Best Bites & Seaside Sips

THE REEF | NEWPORT, RI Scallop Chorizo

“Rhody” Restaurants to Visit in the Heat of the Summer

IT’S FINALLY SUMMERTIME! Whether you are looking for a nice little getaway, full vacation or for a quick day trip, Rhode Island is the perfect destination to enjoy some great food and drink, lovely waterfront views and an unreal, exciting atmosphere! Check out some of the best restaurants to visit with a group of friends, for a romantic date, or for a night out with the family:

THE REEF | NEWPORT, RI

The Reef in Newport, Rhode Island had a soft opening pre-pandemic, and has now officially opened on Newport’s waterfront. Not only does it offer gorgeous views of the Newport Harbor, but The Reef also has a new Culinary Director, a fresh new look and interior, a new menu with international influences, and a new patio! This is the perfect picturesque setting for intimate gatherings, a night out with friends, as well as large celebrations, as they have a 500-guest capacity!

The Reef’s menu offers all of the local favorites with a unique and thoughtfully curated spin. If you are a seafood lover, you cannot go to The Reef without indulging in the Shrimp Po Boy and Seared Karen Elizabeth Sea Scallops. The Shrimp Po Boy is generously served with house coleslaw, tartar sauce, as well as a toasted brioche, and is crisped to absolute golden perfection. This is the most ideal sandwich to treat yourself to during the warm, summer months. Because what is better than fried shrimp on the water? The Seared Karen Elizabeth Sea Scallops are served with cauliflower puree, capsicum chili pepper, charred chorizo, and asparagus vinaigrette. This exquisite dish is bursting with flavor and tastes even better than it looks!

To complement The Reef’s impressive menu, check out their wide variety of refreshing cocktail, wine, beer, and liquor options. The Reef truly has a cocktail for everyone, whether you are in the mood for something citrusy, fruity, or chocolatey! When visiting, be sure to give the Basil Lemon Fizz, Caribbean Passion, and Frozen Mudslide a try. The Basil Lemon Fizz is mixed with Hendrick’s Gin, muddled basil, limoncello, lemon juice, and agave syrup. As someone who loves anything lemonrelated, this drink is right up my alley! The Caribbean Passion is mixed with Mount Gay rum, Caribbean mix, a combination of orange juice, passion fruit juice, and guava juice, and finished with Goslings dark rum. This cocktail will immediately put you into vacation-mode. Lastly, you can never go wrong with the drink that doubles as a delicious dessert – the Frozen Mudslide. This drink is mixed with 3 Olives Vanilla vodka, Café Aztec coffee liquor, Brady’s Irish Cream, and topped with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

THAMES WATERSIDE BAR & GRILL BRISTOL, RI

If you are in Bristol, Thames Waterside Bar & Grill is one of the most fun, gorgeous spots to visit. It is located right downtown and open all year. The restaurant offers fresh local seafood as well as all of your favorite classic comfort foods. Plus, they have a great bar scene with a variety of wines, hand crafted cocktails as well as local craft beer. Not to mention, Thames Waterside has outdoor seating that offers the best views of the sunsets! If you are looking for some entertainment, you can also visit Thames on the weekends when they feature local artists on their rooftop deck!

Some of my favorite items to order at Thames Waterside include the Nachos, the “Buffacue” flatbread, as well as the Strawberry Cheesecake. The Nachos can be served with vegetarian Korean BBQ quinoa or golden BBQ pulled pork and come with house made chili, cheddar jack cheese, pico

de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, as well as pickled jalapenos. The “Buffacue” flatbread is topped with grilled chicken, BBQ-buffalo sauce, bacon, caramelized onions, and scallions. The “buffacue” sauce is hands down the most mouthwatering and tasty sauce that you can get on a flatbread pizza. And of course, you must finish off the meal with a delicious, thick slice of cheesecake, with the option to be topped with fresh strawberries.

