Long before it was featured in Vanity Fair, for it's 100 anniversary last year, the Olympia Tea Room was the place for eats and drink in Watch Hill. With its art deco interior, the pink walls and ceiling and that black and white retro tile floor, and paintings by the co-owner lining the walls, it feels almost like stepping into an old Hollywood movie, as though Bogie and Bacall (along with maybe Peter Lorrie or Sinatra) are going to glide thru the screen door and slide into a booth any second. 

During peak season, once the weather really heats up, it's also very cool to sit outside for a delicious meal (I adore their grilled pizza, Boston Bahama Salad, and classic mussels, for starters) and some top notch people watching. After all, you never know who might walk by. I mean, maybe Oprah or Selena (as in Gomez, also a good friend of T. Swift's, who, in case you haven't heard, has a house a stone's throw from Bay Street) will actually walk by, or into the restaurant, this summer. Both are among the many superstars who've *allegedly* been spotted looking at property in the area over the years. (The Oprah rumor predates TS by at least 3 years or more.) 

Now, post VF piece (a few summers ago, while staying in WH, we could've sworn we spotted the big man himself, Graydon Carter, in town) and post Tay Tay, the town and the Tea Room are busier than ever, which is exactly why May (aka, right now) and September are my two fave months for frequenting the restaurant. As a matter of fact, since I was in the vicinity yesterday afternoon, I motored over for a nice quiet dinner. It was open for biz and it was perfect, from the pinot noir to the salmon and beans. Note: If you Google the Olympia right now, it may tell you that they are still closed for the season, but it would be wrong. That was my experience yesterday afternoon anyway. 

Update: As of March 24, 2022, Olympia has announced that they will be officially reopening for the season on Friday, April 22nd.

Find the Olympia Tea Room at 74 Bay Street in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

As always, if you motor over after reading this, please let them know you were inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.

Photo Credits: All photos are courtesy of PattyJ.com.