Just a few pictures from dinner at Sam’s Chowder House, down in Half Moon Bay. The drive down to San Jose, over to Santa Cruz, and back up the beautiful coast to San Francisco has fast become one of my favorites – we hit up Sam’s just before coming back home to the city.

The very pretty beet salad featured beets from Daylight Farms, strawberries, a hazelnut puree, little greens, and feta with a citrus vinaigrette – a nice combination, I thought.

The day boat scallops here were seared, and served over more tiny greens, and a pea puree, which tasted lovely and light and springy, and gave a wonderful color contrast to the dish.

And yes, we did try the New England style clam chowder. As a New Englander with some expertise on the subject, including a summer spent working at Boston Harborfest and assisting with Boston Chowderfest, I concede it was pretty good. Must be the use of the clam broth, it’s definitely key. Saaayyyy CHOW-DAH!!!!!