Oysters, tea and so much more. Check out these October food happenings across RI

Gail Ciampa, Providence Journal
·5 min read

October in Rhode Island is wonderful, in no small part because there are so many food events. There's something for everyone.

The newest event to be added to the culinary calendar is bingo, with several nights to play a game of chance. The game is paired with cheese and drinks.

There's also a special Afternoon Tea planned for a Providence restaurant on a Sunday afternoon. Gather round the tables for special little sandwiches and sweets.

Looking to do something fun with your dog? A Portsmouth restaurant has just the thing to make you howl with joy. With the added benefit of giving you an excuse to dress up your pup.

If you want to go all out, there's a night at a Newport mansion with four different options.

There will be over a dozen local oyster farms shucking and serving at the 9th annual Ocean State Oyster Festival.
There will be over a dozen local oyster farms shucking and serving at the 9th annual Ocean State Oyster Festival.

There's nothing better than slurping a fresh oyster and this weekend, there's just the festival to do that. Wash it down with a local beer or wine.

But wait, there's more.

Mill's Tavern Afternoon Tea

Mill's Tavern will host Afternoon Tea at the Providence restaurant on Oct. 29.
Mill's Tavern will host Afternoon Tea at the Providence restaurant on Oct. 29.

Mill’s Tavern, 101 North Main St., Providence, will host Afternoon Tea at the Tavern on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost is $40, tax and gratuity are additional.

The traditional afternoon tea will feature a selection of premium teas from Harney & Sons, and sweet and savory bites prepared by executive chef Ed Bolus and executive pastry chef Samantha Del Arroyo. Twists on classic tea sandwiches include cucumber labneh, confit chicken salad, smoked salmon, bluefish, and egg sandwiches. Sweets feature cranberry orange and cheddar chive scones accompanied by clotted cream, fresh lemon curd and strawberry jam; lemon-poppy shortbread; brown butter blondies; lemon berry tart; and chocolate beet cake with a chocolate crémeux and Marcona almonds.

For reservations, call (401)-272-3331 or visit MillsTavernRestaurant.com.

Bingo at East Side Cheese

Add some game cards to this setting and you have Cheesy Bingo. The first games will be played at East Side Cheese and Provisions at the end of October.
Add some game cards to this setting and you have Cheesy Bingo. The first games will be played at East Side Cheese and Provisions at the end of October.

East Side Cheese and Provisions will host two evenings of Cheesy Bingo at their cafe and store at 17 South Angell St. in Providence. Play on Friday, Oct. 27, or Saturday, Oct. 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. when the cards will be lined up.

There will be prizes, cheese, drinks and laughs. The ticket to play is $35. This after-shop hours event is appropriate for all ages. Visit Eastsidecheese.com to reserve. For questions, email angie@eastsidecheese.com.

Gulf Stream Bar and Grille goes to the dogs

Dogs are always welcome at Portsmouth's Gulf Stream Bar and Grille but they'll have their own party this month.
Dogs are always welcome at Portsmouth's Gulf Stream Bar and Grille but they'll have their own party this month.

Join Gulf Stream Bar and Grille for Barks & Booze, billed as "a Pawsome Howl-o-Ween Pawty and Doggie Costume Contest." How can you resist such a cute call to action?

You and your pup are invited to the 2nd Annual Howl-O-Ween Pawty on Saturday, Oct. 21, (rain date is Oct. 28) from 1-4 p.m. Enter the doggie costume contest ($10 donation to Save A Lab Rescue) and receive a professional digital photo of you and your pup all dressed up. The winner gets a Gulf Stream gift card and bragging rights.

Look for food and drink specials and the Woof Woof Wagon will be on-site with plenty of dog treats.

Ocean State Oyster Festival

The 9th annual Ocean State Oyster Festival, to be held Oct. 21, will be at Riverwalk Park on South Water Street in Providence,
The 9th annual Ocean State Oyster Festival, to be held Oct. 21, will be at Riverwalk Park on South Water Street in Providence,

The ninth annual Ocean State Oyster Festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 21 at River Walk Park, South Water Street, in Providence. It celebrates locally grown oysters and aquaculture in Rhode Island as well as culinary tourism. The hours are 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Featured will be a selection of oyster farms, live music and craft beer and wine. There will also be food trucks outside by the boardwalk. Tickets cost $10 at oysterfestri.com.

The participating farms include Aquidneck Island Oyster Co., Blue Acres Aquaculture, Bluff Hill Cove Oyster Farm, 401 Breachway Oysters, East Beach Blonde Oysters, Fox Island Oysters, Quonnie Rock Oyster Co., Quonnie Siren Oysters, Quonset Point Oysters, Rome Point Oyster Co., Salt Box Sea Farm, Salt Pond Oysters, Watch Hill Oysters and West Passage Oysters. Learn more on their Facebook page.

Ocean State Oyster Festival collaborates with the Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island to reclaim the event's discarded oyster shells, keeping them out of the landfill and adaptively up-cycling them for reef building.

A night at the mansion

Celebrate fall’s spooky holiday on Saturday, Oct. 28, at The Vanderbilt with The Cabinet of Curiosities and experience the world of Alfred Vanderbilt. Partake in a dinner theater experience featuring performances from No Ring Circus, a New York-based theatrical production company.

Think performance art and theater, accompanied by an indulgent multi-course menu and unlimited champagne. Options include a cocktail hour from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with small bites and open bar for $175. The Dinner Theater Experience has two seatings: 6-7:30 p.m. or 8:30-10 p.m. The cost is $275 per person, including dinner and open bar. Stay the night and enjoy breakfast for $1,000. Book online at aubergeresorts.com/vanderbilt. The hotel is at 41 Mary St., Newport.

The Preserve in Richmond

The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences, 87 Kingstown Rd., Richmond, have a spooky staycation package. Guests who book an overnight stay on Oct. 21, will receive two tickets to the property’s annual Halloween party and 25% off on IV treatments at the OH! Spa the following day.

The Preserve’s Annual Halloween Party offers a specially curated menu and exclusive cocktails. There's also a costume contest and the person voted best dressed will win a grand prize that includes: dinner for two at Double Barrel Steak; a couples massage at OH! Spa; and a dining experience for four at Maker’s Mark Hobbit House.

Tickets to the Halloween Party will include beer, wine and specialty cocktails. A general admission ticket is $125 for members and $175 for non-members/guests.

Guests can book their stay here or purchase tickets to the Halloween Party via phone at 401-539-4653 ext. 5.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ocean State Oyster Festival, Mill's Tavern afternoon tea top food events