Spiced Pear

I took my 86 year old mom to lunch. They were only serving on the patio and the wait was about 45 minutes. When I told the hostess that my mother was diabetic, she notified the manager and we were seated immediately inside with a great ocean view. The manager, waitress, hostess were all very attentive and quick to serve our needs and the meal. I have only high praise for their extraordinary kindness and the quality of food and service.

Exquisite. Over the top! Beautiful ocean view seating available. Reserve ahead to ensure your perfect seat.
My experience: I recently went to the Spiced Pear restaurant in Newport, RI celebrating my 11^th wedding Anniversary! The entire restaurant was very clean, and impressive to look at. The tables were dressed and set beautifully, and elegant music was playing. My husband and I were greeted promptly by a server and led to a table with an ocean view, just as I had requested by phone the previous day. The server asked if we would like some water as we looked over the drink menu. We replied with a yes, he left, and came back a short time later, perfectly timed. We ordered our drinks and meals. The server left and came back with special bread and butter for us to eat while we waited. About five minutes later the Chef sent out a special tasting, it was phenomenal. Before our meal came another server took away our used silverware, and plates, and gave us steak knives and fresh forks. Our meals followed. I had steak and it was cooked properly to my liking. It was well-​done, yet tender, hot, and presented well. My husband had duck for the first time and said it was awesome. The server asked every time he came if we needed anything. We never waited long for anything. He came back to make sure we were enjoying the food. When we were finished eating, the server came to take our plates, and then asked if we would like desert. we were full and satisfied, so replied with a no thank you. We were then brought a surprise desert for our anniversary! A treat from the Chef! The server brought out a plate with 2 deserts on it and with «Happy Anniversary» written in chocolate! If I had one word to describe our experience at the Spiced Pear, it would be «exquisite». Excellent service, amazing atmosphere, memorable, very clean, relaxing, and definitely inviting.
Make sure to thank the Chef on your way out!

Spiced Pear is located right at the beginning of the cliff walk on the North end by Easton beach. It’s the restaurant/​bar of the impressive Chanler Inn overlooking Easton beach.
Happened to stop by here after getting a bit dehydrated from doing the cliff walk. They have an open lawn with access directly from the cliff walk path. I entered this way to the outside hostess stand and was promptly seated.
Got a corner table overlooking the beach. Perfect!
Since I wasn’t really hungry, I told the waitress that I was only here to rest a bit and perhaps get something to drink. She understood perfectly and was extremely accommodating.
Ordered a large bottle of flat with some lemons, the signature spiced pear martini, and a French pear martini. Service was great and efficient. Waitress brought a bucket/​stand next to the table to keep the bottle water chilled. The drinks arrived shortly after.
The French pear martini was absolutely delicious. I will undoubtedly be spending many attempts trying to (unsuccessfully) replicate it at home. The spiced pear martini was good as well. However, it was just a bit on the sweeter and heavier side for the weather that day.
Spend the next two hours or so just sipping on drinks, enjoying the weather, and taking in the view. The staff did not disturb and/​or rush at all.
Actually ended up slightly hungry toward the end, so I ordered the cheese & charcuterie plate. It was a good size and the selection was nicely presented. The only downside was that it came with Serrano ham, and it was tough and sinewy.
Overall, an extremely enjoyable experience! Will definitely return.

Great views! The food was amazing and they brought us snacks during the meal to try — all amazing. The drinks were also great!

Beautiful restaurant. I’ve been twice for lunch – once over the summer (2015) and again recently (spring 2016) – and both times it was lovely. Service was great; they were attentive without being too much. I particularly enjoyed their lobster mac and cheese. I believe it was a special, because I didn’t see it on the menu the second time. Make sure to dine here, or stop by for a nice glass of wine, over the summer. The patio is very nice and looks out over the coast.

