Hey Rhody Dining May 2024

Gelato goals at Pasquale’s Pizzeria Photography by Nick DelGiudice

News & Culture

9 Charlestown gets a gigantic new tourist attraction

16 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: RIPTA staves of service cuts – for now

18 RHODY PETS: Three adoptable pets of the month

20 Program in Warwick Neck brings creativity to people with dementia

26 BEER, WINE, AND LIQUOR TRAIL

28 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s

Home & Style

A17 HOME: A chef carves out a slice of the Azores in her backyard

A22 RHODY READS: Spring TBR list from East Greenwich book booster

a24 Author’s latest showcases the beauty of Portugal – plus goods to bring folkloric patterns home

A30 INFLUENCER: Meet the savvy pair behind a sweet social media biz

A32 RHODY GEM: Bra fittings, bridal sets, and more in Providence

Food & Drink

75 EXPERIENCE : Portuguese-inspired roast house in Glocester

80 RHODY RECIPE: Waste less with an enticing use of broccoli stems

84 IN THE KITCHEN: A Providence bar’s new chef brings a taste of the tropics

88 HEY RHODY PHOTOS

A colorful mosaic from our talented followers via Instagram

CONTRIBUTORS

ANDREA E. MCHUGH

A few years ago, we featured backyard entertaining tips from an East Bay chef. For this dining issue, we wanted to learn more. In “Azorean Oasis” (page A17), Andrea E. McHugh – a Newport-based writer specializing in food, travel, and lifestyle –shares the inspiration that went into creating a bit of the mid-Atlantic archipelago in Barrington.

HUGH MINOR

“I don’t cook. Ever!” contributor Hugh Minor deadpans, but he notes looking forward to our annual dining issue to find “new and exciting places to eat.” This month, Minor shares his own discovery: an intergenerational arts program for people living with dementia. Learn more in “Material Matters,” on page 20.

KOU TUKALA NYAN

Kou Tukala Nyan says that when it comes to food, she likes “a little bit of everything, and Liberian cuisine since infancy.” While currently in a “heavy Korean and Indian food phase,” she enjoyed trying Portuguese-American fare in Harmony. Nyan’s “Roasted to Perfection” (page 75) experience is sure to lure you to points north.

JENNY SHAND

Jenny (Currier) Shand credits searching for the world’s best gelato as the motivation for her career choice (verdict: Bassano del Grappa, Italy), so who better to write the cover story on sampling a world of cuisine, right here in RI? In “Think Global, Eat Local” (page A3), find Shand’s picks for cuisine from every continent, with something for everyone.

Friday 5/3 7:30-10:00pm

SEAN CHAMBERS & THE SAVOY BROWN RHYTHM SECTION

Friday 5/4 7:30-10:00pm

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN TRIBUTE SAINTS IN THE CITY

Friday 5/10 7:30-9:30pm

BEN POLOM & FRIENDS KIM ARUNDEL, ROBBIE CAVACO & MORE

Saturday 5/11 7:30-10:00pm

VAN MORRISON - MOONDANCE

Friday 5/17 7:30-10:00pm

JONI MITCHELL - THE JONI PROJECT

Saturday 5/18 7:00-10:00pm

BEACH BOYS - THE DRIFTWOODS

Saturday 5/25 7:30-10:00pm

TRAILER PARK GIRLS - DRAG SHOW

Friday 5/31 7:30-2:00am

DAVID HULL & THE DIRTY ANGELS

Saturday 6/1 8:00-11:00pm

KISS FOREVER - KISS, POISON & BLACK SABBATH

3481 Kingstown Road, West Kingston 401-782-1018 • CourthouseArts.org

Debra L’Heureux, Rhode Island’s top Matchmaker for Get Ready To Date has been in the business of helping people find love for over 20 years!

Photo courtesy of @edgewoodfitnessforwomen

NEWS & CULTURE

Creature

Tourism council commissions

Double Feature

Danish artist to create a pair of attractions in Charlestown

By Ken Abrams

Get ready to welcome a pair of unusual creatures who will be taking up residence in South County this summer: two giant forest trolls. Designed by renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo, and built completely from recycled materials, the sculptures will make Ninigret Park in Charlestown their permanent home beginning in May. Dambo is the world’s leading recycle artist, with installations in more than 20 countries on five continents, and over 125 trolls scattered around the world, including sites in Maine and New Jersey. The long-term plan is to create an attraction that places the mythical creatures at locations around the state. “We hope to have a few more trolls in the future to form a Rhode Island ‘troll trail’,” says South County Tourism Council president Louise Bishop.

Photo courtesy of SCTC

Christiania, Denmark

Dambo has an extensive history as an artist and musician, which began when he was a child growing up in Denmark. “My first big art endeavor was as a hip-hop musician; I made nine albums in six years and played a couple of hundred shows,” says Dambo. “I created all the album artwork, the posters, the stickers, all the music videos; I was running the whole band. That taught me a lot.”

He also practiced creating street graffiti, which included tagging and other demonstrations deemed illegal by local authorities. He began creating and placing birdhouses wherever he could to avoid ending up on the wrong side of the law. “The birdhouses were all made from recycled materials,” he explains, “and unlike the street graffiti art, which are two-dimensional paintings, the birdhouses are sculptures.”

Photo courtesy of South County Tourism Council

Coastal Maine Botanical Garden

Culebra, Puerto Rico

In 2011, Dambo was able to quit his job to become a mission-based artist with an MO of “waste no more.” Based on a 55-acre farm in Denmark, he employs about two dozen artists and production assistants, hosts a YouTube series called Trash Talk , and is recognized as a leading environmentalist. “With the trolls, I’ve found my little/big niche,” he jokes. When the Charlestown trolls are complete, Dambo says he will have installed 130 around the world.

