Flo's Clam Shack In Newport

The Clam Roll Plate at Flo's Clam Shack.

It's your classic clam shack:  popular, reasonable, consistent quality and within a very short walk from the beach.  What could be more New-Englandish?  Flo's Clam Shack.  Since 1936.

We stopped in for a late lunch on an overcast day and leisurely enjoyed the fried clams, scallops and, of course, chicken fingers and burgers for the kids.  It was all good.  The price is as expected.  What more can one say except that it embodies all of what one would expect?  The tables are picnic like, the plates paper, the trays red plastic and it has that funky sort of tiki bar feel that I am sure turns quite sudsy after dark.

Don't miss the seating on the upper floor for the better view and, yes, they have take out boxes but watch out for the sea gulls.

Flo's Clam Shack
4 Wave Avenue
Middleton, RI  02840
Telephone:  401.847.8141

Socials:
@thebostonfoodie
@flosclamshacks

Stoneacre Brasserie, Newport

Stoneacre Brasserie is a newer venue in Newport, RI and one of our favorite discoveries during our recent week spent there.  It has all of the makings of a classic French brasserie:  great quality food with a modern twist, a long bar where one can spend hours sipping drinks and talking with friends, an impressive attention to detail including presentation, a sense of the whimsical and even an in-house bakery and cheese shop.  It's also open from 7AM until midnight, the typical hours of an authentic Parisian brasserie.

The design is bright, airy and clean.  There is a long bar, as mentioned, high top tables and a more formal seating area which looks out into the street.  And for summer there will also be seating outdoors.  It's hard to equate the cultural and social importance of the brasserie in France as we really don't have anything exactly comparable here in the States.  In Ireland it would be the pub.  Here it might be the local diner.  Yet, not quite.  It IS an extension of one's own kitchen yet, unlike the other two, the food is elevated to that of an experienced palate and it's certainly not just a drinking place.

You may be offered Gazpacho Shots as an amuse bouche.  It's that level of hospitality, standard in France, the kind of thing that makes you want to come back before you have even begun.

Another taste we enjoyed was the Beet Salad With Pistachios And Pistachio Butter.  Beautifully served, pistachio butter was a new one on us and we loved the combo.

 

 

Eggs are always a popular item on the menu at a brasserie and this version of Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs was a new twist on a true classic.  These were a highlight of our visit.





 





The house-made Peanut Brittle served up after food to everyone that day was just another example of the delight and surprise service here.

After a snack and a glass of wine or a full dinner you can stop at and see what looks good in the bread and cheese section.  Cocktails, drafts and wine are typically priced in the $6-$14 range, appetizers $9-$18 and Mains $18-$26.   A full breakfast and brunch menu is also served ranging from $4-$16 for Buttermilk Biscuits And Seasonal Jam to a fuller Truffled Egg Toast,  With Mushrooms, Arugula And Parmesan. 

This is a good example of what we mean by attention to detail.  How often, if ever, does one see actual hand towels (NOT paper towels) in the restrooms?

 

 

 

Stoneacre Brasserie.  Oh yes, we'll be back.

 

Stoneacre Brasserie

28 Washington Square

Newport, RI  02840

Telephone:  401.619.7810

 

Socials:

@TheBostonFoodie

@stoneacrebrasserie

 

 

 

 

 



Thai Cuisine At Thames Street, Newport

It's a small, family run hole-in-the-wall type place that one could easily walk past with scant notice.  Yet, after our visit on a whim two years ago for lunch it has become a must-dine-at mission every time we visit Newport.  It's Thai Cuisine At Thames Street.

Just a casual spot but always a favorite with all of the locals we meet and chat with, we've never had to wait for a table at this go-to spot.  And we've never heard anyone say that they were disappointed. 

We began with soups, a bargain at $4.25 each.  The Chicken Coconut Soup is creamy yet not heavy and laced with a hint of ginger and lime.

My Won Ton Soup was exactly what one would expect from a classic rendition:  good, clear broth, chewy shrimp and chicken won tons and fresh scallion.  Simple but satisfying.

We both ordered the Chicken Pad Thai.  It is not just one of the best I have enjoyed but THE best.  A hot, heaping platter arrives of noodles, sprouts, chopped egg, ground peanuts, spices and loaded with chicken.  No panning for chicken gold here, as one does in some joints.  Every, single bite had a piece of chicken. 

