Food & Drink

In true New England fashion, chowder will soon be available from a cart in the City of NEwport. At their March 10 regular council meeting, Newport City Council approved a mobile food establishment cart permit for Newport Chowder Company. “We are beyond excited to announce that the Newport City Council granted Newport Chowder Company a […]

Debuting for the first time this winter on February 5, The Chanler at Cliff Walk has unveiled two luxury yurts on its lawn overlooking the Cliff Walk. Offering an intimate and elevated culinary and beverage experience, The Chanler at Cliff Walk says that the Yurts will tastefully blend Scandinavian decor with Rhode Island chicness.  Available […]

The Rhode Island Brewers Guild, the official association focused on promoting Rhode Island’s beer manufactures and brewpubs, today announced that it recently held elections for their Board of Directors. The board is made up of five representatives from member breweries who are voted on by the 31-member organization. The 2021 Board will retain two key […]

Sprout and Lentil, the Middletown-based Vegan kitchen, recently announced that they are extending their hours on Thursday to Saturday and will begin offering delivery on these evenings beginning January 14.  Delivery will be available from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. “The number of people embracing the vegan and plant-based diet is growing rapidly,” says Chef […]

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG) is expanding its portfolio in 2021 with the addition of a specialty market, Foodlove, at 1037 Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown. The 3,600 square foot space, designed by McGeorge Architects in East Greenwich, is scheduled to open this summer. “We have considered the idea of an upscale prepared foods market on Aquidneck […]

Interested in owning a bar/restaurant on Thames Street and/or a commercial building? Here’s your chance. 464 Thames Street, home to Harry’s Bar & Burger, has hit the market for $995,000. The building includes a two-level restaurant and a two bedroom apartment. If you’re interested in buying your next home/investment and career, the restaurant business can […]

The future of Winner Winner on Thames Street is up in the air.  In mid-December, both the building at 677 Thames Street and the business was listed for sale by Kirby Properties. Anna Burnely from The Mission Group in an email to What’s Up Newp on behalf of herself and partners Steve, Chad, and Tyler, […]

When Matthew Chausse decided to turn a passion into a viable business, he had no clue what to expect or anticipate.  “It’s certainly an interesting time to start a new venture,” said Chausse. A Rogers High School graduate and movie producer by trade, Chausse has always had an overwhelming affinity for wine.  After years of traveling […]

In the coming weeks, Diego’s will open their much-anticipated location on the East Side of Providence.  The popular Mexican staple, whose brand has expanded from its first location on Bowen’s Wharf in Newport to Middletown with its Barrio Cantina is now prepping for its third installment in Wayland Square. Located on the corner of Wayland Avenue […]

By Rhode Island Commerce With Thanksgiving and a busy holiday season approaching, local restaurant owners are calling on Rhode Islanders to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 in order to save their industry. In a series of public service announcements, the state’s restaurant community is highlighting the severe impact of the pandemic […]

Hotel Viking is kicking off the week with some fun happenings, including a new cocktail series with Newport Craft, all-new offerings from newly opened Spa Fjor, and deep discounts for locals looking for a fall getaway. Below are the details; Cozy Cocktails with Newport Craft:  To celebrate the season, Hotel Viking’s expert mixologists have teamed up […]

On Wednesday, October 14th, The RI Hospitality Association (RIHA) kicked off its #BYOBlanket campaign, geared toward helping Rhode Island’s restaurants extend the outdoor dining season, with the first distribution of more than 12,000 blankets, thousands of hand warmers, 370 outdoor heaters and thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) taking place at the Providence Marriott Downtown at […]

Jamestown Fish will be sold by the receiver on Monday, October 19 at 11 am at the Kent County Superior Court, according to Kirby Properties. The award-winning restaurant permanently closed and was put on the market for $1.6 million in June 2019. It currently has a sale price of $1,250,000. At that time Jamestown Press […]

The owner of Plant City, the popular vegan food hall in Providence, is looking to open a scaled-down version at 619 West Main Road in Middletown (formerly Papa Gino’s). The restaurant would have a drive-thru and would focus on take-out/to-go. What’s Up Newp caught up with Kim Anderson, owner of Plant City, on Monday night. […]

By David Dadekian, Eat Drink RI Yacht Club Bottling Works, The Official Soda and Water Company of Rhode Island, is releasing some preliminary results from this year’s Soda Pop Poll, and depending on your taste in candidates, the results may be shocking. You might cry, “FAKE NEWS!” but as of mid-September, Donald’s Big League Punch holds a commanding 52% lead over Joe’s […]

Newport, RI – Giusto, the first independent restaurant concept from Chef Kevin O’Donnell, today announced its grand opening will take place on Tuesday, September 8th. A Rhode Island native with almost two decades of experience at celebrated restaurants in New England, New York, Italy, and France, Kevin’s homecoming fuses his talent and creativity to bring […]

Giusto, the first independent restaurant concept from Chef Kevin O’Donnell, has been abuzz as locals and visitors alike eagerly await its late summer grand opening. A Rhode Island native with almost two decades of experience at celebrated restaurants in New England, New York, Italy, and France, O’Donnell’s homecoming fuses his talent and creativity to bring […]

Newport, RI – Awful awful news for Newport Creamery fans. The Newport Creamery located at 181 Bellevue Avenue in Newport has closed for the remainder of the year due to COVID-19. A sign placed on the window states; “Due to the pandemic this location will be closed until further notice. Please visit our location at […]

The Town of Portsmouth’s Zoning Board of Review last night unanimously approved Ragged Island Brewing Company’s special use permit to operate a limited series of beer gardens at their new location at 54 Bristol Ferry Road. According to the application, the brewery would partner with McGrath Clambakes and the permit will allow the brewery to host […]

Middletown, RI – Something new has been growing in the fields at Newport Vineyards and it’s not just the vines. For nearly two years the vineyard and culinary teams at Newport Vineyards have been secretly collaborating on the agri-tourism destination’s newest endeavor, The Vineyard Garden. Adding to their estate-grown portfolio, the garden will complement their existing farm-to-table […]

Newport, RI – 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. News & Notes We are now in Phase III of Reopening RI – restaurant and bar guidance is here. Stoneacre Garden, the latest production of […]

 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]