Jo's American Bistro, Newport

On our recent trip to Newport we enjoyed dinner at Jo's American Bistro.  In fact, we spend so much time exploring the food scene there that people are starting to joke that we are also known as The Newport Foodie!  You may recall that we visited Jo's on our spring Newport tour and loved it so much we made plans to go back.

First off, it's in a great location just off Bellevue and around the corner from the Tennis Hall Of Fame.  The place is new and the design is clean and bright but classic, exactly what one would expect at a modern bistro.  Although we were dining fairly early the place was nearly full and by the time we left seemed at capacity.  

We began with the Seared Scallops.  These were served with an andouille sausage and corn puree.  There is no better combination than fresh scallops and sweet corn at the peak of harvest but that sausage added a new dimension we'd not experienced before.  It worked very well, playing off the saltiness, brine and sweet combination.

My main was the Grilled Shrimp And Risotto.  A perfect portion of nicely done shrimp on a bed of creamy risotto was, again, very well turned out and a great example of quality versus quantity.  I loved it and would go back for more.

 My dining companion went with the Tenderloin, a nightly special - in short supply.  The filet was melt-in-your-mouth good and the Scalloped Potatoes it was served with was layered beautifully, more like a croissant than the typical slosh of sliced potato.  Delicious.

Because we'd been tasting wines and snacking on numerous sweets all day we opted out on wine with dinner and for dessert we enjoyed the last few rays of sun over Newport Harbor.  A wonderful end to the classic and satisfying meal.  We also got the chance to say hello to owner Joann Carson, a legendary Newport food and hospitality pro.  After years owning and working in many local food establishments she has really hit the nail on the head with this classy yet casual setting serving fine fare.

Jo's American Bistro
24 Memorial Boulevard West
Newport, RI  02840
Telephone:  401.847.5506

Socials:
@thebostonfoodie
@theboysoftbf
@deano_iam
@josbistro

We were invited to dine here as members of the press/media with no promise of any editorial consideration or financial remuneration.  So, yeah, if we didn't like it you'd know that, too.

Pasta Beach Newport

 

Spaghetti Carbonara at Pasta Beach in Newport.

It was the first place we went to dine after arriving in Newport, RI on Friday evening for our annual week of food and touring.  Of course, it was mobbed.  It always is.  Even with the move to a new, much more spacious location on Bellevue Avenue.  Pasta Beach is just one of the favorite restaurants of locals and visitors alike.

The new design is contemporary sleek with, as stated, much more room allowing for bigger groups as well as intimate nooks, a big, very popular, bar in the back and a long, marble counter that runs the length of the open kitchen.  That's where we sat the first night.  It was a simple Margherita Pizza cooked to perfection in the brick oven and a glass of cold local brew, Flying Jenny from Grey Sail Brewing.  They rotate the local beers every week.

If it wasn't for the snippets of English spoken in hushed tones you would swear you're in a small, contemporary restaurant somewhere in Italy.  The pastas, salads and pizzas are simply prepared and quickly served.  The Italian mandate of the highest possible quality of just a few ingredients dictates the menu.

On the last night there were glasses of rosé from a decent wine list in the $12-$15 range. 

The Tagliatelle Asparagi e Prosciutto: asparagus, Parma Prosciutto, cream, Parmiagiano Reggiano and parsley.

The portion sizes are just right and so are the prices for the quality ingredients in a sophisticated setting.   No wonder it is so popular with the locals.  They also have a Boston restaurant at Rowe's Wharf that we have yet to try.  So now that's yet another summer goal to add to the list.

Pasta Beach Newport
138 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI  02840
Telephone:  401.847.2222

Socials:
@TheBostonFoodie
@pastabeachnewport

Barking Crab Newport

Our trip to Newport, Rhode Island could not have been more fun.  We hit town just before the tourist season rush, comfortably ensconced in our elegant but not overly ostentatious digs, the seasonal home of a great TBF friend, with stunning ocean cliff views and acres of wide open, lush green land.

Naturally, we engaged everyone we met with a discussion of the local food scene.  We had invites galore to dine here and there, meet people for drinks and explore new business ventures with young entrepreneurs.  We randomly picked because even a week was not enough to do and see all that wanted to.

On our first evening we ended up at The Barking Crab.  Sometimes a restaurant that is located in a place where the population swells in the summer as people flock to the oceanside can be spotty.  The number of patrons that visit can be overwhelming.  There's always that one place where the drinks and the fun crowd make food take a back seat.  So, if I were to describe this place to a friend I would say that it is one of those places.  Most of the locals we spoke to concurred.  The food is okay but not a standout.  I also have to say that I have found the Boston location to do much better on the food while still being a fun place to visit and enjoy a beer, glass of wine or cocktail.

The dip served with our locally crafted beers, Wachusett Blueberry, was not a bad start.  It was early and admittedly less crowded in the pre-July 4 season.  And we were guests of the restaurant.

The appetizer plate of Hummus, Tuna and Chips with Cucumber Caviar was okay, too.  The little jewels of caviar were probably the best part and playful but not exactly a new idea.

My main course was the Grilled Salmon and Citrus With Beets.  Again, a great idea yet executed in an average way with a super thin, slightly dry flank that lacked the rich flavor of a good salmon.

The Lobster Roll and Sweet Fries looked good but, again, not stellar.  Flaky meat was more prevalent than rich chunks.  And the bits of green onion might have been more fun on the fries as a new twist.

The slice of Key Lime Pie, however, was clearly fresh and made on the premises.  It was creamy and rich and beautiful and, really, one of the best we've had.  This was a clear hit and the highlight of our dinner.

The locals we surveyed all gave us the same report:  popular with tourists looking for a drinking crowd.  Although we never made it back after dark we're pretty sure it's not a top dining hot spot.  It does, however, seem like a conveniently located venue for sips and flirts.  And if you can fit in a slice of that pie, you'll enjoy it.

The Barking Crab Newport
Brick Marketplace
Newport, RI  02840
Telephone:  401.846.2722