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.
