📷: Courtesy of Basta on Facebook
By Molly Clark
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the one-year mark. What does a year of firsts as a married couple warrant? A celebration, of course! If you’re looking to commemorate with a meal out, we’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to twenty great, local, romantic restaurants.
1. 15 Point Road Restaurant
15 Point Rd., Portsmouth
This eatery offers a relaxed yet refined dining experience set against a panoramic view of the Sakonnet River. Enjoy a meal of locally sourced ingredients in the dining room or on the porch of this restaurant marked by modern yet rustic accents. Dinner entrees might include New England classics like baked stuffed cod or fish and chips. Pair your meal with a wine from the list and save room for bananas foster for dessert.
2. Basta
2195 Broad St., Cranston
Prepare for a delicious Italian meal in a warm, Tuscan-inspired setting at this eatery featuring hand-cut pasta, fresh seafood, a signature veal chop and fresh Neapolitan pizza. Diners can choose to eat in the main dining room cozied up in the red booths with their loved one, at the bar or on the Terrazza, a garden-style patio featuring a large fireplace.
3. Besos Kitchen and Cocktails
378 Main St., East Greenwich
Besos features New American fare with a Spanish flare, as well as unique craft cocktails. Whether you’re a classic couple looking for steak and martinis or more on the creative side and always searching for the latest in creative sangrias, Besos is a great destination to start your anniversary night off with a “kiss.”
4. Cafe Nuovo
1 Citizens Plaza, Providence
The setting of Cafe Nuovo is romantic in its own right; the restaurant is located at the gondola landing at the Providence Riverwalk. The patio tables are the perfect place to enjoy a meal while watching the water, the city or even a WaterFire event. Menu items might include Colorado lamb chops, rainbow trout or jumbo lump crab risotto.
5. Camille’s
71 Bradford St., Providence
This eatery has been serving up classic Italian dishes on Federal Hill for over 100 years. Dinner dishes consist of pollo alla Marsala with cremini mushrooms, capesante alla Giovanni with fresh sea scallops and the filleto au poivre, prepared with a filet mignon steak. Enjoy a meal in the formal dining room or on the patio paired with a quality wine selection, then dance away the night to live music in the lounge on Fridays and Saturdays.
6. Cara
117 Memorial Blvd., Newport
Cara is the new girl in town at The Chandler at the Cliff Walk, providing guests with a dining experience marked by innovative culinary creations, stellar wine selections and the finest, most knowledgeable service. The restaurant’s interior, which conjures the essence of the Gilded Age, includes African accents and exudes classic Newport mansion refinement. Snag a table for two on the cozy banquette or snuggle up by the fireplace for a luxurious, romantic meal flanked by ocean views.
7. The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn
590 Ocean Drive, Newport
The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn offers a world-class culinary experience paired with an award-winning wine list and stunning panoramas of Narragansett Bay. The prix fixe menu showcases locally sourced ingredients brought to live by a variety of international preparation techniques. Caviar service, wine pairings and a vegetarian menu are also available.
8. CAV
14 Imperial Place, Providence
The creative setting, in combination with scrumptious food, makes an anniversary meal at CAV a no brainer. The restaurant is filled with antiques, many of which are for sale, and artistic details like old tablecloths, single stem roses and opulent lighting fixtures highlight the space. Enjoy the chef’s specialty black truffle ravioli or duck confit for dinner, or opt to visit the restaurant for brunch for soups, pizzas, sandwiches and breakfast fare.
9. Chez Pascal
960 Hope St., Providence
Chez Pascal prides itself on creating and serving quality French cuisine made from seasonal, New England-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Diners can order off of the Chez Pascal menu offering entrees like seared beef brisket and sautéed Gulf of Maine hake filet or opt for house made frankfurters from the wurst kitchen menu. The dining room is cozy and intimate making it perfect for a romantic celebration.
10. Circe
50 Weybosset St., Providence
A feeling of sleek elegance marks the dining room at Circe. Exposed brick and neutral colored décor leave room to highlight the real star of the show here: the food. Menu selections include charcuterie and cheese boards as well as raw bar selections to start and grilled steaks or wild boar ragu for entrees.
