Time out: ‘Best Seafood’ found at Powell’s

Restaurant: Powell’s Steamer Co. & Pub

Address: 425 Main St. in Placerville

Phone: 530-626-1091

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to about 10 or 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon until around 10 p.m.

Powell’s Steamer Co. & Pub once again received the Mountain Democrat’s coveted Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Seafood” in 2012. This is a title they have earned and maintained many years in a row. As the name might suggest there is nothing “fried” here at all and that is a good thing.

The “& Pub” portion of the name is indeed a very crucial element to the success of Powell’s Steamer Co. & Pub, and one I’ll explain later.

For now let’s talk about the lunch we had at this venerable Placerville institution. Any of you avid readers out there will no doubt be aware that I have not chosen the healthiest of options of late in regards to my duties as they pertain to this weekly column.

Tasty, yes; healthy in the doses I’ve been taking them in, not so much.

I took this mid-day opportunity to atone for my gastronomic sins of late by ordering the crab Louis salad, a variation on the more famous shrimp Louis version, which consists of a very generous portion of shredded and succulent crab meat served over fresh salad greens with egg, tomato, and served with Powell’s unique Louis dressing, on the side.

On the side is important, because within that little cup of tasty dressing lies a fairly large portion of the calories and it made me feel good to only use half of what was presented to me. They offered a side of bread as an accompaniment, which I accepted, but did not partake of the butter nor did I grab another slice.

I have to say I was immensely pleased and a little bewildered at my willpower this day.

Would I be able to continue on this trend? Probably not, but why spoil my delusion; one step at a time, Earle, one step at a time.

My companion ordered the special, which was a tri-tip BLT sandwich with a side of Powell’s steaming and quite authentic New England clam chowder, which he said was some of the best he’s ever had.

The tri-tip BLT didn’t stand a chance. It was inhaled at a remarkable rate, each bite interrupted only by grunts of approval and the intermittent sips of chowder.

In addition to the Louises Powell’s serves many other delightful oceanic offerings ranging from the expected (oysters on the half shell, peel and eat shrimp, etc) and the not so expected (oyster pan roast, linguini primavera, creamy garlic chicken Alfredo, various ‘stews’ and more).

Of course, one of the stars here is the dish this place is named after, the Powell’s Steamer: A fragrant bowl of fresh clams steamed in butter, white wine, seasonings and a variety of fine spices.

Now, back to that pub element I mentioned earlier. Other than the fine food I alluded to above Powell’s offers a fabulous selection of draft brews, wines and specialty drinks to suit and satisfy even the most discerning palate.

They have live music every Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., weekly musical appearances Thursday and Saturday nights, karaoke every Friday night and an open mic singer/songwriter opportunity each Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Powell’s Steamer Co. & Pub is located at 425 Main St. in Placerville and its phone number is 530-626-1091. The hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to about 10 or 11 p.m. depending on Sundays from noon until around 10 p.m., again depending.