Dambo is committed to repairing the environment and uses his talent to promote environmental awareness. He’s developed a narrative, telling the troll’s stories through poetry and fairy tales. “My poems are an important part of my art. They set the scene and are the whole backbone of my installation,” he says. “I try to tell a story that has relevance in the area, under the umbrella of a larger story. My bigger story is that trolls are basically the animals and the plants – my trolls are nature,

you could say. My stories are about the clash between humanity and nature. My trolls are the unspoken warriors of the plants and the animals that can’t speak. That’s the symbolism of my stories.”

Dambo works directly with local communities, assembling his sculptures with the help of volunteers of all ages. “It’s a little bit of school and a lot of fun,” he says. “We learn how to build something big. It’s always nice to meet local people; they invite us for a

Photo courtesy of South County Tourism Council

Roskilde, Denmark

barbeque or tell us the best places to go.”

“The purpose of my art is to show how we can be better humans,” says Dambo.

“I think we should be less wasteful and more mindful of the resources we have. We should try and preserve those resources and not contaminate the natural environment. We are super wasteful in the way we use and discard things, so I try to educate through stories, sculpture, art talks, and my poems.” Learn more at ThomasDambo.com and SouthCountyRI.com.

Photo (top) courtesy of South County Tourism Council, (bottom) by Michael Bo Rasmussen, courtesy of South County Tourism Council

Odense, Denmark

Egholm, Denmark

RIPTA Staves Of Service Cuts – For Now

In partnership with The Public’s Radio

• ThePublicsRadio.org

• By Olivia Ebertz

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced [today] it will postpone implementing unpopular bus service cuts that had originally been planned for early spring. The agency, which planned the cuts because of a driver shortage, said in a statement that the postponement would give more time for RIPTA to attract new drivers.

RIPTA said in January it planned to eliminate or reduce service on dozens of routes across the state on April 6. The proposal was sharply criticized by riders and transit advocates at public meetings and on social media.

Then, in a meeting in late February that

followed negotiations with RIPTA union officials, RIPTA’s board voted to increase starting wages for drivers, and increase wages for more seasoned drivers. At the time, RIPTA Chief Executive Officer Scott Avedisian said he hoped the new starting wage would allow the agency to “aggressively” recruit. RIPTA is now paying new bus drivers $25.33 per hour, a 16.7% increase from $21.71 per hour.

RIPTA now has until mid-June to continue to ponder service cuts and recruit drivers. In a press release, Avedisian wrote RIPTA riders’ concerns have not gone unnoticed.

“We have listened to the concerns of our riders and the community,” said Avedisian. “The

decision to postpone service cuts reflects our commitment to providing reliable and accessible public transit services. We will use this time to make informed decisions as we continue to build our workforce to meet the needs of our passengers.”

Besides a lack of drivers, RIPTA is also battling a $10 million deficit that the agency says could lead to further cuts, though there are several bills under consideration in the state legislature that could help RIPTA make up some of the funding it lacks.

This article was originally posted on March 14, 2024. Olivia Ebertz can be reached at OEbertz@RIPR.org

Photo courtesy of The Public’s Radio

RIPTA has announced it will postpone implementing bus service cuts while it tries to attract more bus drivers.

From French drains to surface drains and roof

Rhody Pets of the Month

By Karen Kalunian

One of the many things that makes this month perfect to adopt a pet, is that May 20 is National Rescue Day. This special observance was founded by children’s book author Lisa Wiehebrink in 2018, after she rescued a puppy from a shelter and wanted to bring attention to adopting dogs. Shelters around Rhode Island have dogs and cats ready to find their forever homes, and here are three ready to meet you. Find even more furry friends by reaching out to a shelter near you.

If you have been thinking of adopting or if you know of an animal in need, please contact Karen Kalunian directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com.

Cici

BREED: Lab/Hound mix

AGE: 2

GENDER: Female

All dressed in fancy pearls and a bow, Cici is a beauty queen. Lucky for Cici, she and her eight puppies were found under a porch and rescued. The great news is that all of her pups have found loving homes, and now it’s her turn. Cici has a sweet temperament and is a bit shy. She’s currently in a foster home with children that she loves. When you meet her, you can’t help but fall for her gentle, loving way.

GO FETCH RESCUE GoFetchRescue.org

Rocco

BREED: Lab mix

AGE: 1

GENDER: Male

Rocco has a big heart that matches his big smile! He’s a playful boy with long legs and a shiny black coat. When it’s time to play, Rocco is ready, and his dream is to have a fenced-in yard to run around. He loves life and likes other friendly playful dogs, too. If you’ve been searching for an all-around good boy, Rocco is the one!

RHODE HOME RESCUE RhodeHomeRescue.org

Cici Rocco

Photos (left to right) by Ron Schmidt Photo, by Karen Kalunian, courtesy of Ten Lives Cat Rescue

Tilly

BREED: Tortoiseshell

AGE: Senior

GENDER: Female

Tilly is an amazing girl with a zest for life! Even though she’s a senior gal, she thrives on attention, and being brushed is one of her favorite activities. Tilly is also a cat with diabetes so she is looking for someone special who will give her the proper care. She requires insulin twice daily and is said to be the purrfect patient. If you are looking to open your heart and home to a very special senior kitty, then Tilly is the one for you!

