barbarav

Can anyone recommend a good restaurant or venue for a rehearsal dinner in the Newport Bristol area? A casual atmosphere is preferable, maybe a clambake. Wedding is at Mt. Hope Farm in Bristol. Thanks.

OliveOyl

I love Castle Hill in Newport. It would be such a romantic site for a rehearsal dinner--a beautiful old rambling cedar shake structure, with a huge lawn leading down to the bluff overlooking the bay. If it was a summer wedding you could even do a dinner under the stars! Lucky you...I'm trying to plan a rehersal dinner in a small (and dry!) town outside Waco!!!

A word of caution. We were in Newport this fall and made a point of driving up to Bristol one day because it didn't look too far on the map, and we own a sailboat manufactured there and wanted to see what they are doing now. The town is SO pretty but it took us forever and a day to get there. It isn't far distance-wise from Newport, but the traffic and the lights were horrendous. I'm guessing it was a 30-45 minute drive. Of course if most of the wedding party is staying in Newport anyway, drive time back there really isn't a factor. Have fun planning--it's a beautiful spot for a wedding!

EmilyC

Castle Hill Inn is great but it is also costly - could end up being more than the wedding! There is a retired fireman in Newport named Tom McGrath. He runs his own clambake business. We used him for our business dinner several years ago at Hammersmith Farm. He did an in the ground clambake and it was a fabulous success.He also did a clambake at the Eisenhower House which has a fabulous view but this would be very costly as well. He may be able to recommend potential sites for you that would be less costly. You didn't say how many people for the rehearsal dinner. Some places that come to mind would be upstairs on the porch at the Clarke Cook House. This is a great spot in the summer - or on the deck outside Christies or upstairs at the White Horse Tavern. Christies also has a second floor inside that they use for parties.
Then, there's the Bay Voyage Inn in Jamestown or Trattoria Simpatico in Jamestown. One of our new favorite spots is Tricia's Tropical Grill in Jamestown. This would be a fun spot for a casual dinner. There's an old sailing vessel called Brandaris in Wickford which you could rent for the evening. They have gourmet food on board.
Well, I hope that this helps...good luck!

PamSF

Are you referring to Newport,Rhode Island? We loved our dinner at Scales and Shells along the water on Thames Street. Apparently they have an upstairs room for more "formal" occassions. The downstairs is informal and we thought great fun. The food was delicious! Check it out.

jackflack

For Bristol try, The lobster Pot on Hope St.

Aidans Pub on John Street (which you could probably fill) Possible has outside tables as well?

Quito's Restaurant, Thames St (On the water with outdoor seating) Informal/casual but a great location on the Harbor

michelleNYC

How many people were you thinking of having? The Mooring in Newport has a private area in the back with just gorgeous views of the water -- in fact they are right on the harbor. I actually contemplated having my engagement party there (I got engaged in Newport) but it became a hassle for many people here in NYC. Here is their website: www.mooringrestaurant.com