Newport Vineyards & Taproot Brewing Co. has hired Kyle Johnson as its new executive chef, the vineyard announced on its Facebook page Feb. 6, tapping a Johnson & Wales University graduate with a resume that includes stints at some of Boston’s most acclaimed restaurants. Johnson replaces Andy Teixeira, who stepped down in October after nearly […]
Food & Drink
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Caleb & Broad takes top honors at 29th Annual Newport Chili Cook-Off
Caleb & Broad claimed first place Saturday at the 29th Annual Chili Cook-Off, held as part of the 38th Annual Newport Winter Festival at the Newport Marriott. Skiff Bar at the Marriott finished second, and Jo’s American Bistro rounded out the top three in the competition, which ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Area […]
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Record-breaking 60 restaurants set to compete in 9th Annual Newport Burger Bender
The 9th Annual Newport Burger Bender kicks off today with a record-breaking 60 restaurants vying for bragging rights in the region’s biggest burger competition. The 10-day event, running Feb. 13-22, features the wildest and most creative burgers from restaurants throughout Newport and Bristol counties. Ten of the 60 participating restaurants are new to the contest […]
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38th Annual Newport Winter Festival returns February 13-22 with new WienerFest competition
The 38th Annual Newport Winter Festival returns February 13–22, bringing ten days of live entertainment, culinary competitions, and family-friendly events to venues across the City by the Sea. Billed as “New England’s Largest Winter Festival,” the annual celebration kicks off Friday, February 13, with a performance by Bennie & The Jets, an Elton John tribute […]
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Ragged Island Brewing Co. to host third annual music festival in Portsmouth this June
Ragged Island Brewing Co. will bring live music back to the meadows this summer with its third annual Ragged Island Music Festival, presented by Northeast Alternatives, on Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14. The two-day, family-friendly festival at the Portsmouth brewery and farm at 54 Bristol Ferry Rd. will feature a full stage with professional sound […]
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Hotel Viking partners with Littleneck Hospitality Group for new restaurant, bar concepts ahead of spring reopening
Hotel Viking announced Tuesday evening that it is partnering with Providence-based Littleneck Hospitality Group to launch new restaurant and bar concepts at the historic hotel ahead of its reopening this spring. Littleneck Hospitality Group is the team behind Pizza Marvin, which opened in 2020, and Club Frills, which opened in 2025. The group is led […]
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Castle Hill Inn to begin welcoming guests again March 5; restaurants targeting Memorial Day reopening
Castle Hill Inn announced Tuesday that it will begin welcoming overnight guests again on March 5, less than a month after a two-alarm fire caused significant damage to the historic Ocean Drive property. The fire, which broke out the evening of Feb. 5, has been deemed accidental and was related to the use of a […]
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Gardiner Provisions opens on Thames Street
The team behind the Gardiner House hotel has opened Gardiner Provisions, a new bakery and coffee bar at 429 Thames St. The shop brings together house-made breads, French pastry classics and seasonal specialties alongside a carefully crafted coffee program, adding a new gathering spot to the Thames Street corridor. The menu is led by Gardiner […]
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White Horse Tavern named among America’s top romantic restaurants
The White Horse Tavern has been named one of the top 100 romantic restaurants in America by OpenTable, the online reservation platform announced in its 2026 rankings. The historic restaurant at 26 Marlborough St. earned a 4.8 rating from diners and was one of just two Rhode Island establishments to make the national list. Boat […]
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Rhode Island brewers team up to create ‘401 Beer,’ releasing statewide April 1
Rhode Island’s craft brewers are joining forces this spring to release a collaborative beer named after the Ocean State’s iconic area code. Members of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild have created “401 Beer,” a limited-edition hoppy lager set to launch statewide on Wednesday, April 1. Proceeds from sales will benefit the guild. The recipe came […]
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Jo’s American Bistro reopens under new ownership as Heritage Restaurant Group completes acquisition
Jo’s American Bistro reopened its doors Thursday evening under new ownership after Heritage Restaurant Group completed its acquisition of the beloved Memorial Boulevard restaurant. The restaurant, which has been a staple of Newport’s dining scene since 2013, welcomed guests back at 4:30 p.m. on January 22. Heritage Restaurant Group, which owns a growing portfolio of Rhode […]
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Newport Restaurant Group to open Avvio Ristorante in Millbury, Massachusetts
Newport Restaurant Group announced Wednesday it will open a new Avvio Ristorante at The Shops at Blackstone Valley in Millbury, Massachusetts, marking the company’s fifth restaurant in the Commonwealth and first in Worcester County. The restaurant, located at 70 Worcester-Providence Turnpike, is scheduled to open in summer 2026. The 5,200-square-foot space will feature seating for […]
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Providence Restaurant Weeks returns for 20th year with more than 90 participating eateries
