Flock Dining is new to Newport; it opened just a few weeks ago and is a result of the work by Nicole Dixon and Peter Sheppard. The couple have completely renovated former medical rooms on Challis Street and created a cafe that seats up to 40 inside and out.
Walk into Flock and you’re immediately met with the design’s visual impact.
The room is decorated with lampshades resembling large birds’ nests and artwork depicting a flock of birds soaring. It’s done in understated blacks, whites and greys, so there’s an essence of style and consciousness of aesthetic.
We arrive for lunch. The menu, which is large, in contrast to the tiny kitchen behind the front counter, includes breakfast and lunch dishes that are built around French technique with Mediterranean influences. This translates to dishes such as a Provence-style omelette with gruyere cheese ($17) or a Croque Mademoiselle with ham, béchamel and a fried egg ($16).
It’s a complex menu for a local cafe, but they clearly want to make a culinary impression on the area.
You won’t find the usual sandwiches or piadini for lunch here; rather, dishes that stretch to the pricier end of the lunchtime budget. These include saffron potato gnocchi, with duck ragu, peas and zucchini ($21) and cured duck breasts with artichoke, baby beets and goat cheese ($25).
The children’s menu is thoughtful (all $8.50) and includes a mini-minute steak with chips and green beans and a well-made gnocchi with a simple Napoli sauce.
There’s a short, sharp list of just six wines and the same number of beers and they also include pop juices for children.
When we asked to see the dessert list, we were told, ‘We don’t have one’. An odd decision to make when opening a cafe.
We settled for a coffee and the Jasper espresso was delicious, well-made and balanced.
Despite our yearning for a sweet finish, Flock is on the path to becoming a welcome addition to Newport.
