Foodie Favourites – Newport
Rhode Island: playground of the rich and famous, home to the city of Newport, and a thriving food industry centered the around the best seafood dishes that America has to offer.
In Newport, there are two sides to the foodie experience; the traditional dishes following recipes handed down through the generations, and new culinary experiences by local chefs using contemporary methods. If you want to get a feel for the cuisine of Rhode Island, either option will leave your appetite content.
If you’re looking for traditional fare, look no further than the award-winning clam cakes at Flo’s Clam Shack. Fresh from the ocean, clams are diced and mixed with a special variety of herbs, encased in dough and deep-fried; these are firm favourites for locals and tourists alike.
Next try the clam chowder, a little different to the norm in that it is made as a clear broth with clam chunks, potatoes and onions; as apposed to the thick, creamy soup that is made in other parts of Rhode Island. Wash it all down with a Newport Stormy Craft Beer for good measure.
If it’s a little more upmarket you are looking for, the White Horse Tavern will not disappoint. Touted as America’s oldest tavern, opening its doors many moons ago in 1673, you will find a one-of-a-kind experience of delicious food set amongst an old colonial but romantic atmosphere. Locals recommend the New England Lobster Sauté or the Seared Prime Sirloin as their favourite dishes.
A trip to Newport is not complete without a visit to the Castle Hill Inn to laze on the Adirondack chairs on the grass and sip on a tumbler of Thomas Tew Rum. A famed hotel, restaurant and popular wedding venue, the Castle Hill is a charming place to pass the time, watching the sailboats float by. Try some of the delicious hotel fare including New England Lobster, Stuffed California Quail and Grilled Hereford Beef Fillet.
The Rhode Islanders love their coffee milk, adding special coffee syrup to their milk for a uniquely refreshing drink. Add ice cream to the mix and you have what the locals would call a coffee cabinet (milkshake). Sold at the Newport creamery, an established favourite of Newport, coffee cabinets are popular with all residents and visitors, especially in the summer months. The most popular is the beloved Awful, Awful – short for Awful Big, Awful Good – a super thick shake made from iced milk instead of ice cream.
Author: Dominique Kotze
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