TEN LIVES CAT RESCUE

TenLivesCatRescue.org

Tilly

Material Matters

Intergenerational program in Warwick Neck brings art-making to people living with dementia

By Hugh Minor

We never anticipated the impact that the program would have on our participants and their families,” explains Linda Sinnott, program director at the Memory Care Center in Warwick Neck. “It’s been incredible to see the enthusiasm and excitement in our artists and our volunteers.” Sinnott is talking about Opening Minds through Art or OMA as she calls it, an eight-week series of workshops that partners people living with dementia with volunteers to create meaningful works of art.

The program launched in 2015 at the Adult Day Centers, after Sinnott and recreational therapy supervisor Bailey Kowal attended training and became certified in OMA activities. Sinnott tells the story of one participant named Michael, who – fairly progressed in his memory loss as a result of dementia – was selected as a candidate for the program. As his participation increased, he became more and more engaged. Michael created a beautiful painting titled “Twins,” which was displayed during a gallery night for family members.

Michael’s wife was noticeably emotional, revealing that when her husband was young, he had a twin who tragically passed away – something he rarely spoke about. Through OMA’s creative process, Michael was able to express his feelings about this part of his past. It was a groundbreaking moment for him, his family, and the staff at the center.

“Often when older adults begin to experience memory loss, we focus on what they can’t do,” says Sinnott. “No driving, no using the stove, and on and on. But with OMA, we

Photo courtesy of St. Elizabeth Community

“

Volunteer students from RI Nurses Institute Middle College Charter School assist Adult Day Center participants

focus on what they can do. They can be artists, and the results have empowered and engaged them in new ways.”

Participants are teamed with volunteers who help in the process of art-making. This year, the Memory Care Center has partnered with the Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter High School, recruiting students interested in healthcare careers to collaborate with participants.

“The intergenerational piece is an added bonus,” says Sinnott. “Students get to experience the joy of working with older adults, sharing stories, and building relationships, while, of course, making art.”

As one participant’s family member described his wife’s experience with OMA, “She truly enjoyed painting; it provided both a creative outlet and a sense of achievement.” The artwork created through the program lines the walls of the Memory Care Center, serving as a constant reminder of the important work that happens there. Learn more at StElizabethCommunity.org

Photos courtesy of St. Elizabeth Community

Bailey Kowal, recreational therapy supervisor, and Linda Sinnott, Memory Care Center program director, coordinate arts programs at Saint Elizabeth Adult Day sites

The finished artwork hangs proudly in the Saint Elizabeth Community Memory Care Day Center in Warwick Neck

From Boat to Plate

The Seafood Market

What started as a clam shack in 1944 is now one of the state’s most beloved seafood institutions. Champlin’s Seafood Deck, located right on the water in the heart of Galilee, serves the freshest seafood you’re going to find anywhere in Rhode Island. But clam shack fare is only part of the package. The restaurant also has a raw bar and great cocktails, which are best enjoyed with the breathtaking view from their Channel Bar. OPENS ON APRIL 3RD

5 Fresh

FAVORITES

From fresh oysters to lobster dinner, experience essential Rhode Island flavors at Champlin’s Seafood Deck.

Raw Bar

Nothing beats buying seafood right of the boat. Below the Seafood Deck, Champlin’s Market sells incredible, fresh seafood – everything from live lobsters to shrimp, scallops, and fish. Their prepared options include smoked salmon and bluefish, stufed quahogs and scallops, cooked crabs and lobsters, and marinated salads of calamari, mussels, or octopus. OPEN DAILY

Cherrystones, littlenecks, oysters, jumbo shrimp, and colossal shrimp

Red, White, o Clear Chowder

Available in half pints, pints, and quarts

Lobter Dinner

Served with fries and cole slaw

4 5 Fried Whole Belly Clams

Served with fries and cole slaw

Clam Bake with Lobter

Served with red potatoes

Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail Rhody

Johnston

Westerly

North

Stonington,

Beer, Wine Rhody

APPONAUG BREWING CO.

We believe nothing connects people like sharing a great beer or a delicious bite. Take refuge from the daily hustles of life in our historic taproom or our beautiful beer garden. 334 Knight Street, Warwick. (401) 744-0415, ApponaugBrewing.com

THE GUILD

RI’s largest craft brewery serves up small-batch beers and hard seltzers in three RI locations. Visit TheGuildRI.com for PVD, Warren & Pawtucket unique oferings.

KINGDOM OF THE HAWK 7

The contemporary barn located on 50 acres of farm land in North Stonington is a nod to the agricultural heritage of the town. Situated on the edge of a hill highlighting sprawling views of vines, forest, & wildlife. KingdomOfTheHawk.com

MAUGLE SIERRA VINEYARDS

Maugle Sierra is a Coastal Connecticut vineyard specializing in Jamie, Delicious Red Wines. Our locally crafted wines are best enjoyed with friends. O fering live music Saturday and Sunday year-round. Shop our wines: MaugleSierraVineyards.com.

GREY SAIL BREWING OF RI & SOUTH COUNTY DISTILLERS

Enjoy a full lineup of artisan craft beer, cocktails & spirits. Relax inside our family-friendly taproom with a board game, or enjoy the sunshine on our pet friendly outdoor beer garden. Wood burning pizza oven on site. 65 Canal Street, Westerly. 401.596.4151, GreySailBrewing.com

JONATHAN EDWARDS WINERY

6

At Jonathan Edwards Winery, enjoy award winning wine in a relaxed picturesque setting. Open daily, year round. Shop wine and event tickets online at JEdwardsWinery.com.

