Disappointing. You know your dining experience is off to an ominous start when your table tent advertises creative drink specials featuring eggnog and candy canes -- in March. I couldn't believe it had been five years since we had last dined at the Cowesett Inn. Once, it had been one of our favorite family-friendly spots, well known for its over-filled plates of delicious seafood, steaks and pasta. We were all looking forward to the visit, too, wondering what it was that kept us away so long. We began with an appetizer of Rhode Island-style calamari that featured mushy, pre-frozen squid. Yikes... not good. And though our entrees (deep fried clams and scallops, chicken Marsala and fish and chips) were served hot and well-prepared, the portions could only be described as barely average, at best. And when our waitress -- a dear, sweet girl who looked terribly exhausted -- couldn't figure out how to process my gift card, her boss just went ahead and charged it all to my credit card instead. Oh well. I really hope they figure out how to return this restaurant to its glory days. Like an old friend, it will be nice to welcome them back.
(2)
Alyssa C.
Love this place, food is always great and the staff is so friendly! Great for a couple beers, and some comfort food :-)
(5)
Shawn W.
Went here for my mom's birthday last Friday. Great service! But the food was ehh. The famous baked stuffed shrimp of my childhood was mushy & tasted blah. Used to taste fresh & flaky. By making a few changes, this place could return to its glory.
(3)
Brian ..
this place used to be real good in the 90's and early 00's but has just been slowly downhill since.last time we went there were 8 other people there total and our food took about and hour to come out.then my food tasted like gasoline and was switched out but by the time i had it i was so past hungry i didnt care.the place looks ok but just needs a shot in the arm...they are like 1 of the places robert irvine would visit(minus bugs and gross food).
(3)
Mark B.
Stopped in on Saturday night with the storm coming and had no problem getting a table. I will admit the food was very good but, my friends steak was over cooked and had to wait for the plate to be remade. There was no apology from management even though he gave a free appetizer to the table right by us. Not the type of service I was expecting.
(3)
Ryan E.
This is a great option for people who want to get a good seafood or Italian Rhode Island meal without all the bullshit. Parking is easy. You get a seat right away. There is a great oak dark decor that some kid inheriting the place will probably ruin some day. I always order the calamari Rhode Island style. That means it's fried, then tossed in peppers. Marinara sauce to dip. The key here is not to over bread the squid. They do a great job here. My wife gets their stuffies. A stuffy is a Rhode Island clam on the shell which is stuffed with a spicy breadcrumb mix. Fantastic. They have a nice lobster dinner here, too. Hard to go wrong with any choice.
(4)
Kendra N.
I am honestly shocked with my experience. I had a gift card from years ago when I went and the food was terrible. So I finally decided to use it and I am thrilled with the progress there! Went on a Sunday for lunch, they have lunch specials everyday for $7.99 and the portions are huge. I got the salmon salad, it was so fresh and delicious. The other order was a pasta dish on this $7.99 menu and she loved it! Even took some home because the portion was so big. The bread they start you off with looks like they actually make it there and it comes on a butcher block. I can't believe the change in the quality of the food, I will definitely return. Realism for the four stars vs five is that the server was just ok, didn't really know the menu and the one thing that hasn't changed about this place is that the average age of the clientele is still 70+.......
(4)
Cee D.
My dinner partner and I realized that we hadn't been here since the '80s!!! It was a slamming place on a Friday or Saturday night for prime rib etc. On a cold winter week night we walked in to a quiet atmosphere, TV's were on above the expansive bar. Wish the fireplace was on when we walked in, it would have definitely added to the ambiance (it was eventually lit after the dinner crowd had been seated - hmmmmm). Veal Parm was dry $15, Chicken Marsala was moist and delicious. We opted for a side of carrots instead of pasta, they were OK, could have used a splash of flavor. My side of safron rice was served cold and it seemed it took an long time for dinner to come out. Prices reasonable and I would give it another shot.
(3)
Sara S.
