Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.
Thursday Tapas Night at Weekapaug Inn
The Restaurant at Weekapaug Inn is debuting a new Thursday Tapas Menu, bringing a relaxed, Spanish-inspired way to dine to the Rhode Island coast. Offered every Thursday evening, the menu is designed for sharing, sampling, and settling in.
Highlights include classic gildas with boquerones and guindilla peppers, pan con tomate, tuna croquettes, piquillo peppers stuffed with whipped goat cheese, huevos rotos with Jamón Ibérico, chorizo braised in red wine, beef albóndigas, and a standout chargrilled octopus with olive oil potatoes and pimentón.
Flora at Gardiner House Presents Sunday Brunch and Saturday Lunch
Flora’s brunch menu features classic dishes alongside bold flavors. Start off strong with house-made pastry and breadbasket, or dive right into a rich eggs Benedict. A true mix of breakfast and lunch, diners can also indulge in a flavorful steak burger featuring the restaurant’s own special sauce or dig into a crisp chicken paillard. Culinary selections are complimented by a daily selection of fresh juices or coffees. For the full brunch experience, delight in one of Flora’s brunch cocktails. Dinners can’t go wrong with Gardiner House’s signature Bloody Mary featuring a house-made bloody mix. Can’t make it on a Sunday? Flora also offers Saturday Lunch from 11:00AM-2:30PM!
Flora is a celebration of coastal Mediterranean cuisine with a distinctly Newport touch under Executive Chef Miguel Somoza. The 110-seat restaurant has an expansive waterfront terrace with views of the Newport Harbor, a must-visit gathering place for locals and destination diners. Flora features soothing pale green tones centered around a long bar and where a portrait of the restaurant’s namesake, Flora Payne Whitney, overlooks patrons. The portrait of Flora, an American socialite, and patron of the arts with deep ties to Newport, RI, was painted by Howard Gardiner Cushing, an American artist and the great-grandfather of the founder of the restaurant and hotel. The artist’s creative vision inspires the restaurant and hotel’s design narrative. The menu captures the spirit of Mediterranean seaside towns from Saint Tropez to Capri to Marbella, spotlighting the bountiful seafood and vibrant produce that are hallmarks of coastal cuisine while uplifting local, farm-to-table cooking.
Available only on Sundays from 11:00AM-2:30PM, Flora’s brunch menu hits all the classic brunch fixings with a splash of Newport charm and a hint of Spanish influence, courtesy of Chef Miguel Somoza.
Weekapaug Inn Showcases Year-Round Eco- and Nature-Focused Experiences Along Rhode Island’s Coast
Weekapaug Inn, a timeless Relais & Chateaux and Forbes Five Star Hotel, New England-style inn set in the peaceful Weekapaug community perched on the idyllic Quonochontaug Pond with sweeping views of the Atlantic beyond, announces its year-round calendar of eco- and nature-focused programming, offering guests immersive ways to connect with the coastal environment through hands-on, seasonal experiences led by naturalists, conservation partners and local experts.
Offering a thoughtfully curated lineup of activities designed to reflect the rhythms of the land and sea, Weekapaug Inn guests may participate in guided beach and salt marsh walks, birding excursions, wildlife outings, dark-sky stargazing and hands-on nature crafts offered daily throughout the year. Many activities are complimentary and intentionally small-scale, allowing for meaningful engagement with the surrounding ecosystem.
Signature experiences include guided full-moon paddles across Quonochontaug Pond, horseshoe crab spawning walks, seal-spotting boat tours and seasonal photography and foraging workshops. The Inn also hosts sustainability-focused speaker series and special events exploring topics such as coastal conservation, bird migration, microplastic pollution and responsible seafood sourcing, including collaborative dinners centered on the concept of “Eating With the Ecosystem.”
Programming evolves with the seasons, ensuring no two visits are the same. Summer brings kayaking, paddleboarding and moonlit water excursions, while fall and winter highlight birding, coastal hikes, fireside gatherings and wellness experiences designed to keep guests connected to the outdoors year-round.
“What makes Weekapaug Inn unique is how seamlessly these experiences are woven into a guest’s stay,” said Daniel Abrashoff, General Manager of Weekapaug Inn. “Guests may arrive for a coastal escape and leave with a deeper understanding of the landscape, wildlife and environmental stewardship that define this place.”With its emphasis on experiential travel, sustainability and sense of place, Weekapaug Inn continues to appeal to travelers seeking meaningful, nature-driven escapes in New England. Visit weekapauginn.com for more details. Follow Weekapaug Inn at @WeekapaugInn on Instagram, Facebook.
Gardiner Provisions Opens on Thames Street
Gardiner Provisions blends classic French pastry traditions with a distinct Newport sensibility, paired with thoughtfully crafted brews.
The team behind the popular Gardiner House hotel proudly introduces Gardiner Provisions, a new gathering spot in the heart of Newport. Designed as a place for both locals and visitors to return again and again, the new bakery and coffee bar brings together carefully baked breads, French pastry classics, and seasonal specialties with an innovative touch. A welcome addition to the neighborhood, Gardiner Provisions is a vibrant space to linger with friends and enjoy craft bites.
Led by Gardiner House Executive Chef and Director of Culinary, Miguel Somoza, known for his mastery as both a pastry chef and boulanger, the menu is guided by craft and a modern point of view, offering a rotating selection of house-made baked goods. A signature in-house sourdough serves as the foundation of the baking program, complemented by classic European preparations and bold, creative pastries.
“We celebrate the art of baking with bright, fresh flavors and a coastal flair,” says Miguel Somoza, Director of Culinary at Gardiner House. “Guests can expect a taste of the excitement and joy we put into every recipe.”
With a menu that highlights house favorites such as pain au chocolat and organic banana bread alongside signature creations like The Bomb — a raspberry and cream cruffin finished with a pecan-apricot glaze — Gardiner Provisions offers an approachable yet elevated take on everyday indulgence.
The coffee program is equally considered, featuring expertly prepared espresso drinks, a rotating selection of cold beverages, and house-made syrups in seasonal flavors such as Vanilla, Ube, and Maple Sea Salt. Each recipe is crafted and developed by Director of Coffee, Drew Medeiros, who also oversees custom blends, bringing balance and precision to every cup.
Step into Gardiner Provisions, a light-filled space shaped by large pane windows and an easy, welcoming sensibility. A graphic patterned wall treatment by GP & J Baker, created in collaboration with Kit Kemp and inspired by Robina Jack’s hand-painted ceramics, adds depth and character. A central table anchors the room, encouraging a shared, unhurried rhythm throughout the day.
Gardiner Provisions is the latest opening and extension from the Gardiner House team, located just steps from the hotel on Thames Street. Gardiner House is a 21-room boutique destination known for its chic design and coastal sensibility. The property is also home to the Studio Bar, a lively gathering place for cocktails and small bites, as well as Chef Somoza’s signature restaurant, Flora, which offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu across 60 indoor and 50 waterfront outdoor seats, all viewed through a distinctly local lens. The team also stewards the historic Francis Malbone House nearby, further extending the Gardiner House presence along Thames Street.
Gardiner Provisions is located at 429 Thames Street and is open daily from 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