74 Chester Maine Road, North Stonington, CT, (860) 215-3725.

LANGWORTHY FARM & WINERY

The Langworthy Inn & Winery, a 7-bedroom B&B and Winery, located at 308 Shore Rd in Westerly RI just minutes from beaches, restaurants & shops in the Weekapaug, Watch Hill & Misquamicut areas. Visit this gem of the SE New England’s vineyards & wineries for a wine tasting, weekend getaway or private event. langworthyinn.com

PRESTON RIDGE VINEYARD

Located in historic Preston, Connecticut, Preston Ridge Vineyard is at the peak of a ridge providing breathtaking views of the Connecticut countryside.

100 Miller Rd., Preston, CT; PrestonRidgeVineyard.com

& Spirits Trail

REJECTS BEER CO.

Waterview Brewery Featuring Craft Beer with Retro Vibe. Tap Room, Outside Seating and Fire Pits. Merch Room, Dog Friendly, Check Website for Event Listings. 124 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown. 401-619-8200 RejectsBeer.com

New England’s most awarded distillery ofers craft cocktails using 100% house-made ingredients, flights, beer, sangria, mocktails and more in a unique industrial-meets-speakeasy vibe. 1425 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown. DrinkSOL.com.

TAPPED APPLE CIDERY & WINERY

Tapped Apple Cidery and Winery turning locally sourced apples into a variety of handcrafted hard ciders and wines. 37 High Street, Westerly. TappedApple.com

Our story is almost as good as our beer! Four friends with a vision coming to fruition. Distinct variety of craft beers made on site, unique with every sip. Check us out on your way to the beach. South County Commons, Wakefield. TowerHillBrewing.com

SALTWATER FARM VINEYARDS

Located in an impeccably restored WWII-era airplane hangar, the tasting room overlooks acres of vineyard and a preserved grass landing strip from the 1930s. 349 Elm St., Stonington, CT. SaltwaterFarmVineyard.com

STONINGTON VINEYARDS

Stonington Vineyards is a boutique farm winery located on the CT Wine Trail, open 7 days a week, 11am–5pm and from June – September open 11am–7pm on Saturdays. 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT. StoningtonVineyards.com

TILTED BARN BREWERY

Located in our authentic, New England-style post and beam barn, we at Tilted Barn Brewery are proud to be Rhode Island’s first farm brewery. One Hemsley Pl., Exeter. TiltedBarnBrewery.com

WINTERHAWK VINEYARDS

WinterHawk Vineyards harkens to the halcyon days of grand fishing camps on bucolic Yawgoo Pond. New winery and tasting room coming in 2024. 35 Yawgoo Pond Rd., West Kingston. WinterHawkVineyards.com

TOWER HILL BREWING

SONS OF LIBERTY

Te Must List

10 essential events this month For

May 10-12: Experience beauty, comedy, and spellbinding fun for the whole family when Ballet RI presents resident choreographer and internationally known dancer Yury Yanowsky’s world premiere production of the timeless classic Cinderella at The VETS. BalletRI.org

May 2: Support FirstWorks at their 20th anniversary popup nightclub with dance and music from flamenco legends Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca, plus appearances from local favorites Becky Bass and Sidy Maiga with DJ Brazao. Pro v idence, FirstWorks.org

May 4: Don a fancy hat and don’t miss the most exciting two minutes in sports at the sixth annual Derby Day Party , which includes cocktails and dinner with southerninspired specialties, plus live music from the Down City Band. Bristol, LindenPlace.org

May 11: Field of Artisans, a pop-up arts community, production company, and consultant for makers and entrepreneurs, hosts Hoppy Spring with over 50 artisans sharing their wares at The Guild. Pawtucket, FieldOfArtisans.com

May 11: The United Alt Comedy Fest Regional Showcase is a day of improv and comedy with workshops, youth programming, and an evening show with party-rock band The Sloppy Boys and LAbased comedy troupe Bug Grande. Westerly, UnitedTheatre.org

May 12: Sip fine teas over light bites at the Mother’s Day Garden Tea at Mapleville Farm, where they will be serving soup, salad, sandwiches, pastries, and bottomless tea in the greenhouse. Mapleville, BensBakery.com

May 18-19: Enjoy the bounty of local aquaculture at the Newport Oyster and Chowder Festival , a free event showcasing the state’s 40+ oyster farms along with exhibitors and live music from The Low Tides and Angelus Hall. Newport, BowensWharf.com

May 19: The Fish Migration Community Parade is an all-ages event at the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park designed to educate the community on efforts to bring migratory fish such as herring back to the river. Pawtucket, BlackstoneCollaborative.org

May 24: Blues legend James Montgomery and his All-Star Blues Band headline a hometown show in a benefit for the Broadway Street Fair and Stand Down RI. Dopey Lopes and the Up All Night Band open. Newport, JanePickens.com

May 29 - June 22: Theatre by the Sea returns from winter hibernation with A Chorus Line . The award-winning story follows 17 dancers competing for a few coveted spots in the chorus of a Broadway musical. Wakefield, TheatreByTheSea.com

Photo courtesy of Ballet RI

Think Global, Eat Local

EXPERIENCE FLAVORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, RIGHT HERE IN RHODE ISLAND

By Jenny Shand

Are you familiar with the Global Scavenger Hunt? It’s an annual travel competition where teams of two embark on culturally oriented treasure hunts in 10 surprise countries, all hoping to be named the World’s Greatest Travelers. While most of us aren’t likely to circumnavigate the globe on such an adventure, Rhode Island is full of culinary destinations that will make you feel as though you have – with no passport required. We’ve planned our own hunt within the state, finding representative restaurants from every continent. We hope this gastronomic guide can introduce you to just a few of the many options there are in this small but mighty state. Take the adventure and try a new cuisine!

