Friends recommended Ella’s Wood Burning Oven in Wareham, Massachusetts, years ago. Last week I was finally able to get there, and I wish I had earlier because the food was truly delicious.
Ella’s chef/owner, Marc Swierkowski, was the head chef at the Crane Brook Restaurant and Tea Room in Carver which was universally lauded. Crane Brook was in a funky building, with artful decor overlooking Lower Sampson Pond. Sadly, I never had the chance to eat there; by the time I moved to the South Shore, it was closed.
The Ride to Ella’s Wood Burning Oven
After driving windy backroads through Plymouth, I exited onto Route 6, Cranberry Highway, in Wareham. The location of Ella’s Wood Burning Oven is on a busy road and can be easy to miss.
Upon opening the door though, I was immediately impressed by the decor and, of course, the large wood-burning ovens. We arrived for an early dinner when the restaurant opened at 5 pm. Eating with kids, I like to arrive early to ensure smooth service and fewer crowds.
We were seated in a small section near the bar. Attentive service is just what we received. I ordered a Lawson’s Chinooker’d which I had been itching to try. It did not disappoint.
What’s for Dinner?
Being here for the first time, we wanted to try an array of menu items. For a starter, we split the chicken wings with a side of roasted asparagus and six littlenecks. The chicken wings were meaty with a great wood-smoked taste. The asparagus was hands down the best I have ever had. My wife, who typically avoids the green veggie as if it were laced with cyanide, even agreed it was amazing. I enjoyed the littlenecks, the first of the season for me.
For our main course, we split a fresh mozzarella pizza and my son had his own regular cheese. The wood-fired taste was pronounced in every bite, but not overwhelmingly so. The mix of basil and mozzarella was a perfect combo. Our last side was the Mexican street corn. I have eaten this dish a handful of times but never was it this good. The cotija cheese was a perfect accompaniment to the roasted flavor. The seasoning was evenly distributed and the cheesy mixture did not fall off (which had been the case with most of the street corn I’d tried before.)
Five Stars
Ella’s was a wood-fired meal experience that I’m anticipating a return to soon. It was truly one of the most delicious meals I have had in a long time. The menu changes with the seasons which encourage repeat visits. This Wareham gem most certainly deserves its strong reputation.
For more information, visit Ella’s website here. For more Backyard Road Trips recommendations click here and here.
