I say this without hesitation: Blount Clam Shack on the Waterfront is my favorite seafood spot in…read moreRhode Island during the summer. Rhode Island has no shortage of clam shacks, lobster rolls, chowder houses, and seafood restaurants. I've been to most of them. Yet every summer, I find myself coming back to Blount again and again. It's one of those places that simply gets it right. One thing I make a point of doing is ordering something different almost every visit. Too many people find one favorite and never venture beyond it. At Blount, that would be a mistake because the menu is loaded with great options. On my most recent visit, I ordered the scallop roll. It was outstanding. Fresh, light, flavorful, and served on a perfectly buttered roll that complemented the seafood without overpowering it. Other visits have been all about the clam cakes, fried seafood, chowder, or one of their other sandwiches. Choosing what to order can actually be the hardest part of the experience. Fortunately, if there's a line, and there often is during the summer, you'll have plenty of time to study the menu and debate your decision. Trust me, you'll need it. Of course, the lobster roll is the headliner. It's the item most people associate with Blount, and there's a good reason for that. Yes, you'll pay a little more than you might elsewhere, but once it arrives you'll understand why. They don't skimp on portions. You're getting a substantial amount of lobster, and every bite tastes fresh and worth the price. Another personal favorite is the whole belly clam roll. If you've had a truly great whole belly clam roll, you know they're hard to forget. Blount's version ranks among the best I've had anywhere. The setup is part of the charm. You wait in line, place your order at what feels like a classic seaside food truck or trailer, then grab a seat under the large tent overlooking the water or at one of the nearby outdoor tables. It's casual, relaxed, and exactly how a Rhode Island summer meal should feel. The supporting cast deserves some praise as well. The fries are consistently excellent. The clam cakes are always fresh and delicious. The staff is friendly, personable, and genuinely helpful, even when they're dealing with long lines and busy crowds. I've never had an interaction that wasn't pleasant. What impresses me most is the consistency. Over the years, I've tried countless items from the menu, and I honestly can't think of a single thing I've regretted ordering. That's a rare accomplishment for any restaurant. I live in Lincoln and work in Boston, and whenever someone tells me they're visiting Rhode Island, Blount immediately goes on my list of recommendations. Yes, getting there may involve crossing the Washington Bridge, and that can sometimes test your patience. That's a discussion for another day. The important thing is that once you arrive and take that first bite, you'll forget all about the drive. Blount Clam Shack on the Waterfront isn't just a great seafood spot. It's one of those places that captures what Rhode Island summers are supposed to feel like. Great food, beautiful views, friendly people, and an atmosphere that keeps you coming back year after year. A true Rhode Island gem and an easy five stars.

We stopped by the food truck during PrideFest and enjoyed some wicked good food and we will…read moredefinitely be returning. A friendly team member recognized us while he was walking around and quickly checked in to make sure we were enjoying our meal, and took the time to have a genuine conversation with us. As members of a community that is not always treated with kindness and respect, particularly at large public events, that interaction meant a great deal to us. We don't typically leave reviews, but me and my wife wanted to take a moment to thank the Blount team for both the great food and the outstanding hospitality. Experiences like this make a lasting impression, and we truly appreciate it. Thank you Blount!

Amara's is a small building with a BIG menu filled with absolutely delicious choices. I haven't…read moretried everything but I've tried many dishes and each and everyone is FRESH and flavor-filled. Don't discount its size for taste because you'll be the disappointed one! It's clean and everyone employed there does there job above and beyond. They're organized and efficient. There are a few eat in tables but most often they are filled. If you're visiting the area and you want local fresh fish THIS IS THE PLACE. Try it! You'll go back more than once. I'm more than certain about that!!

I have been here before a few years ago. The place was busy and filled with customers eating in and…read morepicking up. I chose pick up and ordered 3 fish and chips and the calamari platter. The staff was harried because of the crowd , however not rude at all. I brought my food home and we devoured it. The fish and chips were good, the batter on the fish light and flavorful, the calamari was tender and good, although the drive home with them in the Styrofoam container made the calamari batter soft and wilted. I returned yesterday for another go at it, the time was mid day on a week day so the crowd was much smaller. I wasn't driving far so the food did not get as soggy as the first time. The fish was light and flakey and the fries were standard fair, nothing to get excited about, however passable for most. I got a better look at the inside too, plenty of tables with satisfied looking customers. The staff was pretty much the same as far as enthusiasm, or lack thereof...I would not say they were rude, but they certainly weren't "friendly". I forgot to take my own photo, so I used their stock which looked exactly like what I ordered. I will return again.

