Thirty local restaurants cooked up their best burgers, topped them with everything from frizzled onion straws and mac & cheese to creole remoulade sauce and jalapeno jam, placed it all between a bun (or loaded potato skins) and tossed it into the ring during the 2nd Annual Newport Burger Bender contest, held in Newport and […]
Food & Drink
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Queen Anne’s Loft to open in former Star Bar as an event and function venue
Meet Amanda Roderick, a local hospitality professional and an extended relative of the Kilroy family, known for their popular downtown restaurants including The Landing, where Roderick has worked with her family since she was a young girl. Most recently, Amanda has served as the events coordinator for The Landing and decided that it was time […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Polar Pineapples set to return to Goat Island for Newport Winter Festival
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina will once again transform Pineapples on the Bay to Polar Pineapples during the Newport Winter Festival! Polar Pineapples will offer the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a signature infused cocktail or specialty hot drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) while enjoying views of the bay, ice sculptures, and more. “We’re excited […]
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Newport Restaurant Week returns March 2nd – 11th
Spring is less than six weeks away and the season of new beginnings promises more than just showers and flowers throughout our destination. From March 2-11, 2018, more than 45 restaurants will be offering mouthwatering masterpieces on their Newport Restaurant Week prix fixe menus featuring three courses lunches and dinners for $16 and $35, respectively. Since 2006, locally-owned […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Empire Tea & Coffee to open fifth location, headed for Downtown Newport (Updated)
There’s one locally owned coffee shop that has been building an “Empire” in and around Newport, and it looks like they’re growing in Newport again. Empire Tea & Coffee signed a lease on Tuesday to open in the Seamen’s Church Institute in the space formerly occupied by the Aloha Cafe. “We are very excited to be […]
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The Chanler at Cliff Walk appoints Matthew Voskuil as new Executive Chef, Director of Food & Beverage
Newport, RI – For the first time in over eight years, The Chanler at Cliff Walk is ushering in new culinary talent at its award-winning destination restaurant The Spiced Pear, with newly appointed Executive Chef and Director of Food & Beverage, Matthew Voskuil at the helm. In his dual role as Executive Chef and Director of Food & Beverage, […]
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The Newport Burger Bender is back and bigger than ever
Newport, RI – The Newport Burger Bender returns for its second edition this February 16 to 25, 2018, once again coinciding with the Newport Winter Festival. This simple burger contest, which recognizes the bevy of culinary creativity throughout our destination, challenges local restaurants to compete for the lauded “Newport Burger Bender Best Burger” title, burger bragging rights and the […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Owners of Rosemary & Thyme opening second restaurant in Newport, Rustica to open on April 12th (Updated)
The team behind one of Newport’s busiest breakfast cafes is expanding their brand and talent to open a new restaurant this spring. The Newport breakfast and lunch scene will grow this March when Matt and Anna Tscheulin, chef and owners of Rosemary & Thyme Artisan Bakery/Cafe, open Rustica Kitchen at 404 Thames Street. {Update: After […]
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Sardella’s serves up Italian for ‘Homegate’ parties on Super Bowl Weekend
Sardella’s Ristorante Italiano in Newport has a winning idea for Big Game “Homegate” parties this Super Sunday. “We are serving up real food for those football parties!” said proprietor Richard Sardella. Sardella’s will be open on Super Sunday and has a full menu of Italian specialties in large family size pans. Chef Kevin Fitzgerald calls […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Things To Do
Facebook Live Video: What’s Up at Newport Vineyards? Here’s what’s up
What’s up at Newport Vineyards? Ryan caught up with Cassandra Earle, Director of Sales & Marketing at Newport Vineyards, on Friday to find out. For a full calendar of events and for all the details that were discussed, visit www.newportvineyards.com.
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Via Via evicted, forced to close location on Lower Thames Street
Each summer, thousands of people in downtown Newport flock to a central location on Thames Street around 1 am. It’s a phenomenon that has become synonymous with late-night pit stops on the way home from the pubs. As of yesterday, the restaurant responsible for this migration is no more. The owners of Via Via Pizza were […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Dear What’sUpNewp: “What’s your favorite restaurant or bar that opened in 2017?”