The Pad Thai is a fave dish (with locals, as well) but we will be back to explore the rest of the menu, too, when we return for a week in June.  And if you just hate to leave the confines of your gilded age mansion and ocean view they do offer take-out.

Thai Cuisine At Thames Street
517 Thames Street
Newport, RI 02840
Telephone:  401.841.8822

Looking for social media handles?  Apparently, Thai Cuisine is so refreshingly old-school that they can't be bothered.  It adds an air of mystery.  We say congratulations to that!

Newport Off Season

The annual week in Newport, Rhode Island just before the official summer season commences when all the stores and restaurants are open, the weather is spectacular and the tourist crowds are thin is something we look forward to each year.  Yet, the off-season, with cooler weather and even less throngs on the sidewalks makes for a quite comfy weekend escape.

 

A stop at Fort Adams to see whatever is going on is always worth it.  This day we found the new replica of the Oliver Hazard Perry at dock in the icy winds.  She is a beauty and must really fly across the water at full sail on a windy day.  I am sure this will be worth a revisit on our return in June.

 



 

It was totally by coincidence that we made our arrangements during school vacation week.  It was Winter Festival in Newport with all kinds of extra-added things to do and see.  Colony House on Washington Square was holding a great event for foodies called Colonial Food For Thought.  It was our very first stop upon arrival.  We learned all about the tea trade and types of tea sipped by colonials.  It was interesting to discover that the fine people of Newport often enjoyed tax-free tea which made it's way here via the black market.  It paid to be a smaller port while Boston was heavily watched and regulated by the tax collectors. 

 

We also learned a lot about the origins of chocolate which began as a quite spicy, dark, bitter drink, Aztec in origin and brought to the world by Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes.  It would be decades before milk and sugar were added to resemble anything near what we have as a hot cocoa now.  

We wandered, along Thames Street and in the smaller shops off the beaten path.  Like the colonists we sought spices and other new ingredients, food and drink, the scent of the sea in the air.

 

As it also turned out, nature smiled upon us with unseasonably warm weather for February.  As the mercury soared to near seventy degrees we saw a full parking lot at the beach and decided to pull in.  Hundreds were strolling along the long shoreline.

 



And, yes, even the guys at Surfer's End at Second Beach, technically in Middletown took to the water.  The waves were great this day!

It was a spectacular weekend all around and a great break from the hectic city pace that we can highly recommend.  All just a short ninety minute ride from Boston.

If you choose to go here are some sites to check out:

Discover Newport
@dscvrNewport on Twitter and Instagram
Newport Buzz (Great for what's happening now, especially nightlife events)  @NewportBuzz on Twitter and Instagram
Hotel Viking for central, elegant accomodations
@hotelviking on twitter and instagram
@TheBostonFoodie For fun, food, travel and new ideas in and around Boston and New England

Our trip was sponsored in part by Hotel Viking without any editorial consideration provided.  All opinions expressed are our own and not that of any sponsor.

Hotel Viking Wine Festival 2017

We spent part of our weekend in Newport, Rhode Island as the guests of Hotel Viking for their Wine Festival 2017.  We opted out of the larger wine events taking place this season for this very relaxing and elegant few days out of town and were not disappointed.  There were lots of fun and interesting events going on around Newport as part of their Winter Festival. More on that later.

The sumptuous four course dinner was expertly paired with the wines of Hedges Family Estate wines and hosted by the Hotel Viking and winemaker Christophe Hedges.  The wine dinner series continues through March.

Our first course was this very nice Roasted Beet And Wine Gelee With Peppercorn Chevre Cream.  We love a good beet salad and the wine gelee was a new twist with excellent results. The dish was matched with a 2012 Red Mountain Blend.  The winery is located in the state of Washington and produces red wines.  Great pairing.

We were lucky enough to have Christophe himself seated at our table which gave us the exclusive opportunity to talk more in-depth about organic and biodynamic wines.  Hedges produces only biodynamic wines, the latest wave in wine production.  The beautiful setting and lively table mates made for some great conversation in a more intimate setting, more like a dinner party with the firsthand knowledge of the winemaker.  Does anyone miss dinner parties as much as we do?

