Looking for both updscale and casual dining in Newport

My husband and I are arriving in Newport in August for the Jazz Festival and will be extending our vacation throughout the following week. I%26#39;d like some recommendations as where to make reservations for a fabulous, upscale seafood restaurant, a great steakhouse and also good, auhentic seafood restaurants to go to for lunch. No chains please. For lunch I could care less if I dine in a shack as long as the food is great. For dinner, I am looking for quality food in a nice atmosphere. Can anyone help?

Looking for both updscale and casual dining in Newport

for shacks, i recommend Flo%26#39;s Clam Shack on Easton%26#39;s Beach. Great fried clams. Folks line up around the place on the weekends.

Again, I love the White Horse Tavern...the history. It%26#39;s upscale but sooo interesting.

Looking for both updscale and casual dining in Newport

Best upscale seafood restaurant in Newport is The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar, right on the waterfront in downtown. Another, more casual place is Scales and Shells, but I don%26#39;t believe they are open for dinner. Flo%26#39;s in Middletown is a fried seafood place, if you don%26#39;t mind the cooking oil. The Black Pearl has a nice outdoor patio on the water, and a good, not great, chowder for lunch.

Best, and only, authentic steakhouse is 22 Bowen%26#39;s, also on the waterfront near the Black Pearl. They also have a more casual outdoor waterfront patio, 22 Portside with some good seafood selections for lunch. The White Horse Tavern is a nice place, but neither a seafood or steak specialist; they do have good seafood and beef entree choices however. Bouchard%26#39;s is a very good classic French dining experience, with the chef as the owner. Really worth trying.

The Rhumbline, a bit away from the waterfront is also a really nice smaller chef owned location worth trying, with seafood and meat choices, as is Pronto%26#39;s--another chef-owned establishment.

Best overall dining experience in Newport is Castle Hill Inn %26amp; Resort, probably one of the best restaurants in the country. They have some great seafood entrees, as well as a nice steak.

The Mooring, 22 Bowen%26#39;s and Castle Hill are all owned by the same local company, and they have some other locations in Tiverton and Providence I%26#39;m told.

Newport has some really good dining options if you are into fine dining. They are expensive, but you get what you are paying for. There are some good more casual places as well, but be careful, since there are also a number of marginal places to trap the unwary or undiscriminating.

Good luck, hope you enjoy yourself in Newport.

Whoops, I meant that Scales and Shells may not be open for LUNCH.

very upscale:

Bouchards, Spiced Pear, or Castle Hill

upscale:

Mooring, 22 Bowens, Black Pearl in the Commodore Room,

Clarke Cook House, West Deck, Mama Luisa%26#39;s

casual:

Yesterdays, Scales %26amp; Shells, Zelda%26#39;s, Pronto, Black Pearl%26#39;s Tavern or patio, West Deck patio, Sardella%26#39;s, Puerini%26#39;s

very casual:

Brick Alley Pub, Wharf Pub, O%26#39;Briens, Red Parrott, Gas Lamp, Quahog Company

REALLY casual:

Salas%26#39;s for pasta by the weight (1/4 or 1/2 pound). Great family place with great oriental pasta.

Flo%26#39;s Clam Shack right across from 1st Beach

lots of places to choose from. check out www.GoNewport.com

Breakfast at Corner Cafe, Gary%26#39;s handy lunch or Franklin Spa.

I agree that the Inn at Castle Hill is the best overall dining experience in Newport because you get a 5 star view along with a five star atmosphere and a five star meal.

I%26#39;m not a fan of Flo%26#39;s for seafood. If you want good seafood at a casual place you need to venture to Middletown to Anthony%26#39;s Seafood and either eat there or take it out to the beach perhaps. You%26#39;ll get the BEST clamcakes and chowder there (three kinds of chowder) . They have great steamers and just about anything you could possibly want in terms of fresh seafood Rhode Island style.

Unfortunately there are lots of over-rated over-priced mediocre restaurants in Newport and surprisingly I see them recommended to people all the time.

