The Dining Room at Castle Hill - Newport, RI

*Please Note: Some of the following for The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn are excerpts from original posts; Eating My Way Through New England published in September 2017 and Revisiting New England and the Northeast published in September 2018. *

Yet another Relais & Chateaux and Forbes Travel rated property, Rhode Island kept raising the bar. Driving out to the tip of the peninsula where Castle Hill Inn sits is quite an experience on its own. Winding roads sit between the short stacked stone walls of both gilded age & modern mansions, until the last turn, leading to unobstructed ocean views. When Newport became a prominent seaport the wealthy commissioned these mansions to enjoy as summer homes, including what we know today as the Castle Hill Inn. In 1874 Marine Biologist Alexander Agassiz of Harvard University chose this particular elevated location to be protected from storms and tidal surges, hence the "hill" in the mansion's current name.  

After World War II the residence became a summer inn, and eventually winterized its rooms for guests to enjoy the mansion's grace & beauty year round. The Dining Room restaurant inside the hotel offers expansive Panoramic views of Newport Harbor, historic Jamestown and all the majestic sailboats in between. Joining the Relais & Chateaux family in 2008, the restaurant's wood paneled walls & ceilings and ornate elegance are the perfect backdrop for the culinary works of Lou Rossi. The Dining Room team are proud to offer traditional New England dishes with creative touches using an abundance of local produce, and build their evening menu based on what happens to be available in the resort's own gardens. For the vinophiles, the restaurant's wine list boasts over 800 selections and has received Wine Spectator's "Best Award of Excellence" for the last ten years. Noteworthy fact; Chef Rossi worked alongside 3 Michelin star Chef Thomas Keller at Per Se in Manhattan.

July 2021

Tuna Crudo - Summer Fruit, Tomato Vierge, Strawberry Gochujang

Butter Poached Lobster - Roasted Cucumber, Turnips, Sweet Pea Nage

Cheesecake Mouse

September 2018

The view from the lawn at Castle Hill Inn over looking the Newport harbor is where every New England post card gets its inspiration. Dozens of white Adirondack chairs on a large hill overlook the waterway busy with sailboats swooshing by. Last year, 2017, there was heavy fog over the harbor and the view left much to be desired. This year, fortunately, the skies were clear, sun was bright & dinner below.

Roasted Beet Risotto - Braised Beef, Crème Fraîche, Rye Bread

Butter Poached Lobster Tails, Spring Onions, Mushroom, Bárnaise

Roasted Veal Striploin, English Peas, Carrots, Dried Cherry Granola, Onion Jus

PB & J - Peanut Butter Chiffon Cake, Local Berries, Peanut Gelato

September 2017

Foie Gras Torchon - Fig Jam, Toasted Peanuts, Vincotto

Angus Beef Tartare - Caperberries, Pommes Maxim, Goat Cheese

Yakitori Glazed Pork Belly - Plum Jam, Garden Radish, Yuzu Caramel

Stone Fruits & Cream - 

Buttermilk Custard, Roasted Peach Purée, Honey-Cornmeal Cake, Peach Sorbet

Although the Castle Hill Inn may not have the scale that the town's famous mansions do, I promise you that its views are unparalleled. It's worth a visit even just to stroll the grounds and have a drink at the outdoor bar or sit on the hillside Adirondack chairs. Over looking the harbor, salt mist in the air and drink in hand you'll suddenly feel what Newport is all about. For more information on the Castle Hill Inn visit their website here - www.CastleHillInn.com .

As mentioned above, the Dining Room Chef, Lou Rossi, worked along side world renowned Chef Thomas Keller. Have a look at Chef Keller's first Florida restaurant, the Surf Club here.