2025 -- S 0595

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE MATUNUCK OYSTER BAR ON BECOMING ONE OF USA

TODAY'S 2025 RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR AND ON BEING AWARDED WINE

SPECTATOR’S TWO-GLASS BEST OF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Valverde, Gu, and DiMario

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2025

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, By delighting our palates and whetting our appetites with a winning “pond-

to-plate philosophy” and a vast selection of pairing wines, that are deliciously prepared with

creativity and served by courteous staff, the Matunuck Oyster Bar in South County has become

the cream of the crop, the best of the best, and they are a feather in the cap of Rhode Island’s

tourism industry and a boost to our State’s economy; and

     WHEREAS, USA Today's 2025 Restaurants of the Year list and Wine Spectator’s two-

glass Best of Award of Excellence have now declared what most Rhode Islanders already knew

by recognizing this epicurean and wine connoisseur treasure; and

     WHEREAS, Through nominations from food writers across the country, USA Today

whittled down the vast competition to designate the top 45 places to eat in America, and awarded

owner Perry Raso's Matunuck Oyster Bar with this prestigious honor; and

     WHEREAS, Considered a “hidden gem” oysters at the Farm, which was founded in

2002, are grown and harvested on picturesque Potter Pond in East Matunuck, under Perry Raso's

watchful eye, and with the knowledge he gained with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the

University of Rhode Island in aquaculture and fisheries technology; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, only 1,531 restaurants across the country earned the designation

as “The Best of Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator. The Matunuck Oyster Farm earned

their spot in recognition of their extensive wine list which typically offers 350 or more selections;

and

     WHEREAS, Not resting on his laurels, Perry Raso has now developed the Matunuck

Vegetable Farm, producing fresh greens and veggies for the Oyster Bar and has received state

approval for a scallop farm to continue to expand and create a sustainable restaurant footprint;

and

     WHEREAS, Matunuck Oyster Bar is already the favorite spot to eat and drink, and in the

summer, sitting on the roof deck or airy patio with water views, watching the oysters being

cleaned on the dock, or inside at the hundred or so tables or beautiful bar, is surely a treat to all

the senses and eminently worthy of the awards they have earned; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby congratulates Perry

Raso and the Matunuck Oyster Bar on earning their place on the USA Today's 2025 Restaurants

of the Year list and Wine Spectator’s two-glass Best of Award of Excellence. We moreover wish

Mr. Raso the very best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Perry Raso.

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