Because it's officially open for the 2024 season…

Long before it was featured in Vanity Fair, in 2016 for its 100 anniversary, the Olympia Tea Room was the place for eats and drinks 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 (with maybe Peter Lorrie or Sinatra in tow...Bogie was after all the head of the original Rat Pack) are going to glide thru the screen door any second and slide into a booth.

During peak season, once the weather really heats up, it's so low key enjoyable to sit outside for a delicious meal (I adore their grilled pizza and Boston Bahama Salad) and some top notch people watching.

I mean you never know who'll walk by. Maybe Oprah or Selena (as in Gomez, good friend of T. Swift's who still has that house that is a stone's throw from Bay Street) will actually stroll by or into the restaurant this season. Both are among the many superstars rumored (ALLEGEDLY) to have been spotted looking at property in the area over the years. (The Oprah rumor predates TS by at least 3 to 4 years by the way.) 

Now, post VF piece (a few summers ago could've sworn we spotted Graydon Carter, formerly of Vanity Fair and now of Air Mail) and TS, the town and the Tea Room are busier than ever.

Exactly why off season (right now and in September) is my NEW favorite time to be there.

So, what the heck are you waiting for?

Before the throngs of people start flocking there come June, July, and August, motor over now for a fantastic, early season din din. 

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

As always, if you end of going, please let the folks at Olympia Tea Room know you found out about it via Patty J and PattyJ.com.

Photo Credits: All photos courtesy of PattyJ.com