After a long day of driving along the gorgeous coast, I found myself in the seaside town of Florence, Oregon. A short walk along the boardwalk yielded a gated collection of boats and small yachts. I entered through the gate and ventured down a metal ramp, then walked a short way to a floating building that read, “Novelli’s Crab & Seafood: Award Winning Chowder.”
I entered cautiously, not sure what to expect. A pair of friendly faces greeted me and welcomed me to try their clam chowder in bread bowl, garlic bread made of the remnants, and a healthy chunk of smoked salmon. Owner Daniel and his partner were very kind, and fun to talk to. I knew I was in for a treat, but I had no idea it was going to be that damn good. Holy mackerel! My first bite melted away in my mouth and left my tongue dancing for more.
“Wow!” I exclaimed after my first bite. I took a serious look at my calm chowder in a bread bowl then I scanned the entire scene with a fresh eye. “That was bloody awesome,” I muttered. “Okay, this is something very, very special.”
Not only was it a unique experience to dine at the edge of the water on a floating wood dock, but to find such exquisitely prepared seafood in a place as unsuspecting as this surprised me. The walk through the marina and down to the boat docks was really neat, but it was the clam chowder and the smoked salmon that had me buzzing; not the beer. Novelli’s clam chowder is spectacular, and I’ve had very fine chowders in Maine, Ireland, and in California, but this took the prize as the absolute very best.
The bread bowl was a nice touch, yet what seemed as an after thought, the garlic bread made from the scooped out portion of the bread bowl, was fucking awesome. It had a perfect crunch, gush of butteriness, delectable garlic spice and finished with gooey golden cheese. Yum! The chowder itself is chunky and full of fresh seafood flavor, for which I still dream of and yearn to have more. The smoked salmon was as fresh as can be, clean and not fishy, full of flavor, with an inviting texture that I found to be lovely. I honestly didn’t know I liked fresh smoked salmon as much as I do now, until that first bite. The flavor *KAPOW! Was astounding. Mm! My mouth’s watering as I write this.
Most travel writers love to overuse the term “hidden gem,” but in all seriousness. Novelli’s fucking rocks. It’s so damn good! A true hidden gem, which is a phrase I don’t use lightly. The joint is a family owned affair, the seafood is fresh off the boat each day, and the preparation is paramount, especially in such a small space. I love these guys. I can’t wait to come back! I promise you don’t be disappointed!!
“Wow!” I exclaimed after my first bite. I took a serious look at my calm chowder in a bread bowl then I scanned the entire scene with a fresh eye. “That was bloody awesome,” I muttered. “Okay, this is something very, very special.”
Not only was it a unique experience to dine at the edge of the water on a floating wood dock, but to find such exquisitely prepared seafood in a place as unsuspecting as this surprised me. The walk through the marina and down to the boat docks was really neat, but it was the clam chowder and the smoked salmon that had me buzzing; not the beer. Novelli’s clam chowder is spectacular, and I’ve had very fine chowders in Maine, Ireland, and in California, but this took the prize as the absolute very best.
The bread bowl was a nice touch, yet what seemed as an after thought, the garlic bread made from the scooped out portion of the bread bowl, was fucking awesome. It had a perfect crunch, gush of butteriness, delectable garlic spice and finished with gooey golden cheese. Yum! The chowder itself is chunky and full of fresh seafood flavor, for which I still dream of and yearn to have more. The smoked salmon was as fresh as can be, clean and not fishy, full of flavor, with an inviting texture that I found to be lovely. I honestly didn’t know I liked fresh smoked salmon as much as I do now, until that first bite. The flavor *KAPOW! Was astounding. Mm! My mouth’s watering as I write this.
Most travel writers love to overuse the term “hidden gem,” but in all seriousness. Novelli’s fucking rocks. It’s so damn good! A true hidden gem, which is a phrase I don’t use lightly. The joint is a family owned affair, the seafood is fresh off the boat each day, and the preparation is paramount, especially in such a small space. I love these guys. I can’t wait to come back! I promise you don’t be disappointed!!
RSS Feed