Next up was this Cumin Crusted Australian Lamb Chop With Vanilla Bean Mashed Potatoes, Cassis Carrots And Cabernet Reduction.  Australian lamb is a great product we have enjoyed many times before but the slight hint of vanilla in the mashed potatoes was a new one on us. It worked.  

This course was served with both a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2014 La Haut Cuvee, a very special wine.  Both were terrific wines.

Dry Aged Filet Of Beef, Cherry Demi-Glace, Chocolate Dipped Champignon, Grilled Soft Cheddar Cheese And Baby Endive.  Our favorite taste, this had many layers of flavor.  The cheese was a Sage Derby (that green stick you see) one of our favorite mild, primarily English, cheddar cheeses.  

The wine selection here was a 1999 Red Mountain Reserve, again a great pairing.

Dessert was this Lavazza Creme Brulee With Chocolate Expresso Bean And Felchin Madeline, adding that final, indulgent zing of rich flavors.  The wine served here was a 2009 Red Mountain Fortified, a much stronger wine that stood up well to the bolder food profiles. Just fantastic.

A great experience with expert service in a beautiful, comfortable setting worthy of the Gilded Age and a great option for a special weekend getaway!  We guarantee you will not be disappointed.

This experience was provided by Hotel Viking without remuneration or any editorial consideration.

Newport Mansions Wine And Food Festival 2016: Grand Tasting

We have often said that the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival is our favorite event of the year.  It's not just the Gilded Age setting but more importantly the people and the discovery of new wines and food products in a very comfortable social environment. 

As soon as one steps through the opulent foyer of Marble House and onto the back terrace one is greeted by a long line of smiling servers who hand you a goblet for the event and then offer up some tasty bites right away.

Like, for instance, this eye-popping taste of salmon and beets on rye bread.  It was a cool, sunny day and first impressions do count.  This set the tone for what was to follow:  several hours of tasting great artisan flavors and sipping interesting wines at a leisurely pace with the most interesting people.

Of course, I immediately headed to the demo stage where I bumped into Lydia Shire and Jacques Pepin chatting amicably.  It was a special mission for me to meet Jacques Pepin.  I've been watching him on TV for years but he has always eluded me.  He was very gracious and surprisingly spry.  Before the show was open to the public he wandered through the tent in serious conversations with vintners and food purveyors with never a hint of any star status expectations.  My only regret was that I never got a photograph with him.  I guess I'll just have to keep attending these events until that happens!

We checked out the food first.  There were many artisanal craftspersons there serving up samples of their best products and the quality was not lost on anyone.

As one can imagine, there was tons of cheese being served up.  It is impressive just how many quality small batch cheeses are being made throughout New England now.  And we make it a goal to try as many as possible.

One of the things we really liked about the subtle changes made this year was the setup of the chef demo table right on the water.  It made for some great photos and a way to enjoy the spectacular view.

We also had fun playing fashion photographer with the different vendors who were more than willing to oblige.

We tried a different tactic this year.  Instead of walking around and around for four hours resulting in exhaustion and aching feet we basically set up camp at a table in front of the Estrella Damm tent (very gracious people by the way) and let the party come to us.

And come they did, from all over.  We met people from Chicago and Canada and even this happy couple, Mark and Keri, who turned out to be from neighboring Somerville.

The wines?  Oh yes, almost forgot.  Our favorite sips from the event included the Chateau d'Esclans 2014 Les Clans Rosé, and the Prestige Rosé from Champagne Taittinger.  Our favorite wine of all, however, was the 2012 Riesling, Graacher Domprobst Grand Cru from Weingut S. A. Prüm of Mosel, Germany.  Absolutely fantastic.  Can't wait until next year!

It won't be long now until the garden clubs of Newport gather to decorate the mansions for the holidays.  We're totally looking forward to seeing that.

We were the guests of the Newport Mansions Preservation Society for this event with no consideration for coverage required or expected.

Newport Mansions Wine And Food Festival 2016

It's really not that far away and I guarantee you that it will sell out.  What am I talking about?  The Newport Mansions Wine And Food Festival 2016, of course.  This is the most refined and polished wine event of all held in the Northeast.  With the opulent elegance of the mansions as your backdrop on one side and the breathtaking views of the water on the other, you'll enjoy hours of great wine and food with lots of fun people.

