Last night I was able to explore Newport for the first time in many years. We were looking for a place that my parents and my grandmother would all be happy with eating at. It was only 5pm and most of the places we found had meals hovering around $44/pp. We found The Black Pearl http://www.blackpearlnewport.com/ to have very good prices, and at that time of night they were still serving lunch. So much to grandma's surprise it was almost like a Florida Early Bird Special. Almost.
I saw a sign in the window that proudly announced Best in New England by Boston Magazine's New England travel magazine. So I figured, how bad could it be. The clam chowder (chowdah) was delightful, it had a bit of dill in it which was a nice touch. It also was served with a giant cracker (sorta like an oyster cracker) which was nice. I had a bottle of Sam Adams Summer Ale. *slurp*
My mother and I both got lobster salad sandwiches. They were served on a croisant which was a nice departure from the average hot dog roll. They had a huge amount of lobster (lobstah) and we chowed on down despite lobster getting all the bad press these days. My father and grandmother just got turkey sandwiches, so it was like lunch for dinner. This in my mind left more room for homemade fudge.
On the way to meet my aunt & uncle I ducked into The Newport Fudgery (http://www.newportfudgery.com/ ) They sell mix packs for under $5 that feature several types of fudge. A great idea, because for those of you who have ever eaten an entire box of fudge know...it's better not to make yourself sick. The fudge was good, but not good enough for my mom. She's rather picky when it comes to fudge.
During the day I had melon sorbet at this place that also sells gelato. I can't remember the name of the place, but it was neat because it has a glass wall that folds aside (oh so very California) so it's like you're sitting outside.
The best shop I found for handmade jewlery is Erica Zap Designs ( http://www.ericazap.com ) Erica's beautiful bracelets, necklaces, earrings, etc. are all made in her studio over the shop. I got a rope-like bracelet for $24 (my grandmother bought it for me). It's beautiful, and I shall cherish it always.
So if you feel like going for a ride, and want to walk in a town by the sea, check out Newport. While there you can also visit the famous mansions. ( http://www.newportmansions.org/ ) These are amazing, and really worth a visit if you've never been.
(Photos from Marshall Slocum Guest House http://www.marshallslocuminn.com/mansions.htm
Don't forget to check out the Taste of Rhode Island, taking place September 23-24, 2006.
(http://www.newportfestivals.com/Taste-of-Rhode-Island/ )
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Leah G. is a contract photographer for Framingham State College. Leah is the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Panospin™ Studios in Bedford, MA. Panospin specializes in 360 degree tours and panoramic photography. Promote your hotel, resort, museum, gallery, rental property, stadium, or event meeting space in a whole new way! Contact Leah at leah@panospin.com. To learn more, please visit http://www.panospin.com/
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Comments: 23
Recently, I had chowdah in Ireland of all places--and it was exceptioanlly tasty. It was called Killybegs chowder, from the sea port where the fish, etc are caught.
I hope to get to Ireland someday (perhaps on my next Icelandic adventure I will hop to Ireland)
Yes! Mmm, the food of summer!
Audrey, a local seafood market ships lobster and other seafood over night. They also deliver to many of our local markets and restaurants in the New England area. Here's their website http://www.oceanfresh.com/
Thanks for that. I'm sure my friends trapped in the Rockies will love that site, they are not able to come back to New England this year, and that's what they miss most (seafood and the ocean).
My cousin got married during Jazz Fest weekend in 2002--it was a bit crazy! It's a great area though.
You'll love it...perhaps you and Susan could spend a couple of days in RI that way you could explore Providence as well. :) There's so many places to eat in Newport. I really thought it felt like a mini vacation since we could walk everywhere from my Aunt's place. :)
Yes the dill was a nice touch. :)
I finished the rest of my fudge...and we ate our first batch of garden peas in one sitting (well okay we were standing over the sink).
My husband can't eat shelfish either, the last time he had some at a friend's birthday party he spent most of the night on their bathroom floor.
I LOVE that you've been to Dysarts, btw. *sigh* Pie. Truckers. Stew in a bread bowl. *slurp*
Well it rocks for me and the folks that have been working hard to help us build our place. Because you're right, it's open late...and there's plenty of food for the $. And the staff is pretty friendly. I'm glad you have good Dysarts memories & that they never kicked you out. I've never had their breakfast though, the line is out the door most weekend mornings.