We were so excited when travel writer Alison Tibaldi, who reports for offManhattan (oM), My Family Travels and Mommy Poppins as some of her outlets, let us know she was headed to Newport a few weeks ago. She had recently written a 
piece for oM on the Newport Winter Festival, counting in among one of the Best Winter Carnivals of 2012, and wanted to learn more about the City-by-the-Sea for some upcoming assignments. “This was my first time visiting Newport and I was struck by the natural beauty of the harbor,” she tells us. “I was also pleasantly surprised by the number and variety of restaurants in town.” Though the mansions are stately and elegant, she was delighted to find them to be so family friendly. “The audio tours really bring the Gilded-Age to life,” she describes. Allison had a full itinerary so she could enjoy as much of our city as she could while here, but there was one attraction that really surprised the avid traveler. “Don't miss the Tennis Hall of Fame, even if you don't particularly love tennis,” she advises. “Anyone with an appreciation of any sport will be impressed by this interactive and enjoyable ode to sportsmanship.”
Read more about her winter adventures in Newport on the Family Travel Forum by CLICKING HERE.
Guest blogger Leanne Orabona from AroundTheTableRI.blogspot.com returns today to share her most recent dining excursion that took her taste buds south of the border—Newport’s own Perro Salado.
Winter is actually one of my favorite times to visit Newport because there are less tourists and amazing local restaurants offer great deals, including Perro Salado. The Charles Street eatery offers a special menu on Tuesday night that includes select entrees at half price! Um...yes please. As Toby and I walked to the door, I swear to you I could smell the Sticky Pork Ribs wafting in the air. Is your mouth watering yet!? It was really busy for a Tuesday and we met our friends Evan and Renee who were at the back bar having a drink before dinner. This is one of my favorite rooms in Perro Salado. Yes, it is small, but that is the best part. There are a few seats at the bar and a few tables for dining (you'll find plenty of tables throughout the historic home turned restaurant). My other favorite part of this restaurant are the fireplaces—there is at least one in every room. When lit this time of year, it makes you feel at home.
We started off with some of Perro's famous margaritas. Toby usually opts for an original but I like to take a walk on the wild side. This time I ordered a cucumber and jalapeno margarita (it's not as spicy as you may think!)
Delish! Renee ordered a virgin blood orange margarita and Evan noticed the stellar beer selection on tap. After being seated, our server filled us in on some of the great half price specials, but I had to order the fish tacos; they are my absolute favorite. Toby had his usual Sticky Pork Ribs. We have probably been to this restaurant 50 times and he has gotten the same thing every time, they are just that good. He loves them so much I thought about getting them as a groom’s gift for him to be delivered to Belle Mer for our wedding in September (best wife ever!) We started off with chips and guacamole which was really the largest bowl of guacamole ever with a mound of chips piled on top. There were also tostones (fried plantains) which are delicious. Then dinner came (as I did a happy dance). The fish tacos were set in front of me and I could not wait to devour them! I usually prefer fish tacos grilled, but it is something about the way these are fried that make them light and airy. Tempura batter maybe? Next time I must to remember to ask their secret. My favorite part of the fish tacos are the pickled onions. It comes as a condiment for many dishes there. How have I never had these before coming here? They completely make this dish.
Now let's talk about what Perro is famous for- Sticky Pork Ribs. These are the best ribs I have ever had in my life. They are like a cross between Chinese sticky ribs and Southern-style BBQ ribs.
They instantly fall off the bone and melt in your mouth. The crunchy, charred outside adds so much flavor, and of course, paired with the pickled onions you cannot go wrong.
This was the first time I have ever got dessert here, and wow, have I been missing out. We ordered sopapilla (fried,puffy tortillas) that were drizzled with spicy chocolate and honey. It was a perfect end to a perfect evening! Big thanks to Renee and Evan for joining us. We ended up talking food all night! (Surprise - my favorite topic…)
Read more of Leanne’s culinary adventures at AroundTheTableRI.blogspot.com.
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Navigating the gauntlet of all things wedding-related can be overwhelming. Our resident wedding expert, Rebecca Miller (a newlywed herself, pictured on the far left), has the 411 on how to work a bridal show, and not let it work you. If you’re planning a wedding in Newport or Bristol County, be sure to reach out to her for everything you need to plan your big day (rebeccam@gonewport.com), and visit YourNewportWedding.com to connect with a variety of local wedding vendors sure to make your day one to remember.
It’s that special time of year again…engagement season! Did you know almost 40% of engagements happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day? That means there are a whole new crop of brides-to-be showing off their bling. New engagements means packs of eager brides setting their sights on area bridal shows. My two favorites: The Southern New England Bridal Show at the RI Convention Center on Sunday, January 8th and the Newport Wedding Magazine Bridal Show at Rosecliff & OceanCliff on Saturday, February 18th!
