By Ciara Speller | Broadcasting Editor
At the corner of mouthwatering and succulent lies The Revolving Door Restaurant.
This fine establishment located 509 Thames Street, just minutes from campus has a unique story to go along with its unique name.
As my dinning partners and I were seated at our three person table, decorated with luminescent tea lights and pink and yellow tulips in this dimly light and tranquil space, our waiter offered us sparkling mineral water while informing us as to why the restaurant took on this name.
Photo Credit: www.revolvingdoorri.com
Every week the venue brings in guest chefs to create their own signature menus. The guest chefs are placed in a living area upstairs for the week while they work for the restaurant, hence why it is called the Revolving Door.
Surrounding inn rooms are also available to guests and tourists visiting from afar, offering continental breakfasts and more. The guest chef was not in for our visit, but the eatery compensated by offering different specials for the night.
Warm bread slices and butter were brought to our table while we awaited our complimentary garden salads that were topped with a vinaigrette house dressing.
While eating our salads, we were accompanied by the sound of soothing jazz music, a panoramic display of sports from the television screen in the bar area and light chatter from the surrounding patrons.
For those who are not adventurous, wanting to try a new creation from the guest chefs menu, House Chef, Josh Berman’s Always- Available Menu offers New York Strip Steak with Frites and Shrimp Scampi Provencal. Both entrees are offered at a fixed price of $24 daily.
Both my dinning partners decided on the Shrimp Scampi Provencal, but I ventured off and tried the special; Sausage Turkey and Mushroom Fettuccine topped with sweet pea purée.
We endured a 30 minute wait for our food after receiving our salads, but once the first bite touched our pallets the long wait quickly vanished from our memories.
The turkey sausage was blended with various spices and herbs, garlic and cracked pepper being the most prevalent after the bold flavor from the pan seared mushrooms. The noodles were just thick enough to submerge themselves in the rich and zesty Alfredo sauce without overpowering the entrée and the added thyme in the sauce was a perfect touch.
The sweet pea purée garnish on top added an interesting flavor to the dish, and for those not fond of peas, the dish would be just as good without.
The Shrimp Scampi Provencal was a perfect blend of veggies and white rice in a spiced tomato sauce with a generous portion of grilled jumbo shrimp. The juice for the shrimp and zing from the sautéed veggies joined together forming a union of extreme flavor.
Exceptionally satisfied with our meals and experience, taking in the fine art calming aura we were offered coffee while awaiting our bill.
Two meals at the fixed price of $24 which came with complementary salads, and one meal which was not with a side salad came to a total of $86.
A fabulous dining experience for a date night or girls night on the town, but suggested not to attend if you are a college kid on a budget.
For those 21 and over, a wide array of wines and spirits are offered during dining hours which start at 4pm when the bar opens.
Business casual attire seemed to be the theme of the night, but one these rainy Newport days, rain boots did not seem frowned upon.
It was a great experience overall and if you are in the mood to try dishes from renowned chefs from across the country, The Revolving Door is the place to do so.
