Chowderfest 2011 – Who’s Serving What?

Chowderfest 2011 is this Saturday, and we were wondering what kinds of chowder varieties we can expect from the different participating restaurants… so we asked them, and here’s what we found out!

Chowder Flavors To Expect At Chowderfest 2011

Caffe Lena
GLUTEN FREE
“Caffe Lena is serving a classic clam and bacon chowder that is gluten-free. We’re also offering a live performance by a twelve-member Sea Chantey ensemble to accompany the chowder in our warm, cozy second-floor folk club on Phila Street.”

Impressions Of Saratoga
“Ours is for the four legged chow hounds! It is all people grade food and is named Raleigh Roo’s Special Stew in memory or our Impressions dog, Raleigh, who passed away. We will be dishing it ip at the chowdown in his bowl… It is meat and brown rice based, started with a homemade stock and contains venison, pheasant plus lots of veggies!”

King Brothers Dairy
“A winters day favorite – try our Chocolate Chowder”

Panza’s Restaurant
“Southwestern Corn Chowder with Smoked Chicken, Crispy Apple Bacon ~ Corn Bread Croutons”

Johnny Luc’s
“Fresh white New England creamy with R.I. FRESH SHRIMP & CRAB MEAT.. It’s outta this world DELICIOUS. Not to mention the Chef, Patrick has won the fest 4 times previously and wants to make this year his 5th WIN!!”

High Rock Sports & Fitness
VEGAN
“We will be serving a Vegan Chowder that is the balm…..  Additionally we will also be serving a Seafood Chowder  that is a must have….”

Maestros American Bistro
“Steak and potato chowder w/ Warm Parker House roll”

Brindisi’s Restaurant
“New England Clam Chowder at Brindisi’s Restaurant.”

Dango’s
“We’re hoping to open this Thursday or Friday, depending on the weather, to be ready for Chowderfest. We’ll be serving an Irishman’s Chowder – cream of potato and cheddar with corned beef. Plus we definitely have the best televisions in town. The tv’s will wow you guaranteed. Behind the bar, there’s a 100″ tv screen, surrounded by 8 plasmas, and every booth also has its own tv!”

Saratoga Specialties
From their press release:
“Saratoga Specialties Company has developed a completely unique and original recipe they call Original Saratoga Chip, Pub Ale and Sharp Cheddar Chowder.  The idea came to the company to attend the Festival and develop a “chowder” to showcase their products in a unique “outside the box” way.  They didn’t stop there.  Not only did they develop a chowder to showcase their own products, but also turned to the community and area favorites to gather the ingredients to make a genuine Saratoga Springs community chowder. This unique and original chowder is rich, hearty, and full of warm comforting flavors.  The recipe honors some of the classic chowder ingredients and traditions including “potatoes, cream, and bacon”.  The concoction is so much more than classic chowder.”

Lillian’s Restaurant
“Lillian’s will be serving Reuben Chowder, tastes a bit like the sandwich!”

Hattie’s
“Hatties will be serving a Clam and Andouille Sausage Chowder.”

The Irish Times
“We are serving up a Scallop, Bacon, Potato Chowder at “The Irish Times” Can’t wait to try some myself. Wash it down with a pint of Guinness! Pure Irish Bliss!”

Forno Bistro
“Forno Bistro is serving Roasted Corn and Crab Chowder and we’re also running bar specials until 4pm – $3 Drafts and $5 House Wines.”

Chianti Il Ristorante
“Chianti Il Ristorante is serving Italian-Style Baccalà Chowder and we’re also running bar specials until 4pm – $2.50 Bottled Beers and $5 House Wines.”

Esperanto
“It’s spicy crab chowder”

Black Diamond Caterers
“At Black Diamond Caterers we are serving a Creamy Tomato Crab Chowder. Loads of real crabmeat! It’s one of our most popular whole sale soups so we thought we’d see what the crowds thought! We are located on Phila Street next to Thai Sushi.”

Wheatfields Restaurant
“Wheatfields at 440 Broadway will serve Chef Tony Bifano’s 5 Time Award winning Boston Chowda!!”

Fifty South
GLUTEN FREE
VEGETARIAN
“We are going to do a local corn and potato chowder, vegetarian, gluten free, but NOT vegan since we are using Battenkill creamery’s cream. Then we will be doing more of a traditional seafood chowder, However, ours will be made from scratch using No commercial bases, it will be gluten free, all high quality seafood, again using as much local and regional ingredients.”

