So sorry I didn't see this sooner, you're in my stomping ground-
Brick Alley Pub - GREAT FOOD -
http://www.brickalley.com - casual dress, upbeat fun place. Steaks/Seafood and a salad bar. Upper (north end, by the mall) Thames Street. If you go there, ask for Megan as your server - good friend, as are the owners.
Canfield house - Higher end - excellent food, out of the way place - behind the Newport Tennis facility.
22 Bowens & Black Pearl - both high end and excellent - on Bowens Wharf, lower Thames
Clarke Cook House - Bannisters Wharf, lower Thames.
These are the mainstay restaurants in Newport - every year new ones open and close - but these have been there forever.
If you happened to spot the "Handy Lunch" on lower Thames street - the house adjacent to the parking lot that abuts it was my grandmothers. Who knew, sold it for $18k, now it's worth about $750K.
Hope you enjoyed your stay!
-Dave