Chowder in Vermont: Restaurants have seafood, clam, corn, pumpkin soup - Burlington Free Press

Chowder makes for a rewarding meal pretty much any time of the year. Find yourself about to dig into a  bowl of New England clam chowder on a drizzly summer afternoon and it can be just as satisfying as on a cold, dark day in November.

But on those cold, dark days of November — which are fast approaching, in case you need a reminder — a warm bowl of chowder can practically be a lifesaver. It's a food that makes the soul as happy as it does the taste buds.

The Burlington area has all sorts of chowders available at all types of restaurants. Here's a partial list of places to chow down on chowder in Chittenden County.

Bleu Northeast Kitchen

Inside the Courtyard Burlington Harbor Hotel, Bleu is known in particular for its seafood. The restaurant's New England seafood chowder is chock-full of swordfish, salmon, perch, clams and whole-grain croutons.

Bleu Northeast Kitchen, 25 Cherry St., Burlington. (802) 864-8600, www.bleuvt.com

Burlington Bay Market & Café

If this spot near Lake Champlain seems to show up on a lot of roundups like this, it's because the place is so varied, selling everything from creemees to grilled sandwiches. Burlington Bay goes traditional for its homemade New England clam chowder, in a cup or a bowl.

Burlington Bay Market & Café, 125 Battery St., Burlington. (802) 864-0110, www.burlingtonbaycafe.com

Cody's Irish Pub & Grille

The soup list at this Essex hangout is compact, but gets right to the point. Irish beef stew is a given. The clam chowder comes in a cup, a bowl or the always-hard-to-resist bread bowl.

Cody's Irish Pub & Grille, 4 Carmichael St., Essex. (802) 878-1543, www.codysirishpub.com

The Gryphon

Occupying a prime corner spot in downtown Burlington, The Gryphon offers what it calls "Vineyard chowder." This dish features shrimp, scallops, clams, crab, haddock and potatoes in what the restaurant calls "Coastal New England style" seafood broth, accompanied by toasted bread for tasteful dunking.

The Gryphon, 131 Main St., Burlington. (802) 489-5699, www.gryphonvt.com

Don't miss:Did your shrimp dinner start out in a Vermont dairy barn? The unlikely story of local shrimp.

Leunig's Bistro

This Church Street landmark goes a little off the beaten path for its chowder selection. Leunig's pumpkin chowder, in a cup or bowl, contains roasted pumpkin, applewood-smoked bacon, sweet potatoes and sweet corn augmented with toasted pumpkin seeds.

Leunig's Bistro, 115 Church St., Burlington. (802) 863-3759, www.leunigsbistro.com

McGillicuddy's

The Vermont-based Irish-themed restaurant has multiple locations, including a trio in Chittenden County. All are ready to warm you up with a crock of New England clam chowder.

McGillicuddy's on the Green, 18 Severance Road, Colchester. (802) 871-5480, www.mcgillicuddysonthegreen.com

McGillicuddy's Five Corners, 4 Pearl St., Essex Junction. (802) 857-5940, www.mcgillicuddysfivecorners.com

McGillicuddy's Irish Ale House, 28 Walnut St., Maple Tree Place, Williston. (802) 857-5908, www.mcgillicuddysirishalehouse.com

Our House Bistro

Our House, as the name suggests, emphasizes homey comfort foods including mac & cheese and burgers. The New England clam chowder provides comfort via clams, bacon, potatoes, celery and cream, served with grilled bread.

Our House Bistro, 36 Main St., Winooski. (802) 497-1884, www.ourhousebistro.com

Ray's Seafood Market & Restaurant

This venerable seafood purveyor doesn't skimp when it comes to its chowder options. Ray's sells corn chowder, homemade seafood chowder and New England clam chowder, with the latter two coming in 12-ounce cups, 16-ounce bowls or in a quart size made for two, or one especially-hungry chowder fan.

Ray's Seafood Market & Restaurant, 7 Pinecrest Drive, Essex Junction. (802) 879-3611, www.raysseafood.com

Shanty on the Shore

Much like Ray's, Shanty on the Shore has been around forever and deals in a wide variety of seafood choices. The restaurant with a Lake Champlain view touts its clam chowder as "famous," and why not? A cup or bowl would be fine, but the bread bowl soaks up all the flavor and fills you up just right.

Shanty on the Shore, 181 Battery St., Burlington. (802) 864-0238, www.shantyontheshore.com

Sweet Clover Market

This long-running establishment rotates its menu, including its soup options. Last week, though, Sweet Clover touted on social media its corn chowder as well as its New England clam chowder.

Sweet Clover Market, 21 Essex Way, Essex. (802) 872-8288, www.sweetclovermarket.com

Waterworks Food & Drink

As Sweet Clover did, Waterworks took to social media last week to celebrate all things chowder. "Waterworks' clam chowder is a classic New England style, featuring red potatoes, chopped clams, and topped with bacon and chives," the restaurant posted recently on Facebook.

Waterworks Food & Drink, 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski. (802) 497-3525, www.waterworksvt.com

The Windjammer & Upper Deck Pub

A restaurant with a schooner in its logo — even in an ocean-less state like Vermont — pretty much has to have New England clam chowder, does it not? The Windjammer's version includes applewood-smoked bacon.

The Windjammer & Upper Deck Pub, 1076 Williston Road, South Burlington. (802) 862-6585, www.windjammerrestaurant.com

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com. Follow Brent on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BrentHallenbeck.

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