Business & Tech
The Fish Market Will Serve Seafood on Your Plate or in a Package
A combined fine-dining restaurant and gourmet fish store is slated to open in North Kingstown in February
Amid the recent snow and rainstorms, the old Blockbuster store at Wickford Commons on Post Road has hummed with activity.
Workers have been busy installing a commercial kitchen, building a bar, smoothing a polished floor, painting walls, putting up white wainscotting, plugging in coolers and undertaking all the myriad tasks required to transform the space into a fine-dining restaurant and retail fish store.
The Fish Market, expected to open in February, represents the latest project from Ocean Wave Seafoods Trading Inc. Ocean Wave, a seafood broker based in Australia, has its U.S. headquarters in East Greenwich. The company is exploring new ventures and the North Kingstown restaurant-store could pave the way for others, explains Raymond Rose, retail manager.
So far, The Fish Market has involved eight months of preparation, including the installation of a new 8,000-gallon septic system for the storefront's new purpose.
Rose, who also serves as the executive chef, formerly worked in food service at Providence College, where he fed 1,700 people seven days a week during the school year. Taking charge of a restaurant, he says, "is the next level."
The Fish Market will have 20 tables and 20 seats at the bar in the dining area, plus a counter for gourmet fish sales. Hungry prospective patrons can check out the menu already posted on the front window.
Most of the offerings come from the sea, including a raw bar, bisques, chowders, salads, sandwiches and entrees, but The Fish Market will also serve beef and chicken dishes, along with desserts. One special touch: the restaurant will serve French-press coffee, as well as espresso, cappuccino and specialty drinks.
Rose emphasizes that all meals will be cooked to order, down to the hand-cut fries, and everything on the menu will be available "to go."
He expects to employ 25 to 28 staffers. "Ninety percent of the people hired are from North Kingstown," Rose says.
The Fish Market will be open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. The restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The fish counter will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. Rose expects to add a Sunday brunch once the shakedown period subsides.
Rose says he sees an open niche for a local high-quality seafood restaurant. His initial goal is to fill 200 to 300 plates each weekend. In addition to excellent food, he aims to provide excellent service.
"There won't be anyplace with better service in town," he promises.
