Newport Restaurant Group opened J.T. Commons on Thursday, a new pizza-focused restaurant in the former Foodlove Market space. The restaurant features two signature pizza styles — Roman and focaccia — alongside shareable appetizers, sandwiches and a soft-serve ice cream bar with house-made toppings. Named after J.T. O’Connell, the legendary Newport businessman and founder of what […]
Food & Drink
Posted inArts & Culture
Marcus Samuelsson brings message of heritage and community to Newport Wine & Food Festival
Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson (“Chopped,” “Top Chef Masters”) headlined this year’s Newport Wine & Food Festival, and his Conversation event proved to be one of the big highlights of the late summer. The intimate talk took place at Rosecliff, culminating the festivities. Gathered guests were treated to a rare opportunity to hear directly from one […]
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Aquidneck Community Table hosts inaugural Seed to Soul party
Aquidneck Community Table will host its inaugural Seed to Soul party on Oct. 26 at Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown. The 21+ event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. at 915 Mitchell’s Lane and brings together local farmers, chefs and neighbors to celebrate local food, culture and community. Guests will enjoy tastings from local eateries, […]
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Newport Chowder Company goes national with major US Foods partnership
What started as a family tradition in Newport has just taken a significant leap onto the national stage. Newport Chowder Company announced on Friday that it has secured a distribution partnership with US Foods, one of the country’s largest foodservice distributors, making founder Katie Potter’s mother’s award-winning seafood chowder recipe available to restaurants, hotels, universities, […]
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Newport Festa Italiana returns Sept. 26-Oct. 13 with food, music and cultural celebrations
The annual Newport Festa Italiana will return Sept. 26-Oct. 13, offering nearly three weeks of events celebrating Italian culture, cuisine and community traditions in the City by the Sea. The festival kicks off Friday, Sept. 26, with the John Panaggio Original Ziti Night at Vasco da Gama Hall, 15 Fenner Ave. The dinner runs 5-7 […]
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La Vecina adds Sunday brunch with authentic Mexican fare
La Vecina has launched a new Sunday brunch menu featuring authentic Mexican dishes with a morning twist, the Newport Restaurant Group announced Tuesday. The brunch menu, created by Executive Chef Mariana Gonzalez-Trasvina, is available Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the restaurant located at 24 Washington Square. Menu items include chilaquiles with tortilla […]
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Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival offers fine dining experiences at local restaurants
Five restaurants in Newport and Jamestown will offer exclusive dining and tasting experiences as part of the 20th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Sept. 18-21. The participating establishments are taking reservations for one-time offerings Thursday through Saturday. The restaurants include 41° North – The Grill; Cara at The Chanler at Cliff Walk; Beech […]
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Highest-rated wineries in Rhode Island by visitors
Napa Valley isn’t the only travel destination in the United States for a good glass of wine. While California’s wine country is known for being a top winery destination (and also home to the award-winning bottle of Chardonnay that won top honors at the Judgment of Paris competition in 1976), wine connoisseurs no longer have […]
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Newport Vineyards celebrates 30 years with limited-edition wines
Newport Vineyards is marking its 30th anniversary with the release of two limited-edition wines and a series of celebratory events throughout the fall. The vineyard, founded by brothers John and Paul Nunes in 1995, will debut Milestone Blanc and Milestone Red during its exclusive Milestone Release Weekend from Aug. 22-24. Milestone Blanc is an unoaked […]
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Milkshakes, malts, concretes, frappes and more: A (delicious) guide to frozen drinks
By KATIE WORKMAN Associated Press In the summer heat, we find ourselves drawn to that glorious section of the drinks menu that promises relief in the form of a cold, creamy, brain-freezing indulgence. But ordering a frozen drink looks different in different parts of the U.S., and in different restaurants and ice cream shops. So, what is […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Celebrity chef to headline 20th Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival
Chef Marcus Samuelsson will headline the 20th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, scheduled for Sept. 18-21 at Rosecliff and Marble House. Tickets for all festival events go on sale to the public today at 9 a.m. at www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-mansions-wine-food-festival-2025. The festival will feature 23 tasting seminars, the Vintner Dinner, Sunday Jazz Brunch, “Conversation with Marcus […]
Posted inCity & Government
No surveillance footage recovered after May fire that destroyed Matunuck Oyster Bar
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current July 30, 2025 The Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal ruled out arson two days after a serious fire swept through Matunuck Oyster Bar, forcing the popular oceanside dining destination to close. But determining what caused the May 20 fire remains a mystery, complicated by the fact […]
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Castle Hill’s Lawn Terrace named to top 100 hotel restaurants list
