For Bryan’s birthday this year, we decided to take a little road trip. Newport, Rhode Island is only about two hours from Boston, and we thought it would be fun to celebrate somewhere a bit special.
Another family joined us, which made the whole outing feel like a mini getaway rather than just a dinner reservation.
Bryan's best friend organized the entire meal, and chose Aurelia, the fine dining restaurant at Castle Hill Inn. Aurelia Newport has been recognized by Forbes and Relais & Châteaux.
We arrived right at sunset, and we were all blown away by the views of the ocean. There's a really nice outdoor patio where many people were enjoying drinks and just soaking in the view. Since we had our dinner reservation soon, we just spent about 5-10 minutes taking photos before heading inside.
There are some tables inside that face the ocean, but because we were a bigger table of 5, we sat further inside.
We chose the six-course tasting menu, which is very reasonably priced at USD 165 per person.
As we began our meal, Bryan commented “I didn’t know traditional high end restaurants like this still exist in New England.” He was referring to the old-school, high-end restaurants with white tablecloths and seasoned staff. "Like Boston doesn't have any restaurants of this level of service anymore." We thought back to an earlier time, when restaurants like L'Espalier, Menton, and Craigie on Main were often featured on "Best of Boston" lists.
Aurelia felt like a throwback to a different era (at least in Boston)
The service was fantastic — warm, friendly, and delivered by people who clearly have been with the restaurant for years. Our server told us he had been with the restaurant for close to 20 years (!). There’s something very comforting about that kind of hospitality.
The starters were light and flavorful — a nice way to ease into the meal. A single oyster with foam on top; another single bite topped with an oyster leaf (which really does taste like oyster!!).
Aurelia’s wine list is excellent, and the prestige wine pairing was especially fun. They poured a Château La Mission Haut-Brion with the beef course, which felt like a real treat — not something we drink every day.
One of my favorite parts of dinner was actually the Cheese Course. They featured several local cheeses, plus a blue cheese from Oregon that ended up being everyone’s favorite.
Sweets: Palate Cleanser + Dessert
It ended up being such a lovely way to celebrate Bryan’s birthday — good friends, a peaceful coastal setting, and a restaurant that still believes in warm hospitality and classic dining. I’m really glad we made the drive.
Fun fact: the name “Aurelia” comes from the Aurelia aurita, a moon jellyfish native to Narragansett Bay.
Aurelia at Castle Hill Newport Rhode Island
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays