Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream, Middletown, RI. 5/27/22

exterior – 62 Wave Ave., Middletown, RI., 02842

Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream opened in 2017 and served delicious ice cream with high quality ingredients.  They offer an array of flavors and some dog-friendly ice cream also.  The name of their shop is a tribute to a dog.  They make their own waffle cones and the aroma when you enter the shop is sweet and mouth watering.  The cones are also available stuffed into a dish in which you can put your chosen scoops.  It’s a small shop with a couple tables inside as well as counters to lean on.  Outside there were also some tables and 3 designated parking spots.  We chose 2 flavors – Coffee Heath Bar and Butter Brickle – and got them in one of the cones in a cup.  It made it much easier to share but the cone did stick to the cup a bit.  The ice cream was thick, sweet and well flavored.  It really hit the spot for a terrific sweet snack.  Strong recommendation here. Continue reading

Bouchard Restaurant & Inn, Newport, 5/27/22

exterior – 505 Thames Street, Newport, RI, 02840

Bouchard Restaurant has been in business over 20 years and also has a few rooms/suites to stay in.  They have a parking area but you need to go into the restaurant and get a pass to place in your car before parking there.  They have a dress requirement that is on their website as well as reminded about when they call to confirm your reservation.  No jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, etc but I saw no enforcement of that whatsoever.  There were many casually dressed people in the dining room that were obviously regulars due to their rapport with the staff.  There were also ‘dressed-up’ people there but this was only the first odd bit of this place.  They have a full bar which is located adjacent to the check in desk.  Further inside is a medium to small dining area with small white cloth covered tables with full drape underneath.  Lighting is lowered, there is music in the background, carpet is on the floor and the ceiling is low.   They offer a tasting  menu which is 5 courses at the second seating.  Most courses have choices, some with an upcharge.  The food was average at best but the service was awful.  Slow and inattentive, it aggravated me and probably affected the way I perceived the food.  The captain spent little time with many tables and concentrated on the ones he knew.  It’s a fine line to walk, but it bothers me to see tables sit for 20 minutes with their menus still in their hands and staff carrying on conversations neglecting their job. Continue reading