Johnny's Peking Tokyo

That there would be a local sushi spot with good tasting sushi, reminiscent of any of the restaurants one can easily find in cities like New York and San Francisco, I thought was an impossibility...until Johnny's Peking Tokyo in Mystic. The unassuming location in a small shopping center, let alone the name of the restaurant itself, would have never drawn me to the restaurant. Peking Tokyo came as a recommendation; the best one I have received since my move to Rhode Island. The seafood is fresh. The raw fish has a delicate taste. The daily specials bring unique fish to the menu like Madai (red bream) and Otoro (fatty tuna), and a selection of composed rolls like the Rainbow Caviar (spicy salmon and tempura flakes topped with colorful tobiko) and the Black Dragon (shrimp tempura topped with eel, avocado, and eel sauce). Peking's is a wonderful surprise, and after my second visit, I can't wait to return.

At Home Dining: Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower + Onion+ Garlic + Water + Olive Oil + Lemon Juice

Matunuck Oyster Bar

Matunuck Oyster Bar is the epitome of what is casual, what is New England, and what is seafood. Set overlooking Potter Pond in East Matunuck, which is in fact a nursery where oysters are harvested for the restaurant and other markets, Matunuck's serves farm-raised and wild caught seafood, complemented by local ingredients sourced from nearby farmers. The deck allows guests to enjoy fresh seafood and cocktails- perfect for dining in the summer. Inside, the restaurant has a raw bar where oysters are shucked endlessly and patrons can stand around and taste the different varieties. A lobster tank in the back of the small restaurant allows guests to pick their own lobster. Dishes are simple and straight forward, the fare includes the classics (think lobster bisque, fish and chips, calamari) and portions are more than generous. The wait tends to be long (45 minutes when I dined) but made painless by the raw bar's constant action. Matunuck's is a Rhode Island must.