Bywater is a highly popular restaurant that has the notoriety of being a James Beard semi finalist…read more We were very much looking forward to an excellent dinner with the family. They have a daily menu, and I've had some friends suggest this place as their favorite restaurant. We parked blocks away due to the lack of adequate parking. Once we walked in, we were greeted with pleasant smiles from the staff. The menu was short, which we attributed to a focus on quality. We ordered a French onion dip and a littleneck entree as an app for the table. We were served with lukewarm water, neither cold nor hot. The apostle John might have been somewhat disappointed (Rev 3:16). The dip was decent but was somewhat lacking in great onion flavor. But nothing to complain about. The little necks were served in a small bowl and lacked a bit of salt. Rather pricey for $26, but this place charges $6 just for bread and butter, so maybe it's just inflation? Enter the entrees. They apparently were short on chicken legs so they asked to substitute chicken breast. Two of us got burgers. First the $20 burgers, which were served with an aioli with no offer of ketchup or other condiments. In short, both burgers were terrible. Far worse than we make at home. It's always a disappointment when you realize you're paying all this extra for food you can make better at home. The buns were shockingly flat, like someone smashed them by hand. Or in a McDonald's box. Come to think of it, the flavor was similar, though overall the hamburger was somewhat bitter, salty and lacked an appetizing flavor. Wow. We all agreed they were terrible. The fries were also burnt and over salted. My daughter quit on her $30 chicken, so I tried it. The sauce wasn't bad, and it was served with a decent brocollini. But the chicken was some of the driest I've had in a restaurant, with no crisp skin and a uniformly poor texture. No wonder no one finished their entrees. And I hate wasting food. So, as much as we would have wanted to give this place a great rating, we just won't be back. The service, although with a smile, was slow and terrible. Our candle burnt out in the middle of dinner. It was never relit. Our glasses were empty halfway through dinner. No refills on the tepid water. The entrees took an hour and a half before they came out (we were warned the chicken could take 30 min). Generally a very disappointing experience. Hard to explain the rave reviews but our Saturday dinner was a sad bust. The cold wet madeleines they provided in a doggie bag didn't do anything to help. Oh well. Hope y'all have a better experience if you go here.

Bywater, we will be back!…read more Warren, RI has some great restaurants and I was surprised since I don't frequent this area much. But after this past weekend, I know I want to come back. We were having a lovely dinner in Warren and stopped into Bywater for a quick after-dinner drink. It was a bit cooler out but since they had no seats in the extremely limited bar area, we took the plunge and sat outside near their fire pits. They did not have many wines to choose from BTG which was disappointing. The one I had which was Cinsault was just ok. I had to dump out most of it since I did not enjoy it but that was my fault since sampling it I thought I liked it. My friend had the bartender make her a cocktail with grapefruit since they did not have pineapple. She was looking for a French martini but seemed to enjoy what they made her. My husband's espresso martini was very good I thought and light but could've used some bailey's. We already had dessert so we did not plan on anything else but I know I am interested in returning for dinner. The restaurant is very small inside but I loved the warm lights and decor. It was a very sexy and attractive vibe! If you are ever in Warren I highly recommend coming here for either drinks, dinner, or both. Dress warm if you plan on heading outside to sit near the fire...it does not give off that much heat! Cheers!

I have been here twice now - once for my birthday and this last weekend for Mother's Day with my…read moremom. The food is always phenomenal! The interior is lovely and charming. Even our waiter, Chico, was a sweetheart. Could not recommend more!

We stopped in during Appy Hour for some appetizers and cocktails, which is our go to at Waterdog…read more They have a great app selection and it rarely disappoints. We ordered the mini stuffies, the hummus plate, and the fried pickles. The mini stuffies were a highlight. Loaded with Mello's chouriço and packed with flavor, they're a solid little bite. My grandfather set the bar pretty high for me on stuffies, and these came close. They have a different profile than what I grew up with; a little less bready, more chouriço forward, and the clam flavor takes a back seat. Not necessarily a complaint, they were just different from what I'm used to and were genuinely tasty. The lemon aioli on top was also a nice touch. The fried pickles were exactly what you want them to be. Crispy, well fried, and the breading actually stayed put while you ate them, which is more than I can say for a lot of fried pickles. They came with the same lemon aioli as the stuffies, which worked just as well here. The hummus plate was a bit of a letdown. We've had it many times before and it used to be a standout. This time the hummus itself was thick and pretty flavorless, more like a dense chickpea paste than anything else. The accompaniments were nice though and consisted of heirloom carrots, cucumbers, olives, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, pickled cauliflower, carrot, and a pepperoncini, all served alongside some buttery round crackers that were like a Ritz cracker's more refined cousin. The veggies saved the plate, but the hummus needs to find its way back. I suppose it could have just been an off batch and won't prevent us from trying it again. Cocktails were great, as usual. I had the Anana with scotch. I love pineapple and this has muddled pineapple and basil, pineapple juice, cracked black pepper. It's my go-to here and it delivered again. My partner went adventurous and ordered the Jungle Booby, which is built around tequila blanco and mezcal with campari, pineapple, grapefruit, lime, orgeat, and an absinthe spritz. The flavors were genuinely good, but the smokiness from the mezcal was a bit much for her taste. She followed it up with a glass of rosé and had no complaints after that. The cocktail wasn't the problem, it just wasn't her style. One of our favorite spots in Warren for a quick nibble, for a good reason.

Great food and service! The place is great. Highly recommend this restaurant. Highly recommended…read more Great restaurant, food is great, service is fabulous.

