I am embarrassed to say this is my SECOND summer living in Newport and I have just now made it to Thames Street Kitchen (TSK). I have heard many fantastic review of TSK from friends familiar with the area and had been eagerly awaiting a visit of my own.
TSK opened in 2011 serving farm to table dishes with ingredients that are locally sourced and a menu that changes weekly. Located towards the end of Thames Street this small cozy restaurant is also BYOB so make sure to grab some beers or your favorite bottle of wine from the liquor store nearby before settling in at your table.
How cute are these fresh flowers that were placed on every table?
Each week TSK develops a new menu using whatever local ingredients are the freshest.
Here’s what the menu looked like the night we went in July:
While we looked over the menu the waitress brought out warm bread and butter.
To start the meal we shared a squash blossom which was fried in a tempura batter and filled with ricotta and smoked tomato aioli. The tempura batter was nice and light and did not over power the squash. I love ricotta and the filling on this appetizer was so warm and creamy.
For my entree I chose the whole black sea bass with chili sauce and ginger. I have never eaten a fish cooked whole like this and it did not disappoint. The bass was cooked perfectly and the sauce had just the right amount of spice. I would order this dish again in a heartbeat!
My friend Jaime chose the beef tartar with caper berries and artichoke.
My other friend Jen chose the beef chuck flap with miso and peach.
Amanda had the smoked half chicken with eggplant and tomatillo. I love how crispy the skin was and the meat was so juicy from being cooked on the bone.
As a side we ordered some basmati rice cakes with scallions. I would never think to make a dish like this with rice but I loved how crispy the outside got while the inside still stayed warm and fluffy. These are rather large in size and come 3 to an order so they are good to share with a group.
If you are in the Newport, RI area Thames Street Kitchen is worth a visit. I know I will be back and am excited to see what the menu for my next visit will have in store!
Don’t forget to BYOB!!
Emily J. Goodman 
yum food and byob! just love the simple decor / florals too.
LikeLike