Jan Norris: Food and Florida

Ed Wells shown at a greenmarket event with Chowder Heads.

Chowder Heads will open a seafood cafe serving authentic Northeastern seafood in Jupiter’s Driftwood Plaza this coming fall.

Owner Ed Wells, who has been behind the company for three years selling New England style clam chowder, lobster bisque and lobster rolls at area greenmarketss and festivals, said he’s partnered with fellow Nor’easterner Harry Conheeny in the venture. Both are former restaurateurs and barmen from the Northeast.

“I’m from Nashua, N.H., via Salem, Mass.,” he said. “Harry’s from Newport, R.I., so we grew up eating this style of seafood. We missed it -so we decided it will attract others who do, too.”

Wells said he hadn’t found much of this style of seafood down here, and when he sold his contracting business in 2006, needed something to do, so decided to market chowder and bisque. It gradually took off, and he’s now a sought-after booth at the greenmarket, dishing up the chowder made from a recipe his mother left him.

It’s going into the old Bistro Market and former Copenhagen. “The food is going to have a little Portuguese flair,” he said – expect linguisa, chorizo and some spicier foods.

Regional favorites, the lobster roll, and fried scallop rolls will be on the menu. Also look for the famous chowder – both New England creamy style and Rhode Island clear-broth style.

“We’ll do steamed lobster, of course, and Ipswich whole-belly clams. And we’re going to have fried haddock on Friday night for a weekly fish fry. Harry says the interior will be a Newport style – casual.”

The restaurant will be counter service with table delivery – and customers may be ordering on a tablet, loaded with the menu or games for kids at the tables. “We’re looking into that,” Wells said.

Take-out for beach picnics will be packed in picnic baskets. “I think that will be fun and a good seller since we’re 5 minutes from the beach.”

An October opening is planned.

Barbecue, steakhouse coming soon

The recently closed Reef Road Rum Bar is supposedly becoming a barbecue spot on downtown Clematis. Dr. Feelgood’s owner, Cleve Mash, is doing the makeover. …

Callero’s on Northlake Boulevard and 10th Street in Lake Park will turn into the Black Pearl – a casual steakhouse concept, according to sources. Part of the bar has been ripped out and much renovation is taking place. New owners also are behind the Pirate’s Well on Alt-A1A in North Palm Beach. No word on when it’s opening.