This is a great restaurant. We ate here regularly years ago and then moved away. This week we were in town for a visit and nothing has changed, well, maybe they have new menus. The food is still excellent and the service lovely. Fresh bread and butter, homemade soup, thick potato skins and a hamburger grilled perfectly. Everything tastes fresh made and the portions are generous. Pricing is more than reasonable and the dining atmosphere is pleasant. Give the Cowesett Inn a try.
(5)
Wendy S.
I haven't been here is 20 years and so when I saw a groupon, I thought - why not? I liked it in the past (as far as I can remember, my parents took us here occasionally). So off I went to meet a friend there for dinner. The decor is exactly the same ( a bit scary it has never been removated) which was dark, but seemed fine. The bar was huge and we sat and had a drink while we watched the older clientele arrive for an early dinner. I had received an email saying come see our new fall specials, which was one of the reason we sent that night. Come to find out, they started in a week or so. Drinks were fine, if uninspired. Menu was very basic food, with some specials. We got the standard loaf of bread, salad and then our dinners. Bread was a bit dry and was not frehly baked, but warmed. Salad was ok, I still don't get the raw onions on the salad, but the lettuce was freah. I got the whole clam special. Not very good. No flavor, over battered , and the worst thing - soggy. If you are going to fry something, you have to make the oil hot enough to seal the flavor and become crisp - not soggy and limp. The fries were not better- same temp of oil, I would guess. Friend had pasta with seafood. She said it was ok, not great and wouldn't order it again. Very bland. Server very friendly but I would not go back. There are so many places in RI (and everywhere else) where the food is this mediocre. I would rather have a brighter, happier atmosphere if the food is going to tasted the same. Too bad. I had happy memories but my taste buds changed.
(2)
Satya N.
Lobsters looked yummy, but i did go with Steak n Chocolate cake. I should have tried the wings too.
(4)
Norman F.
Good food,service and value. The prime rib was excellent and cooked to perfection. The sirloin steak was also very good and cooked just right. Very nice menu selection with good prices. The dessert sorbet was wonderful and enough for two people. Last but not least the service was top notch. Our waitress was very attentive and on top of everything. This is a very nice family restaurant with good food,service and value.
(4)
Trish S.
The pluses to this place are: Good generous cocktails (expensive though), nice people and comfortable seating. I agree with the reviewer that the atmosphere is somewhat 1980's but that doesn't bother me. I prefer that to the hard uncomfortable chairs and cold sharp atmosphere of the more contemporary places. The chairs and seating, even at the bar are upholstered and comfortable. If there was music, I did not hear it. this is a huge plus for me. I ordered the cabbage pierogi (a rarely offered Polish treat), it was just OK. What outraged me was the clams casino. This is a very well defined, textbook offering. What was served was definitely NOT clams casino. It was a hard sticky ball of stuffing stuck on top of a clam. I'm not sure why, but it tasted like peanut butter. Just awful. They were removed from my bill. Finally the waiter told me, "Öh, that's how we do it here." Really? Well Mr. Owner, if you want to do it that way, fine. Call them clams Cowesett, not casino. The clams tell a huge story. What if you came to a jewelry store and requested a diamond and the owner promptly delivered an amethyst to you? I don't know about you , I figure if the owner doesn't know the difference between an amethyst and a diamond I don't want to buy anything there and I don't want to eat here anymore.
(2)
Daniel L.
I used to come here back in the 90's with a bunch of friends because one of them was related to the owner. It was always good for a decent meal and a bunch of drinks at a reasonable price back then. Fast forward almost 20 years and not much has changed. The food is basic, American comfort-type food, the drinks are still fine, and the price is still reasonable. Fine dining it most assuredly isn't, but it's solid and consistent, if uninspired. That being said, sometimes that is exactly what hits the spot. Decor hasn't changed at all in all this time either, lots of wood and some chrome/brass. Service has always been acceptable when we've been recently, nothing to complain about. Clientele generally seems to be an older/blue-haired crowd, at least the times we've been there. Not our first choice for dining out, but a decent fall back when we can't think of anyplace else to go.
(3)
Raul O.
