The Newport Restaurant Where All The Celebrities Go This Time Of Year

Clarke Cooke House certainly has an intriguing history; the man it is named for (Clarke Cooke) was a well-to-do sea captain who built the original structure on Thames in 1780.

Then in the 1970’s, the new owner spent 6 months moving the entire thing, piece by piece (oy!), over to Bannister’s.

Nowadays, it attracts everyone from visiting celebs (many notables are spotted during the summer, especially when Newport Folk Fest is happening…I hear that diners have allegedly glimpsed everyone from Wynonna Judd, Judge Judy, Bill Murray, and Adam Sandler to Martha Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, and Mariah Carey over the years) and locally based ones (KJP for one) to royalty from all over the globe (I hear anyway, still working on finding out exactly WHO).

When you walk into the Bistro and Candy Store at street level (other areas include the Boom Boom Room in the basement and the Skybar which used to be called The Porch), you are greeted by their signature mermaid (she’s also on all the drink napkins), a selection of framed photos of yachts from NPT sailing history, and quite the spirited vibe.

Last time we were there for Sunday brunch, we happened upon a piano player tickling the ivories, lotsa folks enjoying brunchtime sips (mimosas, etc.) and their prix fixe menu, and a sunlit space that feels like stepping back into a bygone era.

I mean, I had no idea what the sign that asked ‘gentlemen to doff their hats’ meant. (It’s all about a man tipping his hat respectfully to the ladies.)

HIghly recommend getting seated by the ginormous window that looks out on the water. (See photo below.)

We ordered from the brunch menu (I had the poached with Johnny Cakes and the hubs had steak and eggs as he is back to eating some meat) but there are beaucoup choices depending on your particular mood including lunch fare, their amazing Winter Sushi, and the local oyster offerings including Walrus And Carpenter.

Since the hubs has a tree nut allergy, we unfortunately could not enjoy their most iconic dessert, the Snowball In H*ll (it’s topped with coconut), so legendary in fact that it ‘s has been written up in Town & Country a while back.

Feel like I missed out big time, thankfully going back this season is a definite possibility. That’s one more thing to try NEXT TIME, am I right? (My update is that I have since tried it and it is OUTSTANDING. It does indeed live up to the hype.)

Find Clarke Cooke House at 24 Bannister’s Wharf in Newport, RI.

As always, if you go after reading THIS, please let them (and your friends) know you were inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.