If we missed your favorite, let us know at Marketing@heyrhody.com.

CONTINENTAL COMBOS

EATERIES SERVING UP FANTASTIC FUSIONS OF CULTURAL CUISINES:

ASIAN + LATIN = Dos Mundos Restaurant in Cranston

CHINESE + PERUVIAN = Brasa & Chifa in Providence (opening soon)

DOMINICAN + JAPANESE = Helado Taiyaki in Providence

GUATEMALAN + PORTUGUESE = Aguardente in Providence

ITALIAN + NEW ENGLAND = Pizzico Oyster Bar in Providence

ITALIAN + ASIAN = Mr. R Fusion in Newport

KOREAN + CAJUN = Hanju Kitchen (inside The Royal Bobcat) in Providence

P hoto courtesy of India Restaurant

Helado Taiyaki

La Arepa

India Restaurant

PhotographybyNick DelGiu d ice

Phot o courtesyofLa Arep a

Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana

Photo courtesyofHeladoTaiyaki

FRANCE NEWPORT

STONEACRE BRASSERIE

28 WASHINGTON S Q UARE

Originally inspired by French wines and the foods that were paired with them, Stoneacre Brasserie offers casual cafe vibes by day and elevated dining by night. From the patterned floor tiling to the flying buttresses, the French-inspired architecture will make you feel as though you’ve just left the Eiffel Tower.

CLASSIC CUISINE: French classics are given a contemporary American twist. For example, Duck Confit with pan jus, a traditionally rich dish, is paired with a light polenta and a salad of locally sourced produce. Or sample French-style scallops, prepared traditionally, but instead of a cheesy sauce, it’s served with apple and pear puree. Pro-tip: try one of their weekly specials.

RECOMMENDATION FOR NEWCOMERS:

Gooey cheese and homemade croutons make French Onion Soup a staple for this country’s cuisine and a well-loved comfort food. The Croque Monsieur is also a good option, which is essentially a fancy grilled cheese sandwich, upgraded with Gruyere, parmesan, and ham. And don’t forget to ask the team about wine pairings. White Burgundies are a great place to start this season.

E U R O P E

ITALY WAKEFIELD PASQUALE’S PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA

THE VILLAGE AT SOUTH COUNTY COMMONS

Originally from Naples, owner Pasquale Illiano has assembled a savory menu of pizza (more on that below), salads, piatti (sharing platters), sandwiches, antipasto, and sfizi – a bit of this and that – including cozy faves like Pasta e Faglio soup, and Pasta e Patate (pasta with potatoes and cheeses).

CLASSIC CUISINE: The Neapolitan Pizza, or Naples-style pizza, is from the birthplace of pizza itself. Pasquale’s pizza has achieved a prestigious VPN status, meaning it is considered Verace Pizza Napoletana (“true Neapolitan pizza”). These pizzas have a thin bubbly crust and are made with the freshest ingredients, including tomatoes from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Unlike American-style pizza, these aren’t pre-sliced. They are cooked the Italian way, in a special oven, and have earned a spot in the Top 50 Pizzas USA.

RECOMMENDED FOR NEWCOMERS:

Margherita, the “basic” pizza, is made with San Marzano tomatoes, basil leaves, fior di latte mozzarella (although it’s worth upgrading to the Buffalo mozzarella). In Italy, you can gauge how good a pizzeria is by their Margherita pie. Let this be the standard you hold all other pizzas to.

(top) by Lily McCarthy, courtesy of Stoneacre Brasserie, (bottom) by Nick DelGiudice

House sauces bring fresh flavors to sandwiches

TO MARKET, TO MARKET

BRING GLOBAL SPICES AND DELICACIES HOME WITH THESE SPECIALTY GROCERS

By Patty J

Spice up your home entertaining with imported oils and authentic kielbasa from international markets and emporiums boasting prepared foods, specialty pantry items, and hard-to-find brands. A culinary adventure taking you to regions all over the world is only as far away as these must-try grocers.

BUBBIE’S MARKET + DELI

The first day Bubbie’s opened their doors on Hope Street, they sold out of bagels (and lox) within hours. Neighbors and out-of-towners alike enjoy shopping for candies from Israel, pre-packaged foods, and a kosher deli menu of corned beef, pastrami, pickles, potato salad, and more. 727 Hope Street, Pro v idence

EUROPEAN FOOD MARKET

This shop in Rolfe Square is all about Eastern European staples and delicacies. Grab everything from Russian dolls and collectibles to cookies and jarred borscht. You can also shop frozen goods and locally cooked Polish, Ukrainian, and Bulgarian eats like burek (flaky pastry filled with meat). Friendly and helpful staff make exploring all the more fun. 102 Rolfe Square, Cranston

ISTANBUL GOURMET MARKET

This family-owned micro-grocery on Mineral Spring Avenue stocks a variety of tempting Turkish teas, coffee, and spices, along with freshly made falafel and gyros, hummus, baba ganoush, and stuffed grape leaves from the kiosk area. Regulars also sing praises of their imported candies (Turkish delights, anyone?) and unexpected flavors of soda. 1706 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Pro v idence

LEO’S MARKET + RESTAURANT

This no-frills Mexican kitchen-meets-grocery is where those in the City by the Sea go for authentic Latin food, along with a treasure trove of international goodies. In search of a nice bottle of Lizano, a sweet and spicy sauce popular in Costa Rica? How about a can or two of Tiky, a pineapple-flavored Guatemalan soda? Then it’s Leo’s for the win! 162 Broadway, Newport

MAIN STREET MARKET, INC.

