Rhode Island Craft Beer Week rolls into the weekend with dozens of special events and new releases. Stop by local taprooms this weekend to see what’s in store. Ragged Island Brewing Ragged Island Brewing, located at 54 Bristol Ferry Rd. in Portsmouth, has established itself as the leading Aquidneck Island brewery. Just in time for […]
Food & Drink
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Flo’s Clam Shack in Middletown reopens for the season on March 14
Flo’s Clam Shack announced on Facebook this week that its Middletown location will reopen for the season at 11 am on Thursday, March 14, 2024. To kick off the season, they will be open weekly, Thursday through Sunday, from 11 am to 9 pm. Flo’s Clam Shack at Island Park in Portsmouth typically reopens for […]
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Triple scoop success: Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream opening in Portsmouth, their third location
Spring is just around the corner, and as warmer weather approaches, local ice cream joints are awakening from their winter slumber. Warren and Jess Sternberg, the owners of Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream, have spent the winter months working hard to grow their small business. This spring, Aquidneck Islanders will be treated to a shop expansion […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Rhode Island to provide fresh, locally-grown food to seniors through upgraded food assistance program
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced on Thursday that upgraded fresh and healthy food options are on the way to Rhode Island seniors. DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment has upgraded its Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) to provide an estimated 10,000 eligible seniors with fresh, RI Grown fruit and […]
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The Craft Brew Races Newport will return in July as the Newport Beer Run
The Newport Beer Run—formerly the Craft Brew Races—is a timed 5K road race on July 20, 2024, followed by an unforgettable craft beer festival inside the walls of Fort Adams. A portion of the proceeds from the Newport Beer Run will be donated to the Rhode Island Brewers Guild to support craft beer and brewing […]
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7th Annual Newport Burger Bender sets new record
The biggest burger contest in the region has done it again! The 7th Annual Newport Burger Bender, which took place February 16 – 25, 2024, broke last year’s record by more than 1,000 additional burgers sold than in 2023. This year’s contest sold over 7,300 burgers across Newport and Bristol Counties, with over 2,000 votes. In 2023, the contest […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Lobster catch dips to lowest level since 2009 as fishers grapple with climate change, whale rules
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — America’s lobster fishing business dipped in catch while grappling with challenges including a changing ocean environment and new rules designed to protect rare whales. The lobster industry, based mostly in Maine, has had an unprecedented decade in terms of the volume and value of the lobsters brought to the docks. But […]
Posted inFood & Drink
RI Craft Beer Week returns March 1 – 10
Returning for its third year, the statewide RI Craft Beer Week will take place March 1-10. A collection of events featuring special beer releases, food pairings, live music, games and entertainment awaits craft beer enthusiasts at brewery taprooms and select venues across Rhode Island. Brewery-goers that make a point of stamping their RI Brewery Passport […]
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Rhode Island lawmaker proposes phasing out meal and beverage tax
A new bill introduced by a Glocester/Smithfield representative would gradually drop the state’s meal and beverage tax, eventually phasing it out. Rep. Brian Rea (D) said the effort is aimed at helping families and small businesses struggling under the weight of surging inflation. He said the 1% tax on restaurant food sales adds to the […]
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Rhode Island PBS Annual Fundraiser, Uncorked, Returns April 12
The Rhode Island PBS Annual Fundraiser, Uncorked, is back this year! The event, which celebrates the best of Rhode Island food, will take place on April 12, 2024 at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence. The event will feature a culinary performance by America’s Test Kitchen winner Bridget Lancaster and Bryan Roof from Cook’s Country. […]
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Narragansett Brewery schedules events for RI Craft Brewery Week
With Rhode Island Craft Brewery Week beginning on March 1, Narragansett Brewery is gearing up for ten days of special events. The highlight of the week is the much–anticipated Lager CON on Saturday, March 2, a day-long celebration dedicated to Narragansett’s iconic Lager and featuring activities like Lager Cask Tapping, Lager Flights, Stone Path Malt […]
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Farm Fresh Rhode Island to partner with DoorDash to offer resources for local culinary students
PROVIDENCE – Farm Fresh Rhode Island, which works to build a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and consumers in New England, has announced a new partnership with DoorDash that provides support for the nonprofit’s culinary job training program. As part of its Community Credits program, DoorDash […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Oyster Madness returns to Bristol Oyster Bar
The Bristol Oyster Bar is gearing up for the return of its signature event, Oyster Madness, a monthlong bracket-style competition that pairs local oyster farms against each other in a race to win the title of the best oyster in Rhode Island. The competition, which was originally launched in 2017, is slated to run from […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Super Smash Burger
