Combine cream cheese and milk in a blender. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
Heat large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat.Cook until crispy. Remove bacon with tongs and set on a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
In same pot, add garlic and onion. Cook until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add wine or broth. Cook another 7 minutes.
Add potatoes, clam juice, thyme, salt, pepper, Old Bay®, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Simmer 10-14 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender. While potatoes are cooking, in a separate small saucepan, heat the cream cheese mixture just until hot; do not boil.
Submerge the fish chunks into the soup. Top with cream cheese mixture. Keep on low heat (avoid boiling) for 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf; stir in 2 Tbsp chopped parsley and bacon.
Top with remaining parsley, and a Cheddar Bay Biscuit (optional).