Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown, Rhode Island

I had a good number of hours before my flight home tonight, so I grabbed a rental car this morning and headed down to this place in Rhode Island (629 Succotash Road, 401-783-4202). It was a pretty long drive just for lunch, but it was a local oyster and vegetable farm with a whopping Zagat food score of 27.

Perhaps more importantly, it served Rhode Island-style seafood, like a clear dill-accented clam chowder as well that calamari above (their version featured capers and arugula in addition to the hot peppers). Both were delicious, as were the local oysters on the half shell, particularly the small briny ones from the pond right behind the dining deck. Yep, it all came with a picturesque view of some cute wooden houses on the water and even some locals kayaking by with their dogs.

Seriously, why isn't Rhode Island seafood better known around the country? I almost like it better than what is more commonly seen as New England-style (or I guess Boston/North Shore) seafood, and am now thinking of how to spend more time down here after my next trip out east. In the summer months these guys even do farm tours on weekends.