Megan Johnstone | Staff Writer
After a stressful week of school, work and exams, I was ready to treat myself. I found myself dressing up and heading to grab some dinner at Jo’s American Bistro. Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately greeted by a friendly wait staff who brought me to my table. The two story restaurant was dimly lit which provided a comforting and romantic atmosphere perfect for any sort of date night or dinner with friends. I noticed that almost every table was filled and the bar was brimming with people, making me thankful that I had made a reservation beforehand.
The wait staff was very nice and accommodating although it seemed like there should have been more waitresses for such a busy restaurant on a Saturday evening. At times, our waitress seemed overwhelmed and was not as attentive as she could have been if there had been a larger wait staff. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my experience and was excited to eat some good food. The waitress brought out bread fresh from the oven to start. Although the menu is not an extensive one, Jo’s offers something for everyone, even people who don’t like seafood like myself. Typical to Newport, most of the entrees did incorporate seafood but I was able to order the Four Cheese Penne. This dish consists of a blend of asiago, blue, cheddar and parmesan cheeses with caramelized onions, grape tomatoes and roasted butternut squash tossed with penne and sautéed chicken. The meal was absolutely delicious and the portion size could have fed two people. I was excited to save the leftovers for lunch the next day.
My friend ordered the Steak Frittes which included a Sirloin steak, sautéed greens, and hand-cut fries with Steak Diane sauce. Although there might have been a little too much charcoal on the steak, it was cooked perfectly and the fries were some of the best I have ever had. After the meal, I was extremely full and sadly could not bring myself to order a dessert. However, a look at the menu revealed an enticing list of potential choices. Overall, I had a great experience at Jo’s American Bistro and I hope I will have room for dessert when I go back.
