There’s a refreshing (think cool breeze off the ocean on one of those days with sky high humidity) new addition to the Newport restaurant scene.

Located at 22 Washington Square, Bar ‘Cino is a standout that combines big city style and culinary substance for an experience unlike any other in the City-by-the-Sea.

And it’s exactly what you need in your NPT restaurant rotation this season.

The interior’s been completely revamped, so that it feels like a bistro and bar situation you might find in Boston, NYC or LA. We adored the art work (by local illustrator Sue McNally) and the tile on the floor and the table tops, which adds interest without overwhelming the space. There’s also a long bar that features a secondary counter area where you can tuck into dinner with your restaurant buddy or S.O. (your Significant Other). That feature struck us as an updated, sleek homage to times gone by when the space was occupied by a traditional NE diner type eatery. We also admired the lighting and handbag friendly hooks underneath the bar (a nice touch for those of us who always have some kind of bag in tow).

Now, for the food: We kicked things off with salads (Tuscan Kale for me and Simple Greens for my friend C.) and an order of their Warm Marinated Olives. My friend enjoyed them so much that she took the leftovers back home. (The mini tins of olive oil on every table are a cute nod to old time-y Italian culture.) The salads were fresh, crunchy, and drizzled with distinctive dressings that were tasty in an appealingly subtle way, with hints of herbs and lemon or mint.

We didn’t dip into the cocktail menu, but now I kinda wish we had (next time for sure). Their wine and drink list is extensive, inviting, and most of the people around us did partake.

We were also treated to some of their bruschetta which was some of the best I’ve ever had. The cherry tomatoes were bursting with sweetness, the ricotta was just the right texture and consistency, and the bread was firm without being a challenge to bite into or chew.

For our main, we were set on one of the grilled pizzas. Initially we had wanted to go the Margherita route. Then, shortly there after, we changed it up, ordering the one topped with local mushrooms. It was a delightfully thin, scrumptious experience that I highly recommend to one and all.

Another detail you’ll want to know about? Their pizza is presented on a cutting board that has detachable scissors - perfect for cutting and customizing your piece of the pie. (We were impressed. I’ve, for one, have never seen anything else quite like it.) I let C. do the honors - since I can be a bit of a klutz when it comes to kitchen tools - and she did a super job.

We wrapped things up with coffee - a cappuccino for me and a regular brew for her. And I have to tell you that between the coffee, the food, the service (Our waitperson was swell, attentive without being smothering or too in our faces.), and the interior, I am really excited about this restaurant.

In addition, they are also open for LUNCH. I mean, how many times have you picked a restaurant for lunch in NPT only to discover they don’t open until 5 or 6pm? All the more reason to get there asap.

*A big thank you to everyone at Bar ‘Cino (pronounced CHEE-NO) for inviting us. #ThankYou