Experience: Bluewater Bar + Grill Offers Enchantment on the Water

I knew we had arrived at Bluewater Bar + Grill when the sound of pavement beneath the car tires turned into a rolling crunch of crushed shells and the treetops were replaced with boat sails. From the parking lot, I caught a glimpse of stunning sunset hues across the bay, and a view of Warren’s Tourister Mill from our Tyler Point peninsula location. Lined up in the dock, bobbing boats and captains prepping their vessels seemed as eager as me to kick off yet another New England summer.

With bay breezes filling our lungs, my boyfriend and I made our way up to the restaurant, one noisy footstep at a time. At the front door, freshly painted Adirondack chairs huddled around a much-appreciated fireplace on a slightly chilly late-spring evening. The dining room was bustling for a Tuesday, a good sign that this spot has earned the locals’ seal of approval. We opted to sit on their fully covered patio to take in the surroundings. Our waitress Courtney turned on the heaters for us and brought our attention to their specials menu, which rotates daily.

We started with two cocktails off the specials menu: for my boyfriend, a take on an espresso martini called Espresso Manhattan, which is exactly what it sounds like – a coffee-forward drink with vodka substituted for whiskey. And for myself, a Cucumber Basil Smash, which tasted like a vodka soda’s much cooler older cousin, garnished with fresh muddled basil and a skinny sliver of cucumber. Drinks were followed by an unexpected basket of plush sourdough bread accompanied by whipped butter.

Our first course was as colorful as it was tasty: Fried Yellow Tomatoes. It was stacked with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, roasted red pepper, and topped generously with shaved parmesan, basil, and balsamic. We also shared a Golden Beet Salad that shined with the earthy flavor of classic and golden beets, topped with goat cheese, candied walnuts, and pomegranate seeds. The sweet and savory contrast was the perfect starter.

For the main course, I ordered the Sea Scallops, seared to perfection and served over a satisfying apple cider and thyme risotto and sweet potato puree. My boyfriend had the Mini Rigatoni, which boasted maximum flavor with fresh rigatoni, veal sausage, chicken, tangy diced tomato, and a marsala cream sauce. The kitchen sent out a third entree: the towering Surf and Turf with fresh-caught lobster piled atop a juicy sirloin. It was as delectable as it sounds.

From the coastal atmosphere to the delicious entrees, Bluewater Bar + Grill is the perfect place to leave your troubles behind, and the visit had me excited for summer. If you’re looking for high-quality ingredients prepared and served in a unique nautical setting, this hidden gem off a side road in Barrington will certainly float your boat.

Bluewater Bar + Grill

32 Barton Avenue, Barrington

247-0017 • BluewaterGrillRI.com