If eating freshly cooked mussels beside the Atlantic Ocean while listening to live Newfoundland music sounds like your kind of afternoon, there’s an experience happening just outside St. John’s that belongs on your bucket list.
Cliff’s Edge Retreat in Bauline South is hosting its Mussel Boil at the Ecological Reserve, an immersive coastal food experience overlooking the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.
And this isn’t just a seafood dinner.
Guests gather by the ocean for an open-fire mussel boil featuring locally harvested mussels, seasonal foraged tastings, traditional Newfoundland music, storytelling and incredible views of the coast.
It’s basically Newfoundland served up in one afternoon.
You’ll Eat Fresh Mussels Beside The Ocean
The experience takes place at Cliff’s Edge Retreat, a coastal property around 45 minutes from St. John’s.
Guests gather outside overlooking the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve while locally harvested mussels are prepared as part of an interactive beachside boil.
The mussels are served with accompaniments, but seafood is only part of the experience.
Guests also get a series of small seasonal tastings inspired by Newfoundland’s landscape, using locally foraged and regionally inspired ingredients.
Exactly what you’ll try can change throughout the season depending on what ingredients are available.
There’s even a welcome mocktail made with locally foraged ingredients.
There’s Live Newfoundland Music & Storytelling
While everyone gathers around the open fire, local guides share stories about Newfoundland’s food traditions, foraging culture and coastal way of life.
There’s also live traditional Newfoundland music throughout the experience.
Guests are introduced to edible coastal plants and learn more about the ingredients and traditions that have shaped food in the province.
So rather than simply sitting down for a meal, the whole experience combines food, music, nature and Newfoundland culture.
It Overlooks The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
Then there’s the location.
The experience overlooks the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most spectacular coastal areas.
The reserve is home to North America’s largest Atlantic puffin colony, according to Cliff’s Edge Retreat.
Depending on the season and a little bit of luck, visitors may also spot whales, seals and seabirds while overlooking the water.
So yes, there’s a chance you could be eating fresh mussels beside the ocean while watching wildlife in the distance.
Pretty hard to get more Newfoundland than that.
The Mussel Boils Continue Into October
The experience isn’t finished when summer ends either.
This ends in October – save for next year!
With fall settling over Newfoundland, gathering around an open fire beside the Atlantic with hot mussels, traditional music and coastal views might actually be an even cozier way to experience it.
Mussel Boil At The Ecological Reserve
Where: Cliff’s Edge Retreat, Bauline South, Newfoundland and Labrador
What’s included: Locally harvested mussels, seasonal foraged tastings, welcome mocktail, coastal plant interpretation, live Newfoundland music, storytelling and an interactive beachside mussel boil
Distance from St. John’s: Approximately 45 minutes
Between the fresh seafood, open fire, traditional music and views across one of Newfoundland’s most famous ecological reserves, this might be one of the most Newfoundland ways possible to spend a fall afternoon.
Leave a Reply