Celebrate America’s Most Famous Literary Dish at Chops City Grill
January 10, 2023
Steakhouses in Naples and Bonita Springs serve New England clam chowder venerated by novelist Herman Melville in Moby Dick
Every bowl of New England clam chowder served at Chops City Grill is finished with five freshly steamed littleneck clams, silky Yukon gold potatoes and served with oyster crackers. Photo credit: Michael OwenNaples, FL: (January 9, 2023) . . . “Chowder for breakfast and chowder for dinner, and chowder for supper…” wrote novelist Herman Melville in his literary classic Moby-Dick devoting an entire chapter to the deliciousness of chowder. Narrator Ishmael eating a nourishing meal of chowder the Try Pots chowder house in Nantucket with his travel buddy Queequeg is one of the most notable narratives about food in any Great American novel.
Almost 200 years later, New England clam chowder is celebrated with its own national food holiday on January 21st boosting its reputation as one of America’s most famous literary dishes.
Chowder — from an old French word chaudiére, pronounced “chowda,” meaning “pot” or “caldron” is also called a chowder pot. Its history can be traced to the seacoast of Brittany where French fishermen would return home with their catches and each would contribute a part of his to la chaudiere. The variety of fish and shellfish simmered in the cauldron on the beach and the result was a hearty seafood stew which everyone shared.
“Chops City Grill has been making its original recipe “best-ever” New England clam chowder since opening on 5th Avenue South in Naples in 1997,” says executive chef Jason Mattozzi. Every batch of chowder starts with a clam stock made in-house daily from the liquid released from 100 quahog clams as they steam. Why fresh clams? Fresh clams are briny, slightly sweet and more tender than canned clams, says Chef Jason.
Sticking with centuries of tradition, Chops uses a cured cherrywood bacon in its chowder. “The bacon gives great flavor while providing a balance between the salinity of the clams and the stock,” he explains. Always made to order, each bowl of chowder is finished with five freshly steamed littleneck clams, silky Yukon gold potatoes and served with oyster crackers.
Chop City Grill is open daily 5 pm until 10 pm offering both indoor and al fresco dining options. Reservations are recommended by calling (239) 262-4677 or online chopscitygrill.com.
About Chops City Grill
Chops City Grill is a traditional steakhouse with inspired seafood options. Winner of Best Steak House in Southwest Florida by Gulfshore Life 2020, Chops dry ages its beef in-house, offering the best in American Prime, Japanese and Australian wagyu strip, t-bone and rib eye steaks matched with creative sides and original sauces. Paying homage to great American steak houses, Chops serves over 50 whiskey selections, 400+ bottle wine list including hard to find wines, creative craft cocktails and non-alcoholic selections in an upscale yet inviting atmosphere with indoor and al fresco dining. Located at 837 5th Avenue South in Naples. Open daily 5 pm until 10 pm. Call (239) 262-4677 follow on FB https://www.facebook.com/chopscitygrillnaples and IG @chopscitygrill_naples.