Yesterdays and Zelda%26#39;s and Pronto I think are fairly consistent and mid priced.

Oh I forgot, to add to the BEST restaurants, there is also THE PLACE which is right next door to Yesterday%26#39;s in Washington Square. It used to be my absolute favorite restaurant. They used to have a lobster entree with mango papaya sauce over black angel hair pasta which was INCREDIBLE but I%26#39;ve noticed they%26#39;ve taken it off the menu. I still would go there if you want interesting delicious gourmet food. It isn%26#39;t cheap but it was always well worth it! It%26#39;s very upscale but not stuffy like the Black Pearl or the White Horse Tavern or Bouchard%26#39;s tend towards.

Agree with Castle Hill for a fine dining experience. Overall, it is the best in Newport. The view, the service, the atmosphere, the food, the wine list. White Horse Tavern is also a great place for fine dining. Other fine dining recommendations would be Brochards and although the atmosphere is more casual West Deck and Asterisks are excellent choices. For a more casual experience without compromising food quality I would recommend Scales and Shells and Black Pearl for lunch. Spiced Pear is overpriced and overrated as is 22 Bowens. I gave 22 Bowens several opportunities to redeem themselves and they never failed to disappoint. I would not recommend Brick Alley to anyone. Had a few failed experiences here and would not return. Perhaps The Mooring would do for lunch. I would not consider it the caliber of the aforementioned fine dining establishments but the atmosphere is pleasing and if you choose wisely you can have a descent meal. Have fun!

I posted this a few moments ago to Mamma Luisa%26#39;s comment page:

OK, I admit that I%26#39;m a tough audience. I admit, too, that this is the best meal that we%26#39;ve had in Newport albeit that we have never eaten at Castlehill. The service was excellent but I didn%26#39;t particularly enjoy the German headwaiter staring at my Wife as he seated us. She%26#39;s beautiful but that kind of ';consumption'; is inappropriate and classless.

My Wife had a simple salad that was clearly not of the packaged variety; it consisted of really fresh greens and a very nice dressing. I had zuppa di frutti di mare that was delicious.

For our entrees, she had cotoletto di pollo that was delicious and I had carbonare that hardly had any taste and I%26#39;m sure that the pasta was packaged.

The restaurant gets a high rating from me mostly because of the atmosphere -- quiet and somewhat elegant. It%26#39;s modest prices result from the fact that the restaurant is at the lower-rent end of Thames, after the intersection with Narragansett, where Thames becomes a two-way street.

The restaurant%26#39;s up-to-date menu is on the web.

Absolutely go to Canfield House for dinner. It is up the hill a bit from the Tennis Museum, and is fabulous.. less expensive than White Horse but could easily be more expensive based on the food, presentation, staff, and atmosphere. It was once the casino in Newport, and it has the most beautiful woodwork...ceilings and all! Very relaxing and the wait staff know how to wait tables...no rushing or plopping down a cocktail as the salads are arriving. enjoy!

best train/ferry route from nyc to block island?

It looks like the two options for a carless trip from Manhattan to Block Island are 1) the Amtrak to the New London ferry or 2) the LIRR to the Montauk ferry. Anyone have thoughts on which route is faster/easier/more generally enjoyable? Or are they about the same?

best train/ferry route from nyc to block island?

The key to a successful trip on Amtrak to New London is to make sure the ferry schedule leaves enough time for the train to be a bit late. My son who goes to college in Manhattan once cell phoned me from the Amtrak train that the train was going to be late and he thought he was going to miss the last ferry (the rest of us were already on Block Island) and I actually telephoned the ferry people who refused to delay the departure of the ferry to allow the train time to arrive. As it turned out, there were many passengers for the ferry and my son who bolted from the train as soon as it pulled into the station was able to walk on the ferry as the very last passenger and so he was not stranded in New London overnight without a car.

I don%26#39;t know anything about the LIRR to Montauk ferry.

origins

internet access on the island?

Does anyone know of a public wi-fi hotspot on Block Island? I found Aldo%26#39;s Bakery on a google search, but so far on this forum I%26#39;ve also heard that Aldo%26#39;s is either a bike rental place or a possibly mediocre restaurant... Anyone know if any or all of that is true?

internet access on the island?

