I tried “Freestyle Italian” cuisine for the very first time yesterday and ya know what?

It’s pretty terrific!

One of my brothers had suggested a group family dinner at Giusto at Hammetts Hotel (so lovely !!!) in Newport a few months ago and now I know why.

I made a reservation for lunch on Sunday — and although I wasn’t able to get a table outside overlooking the water and the gaggle of gorgeous boats docked in the area — the hubs and I had a great meal and a greattt time.

Our wait person was really nice, too; we both appreciated how he placed every dish on the table and confirmed that each one was safe for someone with a tree nut allergy.

We ordered a bunch of snacks (the fried ricotta with truffle and honey was a fave), salads (yummm), and the olive oil cake with strawberries and cream which the hubs was particularly fond of. PS — He lives for sweets, but can’t indulge most of the time because of his food allergy.

The menu, in our opinion, is a welcome modern day, LIGHTER twist on traditional Italian food. (Hellooo, West Coast! It actually reminded me of a dinner I had at IL Cielo in BH, California back in 2016.)

They also have beaucoup other options including of course pasta and seafood for those wanting more of a dinner situation.

The hot seat? The indoor and outdoor (when the glass doors that face the hotel’s patio are open) bar area is a lovely way to drink in one of the best months of the year in the Ocean State (August and sometimes if we’re lucky, September can be an extension of summah) whilst enjoying some wine or a craft cocktail.

Also, the owner and chef is a North Kingstown, Rhode Island native with a résumé that will knock your socks off (Paris! New York!) and get this, he started his career in hospitality as a cabana person at Bonnet Shores Beach Club.

Find Giusto Newport at 4 Commercial Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island.

As always, if you go after reading THIS, please let them know you were inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.

Photo Credits: Above Images Courtesy Of PattyJ.com.