place Chowder", is that it was winning in Newport beFORE there ever WAS a "Pike Place Chowder".

The recipe was first (and still is) sold at a small neighborhood diner called "The Charletown Cafe" in a Seattle neighborhood.

The Pike Place part was just to get the word to the masses who visit Seattle.

I love the chowder at Periwinkle's in Essex, MA - I think it has won some kind of award. Very thick and creamy. This is one of my favorite restuarants, we frequently eat there when we go up to the North Shore.

The "Oar" on Block Island made a wonderful chowder but that was many years ago. Thank goodness I had my fill. The aroma of the broth is a memory that I'll never forget and with a pad of butter dropprd into the bowl ....oh my !!!

I tell you what, though, the worst seafood meal I have ever had was at a place called ye olde clam house, i think..here in SF. I swear, at one point in the meal, a whole unaltered deep fried squid was placed in front of us as part of a platter. We paid the hefty tab and left with nary a second sip of the thin chowder... I am sorry, though, because that place is so funky. It should have been really good to match the old-oold school architecture and vibe. alas.

Just returned from Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. Had some great chowda in those parts!