Jenny C.
Yelp
Bywater is the bomb. You should go there, period.
Ambiance: serene and blue and quaint. Hanging plants, a giant painting of a ship in the sea (I'm in love with this painting), large bar for drink-making and oyster-shucking. There are three outdoor tables and 5-6 indoor tables. Like many other new Warren hotspots, it's intimate, but it doesn't feel too small (ex: North feels small...Bywater feels open, and bigger than, say, Eli's Kitchen).
Drinks: Quality selection of beers and wines, and there are ciders! Plus, they have ginger beer and sweet tea soda and some other unique non-alcoholic offerings. I needed hard liquor, however, so I looked to the cocktails. The list is small, but I had a winning "Daily Shrub." [this particular day it was mezcal, apricots, ginger, and lemon. Smokey and sweet and perfect for the conclusion of a Monday]
Food: YES, ALL THE WAY. The menu based on what's seasonal, which I appreciate, and every detail is attended to. Monday is $1 oyster night (a big HOORAH for that), so we got 8 of the shucker's choice. FYI I am in love with their Irish brown bread--an authentic recipe that's passed down from the owner's Irish relatives--and their yogurt butter. (see photograph for presentation, which is five-star). I was given a second round of bread because I was so crazy about it. The broccoli croquettes, a surprise from Katie, were a comfort food in the extreme. The mustard sauce was just the right accompaniment. For main dishes, we got the Shellfish Panzella (the cornbread! OMG) and Ricotta Gnocchi (it had smoked chorizo in it--need I say more?). Dessert: ice cream was a good end to the night.
Bonus: the owners and staff are THE nicest people. They went out of their way to help my date with his flat tire, and overall improved our experience by their cheerful attitudes and friendly, attentive service. A big kudos to Katie and Brian.