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Newport Vineyards Executive Chef Andy Teixeira
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News Bites: Local Hero Award at Newport Vineyards / Boat House Names New Executive Chef and GM / Newport Burger Bender 2020 Winners

by David Dadekian March 9, 2020
written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.


A Hero Among Us

Executive Chef Andy Teixeira named Edible Rhody Local Hero

Newport Vineyards Executive Chef Andy Teixeira
Newport Vineyards Executive Chef Andy Teixeira

Newport Vineyards is pleased to announce that Executive Chef Andy Teixeira has been honored with Edible Rhody’s 2020 Local Hero Award. Each autumn since 2007, readers of award-winning Edible Rhody magazine have been invited to vote for their Local Heroes, as a way to honor the people who bring us our local food and drink. Readers vote for the chefs who feed us; the food artisans who create delicious local food products; the beverage artisans who craft unique beers, wines and spirits, the farmers who produce flavorful foods; the food, wine and retail stores that inspire us; and the nonprofits that effect change in our food community. Chef Andy won in their Chef/Restaurant category. 

“Local is who we are, it’s just what we do here at Newport Vineyards,” says Executive Chef Andy Teixeria. “The relationship with my farmers and all the work they put into the food is where it starts for us. We are constantly texting updates of produce, products, or just making each other smile; it’s a friendship really.”

“Operating three kitchens with a fully farm to table scratch culinary program, with such positivity and creativity is no small feat. Chef Andy is a hero amongst the Newport Vineyards family and we are thrilled that Edible Rhody readers have recognized that very deserving title as well,” John Nunes, Newport Vineyards Owner.


The Boat House Names Marissa Lo as Executive Chef and Louis Capodilupo as General Manager 

Boat House Executive Chef Marisa Lo
Boat House Executive Chef Marisa Lo

The Boat House, located at 227 Schooner Drive in North Tiverton, RI, is pleased to name Marissa Lo as executive chef. Chef Lo, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University and a Cranston resident, brings more than a decade of expertise working with local seafood to the restaurant.  

Chef Lo will lead the culinary direction of the seaside restaurant working alongside Director of Restaurants, Karsten Hart, to create inspired menus featuring coastal New England’s natural abundance of fresh seafood and local meats and produce. Prior to joining Boat House, Chef Lo spent the last nine years honing her skills as a chef and culinary leader at Legal Seafoods in Boston and at Legal C Bar in Dedham.

“We are so pleased to add Chef Lo to Newport Restaurant Group’s outstanding team of talented chefs,” said Karsten Hart, Director of Restaurants. “Since joining the Boat House team in November, she has made a noticeable impact on our kitchen culture and quality of our cuisine. I look forward to working with her to further elevate our guest experience.”

Boat House General Manager Lou Capodilupo
Boat House General Manager Lou Capodilupo

The Boat House, located at 227 Schooner Drive in North Tiverton, RI, is pleased to name Louis Capodilupo as general manager. Capodilupo, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University and a Rumford resident, brings more than 12 years of restaurant management to his new position.

“We are so pleased to promote Lou to general manager at the Boat House,” said Casey Riley, Chief Operating Officer, Newport Restaurant Group. “Since joining our team in 2018, he has proven to be a leader at one of our busiest restaurants in Newport and has risen to the challenge of elevating our guest experience in Tiverton.”

Capodilupo joined Newport Restaurant Group in 2018 as assistant general manager at The Mooring in Newport where he proved his leadership skills and deep commitment to hospitality at the busy waterfront restaurant. Prior to joining the company, Lou held management positions in many regional restaurants including Not Your Average Joe’s in Watertown, Norwell and Needham, MA; Bertucci in Wellesley, MA; and at Tavern in The Square in Burlington, MA.


Drumroll Please: Announcing the Winners of Newport Burger Bender 2020

A “traditional” burger and vegan burger take top honors while regional media pick their favorites and other top vote-getters earn savory superlatives.

Newport Burger Bender 2020
Newport Burger Bender 2020

The competition in this year’s Newport Burger Bender was stiff with a record-breaking 40 burgers representing 29 restaurants. But alas, the 10 days of tantalizing temptations have come to an end.

The Grill at Forty 1° North walks away with the award for the most votes in this year’s newly introduced non-beef burger category. “The Grill Vegan Burger” was comprised of a house-made chickpea, quinoa and roasted vegetable patty topped with marinated grilled red onion and vegan aioli, all served on a sea salt-dusted caraway roll.