Nope, no way, no chance. The dirt in this dive is covered in dirt. Large menu, this is my third time through in a year and each experience is more underwhelming that the last. Today my pal had the fried chicken and I a "lobster" roll. Fries and chicken were very oily and tasted like cod. The lobster roll consisted of a tablespoon and a half of small flakes of lobster meat on top of two fists full of lettuce slammed in a poppy seed hot dog roll. Tasteless and way over priced. The restaurant smells and looks like it hasn't been cleaned or updated in 25 years. Next time my pal tries to bring me here I may just order three beers and a punch in the mouth, certainly that would be a better experience that today's.
(1)
Robert M.
I have been a couple of times now. My wife has really latched on and I enjoy it as well. The other reviews tend to review Breakfast, so I have avoided breakfast. We have been for dinner twice and both times been very happy. They have some great specials. The place is really nice inside but being new to the area, I am not used to the 'lounge' scene. It is interesting to see the blue hairs in enjoying the evening out. So the food. It is mid price, $10 - $20, but the food is really good. I have had the Turkey Cranberry Salad on one occasion and the Fish & Chips on another. Both were fantastic, especially the fish and chips. My wife had a stuffed cod (on special) that was seriously out of this world on one occasion and the Turkey and dressing the next. She liked it, but said it was not quite as good as she hoped. The wait staff is mixed. On the first occasion, getting a glass refilled or bread was very difficult even though there was a light crowed. The second trip, the glasses stayed full, the bread came to the table and was replenished, all during a very busy session. My wife gives this place a 4, and I am told I must agree with her. Husbandly duties you know. If you are looking for a quiet evening with your special someone or some close friends, are not in a rush and looking to spend about 15 bucks per person (not counting booze), this is a great place to go.
(4)
Michelle A.
Promptly seated with a smile. Service was great. She was there soon and with a smile. Nice drink menu. The Strawberry Thyme was delicious. Loaf of lightly garlic dusted bread was hot and tasty. I am wavering between 3 and 4 stars because the service was so good, but the meal was ho hum and pretty pricey. The crab cake appetizer was melt in your mouth and one in our party loved the tuna steak. The mashed potatoes and gravy and squash sides and the Cajun fish were lacking zing. Restaurant was clean, bathroom was small and needs updating.
(3)
Tom D.
Myself and 2 coworkers were looking for a restaurant near our hotel in West Warwick. The Cowesett in was close and got a good recommendation from the desk attendant at the hotel so we decided to give it a shot. We were seated right away (it was fairly late) and the waitress was over quickly getting our drink orders and reading off the specials. The menu is very large and being that we were in New England we figured we should get seafood, so that was ordered all around. We started with an order of calamari as an appetizer to share (for foursquare members there's a free app special on your first check-in). The calamari was incredible, it was extremely fresh, very lightly breaded and cooked perfectly. The sliced banana and jalapeno peppers that were mixed in added a little heat that just set the flavor off. It was without a doubt one of the best order's of calamari I've ever had. For my entree I ordered the stuffed shrimp which are a signature item at the Cowesett Inn. The shrimp were very large and the loaded with breading. The cracker breading was very flavorful, although it did overpower the shrimp a little. Still it was very good, and I was stuffed after polishing off the order of 5 shrimp. The mashed potatoes on the side were good but not great. The price was extremely reasonable, I got all of the above a salad and 3 beers for $35. One of my coworkers ordered a full 1-1/4 lb lobster which was $15 ... try finding a price like that on lobster in Philly. To top it all off our waitress was awesome. She was incredibly friendly and spent most of the night joking around with us and just making the meal that much more enjoyable. So for all that I'm going to do it ... An extremely well earned 5 stars.
(5)
Evelyn V.
Grew up in West Warwick and been to the Cowesett Inn so many times over the years, special occasion dinners, etc. Unfortunately their quality has gone down dramatically (you could tell by the number of guests dining around us). Calamari was obviously from frozen and greasy, sandwiches are served on the same rolls they serve you as appetizer bread. However our server was excellent, very friendly, courteous and attentive. Oh how I miss the Cowesett Inn of yesteryear - always delicious creative food and so packed you had to wait 45 minutes to get a table.
