Newport
My husband and I traveled to his hometown of Newport, RI over the weekend to visit family, celebrate birthdays, and mark the nearby arrival of summer.
We stayed in a spacious suite, which is part of Pelham Court, a boutique apartment/suite-like hotel, and had a prime downtown location near shopping, restaurants, and points of interest galore.
Every morning, we toddled downstairs to the new Empire Tea and Coffee. The latest site boats a modern, clean feel with robust coffee to boot. I veered towards their almond milk latte, but my sister-in-law Sarah tried their local Aquidneck honey iced chai, which was fragrant and reminded me of fresh flowers and spring.
Our highlight over the weekend was dinner at Tallulah on Thames, a farm-to-table dining experience. If you want to splurge and are tired of the usual Newport staples, I highly recommend. Diners have an option choosing between a four or six course meal. We opted for the four, and Will and I made sure to order different courses to maximize the tasting.
The meal started off with this bread that was from from the focaccia family. We smeared it with salty butter and fresh herbs. It was probably one of my favorite breads.
Our starter included asparagus with prosciutto, herbs, fresh flowers, and goat cheese, and a chilled pea soup with buttermilk.
Our second course was spinach agnolotti with artichokes and Piquillo peppers stuffed with lamb. I love the presentation of these dishes and the preparation was simple, allowing the local fare to sparkle and shine.
Our third course was a seared chicken breast with artichokes, ramps, and homemade spaghetti with a sweet pesto sauce, and seared salmon with peas and cauliflower.
As you can imagine, dessert was divine. We shared a pine nut panna cotta and a lemon/lime pavlova that had a sweetness and depth that danced and sang.
This was such a treat and I would highly recommend Tallulah's for a special occasion. The service was friendly and helpful without the snootiness of other fine establishments, and the atmosphere showcased an elegance while still imbuing a relaxed atmosphere. The food is sourced locally and shows off local Rhode Island farms and the presentation was colorful showing off vibrates palates and balanced textures.
Tallulah on Thames
464 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840
(401) 849-2433
