By Kelsey Murray –
Everyone familiar with Newport knows that it is home to some of the most delicious restaurants in Rhode Island. There are steak houses, tacquerias and pubs. A tiny restaurant in a hidden corner of Newport, RI is Marina Café & Pub. As students we don’t necessarily have the money to eat out all of the time. The seasonal restaurant has kept us in mind for their opening on Friday, May 4.
After sitting down with Patrick Golden, Marina Café’s Vice President and General Manager, it has become apparent that Marina Café and Pub can be added to the list of student-friendly restaurants. Patrick Golden oversees the operations of the whole restaurant, which includes the kitchen, bartender and wait staff. This is the third year Marina Café & Pub has been open. “It’s casual,” said Golden. “The food is traditional New England entrees with a little bit of Caribbean influence.”
Golden notes that the striped bass is his favorite, but the variety of their menu should appeal to students. Fish and chips, burgers and seafood are the most popular items on their menu for younger people. Starting May 4, the restaurant will be open from 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., serving food all day. Students 21 years and older are invited to the bar, open until 1:00 a.m.
While students are starting to find their summer apartments, Golden is getting ready for the busy summer season. While this tends to be extremely profitable, Golden wants to introduce his restaurant to a younger clientele. The restaurant’s menu has been completely revised. Golden explains that they brought back the most popular items, and did away with some less popular choices. There will be a fresh fish of the day, every day. “We have been pretty successful the last couple of years,” said Golden. “But we are making tweaks to keep improving.” The restaurant is located on Goat Island and over a completely different perspective of Newport.
“We are the only restaurant that has a full view of Newport,” said Golden. “You look directly into the harbor and all the other restaurants look out.” Even Salve students, who look off the cliff walk from their calculus class in O’Hare will appreciate the change in perspective. Golden has implemented key discounts for the opening. Mondays there will be dollar raw bar, all day and night, which includes fresh shrimp cocktail and little necks. Tuesday is local nights, which means if you are a resident of Aquidneck Island, Jamestown or Goat Island, you want to be there for 20 percent off.
The restaurant is looking into adding even more discounts in order to reach out to college students. So the next time you go for a meal and don’t feel like spending a lot of money, Marina Pub & Café is in your best interest.
Marina Café & Pub is seasonal and will be open until October 5, 2012.
