jedivader

Will be in and around Boston, Gloucester, and Providence, RI in a few weeks. Opinions on the best places to get seafood and the famous clam chowder.

Luv2travel15

I'll start you off w/ Rhode Island. Here is a link w/ area restaurants in Providence.

http://www.rimonthly.com/Rhode-Islan...idence%2BArea/

The restaurants listed on Atwells Avenue are located in what is known as "Federal Hill". A good majority of them feature Italian food that is fabulous. We go down there to eat every once in a while.

We have eaten at "Cafe Dolce Vita" and Cassarino's. They do offer fish on their menus. I am sure others can give their suggestions. These are 2 of our favorites.

Boston - most restaurants in Boston will offer fish and chowder. I do not have recommendations for particular ones. If you go to Trip Advisor, Boston Forums, you will find info there as well on restaurants.

Good luck. Enjoy your visit.

Luv2travel15

http://www.boston-discovery-guide.co...#axzz1cNJsq4wS

Here are some Boston restaurants.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...achusetts.html

Hope this helps. Gloucester should have many nice seafood restaurants.

bachslunch

In Boston, for New England style chowder (most often clam chowder, sometimes fish chowder, and more rarely other types of seafood chowder) there tend to be two kinds:

-the type that is very thick, in extreme cases so dense one can stand a spoon up in it. I don't normally like this kind, as what thickens it is some kind of pasty agent like flour or cornstarch, and the result doesn't taste much like seafood. In my experience, many places that don't specialize in seafood (and a few that do) serve this kind. The best version I've had is at Legal Sea Foods.

-the somewhat milkier, thinner type. I much prefer this kind, because it doesn't usually have a thickener added and actually tastes like seafood. In my experience, seafood specializing places are more likely to serve it, and I've had very good versions at Neptune Oyster and B&G Oysters.

In Rhode Island, one often encounters Rhode Island style clam chowder. This uses a thin broth that is clear or pretty much so, without milk products (as in NE style) or a tomato base (as in Manhattan style). I've pretty much universally enjoyed this wherever it's dished up. Legal Seafoods's "lite clam" chowder is very similar and can be found outside of Rhode Island.

bachslunch

Agreed that Federal Hill is a good Providence food area to explore. See this thread for some details:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...alian-food.cfm

Also, for budget level eats, consider Geoff's for deli style sandwiches, Julian's for a slightly offbeat brunch, Antonio's Pizza for slices, and the misleadingly named Olneyville New York System (nothing really NY about this place) for hot wieners (more or less small chili cheese coneys).

bachslunch

Boston area places for good seafood in my experience:

More upscale: Neptune Oyster, B&G Oysters, Kingfish Hall.

More downscale: Yankee Lobster, Dolphin Seafood (Cambridge).

Legal Seafood can be good as well, though I've had mixed experiences at the ones in the Prudential Center and Kendall Square.

Guidebook favorites to avoid: Barking Crab, Jasper White's Summer Shack.

In the Gloucester area, your best bets (if still open, as they are seasonal) are clam shacks such as The Clam Box (Ipswich) and JT Farnham's (Essex). The Village Restaurant (Essex) is a good sit-down place for this. Am less a fan of Woodman's or Tom Shea's. Restaurants in Gloucester I've liked have mostly been non-seafood specialists such as Duckworth's Bistrot, Alchemy Cafe, and Franklin Cape Ann. The Gloucester House is an old-style spot which some like and some find repelling, though I've actually had pretty good luck there in past.

cw

I think one of the best places for seafood in Boston now is the Island Creek Oyster Bar at the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square. Make a reservation.

I also like Atlantic Fish near the Prudential Center. I like it better than Legals, though I like Legals and eat there often with out-of-town guests who want to go there.

Shandy1977

I would go to Legal Seafoods. For years, I steered people away from them. I thought they became "mediocre" in terms of quality and were more of a tourist trap than anything. In the last 4-5 years, however, I think they stepped it up. With increased competition around them, they revamped the menu a bit, added some more options, and got back to the original quality that made them "famous" in the first place. I am a clam chowder fanatic and think theirs is still among the best in Boston, at least top 5. My only complaint now is that they can be a bit overpriced, but it is still worth it once in a while and especially if you are visiting. For the most part I just catch and eat my own seafood these days. =)

Ackislander

For "downscale" in describing Dolphin Seafood (the one on Mass Ave in Cambridge) read "outstanding value in an informal setting."

You should consider the Daily Catch on Hanover Street in the North End; it is also known as the Calamari Cafe for one of its specialties. Also cheap.

I probably would not think of Federal Hill in Providence for seafood, though they will certainly have it. Rhode Island chowder is generally the thin kind and is delicious. Look for anything offering "Point Judith" shellfish or fish as it is the major landing place in Rhode Island.

jedivader

Thanks for all the details.

china_cat

I second the recommendation for Island Creek Oyster Bar in Boston (Fenway/Kenmore square area).

I have not been there yet, but I would seriously consider trying the new Legal Harborside. Its quite different from the other branches, and the reviews have been excellent. Maybe Boston finally has a restaurant with good seafood AND a million dollar view?