Newport Restaurant Group, a 100% employee-owned hospitality corporation based in RI, has announced the opening of its newest concept, Bar ‘Cino (pronounced chee-no), at 22 Washington Square in Newport.

What’sUpNewp was the first to bring you the news of the new restaurant on February 28th – Newport Restaurant Group opening new restaurant in Washington Square

The 60-seat full-service restaurant features a selection of little plates, bruschetta, grilled pizza, salads, paninis and entrees, as well as a complete cocktail menu. Bar ‘Cino will be open for dinner Sunday – Thursday from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. The restaurant will also serve lunch beginning mid-summer.

“Conveniently located in the heart of historic Washington Square, Bar ‘Cino offers patrons a casual and authentic Italian bar experience, focused on a playful beverage program of wines and inspired cocktails complemented by a menu of simple, flavor-filled foods inspired by Italian countryside cooking; highlighting fresh vegetables, seafood, cheeses and local ingredients,” the announcement from Newport Restaurant Group states.

The location was formerly Wholesome Fresh.

“We’re thrilled to add Bar ‘Cino to our family of employee-owned restaurants,” said Paul O’Reilly, President & CEO, Newport Restaurant Group in the announcement. With more than ten individual restaurant concepts in Rhode Island, we are always looking for a unique opportunity to create a new experience for our valued guests. We hope this casual eatery will become part of the fabric of the Newport community – a place where locals will enjoy eating several times a week.”

Chef Mariana Gonzalez, formerly of the culinary team at The Mooring and Smoke House, leads the Bar ‘Cino culinary team under the direction of Karsten Hart, Director of Restaurants. Luke Devine, former restaurant manager at The Mooring and Smoke House, will take on the management of the Italian bar’s operation.

Chef Mariana’s approachable menu features a selection of light dishes including Little Plates featuring Clams baked in Pomodoro, white wine and chili flakes, served with garlic bread; Potato Chips with parmesan and parsley; warm Marinated Olives with rosemary, garlic and orange zest; and Antipasti with prosciutto, EVOO-poached tuna and white beans, parmesan, olives and mozzarella. Salads feature an array of options including Arugula with marinated cannellini beans, chicory, and parmesan; Tuscan Kalewith a sundried tomato vinaigrette, avocado, pine nuts and parmesan; Italian Farro and Grilled Vegetables with tomato, feta, pistachios and citrus vinaigrette; Romaine and Kale with parmesan, anchovies, lemon and crushed croutons; and Simple Greens with EVOO, lemon, mint and parsley. Chicken, shrimp, salmon or tuna conserva can be added to each salad.

Bruschettas feature EVOO Tuna Conserva with Castelvetrano olives and celery leaf; Prosciutto with fig and goat cheese; and EVOO-roasted Tomato, mozzarella, saba and sea salt. Grilled Pizzas offer oven-roasted Chicken with arugula, chicory and parmesan; Margherita pomodoro with fontina, parmesan, EVOO and basil; Prosciutto with fig, arugula, fontina and sea salt; and wood-grilled Mushroom with fontina, ricotta, EVOO and fresh herbs. Panini selections include oven-roasted Chicken with arugula, chicory and Parmigiano-Reggiano; wood-grilled Mushroom, fontina, ricotta with EVOO and fresh herbs; Prosciutto with fig, arugula and fontina; and Tuna Conserva with cannellini beans, kale and romaine.

Entrees feature Roasted Salmon with broccoli rabe, EVOO-mashed potatoes and tomato sofrito; Chicken Picatta with lemon snap-pea risotto; Chicken Milanese with white beans, arugula and salsa verde; Chianti-braised Beef Short Rib with farro and roasted summer vegetables; and Italian Farro Risotto with roasted mushrooms, charred radicchio and soffritto. Pasta dishes offer Rigatoni Bolognese with parmesan and crispy gremolata; Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe with clams, pecorino and black pepper;Tagliatelle with roasted wild mushrooms, asparagus, basil pesto and bottarga; Paccheri with roasted chicken, EVOO, confit tomato, broccoli rabe and parmesan.

Bar ‘Cino also offers A Tavola: dinner for two, which include a choice of wood-grilled Tuscan Steak with garlic and herbs, served sliced with roasted vegetables and EVOO-smashed potatoes; and whole-roasted Lemon-scented Hen with roast potatoes, asparagus and parmesan cream.

Dolce feature Pistachio Ricotta-Cream Layer Cake, Molten Chocolate-Nutella Souffle, Limoncello-Mascarpone Cake, and a selection of gelato.

In addition to a playful wine list of more than 45 carefully-curated labels and a beer list that includes local and regional bottles, draughts and 25 oz ‘share beers,’ Bar ‘Cino will feature an array of hand-crafted cocktails including Shadilady featuring mezcal, Aperol, and lime with a tajin rim; Pirate’s Last Dance with

Newport Craft Distillers’ Thomas Tew Rum, Bacardi, Gosling’s Coconut, grapefruit and honey; Arnaldo Palmer with chamomile and honey-infused grappa, house lemonade and iced tea; Ciao Bella with Tito’s vodka, Malfy Italian gin, Contratto Bianco, vermouth and fresh and toasted herbs; and Tempo Triplo with Contratto Americano, Bianco and Rosso vermouth with orange bitters, to name a few.

For more information or to view the menu, visit www.barcinonewport.com.