11. DeWolf Tavern
259 Thames St., Bristol
A romantic meal at DeWolf Tavern might start with glasses of wine or cocktails on the patio before moving inside for a fine dining experience led by a skilled service team. Or, diners can opt for a light, more relaxed meal in the downstairs tavern. Enjoy seafood offerings like stuffed lobster or swordfish in this setting by the sea.
12. The Dorrance
60 Dorrance St., Providence
The dining room at The Dorrance can only be described in one way: over-the-top elegance. If you’re a couple looking for an experience marked by sophistication and the charm of the past, a meal here is ideal for you. The high, decorative ceiling and long, opulent windows set the scene for a meal with obvious class. Start the evening with one of the bar’s signature cocktails, select from entrees of curried chickpea stew or pan seared bomster scallops and finish with a cheese plate paired with whisky.
13. Ella’s Food and Drink
2 Tower St., Westerly
The unassuming brick exterior of this corner restaurant doesn’t even offer a glimpse into the lure of the dining experience inside, where couples will find cozy tables graced with beautifully plated, creative meals. Start with pan seared foie gras or oysters and continue on with house made gnocchi or the signature Momma’s chicken, which is buttermilk soaked and duck fat fried. Save room for a side of double truffle lobster mac and cheese.
14. Gracie’s
194 Washington St., Providence
The food is the star of the show here with a seasonally changing, locally sourced menu. In the warmer months, many ingredients come from the restaurant’s own rooftop garden. A la carte options might include black bass or dry aged creek-stone ribeye, but diners should always go with what the chef recommends and dine off of the tasting menu, which offers wine pairing and dessert options.
15. La Masseria
223 Main St., East Greenwich
La Masseria brings authentic Italian dining to East Greenwich’s main street, offering diners a taste of Italy without having to head into Federal Hill. The rustic, brick, stone and wrought iron accented interior offers a nod to an Italian farmhouse, and, combined with romantic archways, make it the perfect setting for an anniversary meal. Try the coniglio alla caprese (oven roasted rabbit) or pollo novella al mattone (grilled young chicken old country style).
16. Manisses Restaurant & Bar
251 Spring St., Block Island
Looking for a special, luxury laced evening on an otherwise rather casual island? Look no further than the restaurant at the Hotel Manisses. The dining room is lined with large windows that look out over romantic gardens. Tasting menu items might include Block Island swordfish or the daily fisherman’s catch. Love your dinner on Saturday night? Head back for Prosecco brunches held in the garden on Sundays.
17. Rasa
149 Main St., East Greenwich
Couples looking to step outside their Italian and seafood comfort zone should try out Rasa for Indian flavors in a contemporary atmosphere. The blue lighting adds to the ambiance where diners can enjoy each other’s company while noshing on traditional Indian fare.
18. Restaurant Bouchard
505 Thames St., Newport
Experience French cuisine in an elegant dining room in the heart of downtown Newport. The refined menu features beautifully plated food including Dover sole, duck breast and lamb chops, all prepared in the exquisite French tradition. Save room for a dessert of crème brulee, profiteroles or chocolate mousse. And don’t worry about parking in downtown Newport for your special meal; parking is available for diners.
19. Table Bistro
8 Anoka Ave., Barrington
Table markets itself as a farm-to-table bistro offering a seasonal menu paired with wines and craft beers. The setting here is cozy and casual, making it perfect for a relaxed couple looking to celebrate with a great meal without the frills. Enjoy charcuterie and cheese boards as well as entrees like the signature Table burger or whole roasted fish specials.
20. White Horse Tavern
26 Marlborough St., Newport
History buffs and romantic diners alike will love this spot which claims to be the oldest tavern in America. Originally opened in 1673, the colonial home exudes historic sophistication while serving diners Rhode Island-inspired fare. Bring your loved one for a meal of their signature beef Wellington, stout-braised short ribs with Rhode Island mushrooms or native lobster and shellfish stew.