Room Service at The Chanler for breakfast was our Spiced Pear experience. Very limited menu for in room service but the selections were delicious, hot & plated beautifully on silver trays. (See pics) Believing all upscale restaurant portions are small (but not the case here), we ordered 2 french toasts, 2 steal cut oatmeals, fruit, greek yogurt w/​granola, pastries & OJ. Way too much food for the both of us but «to go» boxes were provided for the uneaten portions. Expensive, yes ($ 84, not including tip), but worth it! The in-​room service was a perfect end to our overnight stay… a gourmet breakfast on the terrace overlooking the ocean in large fluffy terry robes after a dip in the private hot tub. The only thing that could have made the meal better would have been an egg choice w/​a meat side & fresh whipped cream for the berries/​fruit.

If 5 star means «As good as it gets», then the Spiced Pear is literally as good as it gets.
I’ve never felt so utterly defeated and conquered by a meal. Actually, this wasn’t a meal… it was a feast worthy of the Vanderbilts.
FOOD:
We did the Chef’s Tasting with wine pairings.
While I can’t remember each exact wine, they were all white varieties, and expertly chosen to compliment the course at hand. The pour was plentiful, providing enough to enjoy a few sips outside of the course. Perhaps it was the food selection, but they trended to dry whites, which I appreciated.
Pre-​Course was a tuna tartar, compliments of the chef. It was fresh, and fantastic.
Course 1 was an assortment of 3 raw oysters with a dry pear dipping sauce. I’m not a raw oyster fan, but these were great. The portion size made it easy to try something that isn’t quite my favorite without overdoing it.
Course 2 was fruit salad consisting of dry pear, blood orange, and a couple of other unique additions. There was a pureed fennel that accompanied it. The combination of herb/​spice with the fruit was creative, and something that worked great.
Course 3 was a Hawaiian Yellowfin Tuna. Seared on the outside, and still fresh on the inside. The flavor was great, and the texture was memorable. It was a very nice piece of fish. This course was paired with a Louis Jadot Chardonnay… one of my favs. At this point, I was starting to feel full.
Course 4 was wild boar cooked two ways: a roasted rib portion, and the braised shoulder cooked in a Dr Pepper/​Cola reduction. The rib portion highlighted the gamey nature of the meat — you were reminded at every bite that you were eating something wild, and the flavor was immense. The braised shoulder was equally fantastic, essentially taking what most would recognize as ‘pulled pork’, but elevating it to the highest level of perfection imaginable.
I forget the pairing, but I remember it was a full-​bodied white, not too sweet.
Course 5 was a cheese plate. At this point in the meal, I was almost at a discomforting level of fullness, but there was more food and wine to consume. We carried on like the food troopers we are, and enjoyed a plate of three local cheeses with an assortment of berries/​nuts. The pairing was a sherry.
After course 5, the waiter brought espresso martinis… compliments of the chef. An espresso martini is one of my favorites, and this one did not disappoint. The robustness of the espresso shone through the sweetness, making a martini that was more full in its flavor than sugary like most are inclined to do. Perfectly done.
Course 6 was a chocolate soufflé. I can’t remember the accompanying sauce, but it was great. It was exactly how a soufflé should be — extremely light and airy, yet not shy on flavor.
The pairing was an ice wine.
The bill came with a chocolate truffle.
I literally could not eat another bite. I was done at course 3, stuffed by course 4, and way overdoing it by the time the meal was over… but its a dinner I won’t forget. Everything was perfect.
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SUMMARY:
Doing a Chef’s tasting with pairings is my favorite way to experience a restaurant — let them choose, and present their best. At NO time at all during the evening did I wish any portion of anything would have been larger: the wine pours were generous, and the food portions were plentiful. The flavor arrangements of every course were spectacular, and expertly paired with the appropriately accompanying wine. I wouldn’t think of using the terms «Value» or «bang for your buck» to describe Spiced Pear — it’s a place you go to expecting to pay for it. After all, it’s a top class restaurant in a historic mansion located in a very wealthy town… but it’s no more expensive than the equivalent experience in Boston. The total with two pre-​dinner cocktails, the chef’s tasting with pairings, and the tip amounted to well over $ 400. We could’ve probably spent half that by ordering a bottle of wine and 3 courses off the menu… but where’s the fun in that?
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Responses to critiques:
1. Too Stuffy — Really? You’re going to put on a coat and tie, go to a Newport mansion for dinner, and complain that it’s too stuffy? It’s NEWPORT… the whole town is stuffy. Deal with it.
2. Left Hungry — I don’t get this. I was full halfway through my meal, and that was following a day of walking around Newport building an appetite.
3. Gripes about food quality — Most of those negative reviews are older (6+ years ago), and were about the lunch offerings. There’s not one thing I could suggest to improve the food — it was awesome.
4. Overpriced — People who think this is overpriced probably do not eat at places like this often. Don’t go during Restaurant Week to save money, then expect $ 400 service. Be prepared to spend — it’s worth it, and YOU are worth it.

