Watch Hill has been back in the news a lot lately because of a certain house — and the heiress who lived there until 1982 — that inspired several songs on the new album of a super famous singer/songwriter who also happens to be the current owner of said home.

I’m not blogging about that today, though.

Yesterday we zipped over to WH to have lunch at one of the prettiest outdoor spaces on the East Coast and check out what exactly was happening in town — aka, the Bay Street area — this summer. (More about that second part tomorrow on the blog, so please watch this space.)

Reservations are recommended, so I made doubly sure to call the Ocean House in advance to reserve a table for us for lunch on The Verandah yesterday. I mean, you don’t want to leave it to chance. You could drive over on a whim and then end up disappointed when you pop in to find that there are no tables available.

The veranda (an outdoor porch with a roof, strictly speaking) overlooks their well manicured side lawn and there are some attractive views of the Atlantic to boot. (Psssst: You can also catch a glimpe of that house, too…wink, wink!)

And speaking of footwear, it’s a primo time to channel your inner WH socialite and pull out those Jack Rogers sandals. Also, oversized sunnies because July & August in the Ocean State. (Sadly I left my ginormous black sunglasses behind in Florida and not a day goes by that I don’t miss them.)

When we arrived a little after noontime, there was a refreshing breeze off the ocean and it was just so relaxing to sit back and sip some cold beverages in such a splendid open air spot. I ordered a Baby Kale Salad while my tablemates opted for Lobster Rolls. Our food was delivered promptly and tasted as fresh and delish as it looked.

It almost felt like old times: you know, those days before masks became the accessories du jour, before having to apply copious amounts of hand sanitizer whenever you’re out and about, and back when we could all hang with our favorite people in crowded indoor spaces.

So, yes, I am here to say that a mid-week lunch in that space is a delightful daycation option this month or next. It’s an outing that is sure to be a highlight of your summer, something that you will look back on fondly come this winter.

***The Ocean House is located at 1 Bluff Avenue in Westerly, RI.