Iconic New England Destination Matunuck Oyster Bar Suffers Devastating Fire | Eater Boston
"A devastating fire early on May 20 badly damaged a beloved New England seafood destination in South Kingstown, Rhode Island; firefighters brought the blaze under control in about an hour and a half amid strong winds, no injuries were reported, and the building is likely a total loss while the cause remains under investigation. Owner Perry Raso—an advocate for sustainable aquaculture who founded a local oyster farm in 2002—thanked the community, vowed to rebuild, and a GoFundMe has been established to support employees and reconstruction. Renowned for its pond-to-plate ethos on Potter Pond, the restaurant let diners watch oysters being harvested and shucked while dining, served organic vegetables from its nearby farm, recently opened a shellfish hatchery, and offered educational, family-friendly oyster-farm tours. The menu celebrated the diversity of local waters—clams, oysters, lobsters, Jonah crab, bay scallops, and Black Sea bass—and often highlighted underutilized species like monkfish; its littlenecks with chouriço earned national praise from The New York Times in 2023, it was named to USA Today's 2025 Best Restaurants list, and it has won multiple Wine Spectator awards. A year-round dining destination and holiday tradition for many, the spot is treasured by chefs and regulars for its quality, value, and role in supporting local harvesters, and patrons are eager for its eventual reopening." - Tanya Edwards
