Let's begin our Newport Tour 2022 with the Gilded Age mansions. We visited Marble House, Rosecliff, The Elms and The Breakers, considered to be the most impressive of all. They are all breathtaking.
The design at all of them was over-the-top ostentatious, dripping with gold, luxurious fabrics, the best furnishings in the world, all combined to be showy in what some might even consider a vulgar display of wealth. That seems to have been the point. Subtle was not a theme.
Yet, it is absolutely fascinating to witness the indulgence up close. We tried to show some of the smaller details here but, of course, it's impossible to capture it all.
Aside from the rich furnishings and priceless art and decor are the sweeping views, the dramatic landscaping and wonder of what life must have been like for these people simply attending one social event after another, day and night, all summer long.
These are costumes used in the original film version of The Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, which was filmed at Rosecliff. We have been lucky enough to attend glittering social events ourselves at both Rosecliff and Marble House and the elegance of these has been most impressive. Yet, we really never had the chance to explore all the nooks and crannies of these places from the stunning bedrooms and parlors to the servant's quarters and kitchens.
It's well worth a visit to even one of them. You can learn much more (even where people are allowed to picnic on the grounds) at The Preservation Society of Newport County website. And please check out our social media for some really fun and stunning videos and many more photographs:
Twitter and Instagram: @TheBostonFoodie
TikTok: @TheOrginalBostonFoodie
Enjoy!
Cheers,
William
You won't want to miss our multi-part series on touring Newport. Heading there, thinking of it, or revisiting, we'll have all the highlights on places to go, things to see and experience and, of course where to eat and sip including some exclusive peeks.
Whether you like to just relax on a cruise or seaside, visit the gilded age mansions of unimaginable wealth, hit the tap rooms and vineyards or dine all over the island we will give you the inside scoop from high atop our tower suite perch at Ocean Cliff.
It's been a few years, well almost ten, actually, since we were invited to our first Mohegan Sun Wine And Food Festival. Of course, a lot has changed over the years, the last few being the most upending of all. The restaurant landscape has been decimated, public events look so different with less crowds, more masks and still some apprehension. Yet, we have always maintained that things will bounce back despite the staff shortages, supply chain issues and now inflation in full bloom. And we still believe this. Sure things have changed but we adapt, survive and go on. So, as we head back to Mohegan this year for a weekend of celebrating great food and wine we ponder what the future will bring.
Yes, our readers have noted that we've had fewer in-depth blog posts. There simply hasn't been the full schedule of splashy restaurant openings, grand social affairs and public food events to cover. Much of this has been moved online to virtual events that are just not the same. We have mourned the loss of that vibrancy, the getting dressed-up and heading into town to rub elbows with old and new friends alike, the laughter, conversation and all of that great food and drink. Watching it on a screen is just not the same.
The future will bring back some of these beloved events in a different form (see our posts on the Newport Mansions Food And Wine Festival last Fall which actually brought to us a fabulous, more intimate new approach) and, yes, we are going forward with a new, perhaps more modern take.
So, our future will be newer social media with more easily assimilated glimpses. Yes, there will be all the same glittering events but with more videos with the people who make it happen, the Chefs and celebrities, the interesting attendees, behind-the-scenes stuff and the different angles that we have become famous for. After 13 years there have been many people who have imitated our name, stolen our photos, reiterated our curation and we have welcomed it as flattery. We have always been and will continue to be THE Boston Foodie, the original, with all the flaws and fun.
With 16 nieces and nephews (and counting) there will definitely be more cooking with the kids and other family moments. There will be more personal discoveries that branch out beyond food to travel, fashion, art and all of the cultural experiences that inspire us. And there will be lots of laughter and fun and probably controversy as we have learned over the years. What is life without other opinions?
Follow us. Join us. It's going to be great and we welcome you all.
Stellar. Spectacular. There are not enough words to describe this year's Head Of The Charles Regatta today. From the stunningly perfect weather, the competitors and their stories, the record crowds after last year's cancellation and all of the events and festivities. Enjoy all of the photos. Just a perfect day!
We stopped by Hub Hall at North Station recently in search of a great roast beef sandwich or some seafood, just to check things out and see what was going on after the long pandemic shutdowns.
It was a pretty active lunch crowd of local workers and tourist types. Slightly disappointed that the promised Cusser's Roast Beef wasn't in the mix, we settled in for a fish sandwich from the Sullivan's expansion. Bostonians will know what this means.
