We were able to get a table at 6PM on a Friday though it filled up shortly after. Many great seafood choices. The food came out quickly and every dish was well prepared and delicious.
We spent two nights in Newport on our way to Cape Cod. Our only dinner was at Scales & Shells and it was very good, but we have no other Newport restaurants to compare it to. We ordered cod cakes, bouillabaisse (with a different names), shrimp scampi, grilled salmon and a veggie kabob. It was all delicious. We also ordered wine and mixed drinks. The bartender (we ate in the bar room) was our waiter and was helpful.
... to walk farther up Thames Street to this sophisticated dining spot with superb service, and a well-priced blackboard menu of seafood specials. Open kitchen. No reservations.
We ate that Scales & Shells on 5/6/22 and it was fantastic. My wife had the scallops piccata and I asked the chief what he would suggest and he said the sea bass, just wonderful. the side I had was grilled zucchini wow. Service was very good though not many in the restaurant because Newport is still waking up from the winter months. I would definitely go back.
Saturday wandering along Thames and the waterfront I knew I wanted fresh seafood for dinner. Reading reviews convinced me Scales was the place to be. We opted for the pub side, good call for it was just what we needed. Great service, fresh oysters on the half shell and a monkfish special was perfect. Even the house salad was extra fresh with a subtle house dressing. A tuna special seared to perfection rounded out our meals. Enjoyed ourselves so much we left with merch!
I was there for dinner Friday night, so welcoming and the scallops were out of this world! Service was fabulous too! You won’t be sorry!
We loved everything about this place. Huge fresh seafood menu with simple or inventive preparations served in a relaxed space with an open kitchen. Our portions were generous. Good cocktails and craft beers. One minor complaint was the cold Italian bread served pre-dinner. Warm rolls or an upgraded bread would be very appreciated.
Went with 3 friends and we each shared what we ordered. It was all fantastic. Will deff be going back and would recommend. The staff was very friendly and helpful.
Overpriced and ranged fr mediocre to bad, really disappointed. It started with the bread just being a cold loaf brought to the table. The fried calamari was done in a batter and was chewy and greasy. The seafood pasta was just ok. They even charge for marinara sauce to go with the bad calamari.
For our first night in Newport we decided to try Scales and Shells. Overall, we were glad we did. We were told we did not have to make a reservation. We arrived that evening and were promptly seated at a table of our choice next to the window in front. Scales and Shells prefers to put their menu on a blackboard behind the dining room. I took a picture with my iPhone of the menu. I suggest that those dining here do the same. Having done this, we were able to peruse the menu at our leisure. We ordered shrimp scampi and the special of black sea bass. We also ordered their house salad, which was plentiful, but we wished we had a choice of dressings- though the house mustard vinaigrette was fine- it was served on the side, too. For wine by the glass, we had plenty of good choices. Fresh bread was served with olive oil- nice! The entrees were served in a timely fashion and both featured fresh fish and shrimp. Side choices included linguine in white sauce- a perfect accompaniment to the fish. The scampi was nicely prepared but the sauce had a flavor which included cilantro- not quite accustomed to that in a scampi. The fish was flavorful, perfectly cooked, but I wish it was more skillfully filleted. Service was friendly and cheerful, helpful yet very efficient. When in Newport, we will return.