It’s time to celebrate the most quintessential American food, the hamburger, with the 7th Annual Newport Burger Bender. Forget the classic patty-lettuce-tomato-ketchup combo, because for ten consecutive days, 52 restaurants local to Newport and Bristol Counties are duking it out over ingredients, flavor profiles, and creativity in order to be crowned with the coveted title: […]
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7th Annual Newport Burger Bender is back and introducing the new Burger Bender Hall of Fame
The Classic Coast will once again play host to the biggest burger contest in the region with the return of the 7th Annual Newport Burger Bender, taking place February 16 – 25, 2024. The ten day battle of the burgers showcases the wildest, most creative burgers from over 50 restaurants throughout Newport and Bristol Counties. Featuring […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Plant City X closing its Middletown location, moving to Barrington
Plant City X announced today that it would soon close its location at 619 West Main Road in Middletown. “On behalf of the entire Plant City X team, thank you Aquidneck Island for the support, love, and community over the past 3 years,” Plant City X shared on its Facebook page.” You have taught us […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Newport Burger Bender: Your journey to the best burger begins on Feb. 16
Calling all burger lovers! The Newport Burger Bender contest is back; this year, it is bigger than ever. With 53 local restaurants competing to crown the best burger, there is more than just beef to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Get your taste buds going and start planning your Burger Bender journey […]
Posted inCity & Government
A bill encouraging post-pandemic outdoor dining in Rhode Island is served up to governor
By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press A bill that would set standards for cities and towns to regulate outdoor dining has landed on Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s desk. The bill approved by the General Assembly on Thursday would let communities limit the capacity of outdoor dining but would not allow municipalities to ban outdoor dining […]
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Rhode Island General Assembly votes to make outdoor dining permanent
The Rhode Island General Assembly on Thursday approved a bill that would make outdoor dining permanent, a practice that gained popularity during the pandemic. The legislation would allow towns and cities to adopt ordinances that limit outdoor dining on public property, capacity or hours, but would not allow municipalities to prohibit outdoor dining or restrict […]
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Ragged Island Brewing brews ‘Hanging Rock IPA’ for Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 75th Anniversary
On February 7, the Norman Bird Sanctuary welcomed over 60 supporters and friends at Ragged Island Brewing Company for a celebratory toast with a special edition of “Hanging Rock IPA” brewed in honor of the nonprofit organization’s 75th anniversary. A partnership between the local brewery and nature center, the release of the Hanging Rock IPA […]
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Two Newport restaurants land on OpenTable’s ‘Top 100 Romantic Restaurants’ list
To help diners discover the perfect backdrop for any celebration of love, OpenTable is sharing tips and resources, including date-night and city guides and its just-debuted list of the Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America for 2024. The list includes two restaurants in Rhode Island, which are both located in Newport – Chanterelle (formerly named Bouchard’s Restaurant and Inn) and […]
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Wine & Dine: Greenvale Vineyards to host Valentine’s Event
A new Valentine’s Day event will be hosted by Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth on Wednesday, February 14. The 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. event will feature a six-course meal paired with wine. According to a release, the meal will be prepared by chef Rizwan Ahmed, owner of Rhode Rage Catering and professor at Johnson & […]
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Teatime in Rhode Island: A guide to afternoon tea services and special tea events across the state
Music is not the only cultural “British invasion” that has taken the country by storm. For the past few years, there has been a revival in the adoration of period pieces set in the UK – from Downton Abbey and Bridgerton to Outlander – and with it has come renewed interest in the beloved mid-day […]
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GFree Fest to bring gluten-free food to WaterFire Arts Center on March 23
The only gluten-free food festival in the state, GFree Fest, is taking place on March 23 at WaterFire Arts Center in Providence. Presented by 110 Grill, the festival will feature over a dozen restaurants, bakeries, and food and beverage producers showcasing their gluten-free products. Attendees will be able to shop, eat, sample, and learn more […]
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Newport Restaurant Group will celebrate Valentine’s Day with menu specials at its restaurants
Newport Restaurant Group (NRG) will celebrate Valentine’s Day with decadent menu specials. At the Boat House Restaurant, located at 227 Schooner Drive in Tiverton, a selection of specials will be available from February 14th through the 18th, beginning with celebratory cocktails, Bogs & Kisses: gin, lime, simple syrup, champagne, cranberry and the Be Mine: dragonberry […]