6 Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The first thing we did when we woke up to dry air and sun on Wednesday was assemble the list of top al fresco dining spots we’d been working on during the few days of sun we’ve had this spring. There are six—one for every day of the week except one, when you should fire up the grill in your own back yard.
The Ocean House, Watch Hill
This iconic New England resort that graces the southern Rhode Island coast seems from another time and place… you can imagine Jackie O padding through the property wearing capris and Jack Rogers sandals. But the service and amenities here are thoroughly modern. While several of the iconic resort’s dining areas are open only to guests, residents and club members, its spectacular Verandah and Seaside Terrace open up to the public Friday. These spaces, overlooking nothing but the Atlantic, would win this award in any state, and offer farm-to-table food, wine and cocktails, and people watching (yes, that is Steve Forbes in the chair next to you…shhhh!) equal to the view. Down on the private stretch of beach, the Ocean House’s Dune Cottage, normally off limits to the general public, opens to all on Friday nights in July and August for beachside clambakes. Words do the property no justice. Just go! 1 Bluff Ave, Watch Hill. 584-7000.
41 North, Newport
If the Ocean House is the gracious grand dame of the Rhode Island coastline, 41 North is the boisterous younger sister. The Grill is the resort’s uber-upscale dockside restaurant, and it overlooks the busy waterfront
scene—sailboats, 85-foot yachts, ferries and fishing boats. The people watching here is equally colorful—a modern mix of Europeans, New Yorkers, and the old-school moneyed crowd. The space is comfortable and the food exactly what you want: shellfish, seafood, and grilled meats and fish. Even on the busiest days here the staff is cool and collected and no detail goes overlooked. To wit: the bar stocks five different shapes of ice for soft drinks and cocktails, as different types of drinks are best cooled best by different shapes of cubes. Seriously. 846 Thames St, Newport. 846-8018.GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
The Boathouse, Tiverton
The Newport Restaurant Group operates some of the state’s most popular restaurants. So when we found out that they had opened The Boathouse in 2009, we headed down to see what they had done. In true N.R.G. style this Tiverton star hits the marks for food and atmosphere, and the inside, with dark woods and light walls, is beautiful. But the real star is the view from the al fresco deck that overlooks the Sakonnet River. Serene
and cool, it’s the perfect spot to while away some time. Lucky for you the food and cocktails cooperate to make the experience quite ideal: New England clam chowder, their “Hall of Fame” chowder (baby Maine shrimp with chourico and corn will make you forget those pasty chowders we all loathe), the Maine lobster roll with tarragon creme fraiche on grilled sweet bread. 227 Schooner Dr, Tiverton. 624-6300.
Twenty Water Street, East Greenwich
For over 20 years, people have been flocking to Twenty Water Street on Greenwich Cove for special occasions and great meals. And while we have struggled on occasion with the quality of the food here, when spring arrives we can't wait to make the pilgrimage to their outdoor deck. From May to October, the outdoor deck is the place to be on those hot summer nights for good food and live entertainment. The lobster gets the royal treatment here in the form of a lobster roll and baked stuffed lobster, and we’re happy to report that both hit the spot on our recent visit between raindrops. This lobster roll is that one that you crave all winter long... fresh lobster with just enough mayonnaise to hold it together, warm buttery roll, and little squeeze of lemon. Simple and tasty. The baked stuffed lobster is the classic version kicked up with shrimp and scallops and topped with buttery Ritz crumbs. No celeb watching here—but it’s Rhode Island, so you’ll know half the crowd. 20 Water St, East Greenwich. 885-3700.
Ballard's, Block Island
The joke about Rhode Islanders is that we don't like to travel too far from home, but the trip to Block Island is one of the most beautiful rides you can take in our fair state. And once you arrive on the island you don't need to go any farther than Ballard's Resort and Beach Club. Located just off the dock in Old Harbor, Ballard's features a huge "Shore Dinner Hall" dining room and plenty of deck space for outdoor meals and cocktails. There is one more detail, however, that always keeps Ballard's on our list of top al fresco dining spots. They will deliver your food and drink all day long right to your beach towel. No more lugging that cooler and those bags full of food! The only time you need leave your blanket is to dip your toes in the Atlantic. The menu features seafood favorites with chicken and steaks also in the mix. The crowd is young and old, but always fun-loving. 42 Water St, Block Island. 466-2231.
Aunt Carrie's, Narragansett
There aren't many restaurants in Rhode Island that can boast a prestigious James Beard Foundation award, but Aunt Carries can! In 2007 the folks at the Beard Foundation bestowed the "America's Classics" award on this humble clam shack in recognition of its nine decades of serving Rhode Island comfort food. The South can have its pulled pork—we'll take chowder and clam cakes any day. Aunt Carrie herself was a visitor to Rhode Island who turned her corn fritter recipe into clam cakes and gave birth to a legend. Since then Aunt Carrie's has become the refuge of many a hungry beach-goer with its generous portions and unpretentious picnic tables to enjoy all the fresh seafood. Wait in the sandy line with other burned and tanned patrons, order your catch, and then meander over to the grass where you’ll find a picnic table to enjoy it all. With the ocean to your back, the smell of the salt air, sand beneath your feet and the best clam shack food in the state to enjoy… well, yeah, life is good. 1240 Ocean Rd, Narragansett. 783-7930.
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