Chuck Ramsay, in a
guest post last year, put forth a list of great pairs of places to shop and then places to eat afterwards. This is a Newport addition.
First,
Royal Male is an absolute "don't miss" store. It is difficult to say which is more impressive, the sheer density of high quality clothing (mostly European) or the extraordinary depth of knowledge of the family that owns the store.
Housed in a beautifully restored 18th century house (and, as legend goes, was once a brothel), Royal Male is overwhelming in the best possible way.
Happily, owners Etienne and his mother Lynn are there to expertly guide one through the store.
I always have to try on another Barbour.
That we arrived en masse did not throw them one bit. Lynn was right down on the floor outfitting our tiniest pack member.
This is a little (a lot) over the top, in the "cloying" category.
They also carry Mackintosh.
A Good Drawer of Socks
I am always on the lookout for high quality navy knitwear and with the exception of my Guernsey, never seem to find any. And here was an entire line-up. My queue just got a little longer and I will have to pace myself.
They have been doing this for thirty years and it shows.
By this point, Etienne's sweater had come off to help contrast garments with seams and without.
For me it is a store that requires several visits to fully appreciate how much there is. Fortunately I will be back in a couple of weeks, but for those who will not be making it to Newport, they have a
website and ship.
We left, wonderfully overstimulated, and walked down for lunch, passing two different facets of Newport.
The second half of this Ramsay pair is The Black Pearl. Their clam chowder was beckoning, so in we went.
One in our group, having been banned for life by Clarke Cooke House in 1980 during America's Cup, of course preferred to dine there.
The 12 Metre Yacht Club - Newport Station
After a very full day, we loaded up once again for a long ride.
22 comments:
Beautiful eye candy. Thank you for sharing pictures from some of my favorite Newport places.
Muffy,
These photos bring back some very good memories of my time in Newport. I enjoyed some really good meals at The Black Pearl and the Clark Cooke House. Another favorite for pub grub is The Brick Alley Pub on Thames Street.
This post and the one before are my favorites of recent ones. Boats, clothes, and that adorable terrier! I think I'm in love with her. May we know her name? If any dog can pull off that outfit it's her!
Bitsy
That really is the cutest dog.
That doorknob shaped like a lady's hand has GOT to be one of the coolest things I've ever seen. . .
Will check their website posthaste!
Muffy - I really wish I had a place like Royal Male in my town.
You have added two new places to my must-visit list! Those sweaters are amazing!
I adore the Clarke Cooke House. Smashing interiors! Someday I hope you'll share why your friend was banned for life.
Looks like a really fun area! Your pup is adorable. :)
Ha....banned for life. I won't even ask. Teddy Kennedy was banned for life at Wimpy's in Osterville. When you are banned, you are banned.
p.s. that doggie is adorable. What kind of dog is it (terrier of some type?).
Without a doubt the Black Pearl is on the top of my list for clam chowder.
Best regards,
JRC
No website for me, only a visit will do for this girl! And those boots!
Thank you, Muffy, for your previous post on the Portsmouth boat yard (where my brother keeps his boat), and this one on Newport, to make a gal homesick. I grew up in Bristol, and have spent far too many hours to count in both locations. My family and I live in Sudbury, MA, a perfectly lovely spot, but how I pine for the "good old days". Time for a road trip (solo, so that I may delve amongst the treasures at Royal Male).
I checked recent reviews of the Clark Cooke House and they are almost universally SCATHING in theire derision of the food and the obnoxiousness of the staff. This is NOT the Clark Cooke House I remember from my time in Newport. I hope these are truly isolated cases, but more than 20 reviews that panned the place leave me wondering.
Muffy,
You went all my favorite haunts! Talk about chowder heaven!
What a perfectly delightful post. Especially love the dear doggie and Royal Mail. Too many eye-catching goodies!
A surprising number of buildings get more interesting with the addition, "and tradition says, was once a brothel."
I love your blog. Happy Easter from a reader in Norway.
Love the Cooke House...SO funny someone you were with was banned! xx
What type of dog is this?
@Anonymous 6:09 - She is a Norfolk Terrier.
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