(1)
Jeff J.
Been eating at Cowesett Inn since I was a kid. Only lately it seems like with some subtle menu changes I'm not as interested in going there. The service is still excellent, and sometimes ordering a soup or chowder the content lacks. I shouldn't have to ask them to get it right after a first attempt. With so many other better alternatives, the best thing to say about the restaurant is probably the seating in their main room to have a scenic view and try to forget that you could have gone somewhere better. More like 2.5.
(3)
A A.
Bourbon filet was relatively tasteless and overcooked. The sauce didn't add much flavor at all. The mashed potatoes tasted like they came from a box.
(2)
Dani G.
Well as i maintain my quest for delicious sunday brunch, cowesett inn popped up as an option. My three dining partners and I were the first customers there for the day...hmmm... we were seated and overall treated very well. the menu had a diverse amount of options. On our table, two orders of french toast. they were described as being yummy, covered in syrup, walnuts and baked apples. Another dish was the ham frittatta. It was described as being delicous. It came with fruit, mashed potato with bacon in it and a croissant (the croissant was hard as though it had been microwaved). My dish and unfortunately the most disappointing at the table was the eggs benedict bagel. (Now please tell me if this sounds like eggs benedict to you because I am not sure where that chef was trained.) It was a rock hard bagel that had once been grilled and was recently microwaved, 1 fried egg, a slice of tomato and this yellowy/neon green sauce that they tried to pass of as hollandaise...it wasn't hollandaise. It was a thick-pastey- lumpy mess that had no flavor whatsoever. My sides were meatless mashed potatoes, and fruit. I sent the imposter eggs benedict back offering honest feedback to the chef....brave i know... and requested some scrambled eggs. The manager himself came out with a large sized portion of hot scrambled eggs and apologized for my breakfast and took it off the bill. This was nice. I have to say, I had heard a lot about this place and while in the end everything turned out ok...i just was not impressed. basic breakfast maybe but when there is only one table seated does the cook really have to cut corners by microwaving the already grilled bread products..and some other advice dont offer dishes on the menu that are too complicated to prepare. hollandaise sauce can be prepared with a 50 cent packet, butter, milk and egg from any local grocery...there is no need for re-creations....ugh i am still sort of nauseaus from the sight and taste of that pastey stuff....ugh.
(2)
Bruno T.
I like this place, it is mellow and not too loud. Seems to have a good amount of locals going here. The food is ok. I like going there for a evening drink or to watch a game on one of their screens. Just a sad scene looking across the street where the station fire was at
(3)
Kathleen S.
Unfortunately the other reviewers here are correct about the Cowesett Inn. It definitely is not what it used to be. Everything here is mediocre at best. Definitely has a ton of menu selections, but really it is nothing to brag about. The food has no taste. I thought their calamari was terrible, and to be honest with you, there are not many restaurants that make good calamari. It was overly fried with thick batter (in my opinion ever so slightly fried with a light batter is perfect-o). Just drenched in olive oil and hot peppers. I also had eggplant parm that night (Jan 15, 2010 to be exact) and that tasted just like the calamari. Overly fried, tasted like like it soaked in the greaser for over a half hour. Terrible. Do not waste your money here, they need to step it up and stop being so cheap when it comes to good food.
(2)
Donna A.
We have visited this restaurant quit often and have had meals ranging from Baked Stuffed Shrimp, Lobster, sandwiches and Pizza. They have a huge menu and everything is very good as is the service. The Buffalo Pizza has to be one of my favorites.
(5)
Allison B.
I had a great salad there the other night. Turkey, dried cranberries and goat cheese over greens. It was fresh, big and satisfying and I can't wait to get back there to have it again (I opted out on their dressing and did vinegar and oil). This salad was under $10 and in Newport you would pay $25 and it would not be even close to as good as mine was. You need to ask your server what he recommends here. If you live in the area it is a good place to meet. The ambiance is good. Some nights are slower than others. You just need to know what to order so trust your server. A local old-timer type of place.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Steven P.
