Newport House Restaurant

News And Reviews

February 6, 2004 Seeking romance? Start with dinner By Cindy Nevitt For The Press, (609) 272-7262, E-Mail

Ambience isn't edible, but it's indisputable that it adds to the dining experience. When that experience is a romantic one, ambience counts even more. All of the restaurants listed in the information box that accompanies this story are known for their charm. But that's not the only reason couples drive into the bucolic vistas of Cumberland County for dinner or travel to the state's southernmost tip for a meal. These restaurants are also known for their impressive service and food quality. If you're searching for a romantic dining destination for Valentine's Day, these eight restaurants deserve consideration. Here's why: The drive to Newport House in Downe Township is part of the experience. Husted Lane, the road the restaurant is located on, was gravel as recently as 10 years ago. That tells you this restaurant is in a fairly remote location. Owned by Anne Gilmour since 1996, the Newport House has retained its longtime tradition of being open on Valentine's Day, even if that day falls on a day it would normally be closed. (That's not the case this year as Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday.) The always-open-on-Valentine's tradition was started by the original owners, who ran the place for 23 years before selling to Gilmour. As if that tradition wasn't enough to establish the Newport House's reputation as a romantic getaway, its cozy interior is. Overlooking fields where deer frolic, the restaurant boasts three fireplaces and an indoor garden. And since New Year's Eve, it also boasts a bed-and-breakfast inn just down the road from the restaurant. Newport House entrees average about $20, with the Newport Special of petite filet mignon and crab cake ($24.95) the top seller.