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.

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

Nitro Bar in Newport

Nitro Vanilla Latte, Lemonade and Avocado Toast at Nitro Bar.

On our first full day in Newport we were lucky enough to be guests on a food tour hosted by RI Red Food Tours.  You may recall that we took one of these last year but this time around some new and very exciting restaurants have been added.  We were on the Newport Neighborhood Food Tour.

One of these turned out to be an instant favorite and a very cool place to hang out:  Nitro Bar.  Plus, the food and drink was great.  We sampled the excellent Nitro Vanilla Latte and the Avocado Toast, which now seems a bit of a cliche since we've had it so much, had a very flavorful addition of herbs and spices which hit all the right notes.  Unquestionably the best we've had in a sea of mundane, flat-tasting and even boring avocado toasts.  The coffee is cold brew, baby, and the snacks and sandwiches are served for breakfast and lunch.

We also liked the ambiance here with a clean, airy, light-filled space that was both comforting and modern.  It was also the best-looking crowd in town!  Call it a hipster meets classic, young preppy vibe where everyone is welcome

Morgan was our tour host.  With a flair for the theatrical, both amusing and informative, we have since made it a vow to refer to her from now on as "our favorite millennial."  Her jaunty, humorous, entertaining style made the tour very fun.

Did we like it?  Of course we did.  Will we go back?  You bet we will.

Given it was Pride Month it was great to see so many Newport businesses celebrating the diversity.  Congrats to all of you.

Nitro Bar

2 Pond Avenue

Newport, RI  02840

Socials:

@thebostonfoodie

@thenitrobar

@melodramaticmorgan

@riredfoodtours

We were invited by Rhode Island Red Food Tours to enjoy this tour as members of the press/media with no promise of any editorial consideration.  Loved this tour and this place y'all.

Tavern On Broadway In Newport

The Belle Ambiance Pinot Grigio would typically retail for about $10.00

The "Date Night" deal at Tavern On Broadway in the funkier, more hipsterish part of town, includes a bottle of wine, appetizer, main course and dessert all for $45.00 per COUPLE!  A great value.

We chose the appetizer from the "share" menu - fried calamari or tavern wings and the wings we have to say were good.

My dining companion went with the Grilled Sirloin and I had the French Dip(not pictured).  Both were okay but they were just that, certainly nothing that was a big standout but okay.  

Yes, it's a fairly good value for dining out on a Tuesday evening and the big draw seems to be an entire bottle of wine but the food was all-around mediocre.  If you can go into it without high expectations you'll be fine.  However, if you do your homework and can live with just a glass of wine there are other choices that will more fully satisfy you.  Or, if you want to do a bit more upscale and head out for just an appetizer and a glass or a cappuccino after dinner with a lot more ambiance you could do so in beautiful Newport for just a little less.  It all depends on what you consider a better value.

Tavern On Broadway
16 Broadway
Newport, RI
Telephone:  401.619.5675

Socials:
@thebostonfoodie
@tavernonbroadway