Dear What’sUpNewp is where we’ll regularly feature an audience question and have all or some of our editorial team members provide their answer. Want to submit a question? Send an email to ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Ryan recently got the question while at an event – “What’s your favorite restaurant or bar that opened in 2017?” It’s a […]
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What’s Open, What’s Closed: When restaurants are taking time off this winter (Updated)
It’s beginning to look a whole lot more like the off-season around Newport, RI. Many restaurants have already permanently/temporarily closed or are preparing to do so over the next few weeks. Temporarily Closing This story was originally published on January 2nd, it will be updated as more information is received and confirmed. Aloha Cafe: Closed until […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
What’s up for 2017-2018 New Year’s Eve in Newport
New Year’s Eve is almost here and the What’sUpNewp crew is keeping you in the know of the very best events and parties happening in Newport, because we know you want (and deserve) to ring in 2018 in style! In alphabetical order. More events may be added as venues announce what’s happening. You Might Also Like – Newport […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Owners of Diego’s purchase Easton’s Point Pub; Diego’s Barrio Cantina coming soon
Have you ever wished Diego’s Bodega in Middletown had the same famous margaritas as Diego’s in Newport? In 2018, Diego’s owners Scott and Adrienne Kirmil are making that wish come true and much more. Following the successful expansion of Diego’s at Bowen’s Wharf, they’re moving the bodega from 124 Aquidneck Avenue to the former home […]
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Restaurants open on Christmas Day in Newport
Christmas Day in Newport, believe it or not, will be here before you know it. For some of you, the thought of cooking at home, traveling, or visiting the family is simply, out of the question! If you head out on Christmas Day, be sure to take care of those hard working staff! It doesn’t always have […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Roundup: Bar and restaurant hours on Christmas Eve
Looking for a place to dine or drink this Christmas Eve, here’s a quick look at what’s open. This story will be updated as more information and hours are confirmed, check back for updates. Know of something that’s open or closed, email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Brick Alley Pub – Last seating at 4 p.m.Clarke Cooke House – […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport’s KEEL Vodka now on tap at Gillette Stadium
KEEL Partners LLC and Gillette Stadium have teamed up to provide fans with an exciting new beverage option at the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution: KEEL Vodka, the nation’s first premium light spirit at 58 calories. Former New England Patriots offensive lineman and three-time Super Bowl Champion Matt Light is […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Sardella’s open on Christmas Day for 38th year
Sardella’s Ristorante Italiano in Newport will be open for the thirty-eighth consecutive Christmas Day. The tradition started on Christmas Day 1980. It was a record cold Yuletide. Days and nights of record below-zero temperatures resulted in Newport Harbor freezing over. Burst water pipes plagued downtown restaurants that could not open even if the owners planned […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Things To Do
Grace Vanderbilt unveils new ‘Cozy Cocktail Den’
The garden terrace at Newport’s Grace Vanderbilt hotel has received a makeover just in time for winter, emerging as the new Cozy Cocktail Den. Guests to the all-new Cozy Cocktail Den can experience a warm haven offering delicious, hand-crafted cocktails and over-the-top s’mores setup to enjoy beneath the warmth of overhead heaters, Grace- branded wool blankets, while kicking up […]
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You vs Food: Gut-Busting Food Challenges in Newport
If your goal in life is to become Newport’s own version of Kobayashi, or just impress your friends, this list of gut-busting challenges is for you. 1 – The Hungry Monkey’s King Kong 15 Egg Omelet Challenge You have one hour to finish the entire five pound meal that consists of an 15 egg omelet filled with chorizo, other […]
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10+ Newport restaurants and bars open on Thanksgiving
Whether you’re far away from home and can’t make it back or just to prefer to eat out and keep it simple on Thanksgiving, the following restaurants offer you a warm welcome to join them for dinner…. Tip – scroll down to see what bars are open on Thanksgiving evening. 1. Hotel Viking Hotel Viking […]
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Taking inventory and a closer look at liquor licenses in Newport (Updated)
It’s time for our annual look at what liquor licenses are out there and who is using them – it’s also a time to remind those who are interested how the liquor license “process” works. We hear these questions all the time – “how can I get a liquor license?”, “why aren’t there more liquor […]
Posted inFood & Drink, History
OpenTable unveils ’13 Spookiest Restaurants’, White Horse Tavern lands on the list
OpenTable today announced the 13 Spookiest Restaurants in America. Spanning from coast-to-coast, each of these restaurants denotes a wide variety of cuisine and culture, served with a side of fun and fright. In the spirit of the season, these restaurants pay homage to their histories and haunted pasts with delicious seasonal fare and ample storytelling. […]
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KJ’s Restaurant & Pub to permanently close on October 22nd
After more than 15 years, KJ’s Restaurant & Pub is preparing to say farewell this weekend. The restaurant is hosting a “farewell KJs” event on Saturday evening from 7 pm to 1 am, the Facebook Event description states; Closing party … We will be closing our doors Sunday night but would love to see all […]