Mesquite-grilled fish & vegetarian pastas, plus a raw bar, in a bi-level, open-kitchen setting.
Michelle Archer
Wow it’s changed from years ago. The bar is gone and the lights are dimly light, inhibiting you from watching the chef cook. The bar from the main dining room is gone and the restaurant lighting is not as bright. I thought the food would be as delicious, but had to send back my shrimp scampi, because it was Luke warm which was odd since the restaurant was not busy. However when it came back it was delicious. My daughter enjoyed her salmon and risotto. We ordered the clam chowder and buratta salad. The chowder was a touch too salty. They say you can never go back and relive some experiences. And I’d have to agree. Not as fabulous as I remember, yet a nice meal after all said and done.
… moreWilliam Ho
We ordered the warm lobster roll and the shrimp scampi with linguine. The lobster roll was good but the portion was small for the price. The shrimp scampi was tasty. Service was efficient. The restaurant has great ambience. There were both bar and table seatings.
… moreKim A.
We had our post-wedding dinner at Scales and Shells in Newport and it was absolutely amazing! The manager and staff were wonderful to work with—so accommodating and attentive throughout the entire process. I was able to customize our menu, which made the night feel even more personal and special. They were also accommodating with decorating, which I premade, and set up for the tiny details.
We reserved the upstairs space, and it was perfect—cozy, elegant, and just the right atmosphere for our celebration. Our guests loved it, and we had such a memorable time. I would highly recommend Scales and Shells for anyone looking for an incredible dining experience in Newport!
… moreJoy K
The oysters and shrimp were perfect, and all the food was really good. However, it’s hard to give 5 stars because the service was just okay and the environment could be better. Also, I ordered a white wine listed at $42 but was charged $50. You really have to double-check your bill here, since mistakes seem to happen often. The food itself, though, was definitely good.
… moreLythia Becht
Being a NYer that lives close enough to travel to Little Italy in NYC, we can be pretty particular and fussy about our food. ESPECIALLY about our Italian pasta restaurants and seafood. This place was recommended and booked for me on behalf of the nearby Vanderbilt hotel. I’m glad I came out of my shell and shelled out here instead of eating at the hotel. So, let’s talk about the food. I had the Bibb Lettuce salad, the linguine and Seared Scallops with Togarashi. So let’s get it started with the salad. It’s par for the course and good to start off with. It’s nothing to hype about. Don’t worry, things get better and appetizing, I promise. The scallops and linguine were definitely something that should be of note. Both were a delectable delight, especially the linguine. The linguine had clams and was made with a white wine sauce. The seared scallops were nice, soft and spongy. They weren’t overcooked or rubbery in texture. They were basically cooked and seared to perfection. The sauces made the seafood flavor pop and weren’t overwhelming. The edamame was a good pairing to help with the scallop’s flavor profile. So in closing, it’s time to Shell out a 5 Star review for 5 Star service. A special shout out goes out to Kylie who was an excellent and attentive waitress and the bearded bloke in the blue blazer that came to check in on my mom and I. He must have been the manager. I didn’t catch his name, but he did come in to check and see if my mom and I were enjoying our food. Bring Your Appetite and Be Impressed because I was. When I visit this town again, I will definitely be stopping by Scales and Shells for another plate of perfection. The only negative gripe that I have is that I wish that they would open earlier.
… moreSusan
Always have loved the experience here; excellent service, and the freshest, most delicious seafood dishes. House made bread and pasta take it over the top, and the raw bar is exceptional.
… moreJadey
I like trying new foods. On the website there is this big picture of an octopus tentacle. That’s what I wanted, but the menu had a much smaller dish, the Spanish octopus. Still very good, seared tuna was delicious too. Kids enjoyed their meals as well. Service was fine, I typically expect the servers to know the menu well, but…it’s the start of the season. I guess it’s to be expected.
… moreSam Aronson
Got a reservation on Sunday night after a great weekend at Newport Jazz.
Super friendly and attentive staff.
Despite some negative reviews I’ve seen, the seafood menu was very comprehensive. While a bit on the pricey end, it ended up being $80 per person with 3 swordfish entrees, salad, lobster bisque, shared grilled prawns and clam cakes.
Bisque: creamy, several warm chunks of lobster. Could use a bit more seasoning like salt/pepper.
Grilled prawn and risotto: although an entree, makes a great appetizer. Char grilled to perfection with a very tasty risotto.
Grilled swordfish: very tender and flaky with good charred flavor. Side spinach with corn and olives added the perfect earthy acidity.
… moreSeanMichaelll
We had the Caesar, crudo, sourdough, tuna and salmon. Everything was mind blowing except for the crudo, which was a good sashimi with some oil. One of the best meals we have had in a long time. The sourdough butter was salty Thanksgiving seasoning heaven. The Caesar was one the best, each bite was perfect. The crudo (sashimi) was basic the fish was good and fresh but we would have skipped it next time. The tuna and salmon entrees were incredible. Not sure if I’ve ever had a better cooked salmon. Crispy char, with a flaking moist interior. We have (2) notes. We wish there was a door on the back of house; we had inline view of the dishwashing station and bright fluorescent light, maybe some curtains. Also every person that walked into the far door was confused where the host stand. They eventually figured it out, but maybe a sign directing or close the door entirely. We wish we lived closer so we revisit time and time again. We will be back.
… moreWhit Collins
We had dinner there last night. One of the worst meals I’ve had dining out in a long time. Shrimp Scampi was served cold, 5 very dry shrimp on a cold bed of pasta with a bland sauce that was lacking in flavor and presentation. My wife’s linguini with clam sauce was almost as bad. The focaccia bread was good as were the martini’s. The server and staff seemed to be in a hurry to close down – the food came out within 5 minutes of being ordered (can’t be freshly made to order that fast), the staff was cleaning and sweeping around us as we were eating. We felt super rushed. From the time we sat down at 8pm, we were done, paid and out the door at 8:35pm. We ate here 3 years ago and it was much better. It was bad. Never again.
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