Musings on a Thanksgiving weekend in Newport.
Nov 28th, 2007, 06:55 AM
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Musings on a Thanksgiving weekend in Newport.
We are fortunate to have family living in this lovely town,so go often,sometimes visiting the mansions, walking the Cliff Walk,or perusing the shops along Thames St. For Thanksgiving, we reserved a spot at the Inn at Castle Hill, for dinner.Situated on a peninsula, at the far end of Ocean Ave,the location is spectacular.Built as a summer house for the scientist and explorer Alexander Agassiz,there is a small lighthouse on the property, still alight, which overlooks the rocky coastline in this part of Newport. Somehow we managed to not only be seated at a table in the conservatory, but by the wide expanse of window, overlooking the Sound, watching the lights of Jamestown and the bridge slowly appear in the twilightand even spotting the light from the Rose Island lighthouse, under the bridge. It was magical!
We visited friends, later, for dessert and coffee, in their condo,in which had been one of the big old summer homes, just off Bellevue. The building was of the shingle style, with wonderful walnut paneling, and William Morris wallpaper. One could almost imagine living in another era. The talk, since everyone but my husband and I are, or were, involved with the sea and boating,revolved around
that which made Newport famous.
The following day,we perused the Newport Historical Society.which I would recommend, if you are interested in "old Newport", or the models and photographs of the old yachts,and the beginning of the Newport to Bermuda race.It is quite easy to spend a couple of hours there
On to the Seamen's Church Institute,located in the heart of the harbor district. A Georgian Revival building, designed by Frederick Rhinelander King, who also designed the garden house of the "Chateau sur Mer".The dining room and the library are used for catering events and are quite popular for smaller wedding receptions. Visiting yachtsmen, as well as those spending time in Newport Harbor on their boats, or visiting and working in downtown are welcome to use their services. There is a lovely Memorial Garden, and small chapel, both well worth a visit.
On to Bristol, which is a smaller, waterfront town,on Narraganset Bay, quite famous for its 4th of July parade, and its historic homes along Main and Hope Streets. Many of the small shops were open, and found some unusual, inexpensive gifts, that one won't find everywh
A very late lunch, at Le Central,On Hope St. It is a wonderful French Bistro,with wide windows overlooking Hope St.so one feels very much a part of the town The food was perfect, not expensive, and the service good. A Jazz piece was playing softly on the stereo, making the mood perfect-imagining you were across the big pond!
Dinner in Providence, at Mills Tavern that night, was a bit of a disapointment, but dessert and coffee at Pastiche, in Federal Hill was, as usual wonderful. No matter what time of day one goes, it is always crowded, in that tiny place, but worth the wait.
On the way home the next morning, after a wonderful breakfast a must stop at Anthonys, on Aquidneck Ave.for their Portugese Seafood chowder,and scallop cake, to take home- though I felt I would not be able to eat for days!
All in all,a Thanksgiving to be thankful for.
We visited friends, later, for dessert and coffee, in their condo,in which had been one of the big old summer homes, just off Bellevue. The building was of the shingle style, with wonderful walnut paneling, and William Morris wallpaper. One could almost imagine living in another era. The talk, since everyone but my husband and I are, or were, involved with the sea and boating,revolved around
that which made Newport famous.
The following day,we perused the Newport Historical Society.which I would recommend, if you are interested in "old Newport", or the models and photographs of the old yachts,and the beginning of the Newport to Bermuda race.It is quite easy to spend a couple of hours there
On to the Seamen's Church Institute,located in the heart of the harbor district. A Georgian Revival building, designed by Frederick Rhinelander King, who also designed the garden house of the "Chateau sur Mer".The dining room and the library are used for catering events and are quite popular for smaller wedding receptions. Visiting yachtsmen, as well as those spending time in Newport Harbor on their boats, or visiting and working in downtown are welcome to use their services. There is a lovely Memorial Garden, and small chapel, both well worth a visit.
On to Bristol, which is a smaller, waterfront town,on Narraganset Bay, quite famous for its 4th of July parade, and its historic homes along Main and Hope Streets. Many of the small shops were open, and found some unusual, inexpensive gifts, that one won't find everywh
A very late lunch, at Le Central,On Hope St. It is a wonderful French Bistro,with wide windows overlooking Hope St.so one feels very much a part of the town The food was perfect, not expensive, and the service good. A Jazz piece was playing softly on the stereo, making the mood perfect-imagining you were across the big pond!
Dinner in Providence, at Mills Tavern that night, was a bit of a disapointment, but dessert and coffee at Pastiche, in Federal Hill was, as usual wonderful. No matter what time of day one goes, it is always crowded, in that tiny place, but worth the wait.
On the way home the next morning, after a wonderful breakfast a must stop at Anthonys, on Aquidneck Ave.for their Portugese Seafood chowder,and scallop cake, to take home- though I felt I would not be able to eat for days!
All in all,a Thanksgiving to be thankful for.
Nov 28th, 2007, 07:39 AM
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I enjoyed your report. What a nice way to spend Thanksgiving.
I went to Bristol in October to visit Blithewold. It is a mansion on 33 acres on the bay. It has been in the same family since it was built in the mid 1800s. The gardens have the largest redwood tree east of the Mississippi. The history is fascinating.
We had lunch at Aidens Pub and Grub. Not exactly French food!! It is acoss from the waterfront w/outside seating. We had the best crab cakes we have ever had. I agree that it is a charming town.
Thank you again for your report. I loved all the details.
I went to Bristol in October to visit Blithewold. It is a mansion on 33 acres on the bay. It has been in the same family since it was built in the mid 1800s. The gardens have the largest redwood tree east of the Mississippi. The history is fascinating.
We had lunch at Aidens Pub and Grub. Not exactly French food!! It is acoss from the waterfront w/outside seating. We had the best crab cakes we have ever had. I agree that it is a charming town.
Thank you again for your report. I loved all the details.
Nov 28th, 2007, 08:04 AM
#3
Nice report capecodshanty. How wonderful to spend Thanksgiving dinner at Castle Hill. I love that spot. How perfect!
We've gone from Newport to Bristol too...a bit more of a haul than we anticipated, but our sailboat, a Bristol, was built there (obviously
) at their yard at Poppasquash Point, and we had to see the site of her birth for ourselves. I was SO impressed with the town of Bristol though...it is simply beautiful and despite the hassle, worth the trip up from Newport!
I've never seen that area (Newport) off season. Does it actually quiet down and resemble a "normal" town?
We've gone from Newport to Bristol too...a bit more of a haul than we anticipated, but our sailboat, a Bristol, was built there (obviously
) at their yard at Poppasquash Point, and we had to see the site of her birth for ourselves. I was SO impressed with the town of Bristol though...it is simply beautiful and despite the hassle, worth the trip up from Newport!I've never seen that area (Newport) off season. Does it actually quiet down and resemble a "normal" town?
Nov 28th, 2007, 08:16 AM
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Thanks gomiki! Blithewold is on our list for next time!
OO-I forgot to mention the tri-colored stripe. That was fun.
We walked along the waterfront, to a small park, though it was quite cold and windy. I was surprised at the number of boats still moored out there.
I find that part of R.I. fascinating-and though I grew up in the state, did not know Bristol that well. And yes, Newport does become much more of a "community" off season.Almost everyone my BIL and SIL know in town, have something to do with the boating/yachting business, as they are associated with it- though now on land, more than at sea!
OO-I forgot to mention the tri-colored stripe. That was fun.
We walked along the waterfront, to a small park, though it was quite cold and windy. I was surprised at the number of boats still moored out there.
I find that part of R.I. fascinating-and though I grew up in the state, did not know Bristol that well. And yes, Newport does become much more of a "community" off season.Almost everyone my BIL and SIL know in town, have something to do with the boating/yachting business, as they are associated with it- though now on land, more than at sea!
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