Disappointing. You know your dining experience is off to an ominous start when your table tent advertises creative drink specials featuring eggnog and candy canes -- in March. I couldn't believe it had been five years since we had last dined at the Cowesett Inn. Once, it had been one of our favorite family-friendly spots, well known for its over-filled plates of delicious seafood, steaks and pasta. We were all looking forward to the visit, too, wondering what it was that kept us away so long. We began with an appetizer of Rhode Island-style calamari that featured mushy, pre-frozen squid. Yikes... not good. And though our entrees (deep fried clams and scallops, chicken Marsala and fish and chips) were served hot and well-prepared, the portions could only be described as barely average, at best. And when our waitress -- a dear, sweet girl who looked terribly exhausted -- couldn't figure out how to process my gift card, her boss just went ahead and charged it all to my credit card instead. Oh well. I really hope they figure out how to return this restaurant to its glory days. Like an old friend, it will be nice to welcome them back.
(2)Alyssa C.
Love this place, food is always great and the staff is so friendly! Great for a couple beers, and some comfort food :-)
(5)Shawn W.
Went here for my mom's birthday last Friday. Great service! But the food was ehh. The famous baked stuffed shrimp of my childhood was mushy & tasted blah. Used to taste fresh & flaky. By making a few changes, this place could return to its glory.
(3)Brian ..
this place used to be real good in the 90's and early 00's but has just been slowly downhill since.last time we went there were 8 other people there total and our food took about and hour to come out.then my food tasted like gasoline and was switched out but by the time i had it i was so past hungry i didnt care.the place looks ok but just needs a shot in the arm...they are like 1 of the places robert irvine would visit(minus bugs and gross food).
(3)Mark B.
Stopped in on Saturday night with the storm coming and had no problem getting a table. I will admit the food was very good but, my friends steak was over cooked and had to wait for the plate to be remade. There was no apology from management even though he gave a free appetizer to the table right by us. Not the type of service I was expecting.
(3)Ryan E.
This is a great option for people who want to get a good seafood or Italian Rhode Island meal without all the bullshit. Parking is easy. You get a seat right away. There is a great oak dark decor that some kid inheriting the place will probably ruin some day. I always order the calamari Rhode Island style. That means it's fried, then tossed in peppers. Marinara sauce to dip. The key here is not to over bread the squid. They do a great job here. My wife gets their stuffies. A stuffy is a Rhode Island clam on the shell which is stuffed with a spicy breadcrumb mix. Fantastic. They have a nice lobster dinner here, too. Hard to go wrong with any choice.
(4)Kendra N.
I am honestly shocked with my experience. I had a gift card from years ago when I went and the food was terrible. So I finally decided to use it and I am thrilled with the progress there! Went on a Sunday for lunch, they have lunch specials everyday for $7.99 and the portions are huge. I got the salmon salad, it was so fresh and delicious. The other order was a pasta dish on this $7.99 menu and she loved it! Even took some home because the portion was so big. The bread they start you off with looks like they actually make it there and it comes on a butcher block. I can't believe the change in the quality of the food, I will definitely return. Realism for the four stars vs five is that the server was just ok, didn't really know the menu and the one thing that hasn't changed about this place is that the average age of the clientele is still 70+.......
(4)Cee D.
My dinner partner and I realized that we hadn't been here since the '80s!!! It was a slamming place on a Friday or Saturday night for prime rib etc. On a cold winter week night we walked in to a quiet atmosphere, TV's were on above the expansive bar. Wish the fireplace was on when we walked in, it would have definitely added to the ambiance (it was eventually lit after the dinner crowd had been seated - hmmmmm). Veal Parm was dry $15, Chicken Marsala was moist and delicious. We opted for a side of carrots instead of pasta, they were OK, could have used a splash of flavor. My side of safron rice was served cold and it seemed it took an long time for dinner to come out. Prices reasonable and I would give it another shot.
(3)Sara S.
