If the smell of smoked meats and the camaraderie of summer cookouts conjures sweet nostalgic memories, you’re in good company. It’s these exact vibes Smoke House Restaurant channels into their menu of slow-smoked BBQ and refreshing cocktails, served up amid a leisurely setting steps from the Newport Harbor. “It reminds me of cooking in my backyard growing up, having the grill open and enjoying some ribs and chicken,” says general manager Joseph Parker.
Offering a playful Rhode Island twist on Southern comfort cuisine, Smoke House is all about “big atmosphere and classic BBQ,” says Parker of the eatery, which is part of the Newport Restaurant Group portfolio of restaurants and experiences. He is also the general manager of The Mooring, and says of all of the group’s eclectic options for fine dining, Smoke House is the “fun restaurant.”
This descriptor is certainly reflected in the food they’re cooking up. “We do not focus on one traditional style of BBQ; we take a collection of inspirations from St. Louis, Memphis, and Texas,” explains Parker, listing popular offerings like baby back ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket, which is smoked daily and often sells out by around 7pm each night. First-timers may be enticed by the Smoke House Tasting, a platter of two hog wings (made of pork shank), four chicken wings, and a half-rack of ribs. And it wouldn’t be BBQ without sides: red bliss potato salad, mac and cheese, baked beans, cornbread, and salads are all part of the experience.
New to the menu this season is the Mushroom Pita Sandwich – perfect for the vegetarian in your friend group – made with smoked portabella and cremini from West Kingston-based RI Mushroom Company. The Fried Pickle appetizer, served with a smokehouse aioli, pairs perfectly with a round of cocktails. For seafood fans, the BBQ Glazed Salmon Sandwich comes stuffed with grilled pineapple, bacon, arugula, and red onion, and because it’s the City by the Sea, you can rest assured there’s a Lobster Roll (prepared New England style) on the menu. Acknowledging that not all guests may be craving BBQ meats, Parker says, “We want to make sure there are options for everybody coming in.”
Summer cocktails include the Instagrammable Bubble Bobble, with tequila, blueberry, elderflower, and a smoked citrus bubble served on top. Simple yet refreshing, Call it a Comeback consists of
raspberry vodka, honey, blueberry, and lemonade, which Parker describes as the ideal beverage for “sitting outside on a hot day. It’s a drink you envision having on your front porch.” A leveled-up mocktail game also offers tropical sips like Caught in the Rain, prepared with cream of coconut, pineapple, and orange juice.
At Smoke House, Parker aims to curate an atmosphere akin to having close friends and family over for a backyard cookout. “It’s our responsibility to put a smile on people’s faces.”
31 Scotts Wharf, Newport
401-848-9800 • SmokeHouseNewport.com
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