Portuguese cuisine, minty ice cream and an Italian dinner for 2: New Bedford Eats

Faith Harrington, Standard-Times
·4 min read

Calling all New Bedford area foodies, this one is for you! There are endless choices for eating in the area. For your dining pleasure, we have compiled a list of meal deals, snack options, and specials sure to entice any palate.

It can be overwhelming trying to answer the age-old, often frustrating question of "where do you want to eat?" Thankfully in Greater New Bedford, there are many restaurants offering a slew of choices to make that decision just a little easier.

Whether you are heading out for a night on the town, finally getting a date night, or looking for some family fun here are some places dishing out great food at even greater prices.

New Bedford Farmers Market

The New Bedford Farmers Market hosted by Coastal Foodshed will be open Feb. 18.
The New Bedford Farmers Market hosted by Coastal Foodshed will be open Feb. 18.

Get all the fresh ingredients for your next recipe from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at the New Bedford Farmer’s Market. Enjoy live music, art, and cooking demonstrations while you shop with our local farmers and food makers. Located at Buttonwood Warming House, 1 Oneida St., New Bedford.

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Valentine's Brunch at the Thirsty Whale

Specialty cocktails at the Thirsty Whale.
Specialty cocktails at the Thirsty Whale.

The perfect Sunday Brunch for Valentine's Day Weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb.19 at the Thirsty Whale Tavern. DJ Fresco will be playing all your favorite hits from back in the day to today. Tickets are $22 and include a full all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. There will also be mimosa specials for $5 and specialty cocktails. The fun begins at 24 Cove Road, Dartmouth. For more info contact (774) 929-0135.

Mid-Winter Special Dinner For Two

Get the Mid-winter Special at Ma Raffa's.
Get the Mid-winter Special at Ma Raffa's.

In February on Wednesdays and Thursdays dine in, get the mid-winter special dinner for two at Ma Raffa's New Bedford for $31.99. This feast includes a salad, garlic bread, an Italian platter (pasta, lasagna, meatballs, sausage, and veal), plus your choice of beverage including beer or wine. Don’t miss this deal at 85 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford.

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Portugal Wine Dinner

The baked oysters are on the special menu at Little Moss.
The baked oysters are on the special menu at Little Moss.

Experience a taste of Portugal at Litte Moss on Sunday, Feb. 26.  This five-course menu celebrating the food and wine of Portugal will be $65 excluding meals tax and fair-wage fee with an optional 4-wine pairing for $40. The entrees tentatively feature baked oysters, caldo verde, pasties de bacalhau, grilled mackerel, or piri piri chicken. Make your reservation now at https://www.exploretock.com/littlemossrestaurant. Located at 6 Bridge St, South Dartmouth.

Octopus Maduro

Try the Octopus Maduro at Top Shelf Bar and Grill.
Try the Octopus Maduro at Top Shelf Bar and Grill.

Have you tried octopus? If it’s on your list of things to taste test head over to Top Shelf Bar and Grill, one of this week’s specials is Octopus Maduro, charbroiled octopus, roasted garlic, onions, peppers, and olive oil with hatta a murro (a Portuguese baked potato) for $29. Located at 1825 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford.

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Pie Fridays

Double-crust chicken pot pie at The Baker - New Bedford.
Double-crust chicken pot pie at The Baker - New Bedford.

Every Friday you can order a double-crust chicken pot pie at The Baker - New Bedford. Need dinner and don’t want to cook? At 562 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, there are two-sized pies to order from 6-inch option ($12) or 9-inch option ($28). The chicken pot pies are filled with all-white meat, veggies, onion, carrots, peas and corn, and green beans in a delicious herb chicken gravy. Must order online and pick-up is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Limited-Time Ice Cream Flavor

“Mint to be” at Acushnet Creamery.
“Mint to be” at Acushnet Creamery.

Just because the weather is a little chilly doesn’t mean it isn’t the perfect time for ice cream at Acushnet Creamery. One of their limited-time flavors for the month is “Mint to be” peppermint ice cream with fudge swirl and brownie dough bites. It is well worth the drive to 264 Main St., Acushnet.

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Taco and Tequila

Tacos at the Sail Loft.
Tacos at the Sail Loft.

Every Tuesday at The Sail Loft is Taco and Tequila night, they offer different specialty drinks, tacos, nachos, and quesadillas. When you order the combo plate you get two tacos and a margarita for $20, choose from cod, shrimp, steak, or chicken served with rice and beans. The fiesta starts at 246 Elm St., South Dartmouth.

Do you have a special deal, menu item, or food-related events to entice the local foodies? Share it with us at fharrington@s-t.com.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Portuguese wine, pot pies, and octopus: New Bedford eats finds food deals