This is a great restaurant. We ate here regularly years ago and then moved away. This week we were in town for a visit and nothing has changed, well, maybe they have new menus. The food is still excellent and the service lovely. Fresh bread and butter, homemade soup, thick potato skins and a hamburger grilled perfectly. Everything tastes fresh made and the portions are generous. Pricing is more than reasonable and the dining atmosphere is pleasant. Give the Cowesett Inn a try.
(5)Wendy S.
I haven't been here is 20 years and so when I saw a groupon, I thought - why not? I liked it in the past (as far as I can remember, my parents took us here occasionally). So off I went to meet a friend there for dinner. The decor is exactly the same ( a bit scary it has never been removated) which was dark, but seemed fine. The bar was huge and we sat and had a drink while we watched the older clientele arrive for an early dinner. I had received an email saying come see our new fall specials, which was one of the reason we sent that night. Come to find out, they started in a week or so. Drinks were fine, if uninspired. Menu was very basic food, with some specials. We got the standard loaf of bread, salad and then our dinners. Bread was a bit dry and was not frehly baked, but warmed. Salad was ok, I still don't get the raw onions on the salad, but the lettuce was freah. I got the whole clam special. Not very good. No flavor, over battered , and the worst thing - soggy. If you are going to fry something, you have to make the oil hot enough to seal the flavor and become crisp - not soggy and limp. The fries were not better- same temp of oil, I would guess. Friend had pasta with seafood. She said it was ok, not great and wouldn't order it again. Very bland. Server very friendly but I would not go back. There are so many places in RI (and everywhere else) where the food is this mediocre. I would rather have a brighter, happier atmosphere if the food is going to tasted the same. Too bad. I had happy memories but my taste buds changed.
(2)Satya N.
Lobsters looked yummy, but i did go with Steak n Chocolate cake. I should have tried the wings too.
(4)Norman F.
Good food,service and value. The prime rib was excellent and cooked to perfection. The sirloin steak was also very good and cooked just right. Very nice menu selection with good prices. The dessert sorbet was wonderful and enough for two people. Last but not least the service was top notch. Our waitress was very attentive and on top of everything. This is a very nice family restaurant with good food,service and value.
(4)Trish S.
The pluses to this place are: Good generous cocktails (expensive though), nice people and comfortable seating. I agree with the reviewer that the atmosphere is somewhat 1980's but that doesn't bother me. I prefer that to the hard uncomfortable chairs and cold sharp atmosphere of the more contemporary places. The chairs and seating, even at the bar are upholstered and comfortable. If there was music, I did not hear it. this is a huge plus for me. I ordered the cabbage pierogi (a rarely offered Polish treat), it was just OK. What outraged me was the clams casino. This is a very well defined, textbook offering. What was served was definitely NOT clams casino. It was a hard sticky ball of stuffing stuck on top of a clam. I'm not sure why, but it tasted like peanut butter. Just awful. They were removed from my bill. Finally the waiter told me, "Öh, that's how we do it here." Really? Well Mr. Owner, if you want to do it that way, fine. Call them clams Cowesett, not casino. The clams tell a huge story. What if you came to a jewelry store and requested a diamond and the owner promptly delivered an amethyst to you? I don't know about you , I figure if the owner doesn't know the difference between an amethyst and a diamond I don't want to buy anything there and I don't want to eat here anymore.
(2)Daniel L.
I used to come here back in the 90's with a bunch of friends because one of them was related to the owner. It was always good for a decent meal and a bunch of drinks at a reasonable price back then. Fast forward almost 20 years and not much has changed. The food is basic, American comfort-type food, the drinks are still fine, and the price is still reasonable. Fine dining it most assuredly isn't, but it's solid and consistent, if uninspired. That being said, sometimes that is exactly what hits the spot. Decor hasn't changed at all in all this time either, lots of wood and some chrome/brass. Service has always been acceptable when we've been recently, nothing to complain about. Clientele generally seems to be an older/blue-haired crowd, at least the times we've been there. Not our first choice for dining out, but a decent fall back when we can't think of anyplace else to go.
(3)Raul O.