Attending a bridal show can be overwhelming—tons of vendors, prizes and brides with their entourages. Here are my top tips for having your cake and eating it too, while attending a bridal show:
Do your homework! Really understand your needs. Are you starting from scratch or are you in the final stages of planning and need to secure solid vendors? Pick up as much material that interests you and set aside time once you return home to review.
Let your senses guide you. Touch, taste, smell and see your vision come to life. You can find inspiration in a beautiful flower or interesting textured linen. If you are unsure of how you want the overall feel of your big day to be, take inspiration in the little things around you and let that be the start of your palette. If a pop of color catches your eye at a pretty booth at the show let this color be the start of your vision!
Bring your camera (or smart phone) to take a lot of photographs! Snap shots of beautiful invitations, cakes even gowns that you do not want to forget about.
Make it easy on yourself Bring self-adhesive labels from home to stick on paperwork for vendors. This saves you a lot of time waiting in line and filling out paperwork at the show. Consider adding your email to the label as well.
Simplify your life. Create an email account specifically for your wedding. Have vendors send information to that account and it will be easier to sort through and organize.
Have Fun! Enjoy the day and soak up the experience as a bride! Sip champagne and savor a delicious piece of wedding cake—it is research after all!
Photo by Kate Whitney Lucey
We were so excited when the Rhode Island Film & TV Office gave us the thumbs up that we can
share Wes Anderson’s newest feature film, Moonrise Kingdom, much of which was shot in Newport, is set to hit theaters Friday, May 25, 2012. (That’s Anderson on the Newport set, photo by Rob Thorn of Newport This Week/Newport-Now.com. See more of his images by visiting NewportExposure.com)
The book-to-big-screen tale is the story of a young boy and girl who fall in love and run away together while a variety of townspeople mobilize to search for them on a unique island off the coast of New England during the 1960s. The all-star cast of Academy Award winners and nominees includes Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Harvey Keitel and Tilda Swinton, all of whom were spotted here in the City-by-the-Sea.
Local set locations included Trinity Church, Ballard Park, and John F. Kennedy Middle School in Middletown. We can’t wait to see it!
Moonrise Kingdom is a Focus Features film, part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies.
It’s a hustle bustle world out there, perhaps now more than ever in the days leading up to Christmas, which makes the opportunity to take things a little bit slower sound even more tempting.
Whether following a guide cloaked in 18th century garb along Newport’s cobblestone while learning about the city's remarkable history and its role during the American Revolution; walking in the footsteps of the sailors, merchants, immigrants who once lived and worked in the Lower Thames neighborhood; exploring where scoundrels lived, where pirates profited and where criminals were put on trial and punished; or being led by lantern as you hear the history of winter holiday traditions in the City-by-the-Sea, seeing Newport by foot ensures you won’t skip a beat.
Organized by the Newport Historical Society, even the most seasoned local will take home a nugget of new knowledge on these memorable strolls. Offerings include Holiday Lantern Tours, The Working Waterfront Walking Tour, Discover Colonial Newport Walking Tour, Discover Newport in Costume Tour, the Rogues & Scoundrels History Walking Tour and more. Visit GoNewport.com for times, dates and details.
Some folks take the little ones to see Santa at a mall, others at a department store, parade or tree lighting ceremony, but here’s a new one: see Santa on the Sea!
This weekend, The Majestic welcomes the young and young at heart for a 1 ½ hour cruise through Newport Harbor where hot chocolate will be served, carols will be sung, and face painting and crafts will entertain the kids, all while Santa hears the wish lists of all the good girls and boys. Take family photos with the big guy 
and take in the serenity of Narragansett Bay during this magical time of year.
Santa on the Sea sails on Saturday and Sunday with departures at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $25/adult, $15/child (3-12, kids on 3 free!). The majestic sails from 2 Bowen’s Ferry Landing. To purchase tickets, please visit www.NewportMajestic.com or call (401) 849-3575.
We’re delighted today to welcome guest blogger Leanne Orabona from AroundTheTableRI.blogspot.com. We discovered Leanne when she entered our Foodspotting contest during Newport Restaurant Week and since then started following her blog for its unabashed restaurant reviews and tasteful recipes from her own kitchen. Dining out throughout Rhode Island (and the world!) is her passion, and when we invited her to pen a guest blog for us, she was in a comfort food frame of mind, and headed out to Middletown’s Blue Plate Diner. Here’s what she had to say:
I’ve wanted to go to the Blue Plate Diner for a long time now. I have heard rave reviews from locals that have had amazing meals there and finally decided to go with my friend Darci after work on a Friday night.
When we parked our car in the lot outside and stood in front of the building I felt like we went back in time. I
wasn't alive when diners were all the rage in the 50s and 60s, but I am pretty sure this is exactly the way they were. We were greeted by a friendly host who sat us under a rafter that playfully said: "Thou Shalt Not Worship Golden Arches." And really we shouldn't. When you have a place like this putting so much love into locally grown food made from scratch, why would you ever go to another burger joint like that?
