It’s been some time since writing and it always happens that I need to get back on the writing horse (yet again) but life as it happens gets in the way.
We started our vacation this summer with a conundrum – can you really travel during Covid19? The answer is yes, and yes you should, as long as it is in compliance with local laws and you can be safe the whole time.
When travelling with kids in tow packing turns into a cavalcade of extra bags and stuffies and toys and games and books on top of the essentials. But anything that makes the trip go smoothly is worth the extra weight if you can swing it.
Packed and on the road we planned three stops and a day trip, the total driving covering about 1000 miles (1600 kms) over 8 days.
Highlights of the trip are the memories of good food while travelling: a meal at Legge’s in Heart’s Content, a super thick pea soup and dumpling at a roadside truck stop, a memorable lunch with friends at a local inn in Springdale and barbecuing two fresh caught lake trout while visiting family in Buchans. It has been a memorable trip of good food and drink with every stop.
Heading into the final leg of the summer vacation on the road, we ended in Clarenville for two nights. The reason is we hadn’t spent time in the area and we wanted to check it out.
We arrived with a partial plan: get to the cidery – The Newfoundland Cider Company.
I’ve been following them on Instagram for a while and as a lover of the drink when every community has a craft brewery, I needed to get there.
The new digs are large and airy with a square and fenced off outside seating area. We sat in the sunshine but under the sun umbrella and it really made a difference to our comfort.
My wife and I enjoyed small flights of cider. Each of them had the merits of good local cider: clean and fresh flavour. Very crisp and mainly dry. While I love that variety of cider they lack depth in the flavour profile. I longed for more body and length on the palate.
I felt the ciders were very good but similar. My favourite was Brick Yard which was filled with fruits of the area. It was clear and crisp and was almost like a good wine. It was one of the best drinks of the whole trip.
Arriving for just after supper time is a problem when you have two small kids in need of food. While they do offer a charcuterie board and some snacks it is not a brew pub in any way. When my wife inquired for food they instantly suggested a spot 150 paces up the road. We are so glad they did.
We parked at the end of the road and found a house and a green door wide open. Walking inside, it was reminiscent of European hole in the wall cafes. The entrance greeted us with the sweet smell of caramelizing dough. We had found Cabin6.
The first thing that you notice is the simplified menu. 7 different types of pizzas hand tossed and baked to order. We were lucky to try three of them: Cheese, Caramelized onion and Brie, and the Tomato and Basil.
Each one had a great base – the dough. Made the night before and cold fermented you can taste the development of the dough as it comes out almost buttery once hit with 1000 degrees of pizza stone heat.
The caramelized onion and Brie was a highlight as it had the right level of chew and stretch to the cheese. The garnish of arugula leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze added sweetness and some pepperiness to the party.
The cheese was a standard cheese pizza. A good size (10 in) for two little girls to share. It has a fresh but slightly sweet sauce and a combination of cheeses to be interesting to any food lover.
When paired with the fizzy waters you could almost imagine being in a European city just hanging out. Go to Cabin Six. Check them out for store hours because it is worth it! Foodies of Newfoundland go!
We left the hole in the wall full and ready to try something else. Luckily the cider company was close by and we enjoyed a flight of ciders under the sun in their garden. Parents can take the kids but there is not much for them if you need a snack but I did find out something cool. Order your pizza to go and you can take it to the cider company!
The two businesses support each other and actively encourage customers to their friends. It is local businesses like these who smartly know that collaboration and support will create a network of friends so they all get to touch success. More businesses need to learn this technique. It seems the food community is strong in Clarenville. From the weekend farmers market to the raft of craft businesses Clarenville is more than the Big Stop on the highway. It’s a big stop in its own right.
Through highway and side roads we’ve had a great time so far and we’re looking to plan next year’s adventure.
off the eating path 
Excellent read! And you’ve given us some new places to visit on our next trip to our favourite staycation location, coming soon!