Providence Restaurant Weeks returns this month for its 20th year, with nearly 100 restaurants across the state offering prix fixe menus, lunch and dinner specials and creative drink offerings. The two-week culinary event runs Jan. 25 through Feb. 7 and features restaurants from Providence to the West Bay, East Bay and beyond, according to GoProvidence, […]
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RI VegFest returns to Providence for sixth year in February
RI VegFest, one of the East Coast’s largest fully vegan festivals, returns to WaterFire Arts Center on Feb. 21 and 22 for its sixth year celebrating plant-based eating and living. The 2026 event will feature more than 90 vegan and vegan-friendly food and beverage producers, restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, artists and makers from Rhode Island […]
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Heritage Group reaches agreement to acquire The Quencher, staff to remain
The Quencher is set to have new ownership, but patrons of the neighborhood spot can expect the same familiar faces behind the bar. Heritage Group announced Thursday it has reached an agreement to acquire The Quencher from Scott and Adrienne Kirmil of Inked Restaurant Group. The existing staff and management will remain in place, and […]
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Newport County Dinner Club returns for 37th year with 2-for-1 deals at 55+ local restaurants
The Newport County Dinner Club is back for its 37th year with a holiday offer that benefits local restaurants and food lovers alike. For $27, members receive two-for-one dining at more than 55 restaurants across Newport County — an increase from last year’s roster of 50-plus participating eateries. The club’s motto, “Shop Local, Dine Local,” […]
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Heritage Group reports record growth, eyes expansion beyond New England
Heritage Group, the Rhode Island-based hospitality company, announced Thursday it expects to reach approximately $155 million in revenue by 2026 after five years in operation. The company, which rebranded from Heritage Restaurant Group to reflect its expanded portfolio, has grown to include 23 restaurants, two inns, catering services, food trucks and retail operations. Heritage Group […]
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Diego’s Cantina, Rejects Brewery hit market together for $4.2 million
Two adjacent Aquidneck Avenue businesses — Diego’s Cantina and Rejects Brewery — have been listed for sale together as a single package for $4.2 million. The properties at 116-124 Aquidneck Ave. combine to form a 0.57-acre parcel that real estate agents say offers multiple investment paths, including the potential for future hotel or mixed-use development. […]
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Yagi Noodles brings back ‘Feast of the Fishes’ for fourth year
Yagi Noodles is once again transforming its menu with the return of Feast of the Fishes, a 10-course tasting experience centered on local and sustainable seafood. The annual event runs from Wednesday through Dec. 20, serving dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $80 per person. This year’s family-style menu highlights invasive and underutilized […]
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Omen hosting holiday toy and food drive at Newport Skatepark on Dec. 14
A major community event combining a toy and food drive, live music, and skateboarding will take place Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Newport Skatepark on John H. Chaffee Blvd. Omen’s Holiday Toy & Food Drive and Bowl Bash runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free and open to all ages. Organizers are […]
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Harry’s Bar & Burger transforms Providence locations into winter wonderland
Harry’s Bar & Burger has decked out both of its Providence locations with festive holiday decor, seasonal cocktails and a 12 Days of Christmas event lineup. The winter wonderland pop-up at the North Main Street and Atwells Avenue restaurants features floor-to-ceiling decorations, holiday music and Christmas movies playing on the TVs. “We are so excited […]
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Newport Restaurant Group to host holiday events at Mooring, Boat House
Newport Restaurant Group will host two holiday events at its Rhode Island restaurants this month, including a toy drive in Tiverton and a breakfast with Santa in Newport. The Boat House in Tiverton will partner with the Tiverton Police Department for Operation: Blue Santa, the department’s annual holiday toy drive, on Thursday, Dec. 11, from […]
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Sakonnet Vineyard to host wine dinner featuring Belcourt Mansion tales
Sakonnet Vineyard will pair five wines with a three-course meal and stories from one of Newport’s Gilded Age landmarks at a dinner Thursday evening. The Bubbles & Belcourt event begins at 5 p.m. and features dishes prepared by Chef Andrew Bonamassa of Bar & Board in Newport. David Bettencourt, general manager of Belcourt Mansion, will […]
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How the Plymouth Pilgrims took over Thanksgiving – and who history left behind
Thomas Tweed, University of Notre Dame Nine in 10 Americans gather around a table to share food on Thanksgiving. At this polarizing moment, anything that promises to bring Americans together warrants our attention. But as a historian of religion, I feel obliged to recount how popular interpretations of Thanksgiving also have pulled us apart. Communal […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group acquires Anthony’s Seafood in Middletown
Anthony’s Seafood Market & Restaurant, a fixture on Aquidneck Island since 1956, has been acquired by the Newport-based Heritage Restaurant Group, the companies announced Tuesday. The deal marks the second acquisition this month for the expanding restaurant group, which announced Nov. 10 that it had acquired Glorious Affairs Catering and merged it with Audrain Hospitality. […]