Nope, no way, no chance. The dirt in this dive is covered in dirt. Large menu, this is my third time through in a year and each experience is more underwhelming that the last. Today my pal had the fried chicken and I a "lobster" roll. Fries and chicken were very oily and tasted like cod. The lobster roll consisted of a tablespoon and a half of small flakes of lobster meat on top of two fists full of lettuce slammed in a poppy seed hot dog roll. Tasteless and way over priced. The restaurant smells and looks like it hasn't been cleaned or updated in 25 years. Next time my pal tries to bring me here I may just order three beers and a punch in the mouth, certainly that would be a better experience that today's.
(1)Robert M.
I have been a couple of times now. My wife has really latched on and I enjoy it as well. The other reviews tend to review Breakfast, so I have avoided breakfast. We have been for dinner twice and both times been very happy. They have some great specials. The place is really nice inside but being new to the area, I am not used to the 'lounge' scene. It is interesting to see the blue hairs in enjoying the evening out. So the food. It is mid price, $10 - $20, but the food is really good. I have had the Turkey Cranberry Salad on one occasion and the Fish & Chips on another. Both were fantastic, especially the fish and chips. My wife had a stuffed cod (on special) that was seriously out of this world on one occasion and the Turkey and dressing the next. She liked it, but said it was not quite as good as she hoped. The wait staff is mixed. On the first occasion, getting a glass refilled or bread was very difficult even though there was a light crowed. The second trip, the glasses stayed full, the bread came to the table and was replenished, all during a very busy session. My wife gives this place a 4, and I am told I must agree with her. Husbandly duties you know. If you are looking for a quiet evening with your special someone or some close friends, are not in a rush and looking to spend about 15 bucks per person (not counting booze), this is a great place to go.
(4)Michelle A.
Promptly seated with a smile. Service was great. She was there soon and with a smile. Nice drink menu. The Strawberry Thyme was delicious. Loaf of lightly garlic dusted bread was hot and tasty. I am wavering between 3 and 4 stars because the service was so good, but the meal was ho hum and pretty pricey. The crab cake appetizer was melt in your mouth and one in our party loved the tuna steak. The mashed potatoes and gravy and squash sides and the Cajun fish were lacking zing. Restaurant was clean, bathroom was small and needs updating.
(3)Tom D.
Myself and 2 coworkers were looking for a restaurant near our hotel in West Warwick. The Cowesett in was close and got a good recommendation from the desk attendant at the hotel so we decided to give it a shot. We were seated right away (it was fairly late) and the waitress was over quickly getting our drink orders and reading off the specials. The menu is very large and being that we were in New England we figured we should get seafood, so that was ordered all around. We started with an order of calamari as an appetizer to share (for foursquare members there's a free app special on your first check-in). The calamari was incredible, it was extremely fresh, very lightly breaded and cooked perfectly. The sliced banana and jalapeno peppers that were mixed in added a little heat that just set the flavor off. It was without a doubt one of the best order's of calamari I've ever had. For my entree I ordered the stuffed shrimp which are a signature item at the Cowesett Inn. The shrimp were very large and the loaded with breading. The cracker breading was very flavorful, although it did overpower the shrimp a little. Still it was very good, and I was stuffed after polishing off the order of 5 shrimp. The mashed potatoes on the side were good but not great. The price was extremely reasonable, I got all of the above a salad and 3 beers for $35. One of my coworkers ordered a full 1-1/4 lb lobster which was $15 ... try finding a price like that on lobster in Philly. To top it all off our waitress was awesome. She was incredibly friendly and spent most of the night joking around with us and just making the meal that much more enjoyable. So for all that I'm going to do it ... An extremely well earned 5 stars.
(5)Evelyn V.
Grew up in West Warwick and been to the Cowesett Inn so many times over the years, special occasion dinners, etc. Unfortunately their quality has gone down dramatically (you could tell by the number of guests dining around us). Calamari was obviously from frozen and greasy, sandwiches are served on the same rolls they serve you as appetizer bread. However our server was excellent, very friendly, courteous and attentive. Oh how I miss the Cowesett Inn of yesteryear - always delicious creative food and so packed you had to wait 45 minutes to get a table.
