My friend and I stopped in at the Black Pearl to view the menu and the different dining rooms to make a selection for a reservation for a Friday or Saturday night. (We were not dressed for dinner when we arrived and we explained we were not looking to eat then, but make reservations after viewing the 2 dining rooms.)

The female server who met us in the 'Tavern' and the male server/maitre d' who met us in the 'Captain's Room' were rude, condescending and arrogant. (Clearly they were attempting to display the superiority of their station in life.)

Truly fine dining is more than good food -- it is an experience. Feeling warmly greeted by the staff and pleasurable interaction with that staff is a large part of that experience. We took a pass on The Black Pearl and never looked back.

2nd visit in 2 years, first visit for the Newport Bermuda race in 2006 convinced the wife she wants a place there, now we do.
Black Pearls bartenders are (maybe since it is winter) not interested in strangers i.e. NO service. But the Chowder was to die for, we had 2 helpings.

I had one of the best meals I can remember at the Black Pearl. The service was very good and very friendly and accommodating to requests for changes/subsitutions. The chowder is the best I have ever had (we had chowder 5 times over the course of our weekend in Newport) and the salmon was amazing. My only issue would be the noise level. On a crowded Saturday night, it became difficult to talk so I would probably not go here for a romantic evening. You can't really blame the restaurant as part of the charm is the old-time, colonial tavern environment. I was there with 2 other women and we managed to talk a lot and we all loved what we ordered.

We are currently staying in Providence, RI and took a quick trip down to Newport to check out the mansions and ocean. While in Newport, we were told to eat at the Black Pearl. We ventured to the Black Pearl, and were REALLY impressed!!! The chowder was INCREDIBLE, and the food was really really good!!! We loved the Black Pearl and would recommend it to anyone and everyone!!