Rhode Island's Top 5 Dining Rooms With a View
Ann & Michael Martini, GoLocalProv Food Editors
Rhode Island's Top 5 Dining Rooms With a View
Rhode Island's Top 5 Dining Rooms With a View
The Boathouse, Tiverton
Our favorite room with a view is the Boathouse Restaurant in Tiverton. This spot along Mount Hope Bay is one of the most beautiful in all of Rhode Island. You've got perfect sunsets with sailboats cruisng along the water and delicious food and drink. We enjoyed our meal on the outside deck. It was a late afternoon and this was a perfect choice. Chowder and a cocktail gave way to a lobster roll and some perfectly seared scallops. The lobster was nicely poached and the dressing was light and a good complement to the seafood. The scallops were our favorite part of this meal. Plump and briny, they were what we remember most. 227 Schooner Dr. 624-6300, www.boathousetiverton.com
The Roof Deck, Vanderbilt Grace, Newport
Pretty much the whole place here is scenic but we give special heed to the roof deck of this classic Newport spot. This former mansion--and, oddly, YMCA--is now a boutique hotel run by the fabulous Grace Hotel group. The culinary is headed up by Jonathan Cartwright--he of the White Barn Inn--and his team including Chef Basil Yu. Belly up to the bar or pull up an Adirondack chair and settle in for a view of the harbor. We tell everyone we take up here that it's incredible and they all still walk out and say "Wow". Grab some local oysters -- their homemade sriracha is to die for -- and champagne and watch as the sun melts behind the Newport Bridge. Perfection. 41 Mary St. 846-6200, www.gracehotels.com/vanderbilt
The Ocean House, Watch Hill
Arguably the most beautiful resort locale--Castle Hill would have an argument here--in the state is The Ocean House Hotel, in Watch Hill. Celebrities and locals alike come here for the serene views and the top-notch amenities. We come here for the world class food and beverages. Oh yeah...and the views. We love the Bistro and the Veranda but really fall for Seasons. The fine dining restaurant on property, they do farm to table that hits perfect notes. The folks at Travel + Leisure just named Ocean House the number one resort hotel in the continental United States and we wholeheartedly concur. 1 Bluff Ave. 315-0579, www.oceanhouseri.com
The Coast Guard House, Narragansett
Almost as classic as Narragansett itself, the Coast Guard House serves updated food with a near perfect view. They still feature the classics here but the food has definitely undergone a facelift in recent years. This spot was originally a Coast Guard station and has been here since the late 1800's. Since 1940 however, they have been one of the most scenic restaurants in the state, and a new makeover has them looking better than ever. The menu is large and has just about anything you could want: fresh, local seafood; creative appetizers; even burgers and pasta. The New England clam chowder was an excellent choice for our summer visit. We ate along the windows with a tremendous view of the ocean. 40 Ocean Rd. 789-0700, www.thecoastguardhouse.com
Winfield's Restaurant, Block Island
A recent day trip to the island turned into an impromptu overnight to the island. It happens...don't hate us. We arrived on a beautiful day and quickly found our way around the island. As the day got later, we realized we wanted to stay and enjoy Winfield's. This was a good decision. Dinner was one of the best we've ever had on the island. We started with the steamed mussels that were accented by jalapeno and cilantro. The broth was "sippable". As it was Sunday, we had to try the fried chicken. When a restaurant sets aside one day a week for a special dish get it. This was the best we've had north of the Mason Dixon Line. Tender, juicy, perfect. Add in the views and you have a winner. 1 Corn Neck Rd. www.mysite.verizon.net/restkino