Defending champion LaForge Casino Restaurant reigns supreme once again in the beef burger category for “The Wilbur,” an homage to Zuckerman’s famous pig from the children’s novel, “Charlotte’s Web.” The ½ Ib. special brisket-chuck-short rib blend burger was topped with Applewood smoked thick-cut bacon, Crown Royal Bourbon maple-braised pork belly, spicy Louisiana BBQ, apple cider-dijon spread, baby arugula, smoked gouda, aged white cheddar cheese, tomatoes and house made spicy pickles all served on a brioche roll.

Ten more burgers captured both hearts and palates alike. Local/regional media set out on a quest for the best while other top vote-getters have been recognized for their outstanding performance. 

Editor’s Picks:

Jamie Coelho, associate editor at Rhode Island Monthly and author of The Dish: “I loved all of the burgers I tried, from the buffalo chicken mac-and-cheese-croquette-topped burger at Newport Marriott’s Skiff Bar to Stoneacre’s simple burger that is a prime example of what a burger should be, but my very favorite burger of all was from Mission. I like that Mission put a twist on the traditional burger by adding some heat from jalapenos and pepper jack cheese, smokiness from roasted poblano peppers and bacon, and sweetness from dill pickles. Every bite was a combo of spicy, smoky, and sweet flavors with a mouthful of perfectly cooked, medium-rare, responsibly sourced beef patty. The sourdough bread, sliced in half, also held the whole thing together well so it didn’t become a goopy mess in my lap.”

Rachael Thatcher, food writer and digital producer at The Newport Daily News: “I have to go with the Homer Burger from Brix. While it was over the top and outrageous, that’s exactly what won me over. Every ingredient was well thought out and made in house, and the attention to detail when it came to each individual element made for the perfect end result. Not to mention it was simply fun to eat. When it comes to the Burger Bender, I feel like you have to go big or go home, and Chef Andy Texiera went big with this one.”

Wendy Logan, Newport This Week: “I’d have to say that Forty 1° North’s The Grill Vegan Burger was my favorite. It so beautifully represented the category, bursting with fresh bits of veggies but substantive via the red lentils, chickpeas and steel cut oats. It was seasoned to perfection and contrasted beautifully with the pickled salad side. Total texture-flavor bomb.”

Ryan Belmore, Publisher and Editor, What’s Up Newp & What’s Up Rhode Island and crew: “Surf Club’s California Burger wasn’t the biggest or boldest and it didn’t reinvent the wheel, however it was well-executed, nostalgic and simply put, wonderfully delicious! Among three of us from What’s Up Newp checking out burgers over the last 10 days, that was by far our favorite collectively.”

Class of 2020 Superlatives: 

  • Best on Four Wheels: Neapolitan Burger, Amano Pizza + Gelato (food truck)
  • Most Instagramable: The Homer Burger, Brix Restaurant at Newport Vineyards
  • Best Burger with a View: French Onion Burger, The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn
  • Most Napkins Needed: Crispy Pancetta Burger, Jo’s American Bistro
  • Most Likely to Skip School: Ferris “Burger’s” Day Off, Saltwater at the Newport Harbor Hotel
  • Tallest Burger: Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Burger, Skiff Bar at the Newport Marriott
  • Cutest Couple: Salmon Sliders, Scales & Shells
March 9, 2020 0 comment
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(left to right): Noah Metnick, Executive Chef, Waterman Grille; Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer, Rhode Island Community Food Bank; Lisa Roth Blackman, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Rhode Island Community Food Bank; and Tobey Chase Sanborn, Senior General Manager, Hemenway’s
chefs & restaurantsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Newport Restaurant Group Donates to RI Community Food Bank / LaForge Casino Wins Newport Burger Bender 2019 / World’s Fair Pop-Up

by David Dadekian May 9, 2019
written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.



Newport Restaurant Group Donates $5,000 to Rhode Island Community Food Bank as Part of Holiday Gift Card Program

(left to right): Noah Metnick, Executive Chef, Waterman Grille; Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer, Rhode Island Community Food Bank; Lisa Roth Blackman, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Rhode Island Community Food Bank; and Tobey Chase Sanborn, Senior General Manager, Hemenway’s
(left to right): Noah Metnick, Executive Chef, Waterman Grille; Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer, Rhode Island Community Food Bank; Lisa Roth Blackman, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Rhode Island Community Food Bank; and Tobey Chase Sanborn, Senior General Manager, Hemenway’s

The Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), a collection of nine unique restaurant concepts throughout Rhode Island, recently presented the Rhode Island Community Food Bank with a $5,000 donation through its recent holiday gift-card program. Between November 14, 2018 and December 31, 2018, $1.00 from every gift card purchased was earmarked for the food bank. 

