Three East Ferry girls are all smiles after the morning breakfast rush. From left to right are, Jessica Feight, Veronica Oakes and Gina Alvita. Photo by Jeff McDonough Stacy Feight and her father Bob Umbenhauer have been serving up award-winning dishes at the East Ferry Market and Deli for close to 15 years.

Feight gave some history of the deli. She said that her father, Bob Umbenhauer and his wife, Diane, originally opened the deli after moving from Pennsylvania. Bob was employed in the computer industry and Diane was head nurse at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Following layoffs in their respective fields, Bob and Diane decided to purchase the deli and move to Jamestown where they had previously enjoyed family vacations. "All of us worked in the deli then," Feight said referring to herself, her parents and her three siblings: sister Michelle and brothers, Erik and Jason. "It's funny, but our parents didn't really know much about the restaurant industry at the time. It was my siblings and I who had restaurant experience. My older sister, Michelle, was already here in Rhode Island," Feight said. "She attended Johnson and Wales University and had experience in the hotel industry."

According to Feight, she and her brothers had each taken cooking courses and all had previous experience working in various restaurants. Her parents retained ownership of the deli until five years ago when Diane Umbenhauer, then 61, died from breast cancer. At that time, Feight said, she stepped in and became coowner with her father. Her brother, Erik, continued to work at the deli until recently when he was forced to leave due to illness. Feight's 19-year-old daughter, Jessica, currently works with her mother at the deli. "I do a little of everything," Feight said when describing her job. "I do the ordering, payroll, make sandwiches, serve meals, whatever needs to be done."

The deli is located right on the Jamestown harbor at 47 Conanicus Ave. Guests can enjoy beautiful views of the bay and the Newport Bridge while eating breakfast or lunch.

A tantalizing selection of breakfast items such as egg muffi n sandwiches, bagels, and other bakery selections are available, as are an abundant assortment of delicious sandwiches and salads. Guests may also enjoy a free cup of coffee simply by providing their e-mail address, Feight said. A selection of children's meals is available and includes such kid-friendly entrée's as mac and cheese or peanut butter and jelly. Kid's meals include chips, a juice box, and cookies for dessert.

The East Ferry Market and Deli has been the recipient of numerous "Best of Rhode Island," awards including, Best Deli in Newport County, Best Grinder, and Best Not Quite Blueberry Muffin for their banana-blueberry muffin. The deli was also the "Editor's Choice" pick in the May/June issue of Yankee Magazine.

The East Ferry Market and Deli is open daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. during July and August. "The only day we are closed is Christmas," Feight said. "That was my mom's favorite holiday and she insisted we close."

To enjoy delicious breakfast and lunch selections year-round while partaking in breathtaking ocean views, the East Ferry Market and Deli is the place to be.