(1)Jeff J.
Been eating at Cowesett Inn since I was a kid. Only lately it seems like with some subtle menu changes I'm not as interested in going there. The service is still excellent, and sometimes ordering a soup or chowder the content lacks. I shouldn't have to ask them to get it right after a first attempt. With so many other better alternatives, the best thing to say about the restaurant is probably the seating in their main room to have a scenic view and try to forget that you could have gone somewhere better. More like 2.5.
(3)A A.
Bourbon filet was relatively tasteless and overcooked. The sauce didn't add much flavor at all. The mashed potatoes tasted like they came from a box.
(2)Dani G.
Well as i maintain my quest for delicious sunday brunch, cowesett inn popped up as an option. My three dining partners and I were the first customers there for the day...hmmm... we were seated and overall treated very well. the menu had a diverse amount of options. On our table, two orders of french toast. they were described as being yummy, covered in syrup, walnuts and baked apples. Another dish was the ham frittatta. It was described as being delicous. It came with fruit, mashed potato with bacon in it and a croissant (the croissant was hard as though it had been microwaved). My dish and unfortunately the most disappointing at the table was the eggs benedict bagel. (Now please tell me if this sounds like eggs benedict to you because I am not sure where that chef was trained.) It was a rock hard bagel that had once been grilled and was recently microwaved, 1 fried egg, a slice of tomato and this yellowy/neon green sauce that they tried to pass of as hollandaise...it wasn't hollandaise. It was a thick-pastey- lumpy mess that had no flavor whatsoever. My sides were meatless mashed potatoes, and fruit. I sent the imposter eggs benedict back offering honest feedback to the chef....brave i know... and requested some scrambled eggs. The manager himself came out with a large sized portion of hot scrambled eggs and apologized for my breakfast and took it off the bill. This was nice. I have to say, I had heard a lot about this place and while in the end everything turned out ok...i just was not impressed. basic breakfast maybe but when there is only one table seated does the cook really have to cut corners by microwaving the already grilled bread products..and some other advice dont offer dishes on the menu that are too complicated to prepare. hollandaise sauce can be prepared with a 50 cent packet, butter, milk and egg from any local grocery...there is no need for re-creations....ugh i am still sort of nauseaus from the sight and taste of that pastey stuff....ugh.
(2)Bruno T.
I like this place, it is mellow and not too loud. Seems to have a good amount of locals going here. The food is ok. I like going there for a evening drink or to watch a game on one of their screens. Just a sad scene looking across the street where the station fire was at
(3)Kathleen S.
Unfortunately the other reviewers here are correct about the Cowesett Inn. It definitely is not what it used to be. Everything here is mediocre at best. Definitely has a ton of menu selections, but really it is nothing to brag about. The food has no taste. I thought their calamari was terrible, and to be honest with you, there are not many restaurants that make good calamari. It was overly fried with thick batter (in my opinion ever so slightly fried with a light batter is perfect-o). Just drenched in olive oil and hot peppers. I also had eggplant parm that night (Jan 15, 2010 to be exact) and that tasted just like the calamari. Overly fried, tasted like like it soaked in the greaser for over a half hour. Terrible. Do not waste your money here, they need to step it up and stop being so cheap when it comes to good food.
(2)Donna A.
We have visited this restaurant quit often and have had meals ranging from Baked Stuffed Shrimp, Lobster, sandwiches and Pizza. They have a huge menu and everything is very good as is the service. The Buffalo Pizza has to be one of my favorites.
(5)Allison B.
I had a great salad there the other night. Turkey, dried cranberries and goat cheese over greens. It was fresh, big and satisfying and I can't wait to get back there to have it again (I opted out on their dressing and did vinegar and oil). This salad was under $10 and in Newport you would pay $25 and it would not be even close to as good as mine was. You need to ask your server what he recommends here. If you live in the area it is a good place to meet. The ambiance is good. Some nights are slower than others. You just need to know what to order so trust your server. A local old-timer type of place.
(3)