Pricey but worth it if you’re looking for fancy dinner. Romantic ambience perfect for couples. Great customer service! Our waiter Jose was very nice! They offer car service back to your hotel for free.

The Spiced Pear is a place I’ve always dreamed of going. I would gaze longingly at the beautiful Chanler hotel as I began my journey along the lovely cliff walk in my yoga pants, beagle companion by my side wishing I were born into a richer family where seaside cocktail parties and ambush-​bouche were common occurrences. Alas it wasn’t exactly within my budget. :Queue sad violin music: I know, I know. Poor me. :oP
Until…Newport Restaurant Week! To the rescue! Seriously though, what a great opportunity to try out a new, super fancy restaurant without breaking the bank, or feeling guilty for getting more then just an entrée. My boyfriend and I went tonight and it was one of the best dinning experiences of my life.
I’ve read some reviews which state the place was too stuffy and forced. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice. Very nice. But I wouldn’t say stuffy. The waiters place your napkin in your lap for you, you have 3 people available at all times for anything you may need, they have table settings with plates you won’t use, and the bathrooms may have cost more then my house… but in my opinion that is all what makes it an extraordinary dinning experience. Not stuffy. We were treated with respect and received amazing service. Besides the 3 course menu we also where given fresh baked bread and a heavenly beef mushroom consommé before our appetizers and merengue cookies after dessert.
Before I talk about the food, let me tell you about the martini I had! The French Pear martini! Sweet but not excessively so, and the pear flavor was really present. I want to bring these things in a thermos to work with me. But that would take away from the experience. And probably get me fired. But anyway… try one.
For our first course my boyfriend ordered the 3 onion soup which was sweet, aromatic and had a deep flavor as if it had been simmering all day. I got the three cheese stuffed meatball. The balance between the light fresh tomato sauce, the salty prosciutto de Palma and creamy cheeses was perfection. For entrees my boyfriend chose the chicken roulade du jour which had spinach, goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes with an amazingly bold sauce (reminiscent of a concentrated chicken gravy… but taken to another level of deliciousness), sweet potato purée and perfectly cooked baby roasted vegetables. I chose the pasta Bolognese made with beef, pork and San Marzano tomatoes and tossed with perfectly cooked fresh made pasta. Dessert was a perfectly moist and sweet mini banana walnut bread pudding with the most amazing, creamy maple walnut ice cream I’ve ever tasted. I could have eaten a gallon of it.
Now that I’ve gone on a good rant… lets summarize. Amazing food. Even better service. Very fancy, perfect for special occasions. But not stuffy. You’ll leave full, happy and with a memory you won’t soon forget.