Open since 1987, Main Street is a one-stop shop for Cape Verdean (they pride themselves on stocking a variety of corn products popular there), West African, and Hispanic goods. Their inventory of prepackaged foods is also full of brands you probably won’t find

anywhere else in Lil’ Rhody. Don’t leave without bringing home some pastelitos, a Cuban puff pastry with sweet or savory fillings. 919 Main Street, Pawtucket

MI RAE MARKET

This small market has been delighting shoppers for years with its vast assortment of Korean and Japanese products, especially those deemed hard to get. They stock everything you could ever want for at-home sushi making (including sushi rice, pickled ginger, and bottled sauces), not to mention frozen dumplings and meats, canned goods, veggies, coffee, soda, and snacks. 602 Reservoir Avenue, Cranston

NEAPOLIS FOOD EMPORIUM

Who says you can only go to Atwells Avenue to experience an authentic Italian market? Opened by the award-winning chef behind Pasquale’s Pizzeria (see main article), Neapolis has locals ecstatic over their homemade pasta, gelato, and tiramisu, as well as a selection of imported coffee, olives, and more. Shopping there is the closest you’ll get to being on holiday in Roma in South County. 60 S County Commons Way, South Kingstown

POLONIA MARKET

Folks travel from all over New England just to bring home a taste of Poland from this Pawtucket market. Whether you’re craving pierogies, kielbasa (yes, you can sample), or chocolates, Polonia is the place to find the best of the best. Complete the immersive experience by browsing imported sundries like greeting cards, magazines, and grooming products, too. 736 Broadway, Pawtucket

SONIA’S NEAR EAST MARKET + DELI

A popular lunch spot, Cranstonians cite their falafel wraps, chicken gyros, and hummus as perennial faves. Their market area is equally terrific and has devoted fans flocking to their selection of Middle Eastern spices, nuts, dried fruit, canned goods, honey, baklava, and fresh Syrian bread made daily, plus plenty of vegan prepared dishes to choose from. 816 Park Avenue, Cranston

VENEZUELAN STYLE

SURF-AND-TURF:

Arepa stuffed with griddle-cooked shrimp, accompanied by avocado salad, black beans, and fried sweet plantains

VENEZUELA PAWTUCKET

LA AREPA

582 SMITHFIELD AVENUE

Owned by Nohemí Rodriguez, La Arepa is the perfect place to enjoy Venezuelan flavors, ambiance, and traditional music. If the restaurant came with a mood, the joyful atmosphere here says it all. In addition to traditional fare, you’ll find a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, making this a perfect spot for diners of all kinds.

CLASSIC CUISINE: Along with the Cachapas, Tequeños, and Empanadas, try the Pabellón Criollo – a traditional Venezuelan dish served with white rice and black beans, ripped meat called carne mechada, sweet fried plantain, avocado, and white cheese.

RECOMMENDATION FOR NEWCOMERS: The arepa! Arepas are a staple in Venezuela that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Made from white cornmeal (and therefore gluten free), cooked or fried in oil, and stuffed with a wide variety of fillings, Venezuelan arepas are unique because they can be filled with almost anything: cheese, jam, avocado, marinated meat, beans, shrimp – whatever your heart desires.

COLOMBIA CENTRAL FALLS

LA CASONA 768 BROAD STREET

La Casona first opened just down the street from its present location in May 2006, and has been in its current spot for 13 years. “When people visit this restaurant, we want them to feel like they are visiting Colombia, like they are experiencing a little bit of Colombian tradition,” says Esteban, one of the bartenders. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant is filled with families, couples, friends, birthdays, laughter, and celebrations. La Casona’s bustling bakery just next door offers the freshest buñuelos and pasteles, so be sure to take some home!

CLASSIC CUISINE: The Plato Montañero is a large, ovalshaped platter filled with rice and beans, chorizo, chicharrón (fried pork belly/rind), sweet plantain, a corn arepa, a fried egg, and your choice of beef, pork, chicken, or ground beef. Come hungry! The hefty portion recalls the dish’s origins as a meal to fuel people’s work day, and the combination of indigenous and Spanish ingredients makes this a classic mestizo dish. La Casona takes its cue primarily from Medellín, the capital of Colombia’s Antioquia department.

RECOMMENDATION FOR NEWCOMERS: Empanadas. Although this staple may be familiar in other types of Spanish or Latin American cuisine, these savory empanadas – a half-moon filled with your choice of beef or chicken – are made with corn flour, deep fried to a perfect crisp, and served with a cup of ají for dipping. If salsa and chimichurri had a baby, it would be ají: thin in consistency, herby, with a little spice from the ají pepper.

Photo (top) courtesy of La Arepa, (bottom) courtesy of La Casoa

CHINA PEACE DALE JAYD BUN

1202 KINGSTOWN ROAD

This Chinese take-out window in South Kingstown is creating quite a stir, earning the #1 spot on Yelp’s “Best 100 Places to Eat in New England” and appearing on the news because owners Annie and Joe Parisi have been donating meals to families in need. There’s no question that this is the place to go for authentic Chinese comfort food.

CLASSIC CUISINE: Jianbing, the “Chinese walking street pancake.” Annie grew up eating this every day in Tianjin (north of Beijing). Made from ground mung bean powder, it is filled with egg, scallions, crispy wheat crackers, sesame seeds, turkey dog (optional), sriracha mayo, and sweet bean sauce. Eaten like a burrito, this dish has all the tastes and textures you could want: crunchy, crispy, sweet, and spicy.

