LE BISTRO NEWPORT,

The food at Le Bistro-Newport, as you might expect, has a heavy French accent and the decor has a very European feel to it. This stems from the soft glow of electric candles in wall sconces; warm, peach-colored walls; dark woodwork set off by lace curtains; and crisp white table linens with forest green underskirts. Three intimate dining rooms overlook Bowen's Wharf. Though the view from our table is a courtyard dominated by a tall sycamore, the other second-floor room and the third-floor space afford glimpses of the harbor and the Newport Bridge. The dinner menu is subject to change, depending on local seafood and available game. In addition to the dozen or so entrees, there were four specials on the-evening we were there, including filet mignon, baked stuffed lobster, trout meunière, and a lobster and artichoke dish. The appetizers change slightly with the seasons as well, though they always tip the scales toward seafood -- smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, Spinney Creek oysters, steamed littlenecks, escargots -- with a chef's paté and a plate of assorted sausages tossed in for good measure.

Full review.