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Boston Restaurant Blog -- November, 2007

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Friday, November 16, 2007

Lunch at O'Brien's Pub, Newport, RI

A couple of weeks ago, we had some time to kill before the Patriots' game, so we took a trip down to Providence to wander around and eventually have lunch. The problem was, the entire city seemed to be closed until noon on Sunday. So we drove down to Wickford, Jamestown, and finally, Newport, where we spent some time before rushing back to catch the Pats/Colts game.

We headed over to Lower Thames Street, which is perhaps my favorite part of Newport. After walking around for awhile and enjoying the balmy temperatures, we decided to go to O'Brien's Pub for lunch. Because it was such a nice day out, we sat at one of the many outdoor tables they had on their front patio. It was a perfect place to sit, as we could look in one direction and catch the street scene along Lower Thames, then look the other way and watch two of the 1:00 football games that were on at the bar, which was wide open to let the mild air in.

The food at O'Brien's was actually very good, especially for a no-nonsense, rather gritty watering hole (Lower Thames gets increasingly less touristy as you head south, away from the center of town). The clam chowder was excellent; it wasn't too thick or too thin, and it had a nice taste to it. The grilled white pizza with garlic was absolutely delicious the perfect blend of cheese and garlic covering the chewy crust. Finally, the two orders of sliders (2-ounce burgers on mini buns) were pretty mouthwatering, and the seasoned fries were gone in a flash. I washed my food down with a hearty amber beer called Newport Storm, which was packaged with one of the orders of sliders and fries, all for only $5.99.

O'Brien's Pub is not exactly fine dining, but it really did hit the spot. Plus the fact that their outdoor patio gave us a view of both the street and the football games was a big plus. I would have no problem going back there, though Mamma Luisa Ristorante Italiano (one of my favorite Italian restaurants) is just down the road, so perhaps it will be a drink at O'Brien's, followed by some pasta at Mamma Luisa's afterward.

For those of you who would like the address and phone number for O'Brien's Pub, here it is: O'Brien's Pub, 501 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840. Phone: (401) 849-6623.

Related Blog Entries: Irish pubs, Newport restaurants, Rhode Island restaurants

Posted by MH, Boston's Hidden Restaurants, on November 16, 2007.
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