Best Dock and Dine Restaurants
Thursday, June 14, 2012
There are few experiences as decadently summer as pulling your boat into a slip at a restaurant for lunch or dinner. We set out to add 5 new places to our “dock and dine” list and came back full and relaxed…
Lola's Cantina/The Whiskey Republic, Providence
Rock fans all over Rhode Island were psyched when it was announced that Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey was bringing his growing restaurant group to Providence. We love our music and food local, so this was a perfect fit. With two spots open on South Water Street, Casey snapped them up and Lola’s Cantina and The Whiskey Republic were born. Lola’s features a menu of tasty Mexican treats and 13 creative margaritas and the Whiskey combines a sports bar and an Irish pub. They both feature incredible outdoor space to dine and dance the night away. Lola’s features half priced apps from 4 pm to 7pm daily and we dare you to find a better $4 margarita anywhere. If you are coming in by boat, simply hail the restaurant on VHS channel 68 and you can dock at Lola’s for free as long as you’re a customer. So, dock for free, enjoy some tacos, and pop over to the Whiskey for a pint and some rock and roll. It’s two fun dock and dines in one spot! Lola’s, 525 South Water St. 383-0220, www.lolascantina.comThe Whiskey, 515 South Water St. 588-5158, www.thewhiskeyrepublic.com
The Mooring, Newport
The waterfront in Newport is dotted with hundreds of boat slips and that means hungry boaters. Once you dock, you are literally surrounded by dining options. Figuring out where to eat is always a tough decision. Follow the parade of people heading towards the inviting yellow building that houses the Mooring. As part of the Newport Restaurant Group, you can pretty much expect a wonderful experience. The outdoor seating areas feature some of the most beautiful views in the state and the food and drink only enhances the experience. The Mooring has been on Newport’s waterfront for more than 25 years and executive chef Bob Bankert keeps up that tradition of incredible seafood. Start with something from the raw bar, follow it with the lobster, shrimp and crab fritters and make the scallops with pea/onion puree and fennel slaw your entrée for a perfect seafood sampler. Sayers Wharf, 846-2260, www.mooringrestaurant.com
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBallard's Inn, Block Island
This one is more anchor and dine, but what the heck! There are more dock spaces than winter residents on Block Island, but we choose to moor our boat right off the beach at Ballard’s and wade through Block Island Sound to the long, white beach at Ballard’s. We set up shop on the beach and a miraculous thing happens…a waitress comes to our chairs and drops off menus and takes a drink order. Really? Yes, really. Now, you may want to leave the blanket, but we don’t. And we are more than happy to sip a cocktail and enjoy some fresh seafood with our toes in the sand. Ballard’s is fun and loud and full of people looking to party. This isn’t going to be cutting edge cuisine, but you can expect to enjoy your experience and the uniqueness of the experience makes it a must try. We know, this is Rhode Island and we don’t go to Block Island, but trust us, this is a must do. 42 Water St. 466-2231, www.ballardsinn.com
Evelyn's Drive In, Tiverton
Evelyn’s has been serving dock and diners for 43 years and the consistency keeps fans coming back today. This place is low on atmosphere but high on food and views. Plenty of dock spaces are available for you and it’s a short walk down the dock to the restaurant. The husband and wife team that has kept the restaurant running for the last 25 years, the Brittos, make sure that the walk is worth it with freshly fried seafood and traditional clam shack fare. We loved the clam cakes which were crispy and not to heavy and the fish and chips were well prepared. A certain blonde, spiky-haired Food Network star came to Evelyn’s and loved the lobster chow mein. This is real fusion cusine with East Bay favorite chow mein topped with fresh lobster meat. It was a little confusing to the brain but pleasing to the taste buds. Definitely a must try while you enjoy the view. 2335 Main Rd. 624-3100,www.evelynsdrivein.com
Harbourside Lobstermania, East Greenwich
Another long time favorite, Harbourside is another good choice for boaters and walkers alike for fresh seafood, great views and a party atmosphere. Summer in Rhode Island is about celebrating the season with friends and that is what Harbourside is all about. During the day, take the family and enjoy the quiet waterfront setting and some of the fresh seafood dishes. The baked or fried seafood platters will give you everything you could need for that seafood fix. At night grab a group of girlfriends and head down for same view-this time moonlit-and some cocktails and some live local music. This place walks that fine line between party spot and restaurant with great success. We enjoyed the calamari with their secret lemon sauce and an old-school stuffed sole. 38 Water St. 884-6363, www.harboursideri.com
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