TLDR: Great food, reasonable price, cozy vibes…read more We both ordered the burger which was juicy and delicious. Very full and filling! The fries were perfectly crispy, and the truffle was definitely worth the extra $2. The inside is decorated with fairy lights and fall decor. We sat outside in the little heated patio area which was a little chilly but I run hot so I liked that. Dinner for two, including tip, came out to about $55. No wait at 5:00 on Saturday (cue Billy Joel) for the patio!!

My dining companion & I met some out-of-town friends here for dinner, as it was halfway between…read morewhere they were staying in Middletown & where we live in Northern RI. The menu & reviews looked promising. I'm glad we had reservations, as they were packed on a Saturday night. I was pleased that we were seated within 5 minutes. I was also pleased that their huge booth fit 4 of us comfortably & they were happy to add a chair at the end for our 5th guest. A basket of warm rolls was immediately placed on our table. The large menu had something for everyone in every price range. We started with drinks, all of which were good. My companion & I shared a bottle of Clean Slate Riesling ($33) which we enjoyed. She & I both ordered the baked sea scallop special, which came with 2 dinner sides for $24.99. The scallops were delicious but I would have been happier if my baked potato & steamed broccoli had been cooked just a few minutes longer. They were edible, just not quite as soft as I prefer. Our friends enjoyed their meals... citrus swordfish (also one of the specials), French onion soup & salad, and a chicken salad sandwich. My companion & I shared a piece of lemon meringue pie for dessert, which was good. It wasn't as big a serving as at some restaurants, but it was enough. I have no idea of the cost as prices are not listed on the dessert menu, a practice I dislike. I also didn't like the fact that I asked for a fork as I don't like eating cake or pie with a spoon & was told I couldn't have one as they were all needed. Our friends enjoyed their peanut butter pie & coconut cake. Our server was adequate. We had to chase her down to ask for water, lemon, etc. I understand she was very busy but a smile would have been nice. I do appreciate the fact that we were not rushed out, and we were allowed plenty of time to catch up with our friends. Also, the hostess was gracious enough to take a photo of our group as we were leaving the restaurant. This restaurant used to be the Country Inn on Market Street in Warren. They have a decent sized parking lot, although it seemed barely sufficient for the amount of volume they do. I would rate this restaurant a 3.5 if I had that option. Will I return? Probably not.

The wait was long(ish) but it was worth it. (I'd recommend a reservation though!!) Food was…read moredelicious and the servings were plentiful. I got the chicken and waffles which was enough for dinner and lunch the next day-- the waffles were SO GOOD (some of the best I've had) and the sweet potato fries were delicious. My friends got burgers which they loved. The tables are big and spaced out and comfortable. Ambiance is good and somewhere in between classy and casual. Totally recommend!

The chowder nice thick and hearty and the fish and chips lightly battened and nice portion for the…read morelunch special.The stuffed quahog was good hearty and flavorful but the bottom was burnt so a nice portion was stuck to the shell. The waitress Amanda was very good at assisting me once I told her it was my first time here.This is an Old Irish style ambiance here nice quiet and cozy. I would've given a 5 if it wasn't for the quahogs being burnt on the bottom.

So nice. Sitting by the fireplace. Warm, cozy, quiet. Never fails with the food. So good. Chicken…read morewas pull apart with a fork. Chicken nona and fish and chips.

Trafford has always been a favorite of mine. The food is always excellent. The staff we encountered…read morewere friendly and personable. The view on the water is fabulous. 5 stars as always. Tonight was a busy night and our server Emily was FANTASTIC in every way. I'm not sure if the blonde woman checking in on us was the manager or the owner but she was so lovely as well. The kitchen did a wonderful job and each dish was great. I had the roast beef & it was perfect. My friends had different seafood plates and enjoyed them. The topper was the chocolate peanut butter cake. The bartender seemed overwhelmed keeping up with a busy restaurant. Other than that, highly recommend this top notch restaurant to everyone.

Get comfortable folks, this was one wild ride. My partner and I showed up to the restaurant at…read more6:22pm for a 6:45pm reservation for a friends birthday dinner. To make a long story short we were not sat until 7:40pm for our reservation, at a table that was two chairs short nonetheless! Thankfully the upstairs bartender was a true professional and took care of us while we waited. After about 15 minutes of the wait staff staring at each other, they realized that they should probably move us to an appropriate sized table. It was a half hour before my canned beer finally hit the table and then we were faced with our greatest challenge yet: getting our waitress to take our order. At approximately 8:57pm, our entrees hit the table. The only part of this restaurant that worked was the kitchen staff. My meal was fantastic and everyone around me also enjoyed their food. This experience somehow became worse when the wait staff could not overcome the obstacle of putting a candle into a scoop of ice cream for the birthday girl. It was like trying to explain the concept of a car to a pilgrim. Overall, I would sooner send someone to a Chuck E Cheese for a family gathering before I recommend Trafford's. I am still not convinced that tonight was not staged, it was that unbelievably painful.