“We are so proud to support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in its mission to feed those in need across the state,” said Casey Riley, COO, Newport Restaurant Group. “The work the organization does to build healthier and hunger-free communities is inspiring, and we are grateful to our loyal customers for helping to make this donation possible.” 

“We are extremely grateful to the Newport Restaurant Group and its customers for this generous and valuable donation,” said Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff. “We are excited to see the funds go toward feeding our less fortunate brothers and sisters throughout the state.”


LaForge Casino Restaurant’s Reign as Newport Burger Bender Champion Continues

The restaurant takes top honors for “The Winterburger,” the successful, savory sequel to their 2018 winning entry.

Newport Burger Bender 2019
Newport Burger Bender 2019

For the second year in a row, LaForge Casino Restaurant has taken top honors by winning the popular vote in the Newport Burger Bender contest. The Bellevue Avenue restaurant’s “Winterburger” was comprised of an 8 oz. ground brisket blend patty and topped with signature slow-braised short rib, baby arugula, cheddar and smoked bacon-cranberry jam on a toasted brioche bun. The burger garnered more than a quarter of the total votes cast.

In addition to the popular vote, there were two coveted superlatives up for grabs: Critic’s Choice and Creative Champion.

Jenna Pelletier, food writer at the Providence Journal, named The Mooring’s “Sweet N’ Spicy” burger her Critic’s Choice. “It was a very difficult decision, but I was ultimately won over by The Mooring’s version. The toppings, pepper jack cheese, pineapple jalapeño marmalade, Cajun bacon, and fried onion strings added flavor and texture in a creative way without overwhelming the star of the show – a perfectly cooked Brandt Farms beef patty,” said Pelletier. “It was a welcome surprise from a restaurant known for its seafood, and the Newport Harbor view, even in the frigid weather, didn’t hurt either.” 

Jamie Coelho, Associate Editor at Rhode Island Monthly and author of The Dish, the magazine’s popular newsletter, crowned the “Towering Inferno” burger at Chomp Kitchen & Drinks in Warren Creative Champion. “Not only were the toppings nostalgic and over-the-top (Andy Capp Hot Fries and deep-fried jalapeño and cheddar cream cheese bomb), but the patties themselves were unmatched,” said Coelho. “The mortadella pork patty had such a rich flavor and quality texture, and the dollop of guacamole gave me just enough reassurance that it was just a tiny bit healthy. Even the size of the burger was impressive with double patties and a steak knife sticking out of the top to help cut it down to a more manageable, burger-to-face size.” Though she could only choose one winner, Coelho noted that Mission’s mushroom patty melt with raclette cheese and sauce gribiche was extraordinary.

Newport Burger Bender is an annual simple burger contest which recognizes the bevy of culinary creativity throughout our destination. There is no participation fee for restaurants nor has there ever been. Participating restaurants must be located in Newport or Bristol County, Rhode Island, and this year’s contest was limited to the first 30 restaurants to register. Participants receive complimentary promotional materials including custom menu inserts and Burger Bender coasters. Each entry was photographed and featured on DiscoverNewport.org.


World’s Fair Pop-Up in Downtown Providence

World’s Fair Gallery is pleased to present HOT HOUSE, a pop-up gallery and residency at 233 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island. Welcome spring with a radiant collection of works on paper, paintings, and dimensional work by Providence based artists inspired by all things botanical.

HOT HOUSE will open on April 13th and close on June 9th with an opening reception on April 27th from 6 to 9pm. The gallery will host artist talks, print releases, workshops, and bimonthly salons with a Garden Bar by Little Bitte.

The gallery will host local artists in residency for the duration of the exhibition. Local printmaker, Lois Harada, will kick off the residency program for the month of April. Harada will complete a series of monotypes and create an evolving window installation of cut paper flora during her stay. The public is welcome to visit artists as they work during gallery hours. The complete event and residency schedule will be announced by World’s Fair on March 15.

May 9, 2019 0 comment
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