"Barring a couple of short breaks (like when the British occupied Newport during the Revolutionary War), The White Horse Tavern has been open for 350 years. Or, you know, longer than America has officially existed. It was known as the “birthplace of the businessman’s lunch” in colonial days, so folks in powdered wigs often held court over trenchers of bread between rounds of beer. Perhaps related, some people nowadays say they’ve encountered ghosts during dinner here. Maybe those wandering spirits just want some company, or maybe they want to get in on the New England farm-to-table dishes like rich duck scotch eggs and beef wellington with foie gras mousse. They’ve got an outdoor setup behind a screen of flowers and shrubs, but we prefer the historic feel of the dim, wood-trimmed colonial dining room. Either way, be sure to make reservations in advance." - danielle rose