At first glance I noticed a well-wounded group of patrons—lots of families, old and young couples alike. First things first: drinks. Here you’ll find an array of milkshakes, artisan beers and fun cocktails. I was tempted to get the "hard coffee milk," but we both decided on a top shelf margarita. This one was heavy on tequila low on sour mix—just how I like them (top shelf indeed). For a starter we were stumped. We wanted the garbage fries, portabella fries and the Southwestern eggrolls, but seeing as there was only two of us, we thought all three would be a bit excessive. We decided on the eggrolls as a nice complement to the margaritas. When they came to the table we were so excited because there were six, which means we didn't have to battle for them. They were filled with pulled chicken, black beans, corn and cilantro, and served with a wasabi ranch dipping sauce. Amazing! The table next to us got the garbage fries, which looked equally fabulous (I will be getting those next time for sure)! Something to add if you didn't know already: this diner serves local produce, seafood and eggs to hand make all of the dishes and don't use frozen pre-made food like many other establishments do.
Choosing an entree was so much harder than appetizers! There was so much to choose from, truly something for everyone including burgers, sandwiches, and tons of gourmet-style entrees. One of their specials was a meatloaf Beef Wellington. What a great idea! As tempting as it was, I was pulled in by the chicken souvlaki. OMG am I happy I chose this! The chicken was marinated in lemon and oregano and, oh, could you taste that pop of flavor— light and tangy! It was in a pita with lettuce, tomato, onion and a yogurt-cucumber sauce. Might I add, the pita was one of the best I have had; crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. The sandwich came with a Greek salad, which was a nice departure from fries. The dressing was delicious and I continuously dipped the sandwich in it because it was so good!
Darci chose the chicken pot pie three days ago when I showed her the menu and she did not waiver in her
decision. Good choice Darci. This dish was enormous, topped with a flakey and delicious puff pastry. We ate for a good 30 minutes, and then looked at Darci's bowl--it looked like she didn't eat any of it. The girl didn't put a dent in this dish!
We saved absolutely no room for dessert, but as we walked out I was bummed to see what we had missed. There was a case of homemade desserts including red velvet cake (my weakness), pies, and more. Next time I will save room. Overall this was such a great dinner experience. The service was excellent, the food was made with love and I left full. So go ahead and step back in time.
Read more of Leanne’s culinary adventures at AroundTheTableRI.blogspot.com.
We’re thankful that the weather outside hasn’t been particularly “frightful,” and we’ve been indulging in all the holiday fetes that are so “delightful!” Tonight is one such must-do event—the Bellevue Avenue Christmas Stroll!
From 4-7 p.m., merchants throughout Bellevue Avenue (from the gourmet trio across from the Hotel Viking all the way up to the Tennis Hall of Fame Casino Block), William Street and Mill Street will welcome strollers, offering tasteful delights and refreshments to make your local shopping experience even more memorable. Check out some of the beautifully decorated storefronts on the Living with Libby blog here, and come see them for yourself!
Speaking of Bellevue happenings, don’t forget that Santa visits to the Tennis Hall of Fame this Saturday,
December 10th! The THOF’s Holiday Open House begins at 9:30 a.m. and in additional to be all decked out for the holidays, families can enjoy a little friendly competition playing Wii tennis on the big screen, engage in a museum scavenger hunt, explore the museum on an engaging tour and more! At 2:30 pm, local storyteller Cindy Killavey will present a fun and dramatic reading of The Night Before Christmas, followed by a visit from Santa Claus himself! (Free for all ages with the donation of a non-perishable food item.)
“Let the festivities begin!” …Cue the holiday music please! Newport is adorned in the soft white shimmer of twinkling lights, fresh greens
and holly, and the sound of holiday music trails from our downtown shops and restaurants. My favorite part about this holiday is our city's captivating sparkle. As the temperature begins to drop, you still feel this encompassing warmth from all the golden hues of lights that adorn our city’s streets to the merriment of all those bustling around you.
In a season when families are adoringly celebrating their special holidays and traditions, you can’t help but feel the palpable energy of community and blithe spirit. Oh, and those children…hands cupped with cocoa, high pitched giggles, and excited little voices (repetitively) dolling out their lists…thank goodness we live in a city that savors every moment of this special season!
Click the link below for my picks for family Holiday Happenings in Newport. Although many are Christmas related, town’s seasonal spirit is honoring each and every child’s special holiday!
CLICK HERE TO GO TO NEWPORT CONNEXT'S HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS GUIDE!
Today the spotlight shines on blogger Kate Dickson, the voice behind the lovely Discover Warren. Kate, a Warren resident, owns the beloved Wooden Midshipman shop, chock full of books, gifts, and delightful treasures. We’re featuring her most recent blog post which dishes on Warren Wonderland, a fun shop local event taking place this Friday starting at 5pm. Click here to get the scoop!