RECOMMENDED FOR NEWCOMERS: The buns. These perfectly pan-fried buns are their trademark, made fresh daily with your choice of pork, chicken, or vegetable filling – moist, crispy, and full of flavor, you can’t go wrong.

A S I A

INDIA PROVIDENCE INDIA

1060 HOPE STREET

For nearly 30 years, this restaurant has been serving Indian food on Hope Street in Providence. As trailblazers, they required a spirit of adaptability in the early days, offering fusion items such as ravioli with masala sauce in order to appeal to more people. With the surge of cosmopolitan travelers and food lovers, however, they’ve been able to recreate their menu – especially with the arrival of chef Baldev Signh in 2017. With an expanded vegetarian and vegan menu, weekly specials, and new recipes, if you haven’t visited in a few years, it’s time to return and experience the authentic flavors of northern India.

CLASSIC CUISINE: Tandoori Chicken. Named for the clay oven in which it’s baked, this dish is hard to replicate at home. Each half-bird is double marinated – first in citrus and then in a tandoori marinade consisting of yogurt and spices – for a total of 48 hours, then slow-cooked on a grill, resulting in a crispy exterior that holds a succulent, juicy, and flavorful smoked meat. Enjoy it with a side of naan – a soft, flat bread – and zesty potatoes.

RECOMMENDATION FOR NEWCOMERS:

For those who are wary of too much spice, kabobs are a great option: your choice of meat (anything from sirloin to swordfish) or paneer (a type of cheese) marinated and grilled, served on a skewer with veggies. Other popular classic dishes include chicken tikka masala and saag paneer.

(top) courtesy of Jayd Bun, (bottom) courtesy of India Restaurant

The Thali feast sampler

A F R I C A

An assortment of dishes

THE VILLAGE

200 MAIN STREET, PAWTUCKET; 100 FOUNTAIN STREET, PROVIDENCE

For 15 years, The Village in Pawtucket has been serving West African cuisine, and just a few years ago, a second location opened in Providence, owned and operated by URI college student Olubunmi Olatunji, who grew up working alongside her mother in Pawtucket. “By the time I was 12 years old, I did everything: washing dishes, cooking, serving – both me and my siblings,” she says. Although sharing food is important to Olatunji, what really drove her to want to open another location is the desire to create a space for community, particularly as a Black-owned business. While take-out is available, sitting and savoring is encouraged.

CLASSIC CUISINE: Ayamase (pronounced “ah-mah-shay”) roughly translates to “designer stew.” It’s made with all different cuts of cow – beef, liver, kidney, tripe, skin, leg – cooked into a green pepper-based sauce and smoked palm oil. This menu item is served with a boiled egg, white rice, and plantains. Iyan is a pounded yam, mashed into a gummy, chewy, soft consistency, similar to a rice cake. It’s best enjoyed alongside a stew, such as the Egusi Riro (made with African melon seed) or Efo Riro (literally spinach stew or vegetable stew).

RECOMMENDED FOR NEWCOMERS: Jollof Rice is another staple food in West African cuisine. The Nigerian version is cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with onions, peppers, and an array of spices.

CAPE VERDE PAWTUCKET

10 ROCKS TAPAS BAR & RESTAURANT

1091 MAIN STREET

Just over the Providence line in Pawtucket, 10 Rocks has been serving customers Cape Verdean culture since 2015 via inventive tapas (octopus over arugula!), cocktails, and atmosphere that can include live music in the genres of traditional Cape Verdean, reggae, R&B, and open mic jazz.

CLASSIC CUISINE: Cachupa can be found on the brunch menu as The Hungry Cape Verdean. Cachupa is the country’s national dish, a stew made of corn, beans, vegetables, and a protein – meat or fish, depending on what is available in that region. When served as a breakfast item, the liquid is reduced and it’s pan-fried, acting as a base for fried eggs with linguiça (sausage) on the side.

RECOMMENDED FOR NEWCOMERS: The Fried Goat Cheese. Anyone can get behind fried cheese. This goat cheese is tossed in panko breading, fried, and topped with honey and a side of guava paste. The Pastel Cabo Verde –traditional Cape Verdean empanadas that are flaky on the outside and filled with tuna, served with house sauces – is also a great choice.

featuring authentic Nigerian cuisine

RHODY RESOURCES

MORE INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS TO EXPLORE

AROUND THE STATE:

BRAZIL: Fogo De Chão, Pro v idence

CAMBODIA: Apsara, Pro v idence

CAPE VERDE:

Cantinho Bar & Grill, Pawtucket

CHINA: Chengdu Taste, Pro v idence

CHINA: Y Noodle & Bar, Pro v idence

CHINA & JAPAN:

Yagi Noodles, Newport

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:

El Valle Restaurant, Pro v idence

FRANCE: Ellie’s, Pro v idence

FRANCE: Le Bec Sucré, Middletown

FRANCE:

Plouf Plouf Gastronomie, Tiverton

FRENCH POLYNESIA:

The Kitchen at The Surf Shack, Narragansett

GREECE: Andrea’s, Pro v idence

GREECE: Estiatorio Fili, Pro v idence

GREECE: YiaYia’s Cafe, Middletown

GUATEMALA: Maya Bakery, Pro v idence

GUATEMALA: Mi Ranchito, Pro v idence

INTERNATIONAL:

Guytanno’s International Cuisine, Westerly

IRELAND: Kelley’s Deli, Westerly

IRELAND:

