Need to send gift of chowder/lobster cakes to folks in NJ. Help is appreciated.

[chefdaddyo]

For the last 10 years I sent my aging parents some lobster pot pies (from Williams Sonoma) for a Christmas gift. They loved them in the beginning, but the quality started to wane. They asked my not to get them anymore because they knew they were expensive. Approx $80 for four. I'd like to try a chowder, clam cake combo or something like that. Fresh Maryland crabcakes tack on a $40 overnight shipping fee. Frozen (but quality) would be best. I found a place in Cape Porpoise for chowder, but four 20oz. packs will last till June. Any ideas? Thank you.

[teezeetoo]

try Captain Marden's in Wellesley, MA. They have a wonderful fish store and an on-line ordering that includes a variety of chowders and fish/shellfish cakes. Can't tell you pricing but I can tell you they are entirely reliable in quality.

[chefdaddyo]

Thank you all for your suggestions (esp CCguy). Ended up with Legal Seafood's four crabcakes and RI chowder, and shipping cost of $25.95. Amazing how few responders actually read my original post! Mom and dad will thank you as well. And hats off to the CH moderators who moved this post from Southern New England to the General Topics board. I was waiting for chowder suggestions from my fellow CHers in Denver, San Diego, and Tulsa.

[Beach Chick]

Best chowder and they ship anywhere in the USA from Seattle is at Pike Place Chowder..
Seafood Chowder and Clam Chowder is some of the best and they've won tons of awards.
Love going to their post alley location across from Pike Place Market..
Wasn't that impressed with Legal Seafood's..maybe caught them on an off day.

www.pikeplacechowder.com

[AikiLou]

How about MacKenzie/Ducktrap River...they are on the web, and, I have sent gifts of food from them for years.

[chefdaddyo]

CH team, this request is for a specific vendor within 100 miles of the coastline north of Cape Cod. Hardly a general topic. Anyway, I'll try again. Chowder (NE or RI), and cakes of the following: lobster, crab or cod. No overnight shipping, so frozen (but quality) is fine. Thanks to those who helped. As of now, it looks like Legal's choices.

[SimplyMarie]

I would try contacting Woodman's of Essex. They ship fresh seafood and I think chowder ( not frozen..but they are specialists in shipping so it arrives fresh and cold). Anyhow..you can contact them directly. I can't remember but I am fairly sure they have crab cakes.
Wait..are you local to Massachusetts..? If you are..then I would head straight to Boston Chowda in North Andover. They sell a variety of frozen chowders, bisques...etc. The last time I was in there they also had frozen crab cakes and a variety of other seafood things. Their chowder is good..as is their bisque. Otherwise..I agree with the other posters who said not to freeze lobster.

[fourunder]

Depending on where your parents reside, why don't you just send them a gift certificate from either:

Legal Sea Food or McCormick & Schmick's

http://shop.legalseafoods.com/?source=google&page=homepage/pd/1

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/g...

What you save on shipping can be applied to more items or a gratuity.

[chefdaddyo]

Negatory, 'funder. They are in Ocean County, NJ, home of the 4pm early bird, and the..."does that come with bread and rolls?" clientele. Nothing worthy. Even the decent Chinese place changed owners (really bad) last year. An Olive Garden was built last year, and is packed every night. They would not consider that an option.

[fourunder]

gotcha...

[temilove]

I would check out out Swanson's seafood in Fairfield, CT. Call them...Everything is fresh, or go online to their website. Prices are good, food is GREAT and they can help you pack it up properly to send with dry ice.

[CapeCodGuy]

Every decent fish monger will pack fresh seafood for travel or shipping, but overnight delivery is not cheap. Expect to pay around $20 for the shipping supplies and over $50 for the freight depending on weight and volume. Best to stick with a company that routinely does mail order.

[chefdaddyo]

This is why I mentioned that frozen would be best. If four our six crabcakes are delivered fresh, mom and dad will have to freeze some of them anyway. Legal looks good so far, but my folks are near a BJ's, which carries Legal's chowda'. Thank you all. More choices are welcomed!

[CapeCodGuy]

I'd rethink this if I were you. In my opinion, lobster suffers greatly from freezing. It changes both the flavor and consistancy, and not in a good way. Consider this Maine outfit that you can pick your live lobster size, add some chowder, and ship next day for under $100 for 2 pounders.

http://www.simplylobsters.com/

[brookerme]

http://www.lobsteranywhere.com/

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Food_&_Candy/Food_&_Candy/Pantry_&_Canned_Goods/New_England_Clam_Chowder_%28Set_of_3_Cans%29/H2385

http://www.threesonslobsterandfish.com/

[chefdaddyo]

Thanks, brooker. Just checked three sons lobster. Two frozen Maine lobster tails $22. They only offer overnight shipping: $51.04 for overnight. A bit much.

[CapeCodGuy]

http://shop.legalseafoods.com/

Legal Seafood sells 1 quart of its New England clam chowdah and Maryland crabcakes for 2 for $38 plus shipping for another $24.

[artychokeasana]

I've used these folks a number of times
http://www.livelob.com/