Connie D.
Yelp
A Newport institution. Ask them yourself, it's on their website. The good old BAP.
The BAP doesn't try too hard. It knows who it is, is comfortable with itself, and you can do what you will with it. The BAP is an independent woman and it doesn't need you - it has troves of other suitors waiting in the wings - i.e. foyer - should you yourself not be charmed by its offerings.
The decor: Oh boy. Hmm. Well think if Applebees threw up on another Applebees and then another Applebees threw up on it too and so there is quintessential "local memorabilia" everywhere and you can't even see the walls and there is also an actual truck in the restaurant.
In recent trips we have had the following:
Clam chowder. Love it. It reminds me of a fresh version of that canned Progresso or Campbell's Chunky your mom would make you after coming in from playing in the snow. Again, not trying too hard theme.
Not too thick so you still have room for your meal, and no surprising flavor notes here. If you have a kiddo, they'll prob like this one.
Short ribs: Shockingly I say shockingly good. My husband ordered this on a whim to my vocal concern and it was amazing. Tender, juicy, flavorful, the whole thing. On our last visit, the woman sitting next to me was praising her meal as "the best thing she had eaten in six months" and I had to ask what she had ordered .... sure enough, it was the short ribs.
Fisherman's Cod: Soliddddd. Most of the fish entrees here are stuffed and baked which rings 1980s and are bland in my experience. I also don't think Millennials and Gen Z get excited about stuffed shrimp like their moms and grandmas do and that the menu could be updated here. The Fisherman's Cod is a nice solution to this menu issue consisting of a huge piece of white fish surrounded in a stew of sorts of sautéed kale, white beans, tomatoes, and chorizo for the flavor bomb. The fish itself needs more seasoning but just grab that salt and pepper and do it yourself and voila chef you have a good, healthy, flavorful meal.
Broccoli Hollandaise: Is this a real thing? I don't think so - I think they made it up. But anyway not bad if you want a relatively healthy side instead of mashed potatoes or fries. Basically steamed broccoli with a cheese sauce (it's not real hollandaise). Comforting, just like you BAP.
Portuguese Baked Clams and Littlenecks: Both good and chorizo heavy. They really like chorizo here.
Lobster Roll: Nothing to write home about. Would skip and get elsewhere. Meh meh meh meh meh.
Ahi Tuna Sliders: Not really sliders. Slices of ahi tuna on wontons. Light appetizer and fine enough. The Red Parrot does the ahi tuna game better and has a bunch of options in various forms for that.
Nachos: One of their most popular items but hit or miss. When one chooses nachos as a dinner entree or, even more concerning, as an appetizer, one is generally either starving or comfort-eating and has made a choice to throw health and hell to the wind in the name of cheesy beefy dippable goodness. 50/50 at BAP if you will get what you bargained for or instead a heat lamp, dried up travesty. If you want to hedge your bets, I would suggest ordering a side of chili over them.
Note: One of the few places left anywhere that has an intact soup and salad bar post-COVID. You can add it to your entree or get it alone - although either are kind of a ripoff. Also, they give you the tiniest bowls which is really annoying. You're walking back and forth to your table over and over carrying these mini bowls of soup trying not to create a Tide commercial.
Overall BAP, you keep doing you, you little Newport institution you.