We'll begin on Friday night with the Wine And Rosecliff event, a stellar evening soiree on the grounds of the mansion where The Great Gatsby was filmed.  Many wine vendors will be available to talk about their wines on a more intimate level.  Dozens of great chefs (many from Boston) will be serving up innovative fare to pair with your wine.  And, again, the crowd at this event has more fun than any other.  Last year we were even asked to photograph a wedding proposal at the fountain gracing the rolling lawn!  There will be music and dancing, as well.

The following day, Saturday, we'll be off to Marble House for the day.  Again, there will be loads of impressive architecture, interesting wines, delicious food samples and lots of other food vendors.  The one and only Jacques Pépin will be providing all with an afternoon cooking demonstration.  You'll meet people from literally all over the world.  Last year we sat down and had a café au lait with a gentleman who flew his Cessna in from Canada for the event! 

Don't miss it.  Yes, it's a bit of a splurge but you deserve it.  And I guarantee that you will never, ever regret coming to this event.  My advice is also to book your hotel room as soon as possible if you plan to stay overnight as everything will be totally booked within the next week or so. 

Hope to see you there in your Gatsby best!

Newport Mansions Wine And Food Festival 2014

The beautiful Fall weather, impressive architecture, a slew of well-known Chefs, leading wine experts and sommeliers (including Michael Meager of Cafe Escadrille, Todd Lipman of Bistro du Midi and David Singer of L'Espalier), plenty of food and wine and, if that's not enough, Sara Moulton and Martha Stewart!  What is it?  It's the ninth annual Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival.  We'll be there and we hope to see you there, too.  It's a great reason to escape the city for the weekend, stroll the lush lawns of The Elms, Rosecliff and Marble House, amble along the Cliff Walk and meet all kinds of new friends enjoying some excellent food and spectacular wines.

There are brunches, loads of tastings and even some special after dark events to keep you busy in the style of high society all weekend long.  Go to Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival 2014 for detailed information on all the festivities and events and ... don't forget to leave your white shoes at home!  We'll see you there September 19-21, 2014.

Staying At Castle Hill Inn

As promised, after our recent lunch at Castle Hill Inn we had the opportunity to tour the Inn and roam the property.  On the way to Newport my dining companion was telling me about his newly-acquired condo at Ocean Cliffs in Newport.  During the summer he would often sit outside on the patio and overhear the sounds of weddings taking place at a nearby property.  As it turns out that property is Castle Hill Inn!

The formidable home was built on the western-most tip of Newport at the entrance to Narragansett Bay in 1874 by Alexander Aggasiz a marine biologist at Harvard University.  Filled with antiques and art, it became the summer home of actress Grace Kelly during the filming of the movie High Society.  To this day the small beach there is still called Grace Kelly Beach.  There is a warm, comfortable New England feel throughout with lots of natural wood and interesting architectural details.

We were led upstairs to the Turret Suite, one of the nine rooms in the original home.  It's interesting to note that when one looks at hotels online one is typically never able to book the very highest level of accommodation, such as the so-called Presidential Suites.  So it is with the Turret Suite.

The two floor suite offers 400 square feet of comfy space with a king size bed and gas jet fireplace.  As we entered, classical music softly cooed on the sound system, a precursor of the kind of attention to detail one can expect.

A soaking tub sits by the windows and the old-world charm of the Inn makes one feel that he has just stepped into a relaxing, lavish Ralph Lauren advertisement.

The room is spacious and well-appointed but that's not it.  We were then led to the wooden spiral staircase leading up to the turret level, the very top of the Inn.

Yet another spacious room awaits with a relaxing sitting area and library with books on astronomy, a small fridge for your bubbly and a full DVD system for an inviting night of entertainment in comfort.

The room is surrounded by windows with stunning 320 degree views of the water.  We watched ships sailing in as we looked out over the rolling lawn.

And if all of that is not enough there's a telescope for stargazing as well.  Before nightfall it can also be used to view up to 12 lighthouses that dot the shores.  Breathtaking.

Quiet, secluded and off the beaten path this is the perfect antidote for the busy, harried hectic days.  In addition to the nine rooms in the main Inn there are also Beach Cottages with sweeping ocean views available.  And if you can't stay overnight there's always lunch or dinner to enjoy the ambiance, beautiful views and superior service of this Relais and Chateaux property.

Castle Hill Inn
590 Ocean Drive
Newport, RI  02840
Toll-Free Telephone:  888.466.1355