diners, drive-ins and dives #18 - anthony's seafood market & restaurant

One of the things we try to do when we travel is eat at local places - no national chain restaurants. We also strive for local cuisine. So when we found ourselves in New England recently, we tried another Diners, Drive-ins and Dives place - after all, if it's good enough for Guy Fieri, it's good enough for us!

Anthony's Seafood Market and Restaurant is located in the quiet hamlet of Middletown, Rhode Island and is not much to look at from the outside. In appearance, it's definitely more "dive" than "diner."

Anthony's Seafood Market and Restaurant has been family-owned and operated since beginning as a wholesale lobster company in 1956. They moved into the restaurant business in the 1980's as well as being a fresh seafood market.

But walk past the plastic-enclosed patio, through the double doors and you are standing in a state-of-the-art fresh seafood market. We waited in line for about 20 minutes to order before being seated in the patio area (their roomy inside dining room was filled). While the plastic may look a bit tacky, it helps the stand heaters keep the patio warm - something we were grateful for!

We tried two appetizers that Guy had tried - Kung Pao Calamari and a Stuffed Quahog (hard-shell clam) known affectionately as a "Stuffie." We have had fried calamari as an appetizer in lots of restaurants, always prepared and served the same way - battered and deep-fried served with either marinara or cocktail sauce. Anthony's Kung Pao Calamari is unlike any we've ever had and hands-down, our favorite. The calamari is breaded and deep fried, then tossed with peppers, Kung Pau sauce, peanuts and green onion to create a zingy bite with perfect texture, not rubbery or squishy. Our Stuffie was just as delightful - stuffing with clams, chourico (Portuguese sausage similar to Spanish chorizo), onions, peppers and spices. They come mild or hot - we opted for hot. The stuffing was stuffed onto a clam shell - very pretty presentation! And tasty, too!

A Stuffie, Kung Pao Calamari (paired nicely with a local brew!) and empty plates!

Not realizing how generous the appetizer portions were, we also each ordered an entree - grilled swordfish and Seafood Nantucket - cod, sea scallops, Old Bay-seasoned shrimp layered in Anthony's lobster sauce then topped with bacon and Ritz cracker crumbs. Yeah - comfort food from the sea! It was too good to let any go to waste.

This is one "dive" we will be sure to frequent when we are in the area. Two thumbs up!