Here’s the latest from the Newport County restaurant scene, enjoy! Have something that you’d like to see added here or include in a future edition? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Dine & Drink News & Notes Phase III of Reopening RI arrives on Tuesday, June 30th and will now allow restaurants and other places of public interaction (gyms, […]
Food & Drink
Posted inFood & Drink
Mission to close Newport location, expand in Middletown
Newport, RI – The Mission Group today announced that they will have permanently closed their Mission location at 29 West Marlborough Street in Newport and will expand their location at 58 Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown. In a social media post, Mission posted the following; welp … it’s the end of an era my friends!❤️ ::::: […]
Posted inBusiness
Hammetts Hotel opens on Friday
Hammetts Hotel, Main Street Hospitality’s newest addition to its management portfolio, will open on Friday, June 26. Centrally located on America’s Cup at Commercial Wharf, the 84-room hotel places guests in the heart of downtown Newport and welcomes the local community to explore, gather, and dine. The Sarah Langley Gallery at Hammetts Hotel, named for […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Brenton Hotel introduces new culinary leadership team
Newport, RI Andy Ross, managing director of the Brenton Hotel, the new 57-room luxury boutique hotel on the harbor in Newport, RI, opening in July 2020, announced today the appointment of Kevin Wood as Executive Chef and Emily Brakenhoff as Food and Beverage Director. Executive Chef Wood is charged with developing the new hotel’s seasonal menus, as well […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Bar ‘Cino expanding in Washington Square
Newport, RI – Just one year after opening, Newport Restaurant Group’s Bar ‘Cino is expanding in Washington Square. The restaurant, located at 22 Washington Square, will expand into 24 Washington Square this month, the space recently became vacant and available when Karol Richardson closed. The availability of the space caught Newport Restaurant Group a little […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport Restaurant Group now offering delivery service from Bar ‘Cino, Smoke House, and Avivo
Newport Restaurant Group today announced that three of their properties, Bar ‘Cino and Smoke House in Newport and Avvio in Cranston, have launched a new delivery service. The restaurants are using their own employee-owners as drivers, rather than a third-party delivery service, to bring an authentic restaurant experience to customers’ doors. Orders can be placed […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Bowen’s Wharf cancels annual Newport Chowder & Oyster Festival and Seafood Festival
Bowen’s Wharf today announced that they have cancelled the 5th Annual Newport Oyster Festival and the 30th Annual Seafood Festival, due to COVID-19. “Bowen’s Wharf regrets to announce that both the 5th Annual 2020 Newport Oyster Festival as well as our 30th Annual Seafood Festival has been canceled. Although we are saddened on this year’s […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Dunkin’ Donuts on Broadway to permanently close
After several decades, Dunkin’ on Broadway in Newport is permanently closing at the end of this week. A sign put in in the window today says “this location will be permanently closing as of Sunday, June 14th”. A spokesperson for the franchise owner provided What’s Up Newp with the following statement on behalf of the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Business, Columns, Food & Drink
Tyler Bernadyn: A sign of HOPE on Broadway
Tonight at 5pm, the team at Fifth Element will launch ‘Outer Element,’ their much-anticipated outside dining space. Located in the old Foley’s parking lot and adjacent to their restaurant on Broadway, this fenced in patio space has come together quickly over the last few weeks.Outer Element will be open for both lunch and dinner, seven […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport businesses board up windows: ‘Better safe than sorry’
In a statement issued today related to the ongoing nationwide protests, the City of Newport said they “are not aware of any credible threats to the City of Newport or Aquidneck Island, our public safety personnel are actively taking precautions to prepare for any potential unrest”. Despite that statement, several business owners have begun boarding […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Things To Do
The Wayfinder Hotel, Nomi Park open
In case you missed it, Newport added a new hotel and restaurant this past weekend. The Wayfinder Hotel, located at 151 Admiral Kalbfus Road, officially opened this past weekend after several months of renovations and upgrades. More than a hotel, The Wayfinder considers itself “a property conceptualized and inspired by Newport’s vibrant local community”. The Wayfinder […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport County restaurants offering take-out, delivery, outdoor dining (Updating)
Tired of making lunch and dinner? Luckily, many of Newport County’s restaurants are still open and ready to serve you via takeout and delivery. Support a local business during a trying time and get some tasty food. This list is designed to let you call or order online with one tap. A very special thank […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport restaurants struggle to limit the environmental impact of take-out
Restaurants in the Newport area are trying to ensure that their growing dependency on take-out meals does not generate more plastic and threaten the area’s environmental gains. Plastic has long been a target for greens because it fouls beaches, endangers marine life, and puts further pressure on Rhode Island’s sole landfill. The threat has spurred […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Phase II of Reopening RI expected to start June 1, indoor dining, hair salons, and gyms to reopen