My husband and I came here for our wedding anniversary. We had a 8:15pm reservation on a Friday night.
Definitely nice for a special occasion. The presentation of all the dishes is really spectacular, and the flavors and textures are definitely at a high level. We ended up liking our appetizers the most; the lobster bisque had a perfect flavor, and the ravioli were so decadent. I wish I could have had more! My scallops entrée was also rich and beautiful. However, my husband’s wild boar — a very expensive item — was really too tough and not as enjoyable.
I assume we could have asked to be seated elsewhere, but all the couples were sitting in the back room, which I am sure is very nice when there’s a view, but since it was already dark, I would have much more liked to have seated in the dining area with the open kitchen. (Only one party was seated there, while the back room we were in was full of couples.)
Ambiance is, well, a little stuffy. It was a bit more over the top and a little more forced than I would have liked. But the food quality definitely made up for it.
Also, after our meal, they gave us a ride to our [more meager] hotel at no extra cost. That was a nice touch.

This may be the best place I have ever eaten.
Bold statement. But couldn’t be closer to the truth.
I took my wife out to dinner here for her birthday weekend in Newport, and after reading review and seeing pictures, it looked like the perfect spot for a formal dinner. They did not disappoint at ALL.
First off, I made a note in my Open Table reservation that it was my wife’s birthday celebration, and asked for a cupcake or something like that for dessert as a special request. Upon entering the restaurant, and giving my name, the hostess immediately welcomed us and wished her a happy birthday. You don’t get that at places often at all, and it was appreciated. We were also given a beautiful seat overlooking the water, which was another huge plus.
What separates Spiced Pear from anywhere else I’ve dined is their professionalism and quality — everything from water, to wine, to bringing food out, to explanation of dishes was spot on.
My wife and I opted for the Chef’s Tasting, six-​course menu. Although definitely pricey (don’t be fooled), it was one of the best prepared order of courses I’ve tasted.
Courses included:
–Oysters with a pear mignonette (unbelievable)’
–Assorted cheeses and breads
–Beautifully done sirloin with bacon-​wrapped asparagus
–Shrimp and scallops
–Tomato salad
–A ridiculous Tahitian vanilla soufflé for dessert
All of them better than the next. It was spaced and timed perfectly, and our server David even gave us an extra little sip of some dessert wine to celebrate.
The Spiced Pear is one of the classiest places we’ve ever been, and truly worthy of a ⁶⁄₅ rating. I will always mention this place to anyone who’s visiting Newport!

Really enjoyed our lunch here. We sat on the terrace which had incredible views. The Lobster BLT was great and they had a pretty good clam chowder as well. A bit pricey overall but enjoyable nonetheless.

The food was excellent, and the service was good as well. The presentation was perfection. Great location.

Beautiful Restaurant. My 11yr old now wants her wedding here. Beautiful view of the beach/​ocean. Relaxed 4^th of July atmosphere. Lobster was a bit over cooked. Service was a bit slow, but hey, it’s a holiday and I absolutely loved everything else about this place. I will return, and hopefully have more time to relax and enjoy it.

My mom and I stopped here for inch on the way back from the Cliff Walk. It was a lovely surprise — we sat in the open porch and had gorgeous views of the ocean and cliffs. I ordered the artisanal salad with grilled shrimp, and my mom had the veggie burger. Both were super tasty and fresh — the shrimp were giant and sweet — some of the best I’ve ever had! The veggie burger was tipped with shaved pineapple and radish slaw — really original and unique flavors. We would come back here every night for dinner if we could — ambiance, delicious food, and sea breeze!

Although we received five star service — from complimentary valet to synchronized food delivery… It was a bit stuffy. However, if you are aiming for the Newport «old money» vibe, this may just suit your fancy.
I had the cauliflower bisque, which was wonderful, once it was seasoned. It was rather bland prior to doctoring it up with some salt and pepper.
The shrimp dish I had was also completely unseasoned or sauced. The polenta was unlike any I had ever had… And not in a good way. The potatoes were extremely undercooked.
However, the bread pudding was a true winner…
For the price I expected to be blown away. Especially as one friend told me the experience was «epic». Had we not attended for restaurant week, the only thing that would be been epic would have been our bill. Luckily though, it did not set us back as much as it typically would have.
I would go back for lunch/​drinks on patio when it warms up. All in all, I am glad I went, though not in a rush to get back as the word associated with my experience is: underwhelmed.