For a refreshing fruity beverage, be sure to order the Blueberry Raz cocktail, which is mixed with Blueberry vodka, Bacardi rum, lemonade, a splash of club soda, and a sprinkle of sugar. This cocktail is the perfect blend of fruity and citrusy and is the perfect choice for a beverage on the water!

STONEACRE BRASSERIE | NEWPORT, RI

Stoneacre Brasserie is a classic neighborhood restaurant that is elevated to completely blow your taste buds away. The restaurant features a curated and always evolving seasonal menu, with all of their products and ingredients being thoughtfully sourced from local farmers, butchers, and fishermen. Every dish that is prepared at Stoneacre Brasserie is approachable yet features a French twist, and is capped off by a cultivated wine list that highlights boutique French wine producers. This is an awesome spot for any sort of event, whether a large-scale full restaurant buyout or casual cocktailstyle reception, with the capacity being up to 40 guests.

Not only are their dishes downright stunning, but Stoneacre Brasserie truly delivers on the presentation of their cocktails as well. For the summer months, the Tangerine Whiskey Smash and Queen’s Park Swizzle are perfectly flavored and refreshing. The Tangerine Whiskey Smash is mixed with fresh tangerine juice, Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, Honey, and fresh tangerines. If you are looking for something a bit more citrusy, the Queen’s Park Swizzle is mixed with aged and silver rum, lime juice, mint, as well as Angostura bitters.

RICHARDSON'S KITCHEN & BAR | WARREN, RI

Richardson’s Kitchen and Bar is a gastro pub located Warren, Rhode Island, a beautiful seaside town! At Richardson’s, you can experience delicious food in a fun, warm, comfortable atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. Richardson’s is owned by Mike and Kelley, with Mike being a self-taught chef who has been cooking since he was a teenager, inspired by his grandmother’s cooking. Richardson’s menu reflects the attention to detail that Mike notes as “the recipe for an amazing dining experience.” Richardson’s truly offers something for everyone on the menu; most notably, they are known for their famous handmade sausage, homemade pasta and crispy hand-cut French fries.

When it comes to the menu, you are guaranteed to be “wow’d” by the aesthetically-pleasing dishes that you will be served. If you are in the mood for fish, you must order the Grilled Loup de Mer, Ratatouille, Salsa Verde, Fava Beans. The Loup de Mar, French for Sea Bass, is cooked to perfection and is a great light choice for the summer months. It is served over a mouthwatering, richly-flavored Ratatouille and topped with Salsa Verde for a tangy, zesty flavor. For steak lovers, the Steak Frites is a must-try, and will very easily become the best Steak Frites you have ever had. The Steak Frites is served with Maitre D’Butter and Arugula, as well as a pile of golden-brown crunchy French fries.

While you will be more than satisfied with any menu item, at your visit to Richardson’s you must give the Veal Bolognese, Steamed Mussels, and Fish Tacos a try. The Veal Bolognese is served with Fresh Cavatelli, basil, and a parmesan crostini. This is the perfect, hearty dish for Italian food lovers! For seafood, the Steamed Mussels are served with a buttery white wine sauce, shaved shallot, fresh herbs, crostini, your choice of lemon or spicy tomato garlic broth, abruzzi pepperoni, and basil. Or, if you are in the mood for Mexican cuisine, the Fish Tacos are served in grilled tortillas with the Catch of the Day, pineapple pico, guacamole, lime, green onion.

For cocktails, Richardson’s does not disappoint! All of their cocktails are carefully and uniquely curated with there being something for everyone’s palette. For spicy lovers, the Sweet Heat Margarita is mixed with Patron, simple syrup, cayenne pepper, fresh lime juice, and a salted rim. Or, if you are looking for something a little sweeter, check out the Peanut Butter Jelly Time, mixed with Screwball Peanut Butter whiskey, Chambord Black Raspberry liqueur, bitters, and finished with cherries. Lastly, for something light and refreshing (the perfect summer beverage!), check out the Rox Refresher, mixed with Tito’s vodka, pureed watermelon, your choice of Sprite or soda water, and finished with a delicious watermelon wedge! •