David KrisoIt’s winter time. Who said that summer time is the only time to travel? There are dozens of cities around the United States known for great restaurants, regardless of the season. There’s Boston, known for clam chowder. There’s San Francisco, known for its seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf. Tampa is known for the sandwich known as the “Cuban”. There’s Chicago, known for its unique take on pizza; the sauce on top of the cheese. Of course, there’s Pittsburgh known for the famous restaurant “Primanti Bros”, widely known for its sandwiches with the French Fries piled within them. Those cities cannot be counted out. The one city that cannot be left out of the mix is historic Newport, RI. Of all cities around the United states, Newport is home to a handful of restaurants that invite tourists with an appetite for adventure. What are those restaurants and how do they contribute to Newport being a foodie’s paradise?
5) The Red Parrot: The Red Parrot is an independently owned restaurant. It is a festive locale known for its focus on celebratory and family experiences set in a casual ambiance. The Red Parrot is known for its expansive menu (pasta, pizza, seafood, and surf ‘n’ turf) on three levels of an 1898 building. The Red Parrot is conveniently located on the corner of Newport’s touristy Thames Street and Memorial Boulevard. What’s so inviting about The Red Parrot? Its appetizer selection is just the beginning. Ever tried a Lobster Martini? It’s Fresh chilled lobster salad topped off with a U-15 shrimp, served with a side of cocktail sauce. Upping the ante under “Norman’s Baits”, is the Lobster Nachos. Who wouldn’t try this? It’s tender, sweet lobster meat sauteed in garlic and butter with sun-dried tomato pesto cream, baked with Mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses, melted over tortilla chips, and topped with scallions. Hungry enough? The entree selection at The Red Parrot is the icing on the cake. One cannot resist the Jerk Chicken, a chicken breast with glazed Jerk seasoning topped with grilled pineapple and a side of mango salsa. If that doesn’t make anyone feel any hungrier, one must try the Lobster Stuffed New York Strip. Behold-a grilled twelve-ounce New York Strip steak stuffed with tender, sweet lobster, brushed with garlic butter, and topped with roasted tomatoes. It’s a wonder why visitors keep on returning.
4) 22 Bowen’s: 22 Bowen’s is the latest steakhouse added to Newport’s arsenal of classic restaurants. 22 Bowen’s is a classic prime steakhouse, rich in texture and tradition. Located in the heart of Bowen’s Wharf, 22 Bowen’s is a place of sophisticated charm, defined by its casual elegance, indulgent food, classic drinks, and warm, genuine hospitality. It all begins with the “Chilled Tastes” selection. At 22 Bowen’s, who can’t go wrong with the Lobster Cocktail? Who would pass up the Chilled Shrimp (Shrimp Cocktail)? At $4.50 per shrimp, the customer decides how many shrimp to be prepared. Skipping ahead to “22 Bowen’s Butcher’s Cuts”, there’s plenty to choose from. There’s the Fourteen-Ounce New York Strip, Premium Center-Cut Ten-Ounce Filet, the Fourteen-Ounce New York Strip Au Poivre, the Twenty-Ounce Bone-In New York Strip, and the Sixteen-Ounce Rack of Lamb. At 22 Bowen’s, there’s enough to leave a steak lover thinking and guessing, guessing and thinking, until he or she flips a coin. No matter what the selection, the food is truly unforgettable.
3) Nikolas Pizza: Nikolas Pizza is located on Memorial Boulevard, heading east uphill towards Bellevue Avenue. Nikolas Pizza is a Newport classic. The restaurant is in its fortieth year, serving people from all over the world. Nikolas Pizza is more than just pizza. It serves something for everyone. It’s more than just its diverse menu that sets itself apart from all the other popular restaurants in Newport. It’s the warm and friendly atmosphere. Every dish is made from scratch, using recipes that have been in the family ownership for generations. The menu at Nikolas Pizza features some of the classics found at any pizza establishment, but with a touch of family love. Of course, there’s the soups, the salads, the wings, and best of all-the pizza. In the pizza selection, who would want to skip the Margherita? Another house favorite is Uncle Marco’s White? What could be more mouth-watering than the Buffalo Chicken Pizza? Anyone hungry for dessert? At Nikolas Pizza, the must-have is Molly’s Dessert Pizza. Molly’s Dessert Pizza is Nutella spread on baked dough, topped with strawberries, whipped cream and chopped Hazel Nuts. Note: Molly’s Dessert Pizza comes in the large size only.
