NEWPORT, THE GREAT ESCAPADE

Cobblestone shopping wharves and colonial streets led me past the Touro Synagogue, the oldest and still in operation synagogue in North America, which was founded by Sephardic Jews. It was under renovation, but I had visited the site several years ago.

The Hydrangea House, located along historic Bellevue Avenue was one place that I would be resting my body. An inn with seven rooms of luxurious décor and lavish service, most with its own Jaccuzied bathroom would be my mini-getaway. I was not only impressed by my quarters having a flat screen tv, fireplace and remote controlled air conditioner, but the next morning’s sumptuous breakfast of morsels such as raspberry pancake fritas and corn bread stuffed sausage balls.

I walked along Bellevue Avenue to tour the International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum. I heard that the U.S. Women’s Open was going to take place June 26 to July 2, 2006. However, that wasn’t about tennis but about golf and not at the Tennis Hall of Fame, but at the Newport Country Club. Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak will join Meg Mallon, Juli Inkster and Karrie Webb. I highly recommend booking now as the ticket prices are going to increase on January 1, 2006.

Mansions. Been there, done most. I keep asking why I would pay someone to remind me of what I can’t afford. This time around I was interested in two of them: the Elms and Rough Point.

It was the Elms Lunch and Garden Tour, rather than the mansion itself that drew my attention. The tour of their elegant restored gardens and grounds of the Elms was just perfectly compatible with the day’s climate. Lunch on the terrace transported my imagination to the possibility of having lived there. An extremely knowledgeable representative of the Preservation Society was on hand to share her expertise.

Rough Point was the Newport home of Doris Duke, “heiress, preservationist, animal lover and art collector”. The mansion is a display of both fine art and different period furniture. There is an annually changing exhibit, with the present one called, “Jet Set to Jeans, the wardrobe of Doris Duke”. It contrasts her public designer outfits with her jeans, comfortable clothes and barefoot private life. A courtesy van and same day tickets are available at the Newport Gateway Visitor’s Center at 23 America’s Cup Avenue in downtown Newport.

Hearing the sound of the alarm buzzer, I awoke jumped out of bed and pushed every possible button to make the early morning noise cease. No button would turn it off and I considered simply pulling out the plug. But then, I awoke from the dream of shutting it off. I was at my second accommodation, Yankee Peddler Inn, one of five Historic Inns of Newport. Located on Touro Street, the inn has quite comfortable rooms and a rooftop deck overlooking the city. The inn that may have the best view is Harborside Inn at Christies Landing and the more unique one would be Jailhouse Inn, a modernized former jailhouse.

With a city of events, the one that I was privy to attend was the annual Snapple Sunset Music Festival held at the Newport Yachting Center. Singer/pianist Peter Cincotti and jazz trumpeter Chris Botti were on the bill that evening. I was familiar with both artists as I had seen Cincotti as an opening act for kd lang and Botti having made several appearances on the Caroline Rhea show.

The tented VIP area had food and wine. Local wines from Greenvale Vineyards, Newport Vineyards and Sakonnet Vinyards & Winery. Beach Bum Don’s was on hand to have us indulge on “the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet!” Examples: Rum Coconut, a hint of butter rum, coconut flakes and slices almonds; BVI Toffee, white chocolate chips, pecan and soft English toffee bits; Cherry Almond, almonds instead of walnuts with chunks of dried sweetened cherries. If I were smart I would have gotten my exercise by walking back to Queens instead of taking Amtrak. Need info? www.GoNewport.com.

"The Queen's Apple" with "Hydrangea Cream"

Peal and core apples. Roll apples in a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon. Place in a covered Pyrex dish with a little bit of water. Cover with foil rap and back about 18 mins at 450 degrees. After about 10 minutes, test the apples for doneness. Repeat test every 3 minutes to make sure they are tender but not mushy. (Note: Everyone's oven is different and baking times may very) When done, be sure to remove foil to begin cooling process.

"Hydrangea Cream"

To serve, spray a rimmed soup bowl with Pam or Mazola then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Place apple in center topped with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle additional cinnamon sugar on top.

Cream cheese mixture can be made a few days in advance. Keep covered and refrigerated. Rewhip with a little heavy cream added as needed.

July 14, 2005 - Queens Times