NEWPORT FOOD SCENE: Get your Bishop's fix before it's too late and 7 other food thoughts

Dan Lederer
·4 min read

There are always new and interesting things to discover and enjoy when it comes to dining on Aquidneck Island. Here are some quick bites to catch you up on what’s happening:

• The Newport Zoning Board of Review recently approved a demolition permit for Colbea Enterprises to make way for their new Seasons Market in the JT Connell rotary, all but sealing the fate of Bishop’s 4th Street Diner. The beloved eatery is set to close its doors for good in mid-August. That gives us all a month to say goodbye. We should all take the chance to thank the staff for their years of service and wish them well. Our hearts might be sad, but for the time being, we can still find solace in the Bishop’s food we’ve come to love. Get your fill on their famous pancakes. Indulge in the Fisherman’s Platter one last time. Drown your sorrows in one of their extra thick frappes. It will be sad to live on the Island without Bishop’s, so let’s make their last month one to remember.

Bishop's 4th Street Diner: Newport Zoning Board paves way for gas station expansion on Bishop's 4th Street Diner lot

• Have you tried Maho Poke Bar yet on Thames Street? If not, you need to. Poke is an authentic Hawaiian dish that features diced, typically raw seafood. At Maho’s, they serve really fresh poke made to order, served in either a bowl or wrap. They also have authentic Hawaiian Shave Ice. Sweet, creamy and the perfect solution to beat the heat. Definitely worth a stop-in to say Aloha on your culinary tour of Newport.

• The new Cabana Restaurant just opened in the former Salvation Cafe spot and they’ll have some big shoes to fill in that building. They seem ready for the job. The Cabana serves classic New England fare with a spicy Caribbean twist. They are taking full advantage of the building’s unique charm by creating four distinct spaces: the Dining Room, the upstairs Shark Bar, the airy Garden Room and the outdoor Beach Bar. We wish them great success.

Callum McLaughlin is co-owner of the new restaurant Cabana, 140 Broadway in Newport.
Callum McLaughlin is co-owner of the new restaurant Cabana, 140 Broadway in Newport.

Cabana Restaurant: Old Salvation Cafe on Broadway in Newport sees new life — but similar 'spirit'— as Cabana

• Over in Middletown, the “Now Open” sign is up at the new home for Flat Waves Food Shack in the old Grange building on the corner of Aquidneck and East Main. Flat Waves has worked hard over the years creating a loyal fanbase, and we are excited to see what they can do with more space. They have expanded their menu to include a few more offerings inspired from coastal cities around the globe, but their tried and true favorites are still available. Plus they have a liquor license now which means great new possibilities for a Flat Waves dining experience. Good things are happening!

Middletown restaurants: This corner of Middletown has your taste buds covered

• McGrath Clambakes has been doing its thing on Aquidneck Island for over 50 years. The folks there are keeping the tradition of authentic New England clambakes alive, while making happy and delicious memories for Islanders for years. Usually, you have to attend a special event or a wedding to indulge in their particular set of skills, but thanks to a collaboration with Ragged Island Brewing Company, you will have a few opportunities to get a taste of McGrath’s at the Ragged Island farm this summer. The next “Get Baked at Ragged” event is Sunday, July 17. Enjoy a Clambake and all its spoils cooked by the experts at McGrath, and wash it down with your favorite Ragged Island brews.

Dan Lederer
Dan Lederer

• July is officially National Ice Cream Month so if you need an excuse to go out for Ice Cream over the next few weeks, now you have one. Here’s your to-do list for the month: Frosty Freez, Clementine’s, Kilwin’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Sticks & Cones, Sprinkles, Newport Creamery, Sandcastle’s, Schultzy's Snack Shack, Anna D’s and Pete’s Ice Cream Truck. Make it your goal to hit them all. Happy celebrating!

•  In non-island food news, at the Coney Island Park Fourth of July celebration, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut wolfed down 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes to win the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating crown while Miki Sudo scarfed down 40 to take the women’s title. Meanwhile, Eric "Badlands" Booker chugged down a gallon of lemonade in under 30 seconds to beat his previous world record. Our forefathers would be so proud of how we celebrate our Independence.

Joey Chestnut, center, competes in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, New York. Chestnut ate 63 hot dogs to win the men's division of the contest.
Joey Chestnut, center, competes in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, New York. Chestnut ate 63 hot dogs to win the men's division of the contest.

• For anyone that’s ever worked in a restaurant (or wants to know what it’s like), The Bear television show on Hulu is worth the watch. (Trigger warning: it might stir up old restaurant anxieties you thought were long buried). Restaurant work is often misrepresented in television and movies. They make it seem that workers have all the time in the world for chitchats and breaks. The Bear gets the pace of restaurant life right. The grittiness. The rush. The yelling. It’s worth the watch.

Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality related. His column appears on newportri.com and Thursdays in The Daily News. Cheers!

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Get your Bishop's Diner fix before it's too late and more food notes