Newport Food Scene: A bounty returns as Aquidneck Island's seasonal restaurants reopen
Every year at this time, as the landscapes and flowerbeds throughout the Island start to come alive with new blooms and budding flora, we celebrate together the hope of spring. We are excited for the first days of warm sun on our faces, for the joys of being back outside and for the longer days that give us more time to stay out and enjoy. And as we find ourselves wanting to properly celebrate the return of spring, like the new blooms in our gardens, our restaurant community is budding with the return of many of our favorites who had gone dormant over the summer. They’re back to serve us all and not a moment too soon.
Of course, when Frosty Freez opened back on April 1, we knew the seasons were changing. Even though their first month back has been unseasonably chilly and soggy, their walk-up service windows have been busy scooping our ice cream favorites and serving new creations too like Peanut Butter Patties Nor’easters! Life is good when you see the “Open” sign on at Frosty Freez. It’s a rite of spring. But they’re not the only ice cream slingers back in business.
Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream reopened in early April too. With some of the best ice cream in town (and dog-friendly too), a trip to Clementine’s will bring smiles to one and all. Down at the corner of Thames and Memorial, Newport Sticks & Cones Waffle & Ice Cream Parlor is back too. Filling the streets with the smell of fresh cooked waffle cones, it’s a great time to stop in for a scoop. Down the road a bit, Cold Fusion Gelato is also back, and their artisan, hand-crafted gelatos and sorbets are ready to scoop. Spring has sprung and it’s time to get yourself a scoop or two (and some sprinkles) at one of our returning ice cream purveyors!
The other true sign that the warm weather is coming is when Flo’s Clam Shack opened back up. The Middletown spot opened in mid-March while Flo’s Drive-In on Island Park in Portsmouth opened at the start of April. No better time to go and get your fill of stuffies and clam cakes. It’s an Island tradition.
While in Island Park, you’ll see that Schultzy's Snack Shack has re-opened for the season too. The neighbor of Flo’s always has tasty offerings from burgers and chili cheese dogs to clam strips and New England Clam Chowder - they have all you need while out cruising or walking the area. Plus they serve fresh scooped ice cream and handmade shakes and malteds too.
If you are looking for places to go in Newport, you are in luck. The Deck Restaurant & Bar at Waites Wharf reopened for the season in mid-April. They returned with a great new menu from new Executive Chef Mert Sünnetcioglu, that their loyal fans will really enjoy. It’s still one of the best settings in town.
Meanwhile, The Landing opened back up in mid-April with great new menu items and a new bar as well. Always a lively spot for great food and drink plus it’s a great place to watch the boats in the harbor. A Newport classic.
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Back on America’s Cup, the Smoke House reopens this weekend for the season. The smell of barbecue wafting in there will lure you in, but you’ll stay for the awesome cocktails and people-watching perches facing the street. Throughout Newport, the patios, decks and outdoor dining spaces are all coming alive and we’re here for it all!
While so many of our favorite restaurants are coming back to life, we can’t forget about those spots where we get our summer produce and more.
Sweet Berry Farm is scheduled to reopen for the season in May and they’ll come back with all their favorites from farm fresh produce to home-cooked pies and foods. We are looking forward to warm Cider Doughnuts in their cafe and picking fresh strawberries in their lush, well-tended fields.
Over in Portsmouth, Mello's Farm and Flower Center reopened for the season this past month and alongside their impressive selection of gardening supplies, they also have great farm stand options. Try their sweet offerings like pies, homemade cookies, chocolate cake, peanut butter banana cheesecake or opt for some of their savory favorites like American chop suey or shepherd's pie. Lot’s of great surprises!
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DeCastro Farms on East Main Road opened on April 5. Always a great spot for fresh produce, don’t miss out on their other sundries like Toto’s Fresh Salsa, Narragansett Creamery cheeses and Dom’s fresh meats including steak tips, chicken and sausage.
And when it comes to fresh produce, don’t forget about the Aquidneck Growers Markets. This weekend is the last weekend at Stoneacre Garden, but they plan to open back up at the lot at Embrace Home Loans on Saturdays starting May 6 and on Wednesdays on Memorial Boulevard starting May 17.
Newport is unique in that our restaurant community increases in the spring and summer. We’re a year-round community, but we have many unique spots that only open for the sunny weather. The good news is that they are all coming back, popping open like new flowers sprouting in the shining sun. It’s a great time of year to celebrate their return.
'He surely will be missed': Remembering Newport Daily News reporter, columnist Jim Gillis
Some Spare Change: We are still thinking of the loss of the great Jim Gillis and extending our condolences to his wife Julie. There are many kind words being said of Jim this week, all well-deserved, and there’s not much I can add. However, as someone who writes about the restaurant community, I’d like to offer Jim our collective gratitude for having always been a loyal supporter and promoter of the hospitality industry in Newport. Even in his last few columns, Jim always made space to recognize and pay tribute to long-storied restaurants like Sig’s Place and Gary’s Handy Lunch. Jim had a keen sense of the history of how our restaurants and bars helped shape our city. He knew they were important to our culture and our sense of community. He’d always root for the little guy, and when you have someone like Jim Gillis rooting for you, you always stood a chance. So thank you Jim, for this and for all your contributions. We raise our glass in your honor. Rest in peace.
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: Seafood to ice cream: These seasonal Newport restaurants have reopened
