By: Kelly Odell
Posted In: Entertainment
14 Perry Mill Wharf Newport, RI 02840 (401) 845-9494 www.cheekymonkeycafe.com Newport This Week stated, “This new restaurant is headed for cult status, and is a welcome addition to the other fine restaurants in Newport. We give the Cheeky Monkey five golden bananas, a rating we do not dispense willy-nilly.” This and other reviews acclaiming the Cheeky Monkey can be found at their website. The Cheeky Monkey is my choice for diners who will spend more on this meal than on a typical night out, but who don’t want to break the bank in the process. This restaurant screams fun and exotic while delivering delicious food accompanied by a funky atmosphere. According to Carolyn Fawe, manager of the Cheeky Monkey, this is the place to be because it is, “fun, romantic, and a great meeting place with great food.” The leopard print furniture and fanciful wall hangings provide diners with an experience that is hip, young and fresh, while remaining romantic and intimate. The Cheeky Monkey does not look like much from the outside, where a single neon sign glows at night, but once you walk inside, the colorful interior with monkey-clad portraits excite the senses and heighten one’s curiosity. The exotic menu features Cheeky Money calamari- tossed in a spicy prosciutto-stuffed cherry pepper sauce, a house-smoked pork tenderloin- topped with banana plantain gravy and accompanied by smothered greens and mashed potatoes, and specialty desserts like bananas foster arrive at the table flambed, making the dish both exhilarating and tasty. The Cheeky Monkey is, “Whimsical, bold, and elegant,” wrote Rhode Island Monthly. “It proves that good taste and eccentricity can happily co-exist.” To experience the Cheeky Monkey’s chic atmosphere and flavorful food plan on spending between $50 and $60 for a dinner for two, said Fawe. Broke, but Still Want to Impress Yesterdays
28 Washington Square Newport, RI 02840 (401) 847-0116 Yesterdays is “a Newport tradition since 1974,” according to their website, which begs the question, does longevity equal quality? I believe in this case it does. Located in historic Washington Square, Yesterdays provides an affordable meal that does not sacrifice taste. In addition, they pride themselves on the 36 different kinds of microbrews available on tap. Just because not everyone can afford to splurge does not mean that you are destined for McDonalds. Yesterdays offers an equally romantic setting as some higher end restaurants but with a menu that is slightly more casual and just as yummy. Yesterdays’ menu has traditional grille-type selections that have been embellished with an original flair. Items like the seafood nachos with pesto- corn tortillas melted with Monterey Jack cheese, shrimp and scallops, topped with a creamy pesto sauce, fresh tomatoes and basil and the Yesterdays burger- an angus burger with melted Swiss cheese, spinach, sauted mushroom, and crisp bacon served on Syrian bread with fries or salad- give new taste to conventional meals. And the desserts, such as Wonton Cheesecake- a crisp wonton filled with decadent cheesecake, garnished with fresh strawberries and fresh whipped cream, or the Mississippi Mud Chubbie, which is an individual dense chocolate cake topped with chunks of fudge and filled with chocolate ganache and finished with fresh whipped cream, strawberries and warm chocolate sauce- are sure to make your date feel special. For those who just don’t have it in their budget to spend a fortune, do not fret, because a dinner for two at Yesterdays can easily be done for between $30 and $50. Even if spending more is in the cards for you, some might feel more comfortable in the more casual atmosphere at Yesterdays. Wherever you decide to go, remember to find a place that reflects you and your partner’s personalities, because the night is about enjoying each other’s company. The restaurant is just a bonus. Kelly Odell is a senior at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. She is a Historic Preservation major and an English Communications minor.
