Point Judith Oyster Bar & Grill

We decided to go somewhere different and new tonight. Point Judith Oyster Bar & Grill opened recently across from the Block Island Ferry Terminal inside of the Lighthouse Inn (which used to be the old Dutch Inn.) As we entered I snagged a To Go Menu. I suppose one would call this a seafood restaurant but I don't get the ambiance of one and since they don' have a basic baked haddock dish it makes me suspicious about it's menu completeness. Usually we nudge Dad into ordering a baked fish dish because he has a disturbing habit of peeling off the batter from any fish and chip dish. I was worried he'd balk at getting something different tonight. He surprised me by selecting something I never expected him to choose.
Now what would you think a "Gansett Gut Buster" would be ($9.99)? A hot dog with a load of condiments on it? That's what I thought. Here's it's menu description: beer battered oysters, lettuce, tomato, applewood bacon on a warm torpedo with mango jalapeno tartar. That's what he ordered with some very delicious sweet potato fries that the waitress thought they were out of but ended up finding some for our meal. Squishy inside but crispy outside almost like small Crème brûlée sticks but with a sweet potato pie taste. Gives me some ideas you know. Mom tried the sauce but not the oysters. There were about 7 lightly batter fried oysters on top of a smallish torpedo (I would call it a medium sized hot dog bun,) that had the rest of the ingredients piled high supporting the oysters. I suggested Dad not pick it up and he plucked off the oysters, devoured them then looked at the rest confusedly. At that point Mom scooped off a bit of the tartar sauce and claimed that even though it had too much pepper for her that it was quite good. She's mch more pickier than me so I trust her judgement. I encouraged Dad to pick up the bun and eat the rest now that it's most precious ingredient was consumed. I forgot to mention that before this he ordered an appetizer 3 Clam Cakes and Chowder ($6.99). It looked and smelled delicious. You have the choice of Manhattan, white or Rhode Island, the white being the watery type. There was one bowl, 3 spoons and 3 and a half clam cakes. I find it awkward sharing a bowl of anything with someone else unless it's a hot pot or fondue. Mom and I left Dad alone with it.
Mom and I took a gamble and ordered the Hawaiian Fish & Chips ($13.99) (get this: coconut encrusted Mahi Mahi with Maraschino cherry and pineapple sauce.) Some times when you take a chance it really pays off and this dish was one of the best bets that happened to both of us in a restaurant lately. A kind of sloppy coleslaw accompanied the dish but even though it was almost chewy I still enjoyed the basic taste of it. It went well with the dish. The flake of the Mahi Mahi was firm and stood up to the crunchy chewy coconut crust. The sauce did not over whelm the fish and coating but was very flavorful and stood out in contrast to the other elements of the dish. As we were waiting I saw our waitress take a strange pizza to the only other table that was occupied in the restaurant. I asked what it was. It's called a Salad Pizza ($9.99) with basic salad fixings on top and cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette. It's not something I've seen in any of the restaurants I've been to but I do not frequesnt tony restaurants either.
Our meals took a while but they were worth it. The take out menu claims that the restaurant is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm and offers room service for the Lighthouse Inn's guests. Also there is a breakfast buffet on the weekend mornings. There's a kid's menu and you can get a sandwich or pizza, a salad or pastas as well as burgers and seafood.
I hope this place makes it here. For those of you familiar with Dutch Inn, the restaurant occupies the room adjoined to the lounge. Like the old days the bar still is part of the restaurant so you can get your booze as well. Mixed drinks, classic drinks, whatever and it was redone so don't expect the old bar.
It's a good place to wait for the ferry or go to after the beach (but clean up a bit,) or for a nice night out. The prices are compatible with this area. And there are other nice surprises like Arugala, Watermelon & Feta Salad ($10.99,) the Shrimp Appetizer with Saffron Butter Sauce and Chourico ($11.99,) the Lobster Crêpes (they were on the restaurant menu but not the take out so I don't know how much they are,) Lobster Sherry Saute (Market Price) and some other interesting gems worth noting. Go and look for yourself.