The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill earned recognition Tuesday as one of America’s top 100 hotel restaurants, according to a joint study by OpenTable and KAYAK. The Newport establishment was the sole Rhode Island representative on the inaugural list, which highlights hotel dining experiences that influence travel decisions nationwide. The ranking comes as hotel restaurants […]
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Over 1,300 runners celebrate craft beer and fitness at ninth annual Newport Beer Run
More than 1,300 runners laced up their shoes Saturday for the ninth annual Newport Beer Run at Fort Adams State Park, combining a scenic 5K race with craft beer sampling in one of Newport’s most popular summer events. Christopher Collett of Providence dominated the men’s field, crossing the finish line in 14:51 to earn the […]
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The scoop on Rhode Island’s ice cream preferences, according to Instacart
When the summer heat peaks, Americans turn to a beloved classic to stay cool: ice cream. As a toast to National Ice Cream Day on July 20, Instacart has got the scoop on how people in Rhode Island and across the country satisfy their sweet tooth during the hottest months of the year. Instacart America’s […]
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Sakonnet Vineyard celebrates Little Compton’s 350th Anniversary with Summer Concert Series and Folk Festival
Little Compton’s historic Sakonnet Vineyard is rolling out the red carpet this summer to celebrate the town’s 350th anniversary with a series of musical events that blend community spirit with the vineyard’s scenic charm. The celebration kicks off with the LC350 Summer Sunset Music Concert Series, featuring two free outdoor concerts. On July 23, bluegrass […]
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Providence gears up for ‘Downtown Celebrates Summer’ weekend festival
Providence is set to come alive this weekend with the debut of “Downtown Celebrates Summer,” a two-day festival packed with entertainment, dining, and cultural experiences throughout the capital city. The festivities kick off Saturday, July 19, marking the final day of Providence Restaurant Weeks, where more than 70 local restaurants will offer special menus and […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, News, Nonprofit
Vermont brewery’s new IPA to benefit Rhode Island Community Food Bank
A popular Vermont brewery is bringing its charitable beer program to Rhode Island for the first time, with proceeds from a new IPA benefiting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Lawson’s Finest Liquids, the Waitsfield-based makers of the well-known Sip of Sunshine beer, released Cosmic Shift IPA (6.2% ABV) on Monday as part of their […]
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Preservation Society shows off the elegance of The Carriage House at opening party
When I got an invitation to the opening party for the renovated Carriage House at The Elms, I was expecting a tasteful affair. That’s what the Preservation Society usually does. However, what I encountered far surpassed my expectations and certainly bodes well for the future of dining experiences at the revamped Elms restaurant. “This was […]
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Newport Mansions opens new dining experience at The Elms Carriage House
Visitors to Newport’s historic mansions now have a new place to dine with a view, as The Preservation Society of Newport County has opened The Carriage House at The Elms to the public. The newly renovated dining space, located at the back of The Elms property, offers guests an elevated culinary experience surrounded by the […]
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Sakonnet Vineyard celebrates golden anniversary with summer music series
Sakonnet Vineyard will kick off its 50th Anniversary Summer Music Series on Saturday, July 5th, featuring local and regional musical artists performing Saturdays through September 27th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The concerts will take place at the vineyard located at 162 West Main Road in Little Compton, with performances free and open to […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News, Things To Do
Providence Restaurant Weeks returns with 60+ participating eateries
Providence Restaurant Weeks is set to return July 6-19, offering diners two weeks of special menus and dining deals at more than 60 restaurants throughout Providence and surrounding Rhode Island communities. The annual event, presented by Navigant Credit Union, will feature breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials including multi-course prix fixe menus and seasonal offerings across […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group completes acquisition of James Beard Award-winning Olneyville N.Y. System
Heritage Restaurant Group has completed its acquisition of the beloved Olneyville N.Y. System Restaurants, bringing the James Beard Award-winning Rhode Island institution under the umbrella of one of its growing restaurant companies. The deal, finalized Friday, includes both the Providence and Cranston locations of the iconic restaurant famous for serving “R.I.’s Best Hot Wieners” and […]
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What’s new in Newport this Summer: HBO’s “The Gilded Age” returns, French cuisine flourishes, sporting history is made, and more
By Discover Newport Newport is turning up the heat this summer with a bold blend of historic grandeur, culinary creativity, and must-see events. From exclusive tours inside the mansions featured in HBO’s The Gilded Age to the return of a groundbreaking women’s tennis tournament, Newport promises a season unlike any other. Whether you’re drawn to […]
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A New Chapter for a Providence Landmark: The Patio on Broadway team to acquire Trinity Brewhouse
Trinity Brewhouse, Rhode Island’s original brewpub, will change hands this summer as the team behind The Patio on Broadway, along with their family partners, prepares to acquire the iconic downtown establishment. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Trinity Brewhouse founder and owner Josh Miller, who is celebrating five decades in Providence’s hospitality industry. Miller […]