Editor's note:Seth Chitwood is The Standard-Times' new special projects reporter, and he's trying to learn his way around the SouthCoast.
“Sweet balls of fire” did I have a good time in the SouthCoast last weekend. From meatballs to bowling balls, we explored more entertaining spots. So, without further ado, let’s start the ball rolling…
The Inn on Shipyard Park
Last month, I took on the challenge of visiting several town halls across the SouthCoast including Fall River, Dartmouth, Westport, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett. While at the Mattapoisett Town Hall, not only did I learn about the resident ghost Abner, but around the corner I passed a nice-looking restaurant across from the water called, The Inn on Shipyard Park. I knew I had to come back one day.
So, we did!
The view of Mattapoisett Harbor is stunning alone. It’s a bonus being able to have a delicious bite while taking in this vista – and lunch was amazing. Built in 1799 by master shipyard carpenter Joseph Meigs, the building has served as a blacksmith shop, two separate dwellings, a ship chandlery, a storehouse for the China tea trade and a speakeasy.
The menu offers beer, wine and some pretty kooky co*cktails such as “The Nerds” with a Titos-base, muddled cucumber & lime, with st. elder and ginger beer. And if you drink too much, you can actually stay at the inn. There are three rooms: The Waverly Room and The Concordia Room each have one queen bed, and The Wanderer Room has two.
It’s casual and the staff is energized and conversational – our waitress connected with us as a recent high school graduate with an impressive vocabulary.
A haunting tale:What this clerk has to say about the Mattapoisett Town Hall ghost
On this adventure, I was once again joined by my “New England Newbies” from Los Angeles, Paige Compton and Kate Lugtu. For lunch we split the house calamari which was heavenly. It was perfectly cooked and melt-in-your-mouth flavorful.
I had the clam chowder along with the Spanish mussels, both cooked to perfection. The ladies’ truffle fries, fish sandwich and blackened tacos got big thumbs up.
Town Wharf General Store
After lunch, we took a brief walk around the park and then visited the general store across the street from the inn. First of all, the logo is a whale riding a bicycle… so you have already won me over.
'Fear mongering has got to stop':Mattapoisett returning to full in-person learning for K-2
Built a year earlier than The Inn on Shipyard, the general store was once the Mattapoisett post office as well as a sandwich, carpenter and dry good shop. Oh, and also a dentist’s office. There are rumors that the Wanderer (the last whaling ship to sail out of New Bedford) was developed within the store’s walls.
This shop has everything Mattapoisett-themed – signs, hats, tea towels, pins, mugs and t-shirts. As well as several locally produced products. This store is PACKED with interesting stuff to gift friends or selfishly yourself.
Bowling at Wonder Bowl
I always forget how bad I am at bowling. I always think I’m really good and then I throw the first ball and go, “Wow, I stink.”
…And we may or may not have used the lane bumpers.
Wonder Bowl continues to be the leading entertainment center in New Bedford since it was built in the early 1960s. In January 2010, the bowling alley re-opened after a major renovation.
Mayor Scott Lang called it a “premier facility” in which is the home to 28 bowling leagues and a place for people to bowl recreationally.
Pin Tales:Tobertga family grew up with Wonder Bowl Junior Program
The center has 40 bowling lanes, 15 television screens, arcade, party rooms and a snack and sport bar fittingly named, Striker’s. However, I did find a vending machine selling socks that looked like it may have been one of the only things left, pre-renovation.
There was an application for a 12-week Thursday doubles in the “Have-a-Ball” League starting Thursday, June 10. Looks like a ball!
Despite how bad we were at bowling; we still had a great time. We were surprised at how packed it was at almost at 50% capacity – and that’s a lot for a place with 40 lanes. I won the first game by only one point with a whopping score of… 103.
What made this bowling experience even cooler was that it gives you other unique ways to bowl with different set-ups and game-themes for the screen. For example, there is a haunted house theme that is one ball per round for five frames. A quick and easy game with hauntingly-fun graphics.
There is also an Angry Birds game which assigns pigs to different bowling pins that you have to knock-down. You don’t need strikes to win – as long as you knock down the pins that are pigs – you win. It enhanced bowling to an entirely new level.
The Pasta House
Next, a new kind of ball – meatballs. Located in Fairhaven on Alden Road, this was another “must-try” on my Newbie notes. The Pasta House has been a landmark restaurant in Fairhaven for over four decades.
The Raikkonen family originally owned this Italian eatery. In 2001, Mario Ribeiro and his family took over the business and continued its legacy as a top restaurant, awarded the best dining restaurant by SouthCoast Media over the past four years.
More:A day in the life of the Pasta House in Fairhaven
The mission of the Pasta House is to create a place where family and friends can gather to have a great meal and beverage in an inviting and comfortable place. We definitely felt that vibe while dining on their covered patio.
First of all, the bread and oil were incredible. We couldn’t get enough of this. If this is how The Pasta House starts things off, we knew we were in for a treat. I had the Fresh Pasta Alla Vodka with a giant meatball. It was amazing and cooked with tender care. There were so many rich flavors topped off with a yummy ricotta.
My friends split the Frutti Di Mare, featuring shrimp, scallops, littlenecks, crab meat and onions in a garlic white wine sauce served with linguine. It looked like a dish out of a museum – and I was told it tasted incredible. Being from Los Angeles, my friends said New England re-defines their seafood experience. We do it right and they can’t get enough!
And I can’t get enough of what the SouthCoast continues to offer. I was recently asked if I think I’m going to run out of things to do and explore for my column – honestly, I don’t think I’ve scratched the surface.
It has been an awesome journey so far and this Newbie has no plans to stop the adventures anytime soon.
Newbie Notes
Thank you to all my “Newbie Fans” that have reached out with suggestions! I love reading all your e-mails so please keep writing. Shout out to Beverly Baccelli as well as Bill Cole for their lovely comments.
…June 14 is National Eat Your Vegetable Day! Any vegan or vegetarian places in the SouthCoast I should check out?
…The Zeiterion has started a film series on Tuesday nights. I had my first “Z-experience” attending their inaugural event and hope to check out more screenings.
…It’s Pride Month! Lots of exciting events happening around the SouthCoast to check out. Will I see youthere, too?
…The Newbie library tour is happening soon! Can’t wait to check out some SouthCoast libraries soon.
I'm the Newbie in New Bedford....and I want to see it all! Tell me whereI should gonext weekend! Senda suggestion toschitwood@s-t.com.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached atschitwood@s-t.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
