Black Pearl's chowder lives up to the hype
If you’ve walked through Bowen’s Wharf, you probably have passed by the bustling Black Pearl restaurant, which occupies a square of the wharf in addition to its adjacent inside location. While both locations offer the same selection of seafood and other favorites, the outdoor patio and bar tends to be a bit busier in the summer.
On a quest to try the Black Pearl’s famous chowder, I took a seat inside to limit my wait time to only a few minutes. Compared to the mugginess of the outdoor patio, the restaurant was a bit chilly, but decorated intricately. With the dark wooden interior, maps and other nautical decor, the dining room made me feel like I was inside an antique ship. The atmosphere characterized Bowen’s Wharf and Newport perfectly, complete with small windows resembling portholes.
Unfortunately, on the day of my visit the Black Pearl was out of many – nearly half – of the items on their dinner menu, including many of the seafood entrees. Given its proximity to the ocean and its famed fish meals, myself and other customers were disappointed by the Black Pearl’s limited menu.
Although many items were unavailable, I still was able to try the chowder and clams casino — my personal favorite. The chowder was a little lighter than most white chowders I’ve had before, which made for a more apt dish than a thick soup on a hot and humid day. The clams casino were also delicious and crisped just right so the filling wasn’t gooey or charred.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Black Pearl's chowder lives up to the hype on Newport's waterfront