We were there to check out the inn for a potential wedding spot and decided to try the restaurant. First of all, the view is amazing, love the décor in the restaurant. Our waiters were gracious and did their job well. We ordered the fish tacos and a pizza. The pizza came out burnt at the top. The fish tacos were hard to eat as there was too much coleslaw and the salsa was bland. We requested a new pizza without a problem and the pizza they brought back was somewhat undercooked. It was tasty though. Wouldn’t mind giving them another try the next time
I’m in the area just for the view. Needless to say, the food turned us off on having our wedding there.

This was a very special occasion and Spiced Pear did not disappoint! We were promptly seated at a gorgeous table by the window over looking the ocean! The restaurant was pristine! Candles a glow and lovely table settings with sparkling glassware.
Our server was polite and attentive, exceeding our every need. I asked for a plant based meal and without a doubt they delivered an impeccable entrée.
The Spiced Pear is inside a smaller Newport Mansion, a beautiful historic house turned into a special event location.
So while we were sipping our cocktails an evening wedding was beginning outside on the lawn. Love was in the air!
The parking was a breeze, they have a private lot. Go a little early to walk the grounds and gaze at the ocean. When dinner was over and I was sad that it was, we were not rushed at all and we were able to linger a bit making our experience even better!

We were staying at The Chanler for a couple days and were anticipating our reservations here. I’m so sad we didn’t eat dinner here every night. Between the ambience, great wait staff, open kitchen right in front of you and the amazing food it was just perfect.
We looked over the menu. it’s not very extensive but has a lot of great dishes. An amuse bouche was presented a sweet potato pancake cranberry chutney and duck confit. What a great start to a meal. Also to the holiday season. We started with the lobster bisque which was very balanced and velvety with huge chunks of lobster. It wasn’t heavy like some bisques are. We also ordered the savory cheesecake with tree fruit salad. This was def an amazing starter warm savory cheese cake and fresh cold tart salad.
For dinner he ordered bison with vegetables. It was a huge portion probably enough for two. It was well seasoned and very juicy. I ordered a steak that as well was excellently prepared. It had asparagus wrapped w. Prosciutto. It had a purée under the steak which was delicious. Everything was top quality and the best part you can watch it being prepared with the open kitchen right in front of you.
For dessert I had a cinnamon soufflé with apple chutney and white chocolate crème glacé. Nothing but amazing! It Ended the meal with a bang! Perfectly done! The cappuccino was so good. He had a chocolate and peanut butter trio which was decadent and rich.
Great ending to a delicious and romantic meal.
In summary this was a elegant dinner that you must try if your looking for a special place to celebrate.

My experience this past weekend at the Spiced Pear was everything I could have hoped for and then some. Planned a surprise lunch on the Veranda here and not only did they reserve a table for us with a great view, they also gave us a tour of one of the open guest rooms upstairs. A great start before we even took a bite of our food!
We started our meal with a couple of cocktails and after surveying the menu decided to get the fish tacos and the special sandwich of the day which was a pulled pork. The wait for our food was no longer than 10 or 15 minutes and when it arrived we were both equally excited to try our dishes.
Both the fish tacos and the sandwich were perfect portion sizes. There were two tacos and both were stuffed with fresh fish which was lightly fried to perfection and topped with homemade slaw and pico de gallo which was the perfect compliment. For the sandwich, it was served on Texas toast and was packed full of this delicious pulled pork, along with a very light slaw and also a corn and black bean salsa. We both could not stop raving about how good both the dishes were and before you know it, there wasn’t a crumb left on either of our plates.
To finish off our meal we each ordered another drink and when we paid the bill our waiter said we were more than welcome to enjoy our drinks out on the lawn. It was the perfect end to our meal as we sat out on the lawn chairs and took in the amazing view overlooking the cliff walk and ocean.
Thank you to the Spiced Pear and their friendly staff for making our afternoon so fantastic. From the amazing views, to the delicious meals we each had and the overall environment of the hotel /​restaurant, it was an incredible afternoon.