Last Friday could not have been a better day to take a drive out to Castle Hill for their 3 course Newport Restaurant Week lunch menu. The hint of spring in the air, glorious blue sky and their infamous view made me happy in itself-but I was there for lunch with Kathryn Farrington-the Newport County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Vice President of Marketing-and we were treated like VIPs with the best table in the house.
Their choices were mouth-watering and I had a difficult time choosing-Lobster Bisque or asparagus risotto? For entrees they had a codfish wrap with black beans and cilantro which I ultimately opted; also a Reuben with corned beef and sauerkraut sounded scrumptious but maybe too filling for me after ordering the risotto-which was heaven.
I have become a big fan of risotto making it for myself at home so I was quite impressed with this precious dish of perfectly cooked Arborio rice and asparagus-thin and cut on an angle-with just a touch of lemon and parmesan cheese. Kathryn-who has gluten allergy-opted for a salad with grapefruit, toasted almonds and greens and the risotto as well. Portions were just enough to leave room for a super fudgy brownie topped with homemade vanilla ice cream and passion fruit coulis.
This was my last dining experience for Newport Restaurant Week and it couldn’t have been a better crescendo to the ten days that found many restaurants cash registers working overtime. With a taste of the season approaching it might have been a good week for restaurants to hire and train new staff for the upcoming summer.
You won’t have to wait for November’s restaurant week for more blogs from me. I plan to dine at least once or twice a month with members of the NCCVB and report to you my findings-so let me know what restaurant you might want me to try! I have an email address set-up just for your thoughts mknerr2009@hotmail.com- or you can answer the blogs online through this website.
Please continue to support our local restaurants-many of the owners and chefs have taken a nod from NRW and are revamping their menus to be in tune with the economy. As Marco from Mamma Luisa’s told me, “They may not buy the expensive bottle of wine they might have but we are still holding our own-especially on weekends.” Let’s hope that is true for every restaurant!
