I’ve had a sneak peak at two of the participating restaurants for Newport Restaurant Week! Last week I dined for lunch at the Spiced Pear where Chef Kyle Ketchum gave me tastes of many things he will be serving on his 3 course menu.
Fabulously presented was the lobster bisque The Spiced Pear will be featuring on the lunch menu-tasty and silky smooth with a brandy lobster garnish. At dinner he is featuring a confit of wild rabbit (it tastes like duck and pork-so good-be adventurous) with sage gnocchi, caramelized porcini mushrooms, glazed chestnuts and swiss chard-a nice hearty dish for the late autumn weather. A surprise Spiced Pear tableside dessert du jour is planned-I am sure there will be some flambé action in the dining room!
Next stop-Pronto owned by Kim and James Cavanaugh-the kitchen is manned by James and Kim-mother to a newborn and four year old-runs the front of the house. You’d think they’d have their hands full but the food and service are sublime.
The Caesar salad offered for NRW is perfection-just the right amount of dressing, cheese and the tang of garlic-wonderful with their homemade foccacia which James changes daily. I had the Lamb loin Au Poivre-a rosy pink and studded with just the right amount of peppercorns. My guest had stuffed sole with crabmeat, spinach, roasted peppers and goat cheese napped by lemon beurre blanc. Need I say more? Yum!
Desserts by James are a winner! A white chocolate and apple bread pudding was so rich and flavorful-it went down perfectly with my luscious cappuccino. The tiramisu is creamy with the lady fingers propped into the coffee flavored mascarpone (Italian cream cheese) what a treat! And all for $16 for lunch (Pronto is not open for lunch) and $30 for dinner-three courses!!!
I’ll be dining all through restaurant week so let me know where you’d like me to dine! Catch my column “Beyond the Line” in the Newport Daily News Saturday-it’s all about NRW!