The Island Free Library is probably the best place for public wireless internet access. My personal thoughts are to leave the laptops and rush of everyday life at home and come to BI to enjoy some peace.

But the Library would be best if you needed to use the internet.

internet access on the island?

Great thanks! I agree... best to leave the laptop behind, but I%26#39;m on call with my job, unfortunately. Ironically that%26#39;s much of the reason we need to get away :)

You can use your laptop outside the library when it is closed by sitting in front of the building on one of the benches to access wireless access to the internet. Also, this summer, there is a picnic table at the back of the library adjacent to an outdoor electrical plug. The signal was too weak for my laptop, but someone else was able to access the signal on her laptop.

Is 2 nights enough on block island

also anybody know anything about the Inn at the Old Harbor,

Is 2 nights enough on block island

2 nights on BI can be as refreshing as a week somewhere else. I haven%26#39;t personally stayed at the Inn at Old Harbor but I can tell you it is right downtown, close to shopping, restaurants and the beach. Also, it has some great views depending on what side of the Inn your room is on.

Is 2 nights enough on block island

I think 2 nights would be just fine.

Stay three if you can but two is great we have been there it is lovely and relaxing.

It depends on the weather. If you happen to come to the island when the weather is beautiful, two nights will allow you to spend one entire day exploring the island and enjoying the views that give you the visual sense that you are on an island and not on the shore of the mainland. But if you happen to run into rain or thunderstorms or an exceptionally muggy day, which does happen now and again, the longer you stay, the better your chances of enjoying the island in outstanding weather.

The Inn at Old Harbor is one of a number of places in the center of town, and I would just say that town in the summer can be quite noisy and rowdy at night, depending entirely on who is there. Other times, it can be very peaceful and quiet. Your best bet would be to stay just out of town but within walking distance of town.

Kids Pirate Adventure

Does anyone know if Block Island does the Kids Pirate Adventure any more? 2 years ago I was there with my family for our annual vacation to the Block, and we went to a fun kids show. It was held at the building behind Smugglers Cove %26amp; Dead Eye Dicks near Paynes Dock. I can%26#39;t remember who put the show on, but we are coming back again this year for the week of July 16th and was looking for something fun to do with my son who absolutely is infatuated with pirates. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Kids Pirate Adventure

I would suggest contacting the Town of New Shoreham%26#39;s Recreation Department. They have various activities planned throughout the summer.

Hotels near Newport

We are looking for hotels near newport and beaches. We have two teenagers and want a moderately priced hotel. Any recommendations? Going sometime in July or Aug.

Hotels near Newport

You could stay in Middletown at one of the more budget oriented places, and drive into Newport. The Travelodge or Holiday Inn Express spring to mind as two likely candidates. Your drive into Newport should only take about 15 minutes from either of them, both on West Main Road.

Hotels near Newport

I wouldnt take those recommendations I would stay in Newport they have some last minute specials at some inns try the Malbone House or maybe some other local inns you get a great breakfast and you are right there in the thick of things hotels are fairly reasonable in Newport as well, parking can be a drag in Newport a ticket can cost 25 dollars and sometimes where to park is not dilineated very well. Stay in Newport.......

The inquirers were looking for something reasonably priced -- hence my recommendation. In town in Newport is historically pricey, especially in the summer. I%26#39;d be very surprised if Francis Malbone, although a wonderful place, ';moderately priced';. Please let all of us know if you do, reeses60.

Cheaper , but good restaurants?

My husband and I plan on going to Bowens, or White Horse on one evening, but the second evening we wanted to go somewhere for a little less money, most of the restaurants I looked at range from 25$ and up...Are there any that go from $14 to $25...and still considered pretty good?? Thanks!

Cheaper , but good restaurants?

Try the Salvation Cafe on Broadway. Good food and cheap. I don%26#39;t think there are any entrees over $25.

Cafe Zelda and Tucker%26#39;s Bistro, both good restaurants, have a number of offerings for dinner under $25.

