Your guide to Friday Lenten dining: SouthCoast places to dine

Faith Harrington, Standard-Times
·4 min read
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It's the Lenten season which means it’s time for the long-standing Catholic tradition of not eating meat on Fridays. With 14% of the population participating in Lent, there will be a lot of seafood to eat and enjoy between Ash Wednesday, Feb.  22 to Good Friday, April 7.

It is often fish and chips that get the glory during this time, but there are so many seafood and vegetable dishes that often get overlooked in favor of their meat counterparts. The next six Fridays are the perfect time to try something a little different.

While it’s known as a time of sacrifice for many, those participating in meat-free Fridays do not have to sacrifice flavor, here are some local restaurants to enjoy on your Fridays.

Mikey B's

Get the fried scallops at Mikey B’s.
Get the fried scallops at Mikey B’s.

For Lent you can either get a free cup of chowder when you order any scallop meal or $5 off a $30 food purchase at Mikey B's. Get the fried scallops, a heaping portion of New Bedford sea scallops, lightly battered and deep fried golden on a platter with house slaw, French fries, and tartar sauce for $20.99; or New Bedford scallops baked in a bread crumb topping with two sides for $20.99. Located at 989 Victoria St., New Bedford,

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Knuckle Heads Bar & Grill

Seafood Poutine at Knuckle Heads Bar & Grill.
Seafood Poutine at Knuckle Heads Bar & Grill.

Head over to 85 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford, and check out the Lent specials at Knuckle Heads Bar & Grill. Order the loaded seafood poutine, lobster, shrimp, cod, haddock, and scallops topped with mozzarella cheese and capri gravy served over home fries for $27.99; or the baked haddock cooked with Italian wine sauce and served with zucchini, summer squash, and carrots for $18.99.

Tia Maria's European Cafe

Shrimp Mozambique at Tia Maria's European Cafe.
Shrimp Mozambique at Tia Maria's European Cafe.

At Tia Maria's European Cafe there is no shortage of flavor this Lent. Try the Shrimp Mozambique, 12 shrimp in a mild saffron garlic sauce as an appetizer for $14, or a plate with two sides for $17. If shrimp isn’t your jam, try the Portuguese filets for $19 which are deep-fried boneless cod fish served with a pickle tomato tartar sauce and two sides. Both are being served at 42 N Water St., New Bedford.

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Fay's Restaurant and Catering

Pistachio Pesto Salmon at Fay's Restaurant and Catering
Pistachio Pesto Salmon at Fay's Restaurant and Catering

Need to get away from the fried seafood? Check out the pistachio pesto salmon at Fay's Restaurant and Catering, 613 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth. The meal includes grilled Atlantic salmon encrusted with pistachios and panko bread crumbs over angel hair pasta tossed in a creamy sun-dried tomato pesto sauce garnished with fresh Parmesan cheese for $26; or the Risotto primavera, sauteed seasonal vegetables over a pesto risotto garnished with Parmesan cheese for $16.

The Black Whale

Harvest Flatbread being served at The Black Whale.
Harvest Flatbread being served at The Black Whale.

The Black Whale, 106 MacArthur Dr., New Bedford, is serving up some delicious items. Get the harvest flatbread which has roasted butternut squash, garlicky kale, hot honey cranberries, mozzarella, and blue cheese for $15; or try one of the specialty sushi rolls, featuring eel, yellowtail, shrimp, tuna, and more for $18.

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Blue Point Restaurant

The 4oz Lobster Casserole at Blue Point Restaurant.
The 4oz Lobster Casserole at Blue Point Restaurant.

For your lobster fix head to 6 Dayton St., Acushnet. Blue Point Restaurant has a lobster casserole, tender lobster meat baked with white wine, butter, and a crumb topping, 4 oz. is $25; or get the spaghetti scampi, sauteed with garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, lemon, herbs, and lobster for $25.

Tastebuds Bistro & Catering

Pistachio Encrusted Scallops at Tastebuds Bistro & Catering.
Pistachio Encrusted Scallops at Tastebuds Bistro & Catering.

Scallops are always a hit, try them this Lent at Tastebuds Bistro & Catering, 42 Main St., Mattapoisett. Indulge in the pistachio encrusted scallops with pomegranate reduction and fresh lime zest for $17; or try them in the seafood bake with white wine, butter, and Ritz crackers for $28.

Churrascaria Novo Mundo

Grilled Tuna at Churrascaria Novo Mundo.
Grilled Tuna at Churrascaria Novo Mundo.

For a healthy yet scrumptious plate take a ride to Churrascaria Novo Mundo and get the grilled tuna or salmon with your choice of two sides. Located at 98 County St., New Bedford.

Freestones

Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms at Freestones.
Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms at Freestones.

Dig into the seafood stuffed mushrooms at Freestones, 41 William St., New Bedford. Get mushroom caps stuffed with herbed seafood stuffing served with garlic butter and fresh lemon for $12.99; or you can never go wrong with the fan favorite syrian nachos, crispy seasoned pita bread wedges topped with white cheddar cheese served with sour cream and a red sauce for $14.99.

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 Genes Famous Seafoods

Jumbo all Meat Lobster Roll at Genes Famous Seafoods.
Jumbo all Meat Lobster Roll at Genes Famous Seafoods.

There are lobster rolls and then there is the jumbo all meat lobster roll at Genes Famous Seafoods. For $33.95 get luscious chunks of fresh lobster meat served alongside a hefty portion of piping-hot French fries. Not feeling like lobster get the oyster plate served with French fries and coleslaw for $21.95. Located at 146 Huttleston Ave., Fairhaven.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Local restaurants serving the perfect seafood meals for Lenten season