Five Things: Bonefish Grill, Cranston

Five Things: Bonefish Grill, Cranston

Can a suburban chain restaurant without an ocean view really put out good seafood? Sean DeBobes had heard that Bonefish Grill, which opened this winter in Cranston, was doing seafood right, so he went south to explore. Here are the five things he wants you to know.

One. Cocktails… for charity

It’s always nice to support important charity work, like the Ocean Trust. Even better to do it while sipping on a delicious cocktail. One dollar from the sale of every Ocean Trust Mango Martini supports the organization. The cocktail itself, a perfect blend of muddled mango and orange with Absolut Citron. I love mango in a cocktail for the viscous, almost creamy texture it provides, and with the weather finally moving (sort-of) in a warm direction this tropical blend really has me thinking of summer already.

Two. Coconut Shrimp

I often skip a dish like this. It just seems to be an old hat most of the time. My waitress suggested this particular rendition so I thought I had to try it. I was glad I did. The preparation was expert. A thin layer of tempura batter provided a great, crisp bite. The glaze was phenomenal. Tangy, sweet, and with a great ginger bite. The six jumbo shrimp couldn’t have left the plate any quicker.

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Three. Sweet Mussels

There are some really great places in Rhode Island to grab a giant bowl of PEI mussels and chunk of bread. Bonefish Grill is more than a consideration, it’s a leader. The Mussels Josephine were tender and flavorful. Tomatoes, garlic, basil, lemon and wine mingled to make a great sauce. The real stand-out flavor was the hint of anisette. Anytime I have a big bowl of the PEI bivalves I’ll be asking where’s the bread and where’s the anisette.

Four. Chimi

You can’t go to a place like Bonefish without getting a serious piece of grilled fish. They have plenty of options for your non-pescetarian friends to dine on… but trust me. You don’t want to miss this. I had a great piece of Chilean Sea Bass that you could really taste the grilled flavor on. The kitchen tops this off with a bold and flavorful Chimichurri sauce. The herbaceous blend really added depth to this dish while not overpowering. The fish was able to be the star, the sauce, its perfect compliment.

Five. Vegetable?

This is a kind of vegetable I could get in to. Bonefish starts with some wilted baby spinach. They toss in some garbanzo beans which pick up a great toasted, nutty flavor. Top this off with some crumbled sausage. It might not be a vegetable anymore, but this zesty side was a winner with me.

Would I go back? Yes, all great notes and a price point that fits in any budget. This is a great night out.

Hit “Save”: Bonefish Grill, 200 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 401-275-4970.

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