During her press briefing on Friday afternoon, Governor Raimondo said that her intention is to move to Phase II of Reopening RI on Monday, June 1st. We’ve included the guidance for Phase II below. Additional detailed guidance is expected to be rolled out on reopeningri.com early next week. A few highlights from her announcements; Beginning […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina, Hotel Viking reopen
Two more of Newport’s most popular hotels have reopened for guests and dining. Hotel Viking began accepting reservations for hotel stays beginning on May 21. One Bellevue’s patio is also reopening on May 21 for daily outdoor dining for those with a reservation, serving breakfast (7 am – 11 am), lunch (11:30 am – 2:30 pm), and […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Things To Do
Sweet Berry Farm will open for 40th season on Friday
Sweet Berry Farm enters its fortieth season when it opens to the public on Friday May 22nd at 9 am. While the shopping experience will be a little different this year, customers will find the same high quality selections they have come to expect. Due to COVID-19, here are some changes visitors can expect this […]
Posted inFood & Drink, News
Onne van der Wal and family launch Pop-Up Dining Room to support local restaurants
Over the last 72 hours, Newport social media has been buzzing about The Pop-up Dining Room, a mobile dinner space launched by renowned nautical photographer Onne van der Wal and his family. The van der Wals’ innovative pop-up idea was borne out of a desire to support their favorite local restaurants during the pandemic as […]
Posted inBusiness, City & Government, Food & Drink
Newport restaurants asked to submit plans for outdoor dining
by City of Newport. As Rhode Island begins to re-open for business, restaurants interested in offering outdoor dining are being asked to submit plans to the City to allow for expanded operations that would otherwise require Zoning or Council approval. All proposals should follow guidance provided by the State Department of Health as detailed at […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Eleven Forty Nine Restaurant in Warwick closing permanently due to COVID-19
Eleven Forty Nine Restaurant today announced that they will permanently close due to COVID-19. “Sadly, we are announcing that due to the unfortunate Covid -19 crisis, the owners of Eleven Forty-Nine Restaurant have made the difficult decision to close permanently” the restaurant posted on Facebook on Monday. The restaurant, located at 1149 Division Street in […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
WUN-ONE-ONE: Restaurant Roundtable – A conversation with five local restaurateurs about COVID-19 and how they plan to move forward
As part of our ongoing WUN-ON-ONE series, today we’ll be hosting a restaurant roundtable at 3 pm. Local restaurants will speak about COVID-19 challenges, opportunities, and the days, weeks, and months ahead. Featuring: Charlie Holder, Midtown Oyster Bar & Surf Club; Sue Lamond, Salvation Cafe; Rich Willis, Caleb & Broad; and Anna Burnley, The Mission […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Rhode Island businesses required to develop a written COVID-19 Control Plan by May 18th
As part of Governor Raimondo’s Reopening RI plan, all businesses must develop a written COVID-19 Control Plan outlining how its workplace will prevent the spread of COVID-19. While this plan does not need to be submitted to a state agency for approval, it must be retained on the premises of the business and must made […]
Posted inBusiness, City & Government, Food & Drink
Newport City Manager signs Executive Order allowing all restaurants to offer outdoor dining
Newport City Manager Joe Nicholson on Tuesday signed an Executive Order that will allow all existing victualing licenses offering service at tables or at counters to offer outdoor service. During her COVID-19 press briefing on Monday, Governor Raimondo announced that restaurants will be allowed to reopen for on-premise outdoor dining beginning Monday, May 18. According […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Middletown accepting applications for outdoor dining
Middletown has passed an executive order that will permit the temporary expansion of outdoor dining at local restaurants. The Town announced on Tuesday that it will be accepting applications from restaurants to permit the service and consumption of food in outdoor portions of the licensed premises on or after May 18, 2020. Restaurants with a […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
RI Hospitality Association and RI Hospitality Education Foundation announce free training for hospitality professionals through May 31
The RI Hospitality Association (RIHA) and RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF) today announced that they wil lbe hosting free workforce training and educational opportunities for hospitality professionals through May 31st through a partnership with the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) and National Restaurant Association (NRA). The AHLA is offering a variety of complimentary training […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Restaurants can reopen for outdoor dining beginning May 18th
During her COVID-19 press briefing today, Governor Raimondo announced that restaurants will be allowed to reopen for on-premise outdoor dining beginning Monday, May 18. Starting Monday, May 18th, restaurants will be able to begin limited outdoor dining in addition to their take-out, delivery, and drive-through operations. Restaurants will be required to operate under the following […]