Cheaper , but good restaurants?

The tavern area at the Black Pearl. Casual, less expensive and try the chowder. They also have an outdoor patio.

Also, Scales %26amp; Shells and Zelda%26#39;s.

If you are still open on the one planned evening, 22 Bowens and White Horse are great, but don%26#39;t rule out the Mooring, Black Pearl%26#39;s Commodore Room, and Bouchards. If you don%26#39;t mind having to drive, Castle Hill is very good with the best view on the island. Don%26#39;t miss the sunset if you go there.

Go to the Inn at Castle Hill for a drink or dessert. It is by NO MEANS a less expensive affordable but still good restauant. In fact I would choose Castle Hill over 22 Bowens. You%26#39;ll get a five star gourmet meal and a view and atmosphere to match. At 22 Bowens, you just get expensive steak.

For cheaper but good restaurants. just take a walk along Thames and Broadway and look at menus of all the restaurants and see what you like and what you can afford. There is a great Vietmanese place in Middletown that is affordable and has gotten rave reviews called the Saigon Cafe. Also in Middletown is Anthony%26#39;s Seafood that is a fish market on one side and a very casual restaurant on the other side with GREAT seafood and EXCELLENT clamcakes and chowder and it is defintely under $15.

Unless you are a meat and potatoes person, don%26#39;t waste your money on Brick Alley Pub. That place is nothing more than an expensive hamburger place that has a salad bar.

';Unless you are a meat and potatoes person, don%26#39;t waste your money on Brick Alley Pub. That place is nothing more than an expensive hamburger place that has a salad bar.';

Wow, Charleston....have you even TRIED anything else on the menu...or did you just walk through the restaurant...?

I%26#39;ve eaten there often enough to know it hasn%26#39;t changed. Its very uninspiring. The fact that it is as popular as it is just goes to show that a lot of people that come to and or live in Newport don%26#39;t have very discriminating palates. It is nothing more than an expensive hamburger place. It is fine for the meat and potatoes crowd which I guess most Americans are comprised of. It is great if you like plain food without any interesting seasonings or sauces. I%26#39;m just not a fan of bland expensive food.

Agree with Charleston about the Brick Alley Pub. I%26#39;ve never understood its mystique among some locals in Newport.

Whenever I%26#39;ve brought some out of towners there because they were told ';not to miss it'; they leave wondering what%26#39;s the big deal? It%26#39;s way overpriced for average, at best, food; the servers are often so rushed they can hardly stand still to take your order, and don%26#39;t ask them too many questions; the atmosphere is noisy and crowded.

Like some other places in Newport, the Clarke Cooke House and Black Pearl for instance, it seems to survive and thrive on momentum and past reputation even if it no longer delivers what it did at one time. Go figure?

I, too, agree with SailinginCharleston about the Brick Alley Pub. My experience there with my Wife and 12 year old was, well, ridiculous. Dirty and noisy, the place offers nothing except to the bar crowd. It%26#39;s highly overrated.

What is the opinion here on Rhumb Line? I can%26#39;t really find any info on it?

Agree with Charleston regarding Brick Alley Pub. Try Scales and Shells, Black Pearl, Mamma Luisa for a lower priced menu. If you want to splurg try Castlehill. Prontos, Brochards and Astericks are very good as well but the price is somewhat higher. Don%26#39;t bother with 22 Bowens. Have fun!

If you%26#39;re absolutely sure you want to go to Bowen%26#39;s, okay, but I can%26#39;t recommend a restaurant more highly than Canfield House. It%26#39;s just up the hill from Bellevue Ave. It is wonderful in every way...food, service, decor and atmosphere, staff, and not as pricey as it easily could be. We picked this over Bowen%26#39;s and White Horse after we ate at their more family oriented restaurant, The Glass Onion, which is right in the same shopping center as Newport Vineyard. It is MUCH less expensive than White Horse. We enjoyed it so much that we went there twice during the week we were in Newport, and wished it had a sister restaurant closer to our home in Connecticut.