By: Madison Schettler and Katherine Cassetta | Staffwriters
Jo’s American Bistro, conveniently located on Memorial Boulevard in the heart of Newport, is the perfect spot for date night, girls’ night out, or any special occasion. Owned by Joann Carlson, a Newport native, Jo’s offers a classy, yet laidback dining experience. Instantly upon entering Jo’s, you’ll feel comfortable and taken care of by their welcoming and helpful host staff.
The entire restaurant is bathed in warm, comforting light, and is decorated minimally and tastefully, giving the impression of a high-end restaurant, while maintaining a certain sense of home-like comfort. The choice of music is upbeat and fun, but not overbearing, and only adds to the comfortable atmosphere. The waitstaff is equally as friendly and attentive as the hosts and are eager to answer questions and make every guest feel accommodated and relaxed.
Customers with food allergies can be comforted by the fact that the kitchen uses blue-rimmed plates as opposed to plain white plates, for dishes that must be kept allergen free. This attention to detail and concern for the customer is what makes Jo’s great.
The menu offers something for everyone, from classic New England clam chowder and seafood, to burgers, to pasta and pizza. The amount of options makes it difficult to choose what to order, but you can’t go wrong with the Dry Dock Fish & Chips. Described as “a family recipe from an iconic Newport restaurant”, this dish is perfect for all seafood lovers. The breading on the fish is perfectly crisp and flavorful, and the homemade tartar sauce is a perfect complement to the fish, which practically melts in your mouth. The fries were salty, hot, perfectly crisp, and delicious. Overall, this meal was an excellent rendition of a classic dish.
The Jo’s Burger is equally as delicious. The beef is all natural and cooked just how you want it. For those who ask for cheese as a topping, the blend of the tender meat and melted cheese is a perfect one. Served with the choice of fries on the side, Jo’s Burger is an excellent choice.
It may be hard to force yourself to save room for dessert, but it’s definitely well worth it. The desert menu offers fresh takes on classic dishes. The crème brûlée was perfectly cooked and served with fresh fruit. The top layer of caramelized sugar, the tart fruit and creamy custard blended perfectly for a satisfying dessert. The strawberry shortcake is topped with the perfect amount of whipped cream. It’s a sweet, refreshing, and light treat, and the mix of cream, strawberries, and shortcake will satisfy your taste buds.
I would recommend Jo’s to anyone looking for a relaxed, classy, and definitely delicious meal!