The Grey Gelding
“The Grey Gelding is going back to Cali. As always, Chef Scott Beale is doing his twist on Chowder. He is doing Catalina Shrimp & Chicken Chowder with his unique California Flair. So if you like a little (or a lot) of vino in your chowder this is the one to try.”

Cantina
“Cantina will be serving a Chipotle-Mango Crab Chowder.”

Plum Dandy
“Plum Dandy’s first Chowderfest will feature a yummy dessert Fro Yo Chowder:  a sweet, creative take on New England clam chowder (not seafood flavored frozen yogurt!!!)  Plus, warm up with our original recipe hot cocoas & hot bubble teas.”

SOUPerlative
“SOUPerlative will be serving “Butt-kickin’ Tex-Mex Chowder” that we’ve developed specifically for this festival. Our flavorful, rich and creamy chowder is loaded with chicken, vegetables, cheeses, and a secret combination of “butt-kickin'” spices. Not too hot – just the perfect amount of heat to chase away the winter chill! Come join SOUPerlative as we launch our new Saratoga Springs mobile restaurant at the biggest festival in the area!”

Max London’s
GLUTEN FREE
“Our chowder is gluten free seafood chowder with cauliflower and potato.”

Sperry’s
“Sperry’s Goes 100% Green for Chowderfest! Chef Dale Miller and his team have created a tasty and “green” solution for eliminating all plastic and styrofoam from their Chowderfest entry. Sperry’s Lobster, Roasted Corn and Chorizo chowder will be served in Sperry’s signature Popover; accompanied by a homemade rosemary cracker spoon created by Sperry’s Pastry Chef Melissa Thwaits. “The amount of prep time needed to create our homemade edible, earth-friendly bowls and spoons is certainly much longer than buying spoons and bowls; but when co-owner Christel MacLean gave us this sustainable challenge we welcomed it;” says Chef Dale Miller. Sperry’s chowder will be served from 11am-4pm as part of the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau’s 12th Annual Chowderfest. Sperry’s Bar will also be open during this time. Sperry’s is located at 301/2 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs.”

Universal Preservation Hall
“Universal Preservation Hall is serving up a delicious seafood chowder of shrimp, scallops and crab with sweet potato and corn. The chowder is being prepared by
Executive Chef, Jeremy Kane of Classe Catering, UPH’s exclusive event planner/caterer.”

The Bread Basket
“We are pleased to announce our 2011 Chowderfest entry. The Bread Basket Bakery will be serving a farmer’s market driven Winter Vegetable Chowder with Oscar’s Smokehouse bacon. With butternut squash, fingerling potatoes, leeks and cream from the Battenkill Valley Creamery, the ingredients for our chowder were purchased from the Saratoga Springs indoor farmer’s market at Division Street Elementary school.”

One Caroline Street Bistro
“We’re serving a traditional Manhattan clam chowder, hush puppies as an option.”

The Wishing Well
“Sweet corn andouille sausage chowder – The Wishing Well Restaurant.”

Circus Cafe
“Circus Cafe will be offering its Signature “Clambake” Chowder for Chowderfest from 11am-4pm Feb. 5th, 2011.”

Four Seasons
GLUTEN FREE
VEGAN
“Four Seasons– Ready or Not–Introducing–Exotic Mushroom Chowder–Vegan and Gluten-free and Delicious.  We’re trying to be greener too–the only garbage created from the serving of our chowder will be the recycled napkins we provide.  Check it out.”

Brunswick B&B
“At the Brunswick Bed & Breakfast, we are serving Canadian Corn Chowder(Corn chowder with home smoked Canadian bacon).”

And here are some unconfirmed rumors we’ve heard via our Saratoga Springs, NY Facebook Page….

“The Saratoga City Tavern is making an amazing Chicken, Ham, and Vegetable Chowda. Not only do you get a delicious sample but they have the best beer selection in the area. Chowda and 53 draughts…what else can you ask for? Slainte!”

“Bookmakers Restaurant & Lounge @ Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs is serving a Boston Potato Chowder W/Smoked Bacon & Fresh Baked Pumpernickel Bread for Dipping!!”

Hopefully this helps you to know which places are worth standing in line for! Remember, Chowderfest is this Saturday from 11am to 4pm, and if you have never been, it’s a must. Head downtown where you can hop from restaurant to restaurant, and all the non-downtown restaurants will be serving at downtown locations like the City Center.
Get all the details on Chowderfest 2011 here

Which Chowder varieties are you most looking forward to trying this year? Any thoughts on what some of these restaurants are serving up?