Today's guest blogger is none other than Newport This Week (and companion web site Newport-Now.com) reporter Meg O'Neil. While she covers a diverse range of topics at the popular weekly newspaper, it didn't take a ton of arm twisting to convince her to take advantage of the specials offered during Newport Restaurant Week. Here's what she had to say:
Newport Restaurant Week – the one designated week in the fall that I allow myself to splurge a little more than I usually would and treat myself like the foodie queen that I pretend to be in my head; allowing myself to try new places that I have never tried before or usually wouldn’t be able to on account of a general lack of funds.
Thursday’s weather was less than appealing, with a steady rainfall for the majority of the day. Thinking that a little more water couldn’t hurt, I donned my best raingear and headed to the aptly named H2O Restaurant & Lounge, nestled on Christie’s Landing right off of Thames Street. Settling in to our table for two, my dining partner Caitie and I examined the veritable feast of options that we had to choose from.
Perusing the menu, we had several selections to choose from for the appetizer round. Since I don’t eat seafood (blasphemous, I know), I decided on the local green garden salad, perfectly drizzled with a lemon citronette dressing. My dining companion chose the pan fried calamari for her first course, jazzed up with hot banana peppers, roasted garlic and cherry tomatoes that complimented the lightly battered calamari.
While sipping on our adult beverages, we awaited the second course, took in the casual and laid back atmosphere of H2O and chatted with our waiter, Danny, and Executive Chef Kevin Radke.
Our main courses arrived piping hot, fresh out of the kitchen. Prepared for the usual smaller portions that one typically receives during Restaurant Week, I was pleasantly surprised by the generous serving on the plate. Torn between the options, I went with the oven roasted chicken breast, sided with a sautéed spinach, artichoke and pepper ragout, and oven-roasted potatoes. Succulent, with a delightful crisp skin, the chicken was beyond words, so I’ll make one up right now off the top of my head: scrumptrulescent.
As for my dining companion, she ordered the grilled flatiron steak (at a perfect medium temperature), sea-salt mashed potatoes, topped with a wild mushroom demi-glace.
While we questioned whether it was socially acceptable to unbutton the top button of our pants to allow more room for food, our desserts arrived at the table. Sharing the cheesecake topped with fresh fruit and chocolate cake with strawberry sauce, my companion and I filled ourselves to the brim, enjoying every last sweet crumb. This may have been our first time eating at H2O, but it certainly won’t be our last.