Right on Main Street in Ashaway, tucked in a bend in the road, stands the Brick Oven. It's a homey little place, very casual atmosphere. And actually deceiving; there's a pretty big back dining room and bar, so they can handle large parties. Average Joe and I had each been there once before, before we met, and he raved about the chowda and clamcakes. I don't remember what I had, but I do remember the cornbread was really tasty and not dry like cornbread tends to be. Anyway, cut to last week when we went there with a whole herd of my family. I must say that the service was really good; we were a boisterous party of 8, and the ladies handled it without missing a beat. Joe and I both got the chowder and clamcakes, and he was very happy with it. I was not so thrilled. While the chowder was ok, it was mostly broth and I like a lot of stuff in my chowder. The clamcakes were decent (I mean, not much you can say about clamcakes; either they're good or they're horrible and these were not horrible) but be warned--and this is by no means a complaint--the clamcakes are large and they brought a lot of them! Maybe 7? With a bowl of chowder, that's a lot. We were expecting maybe 3 each, so we were pleasantly surprised but of course we couldn't eat them all and while I take food home a lot of the time, I find clamcakes are never as good reheated. Three of us had the clamcakes and my aunt took home a dozen leftover ones for my uncle, so they didn't go to waste.
Everyone seemed happy with what they got...lobster ravioli, fish and chips, baked cod, hamburger, liver and onions...there was no lack of variety on the menu and the portions are very generous. And I really have nothing BAD to say about the place. Maybe it was an off day for the chowder, I don't know, or maybe it's just a personal preference. I would eat there again, but it wasn't my favorite. Just sayin'.
No comments:
Post a Comment