TravelMuse, Inc. TravelMuse, Inc.

Imagine · Experience · Share™

Snowboarders and skiers begin the hike to the summit of Highland Bowl, 12,632 feet.

  • EXPLORE AND DISCOVER

  • RESEARCH AND PLAN TRIPS

  • MAKE RESERVATIONS

 

Destinations » North America » United States » Rhode Island » Newport » City Guide: Dining

Newport, RI » Dining Restaurants by Area

Destination Information

City Guide

Actions

Whatever your dining or drinking destination, Newport is a playground for your palette with plenty of sea air to keep your senses steady, and you in charge at the stern. Newport offers a wide variety of ambiance and taste, from a quick dockside lunch of oysters and champagne to festive clam and lobster bakes at the beach with frothing mugs of Narragansett beer or a barrel of your favorite brew.

Downtown and Historic District

Perhaps you want to celebrate a special event. There is no better place than Memorial Boulevard in Newport. Sardella's is an Italian restaurant known all over Rhode Island for its romantic atmosphere suitable for couples or friends, biting into a rich Lasagna al forno and sharing special moments with a delectable Scaloppini Saltimbocca. At Sardella's find casual elegance and old world charm complemented by excellent genuine Italian cuisine. Two paneled dining rooms are available for your enjoyment—one for a party of up to 60 people and another, in the Oak Room, with a capacity of 25. Savor a bottle of fine burgundy in The Tavern, or enjoy an intimate dinner in the Fireplace room. On the menu try the pesce del giorno, fresh fish of the day prepared by the chef, and Scaloppini Loretta, sautéed veal medallions. What is Bistecca di Manzo? It is a New York grilled strip steak, just begging for a bite. Sardella's, easily accessible from New York, Boston and Providence, is minutes from your skip at Newport harbor.

For more Italian cuisine and plenty of seafood, try Lucia Italian Restaurant where you can get an authentic taste of Northern Italy. With chefs from Vicenza (near Venice) and Rimini, they know a thing or two about seafood and serve it the best way: fresh! In addition to the numerous pasta and seafood dishes you can get, vegetarians can also be assured a hearty meal with an entire vegetarian menu filled with dishes from every course to satisfy every desire.

By now your head may be reeling from excitement, but not enough to eliminate that nightcap at H20, which is under The Inn At The Harbor, across the street from The Red Parrot in downtown Newport. You can enjoy dinner or simply a drink from the deck and enjoy the water view. Or stop at The Mooring Restaurant on Sayer's Wharf, or Christie's on Thames Street for a drink and a view of the lit harbor. You will find a few spots in Newport open past midnight for drinks, but keep in mind that most kitchens close at ten.

If your Newport visit leans more towards days of yore on land rather than sea, the Rhode Island Quahog Company is the dining experience of your dreams. This establishment, a former summer residence, offers a mid-week Gourmet Getaway, where they will teach you to prepare culinary delights. You can choose your own menu or they will design one for you. Learn culinary terms and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a gourmet breakfast and a full course gourmet dinner. At the Rhode Island House, you are asked to bring that special bottle of cellar wine to go with your meal.

Ocean Drive

Another fine Newport establishment known for its ambiance of old age charm and spectacular views of a lighthouse and Narragansett Bay is Castle Hill Inn & Resort on Ocean Drive. You will find a master chef preparing succulent ingredients supplied by local fishermen, and served in an elegant dining room, which requires a formal dress code overlooking the Bay. Choose from a selection of over 200 wines on their list — perhaps a 1996 Chardonnay to go with your haddock fillet. Begin your dining experience with New England clam chowder or native morels and fiddleheads sautéed in orange oil, then on to a main course of crab meat and artichoke salad. Try buttered native lobster with cucumber-sweet corn, or a grilled beef tenderloin with summer green beans sprinkled with almond butter. Strawberry shortbread or a crème brûlée for dessert, or maybe a light shrimp bisque or scampi with lemon oil for brunch.

If you are a true wine buff, you must view the expanse and selection of the fine bouquets at Sakonnet Vineyards, the oldest and largest Rhode Island winery located east of Newport in Little Compton. Sample an estate Samson Brut 1995 gold medal sparkling wine, or their 25th Anniversary Claret. These wines are known for their distinctive style and balance, especially complementary with the food of your choice. Events at this winery include a Master Chef series featuring professional chefs, gourmet classes with individual instruction, preparation of full course meals and the selection of the appropriate wines for each course.

On a different note, perhaps you are visiting Newport for a regal black-tie Saturday night of dinner and dancing at the Officers' Club at the Newport Naval Base. In summer, enjoy complimentary hors d'œuvres or an outdoor barbecue on Friday nights from 5pm to 7pm. A wide selection of soft drinks, fine beer and wines are available under the canopied deck facing the Newport Bridge. The Officers' Club is not a closely guarded military secret, yet it is not advertised to the public. Check in at the main gate of the base and you will receive a card, and someone there will sponsor your admittance.

Copyright © 1999-2008 wcities.com All rights Reserved - Contact Wcities

Plan a Trip to Newport

Organize your travel research in one place!
Invite friends and work together on your plans.