2) La Forge Casino Restaurant: La Forge Casino Restaurant is located along quaint Bellevue Avenue, leading toward the historic mansions. Located on the grounds of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, La Forge Casino Restaurant has long been a local staple providing a menu, style, and friendly atmosphere that reflects its commitment to an exceptional dining experience. Open year-round, La Forge Casino Restaurant has long been the premier choice for many of Newport’s social gatherings such as the Miss Rhode Island Pageant, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, The Newport Rugby Club, and Newport Hospital. The menu selection is one to behold-with so many mouth-watering appetizers and entrees to catch one’s attention. Who wouldn’t want to start with Clams Casino? It’s half dozen native littlenecks baked with seasoned bread crumbs, garlic butter, and bacon. How about the La Forge Lobster Roll? It’s cold lobster with light mayo, celery, lemon and parsley, and warm butter. No matter what the occasion, La Forge Casino Restaurant is the perfect setting for any occasion. If it’s a first time visit to Newport, La Forge Casino Restaurant is the right choice and the right place to call “home”.
1) Brick Alley Pub: A Newport landmark, Brick Alley Pub has been voted both Best Restaurant and Best Bar in Rhode Island. Bricky Alley Pub has been atop the list of Newport’s favorites for forty years. With over twenty-five beers on tap and a Bon Appetit-voted best lobster roll and burgers in America, Brick Alley Pub is the perfect spot for a family dinner, a date, or a night out with friends. Like The Red Parrot and La Forge Casino Restaurant, Brick Alley Pub is a favorite among Salve Regina University students, Salve Regina alumni, and students’ families. For starters, who wouldn’t want to start off with one of Brick Alley’s famous nacho platters (Cheese, Chicken, and Machacha Beef)? In the pasta selection, one cannot miss out on the Spicy Buffalo Pasta. It’s aged cayenne red pepper cream sauce on red pepper
rigatoni with chopped tomatoes and wilted spinach. Who’s up for a secret? Of all its sandwiches, Brick Alley Pub has the best Cajun Chicken Sandwich. It’s a spicy pan-bronzed boneless, skinless chicken breast on a bulky roll with lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayonnaise. Not to stress-the kitchen can hold the lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayonnaise. The even bigger secret is that Brick Alley Pub is home to the best soup and salad bar, including a bread cutting station. It’s a paradise of everything. Brick Alley Pub is more than just a Newport favorite. It’s a legend shared by tourists and Salve Regina students alike. It is the perfect hangout for all to share the highlights of the day in its neighborhood-friendly atmosphere.
Nothing beats visiting Newport during the winter time. The summer traffic is long gone. There’s plenty of crisp cold air blowing off Narragansett Bay. There are more than enough parking spaces to go around. With all the cold air and parking available, there are plenty of known restaurants to experience. Are Lobster Nachos and seafood calling? The Red Parrot is the place to be. Anyone looking for a good steak to satisfy a hearty appetite? No one is to look further than 22 Bowen’s. Is a good local pizza feast in mind? There’s no need to look far. Nikolas Pizza is the place to go. Are a lobster roll, corned beef Reuben, or Fish ‘n’ Chips of interest? Visitors should consider no other place than La Forge Casino Restaurant. Anyone looking for a good burger, excellent wings, and plenty of salad to keep the vegetarian energy going? Brick Alley Pub is undoubtedly sure to please. Each and every one of these Newport restaurants are known for their promising menus, popular choices of dishes, and friendly atmospheres. Whatever the occasion may be-visiting a family member in college, touring the historic mansions, a scenic dive on Ocean Drive, or a harbor cruise on majestic Narragansett Bay, Newport has the restaurants to cap off any weekend visit. As long as The Red Parrot, 22 Bowen’s, Nikolas Pizza, La Forge Casino Restaurant, and Brick Alley Pub are kept in mind, a visit to Newport will always be “smooth sailing”.