O’Rourke’s Bar and Grill, Warwick

ITALY: Al Forno, Pro v idence

ITALY: Bottega Bocconi, Middletown

ITALY: Galleria Dolce, Narragansett

ITALY:

Mirabella’s Italian Cucuina, Warwick

ITALY: Perella’s Ristorante: Bristol

ITALY:

Roberto’s Restaurant & Cafe, Bristol

JAPAN: Sakura, Pro v idence

KOREA: Den Den Cafe Asiana, Pro v idence

KOREA: Mokbon, Pro v idence

KOREA:

Sun and Moon Restaurant, East Pro v idence

MEXICO CENTRAL FALLS

TUXPAN TAQUERIA

355 BROAD STREET

This humble, family-owned Mexican kitchen made history this year by becoming the first restaurant in Central Falls to be named semifinalist for a James Beard Award. This prestigious national award recognized Tuxpan Taqueria as one of the 2024 Best New Restaurants. Despite all of the attention, the Alcantars are determined to not let it get to their heads. “It doesn’t end there,” Eddi Alcantar says. “We want to keep putting good food out there and make people happy.”

CLASSIC CUISINE: Named for the Túxpan Michoacan region, this is a take-out restaurant inspired by street food, and the most classic option is the taco. Served on a freshly made tortilla with your choice of meat, these soft tacos are served warm with onion and cilantro.

RECOMMENDED FOR NEWCOMERS:

The Gordita. This isn’t your typical Taco Bell variety – handmade daily, this Mexican empanada is served in a giant crisp shell and filled with your choice of meat, refried beans, shredded cabbage, cotija cheese, sour cream and guacamole. It’s one of the most popular menu items, and Eddi’s personal favorite is the Al Pastor.

A plate of Al Pastor Gorditas

P hotos courtesy of Tuxpan Taqueria

KOREA: Wok & Pot, Pro v idence

MEXICO:

Caliente Mexican Grille, Pro v idence

MEXICO:

Casa Azul Taquería, Pro v idence

MEXICO: Don El Diablo, Smithfield

MEXICO:

La Herradura Taqueria Mexicana, Central Falls

MEXICO:

La Piñata Mexican Bar & Grill, Pro v idence

MEXICO: Maiz, Wakefield

MEXICO:

Viva Mexico Cantina Grill, Pro v idence

MEXICO & PERU:

Pisco & Tequila, Bristol

MIDDLE EAST:

Prince Ali’s Kebab, Barrington

MIDDLE EAST: Gansett Wraps

PAN-ASIA: Tiger Fish, Block Island

PORTUGAL: Beirao, Central Falls

PORTUGAL: Campino’s, East Pro v idence

PORTUGAL:

DJP Churrascaria Marques, Cumberland

PORTUGAL:

Galito Restaurant, Pawtucket

PORTUGAL:

O Dinis Restaurant, East Pro v idence

PORTUGAL:

The Portuguese Pantry, Cranston

PORTUGAL:

Serra De Estrela, Cumberland

PORTUGAL:

Tugas Restaurant and Catering, Pawtucket

PUERTO RICO: Little Sister, Pro v idence

SPAIN:

Madrid European Bakery & Patisserie, Pro v idence

SPAIN/MEDITERRANEAN:

Spain Restaurant, Cranston & Narragansett

SWEDEN: Cafe Choklad, Pro v idence

SYRIA: Aleppo Sweets, Pro v idence

THAILAND:

Heng Thai & Rotisserie, Pro v idence

THAILAND: Noodle Revolution, Westerly

VIETNAM: Pho Horn’s, Pawtucket

JAMAICA NEWPORT HUMMING BIRD

104 BROADWAY

Named after Jamaica’s national bird, Humming Bird is owned by chef Dezna Bowen and her husband Abraham Parkes, who have been serving up traditional recipes since 2018. Locals know their breakfast is not to be missed and a hidden secret around town.

CLASSIC CUISINE: Signature entrees include savory dishes like slow-braised oxtail with Jamaican herbs and spices, Jamaican Mutton, and Whole Snapper. To cool things down, don’t miss the Mango Passionfruit Smoothie, made fresh and best enjoyed with eyes closed for optimal vacation vibes.

RECOMMENDED FOR NEWCOMERS: The Jerk

Chicken is served with rice and beans, cabbage salad, and fried sweet plantains. It gives first-timers a taste of the Caribbean, specifically Jamaica. The mix of flavors is a true reflection of the culture: heartwarming with a kick of spice and a hint of sweetness to balance the entire meal.

P hotography by Ron Cowie

The Whole Snapper entree

AUSTRALIA PROVIDENCE

SYDNEY CAFE

400 EXCHANGE STREET & 300 THAYER STREET

There’s more to the Land Down Under than kangaroos and koalas. According to general manager Hanna Dennett, Sydney Cafe is where Australian inspiration meets local ingredients and a passion for quality – not to mention, all of their food and drinks are genuine eye candy. Recently, their all-day cafe began transforming into an after-dark boutique espresso martini bar on the weekends, with plans to expand in the future.

CLASSIC CUISINE:

Their signature, housemade Lamington is a twist on the classic Australian dessert made of a butter sponge cake coated with an outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut flakes. It tastes similar to a Samoa cookie.

RECOMMENDATION FOR NEWCOMERS:

The Avocado Smash! This isn’t just a millennial dish, although you’ll definitely want to take a photo before you eat it. Thick-cut country toast is covered in smashed avocado, seasoned with lemon zest, salt and pepper, and topped with feta, heirloom tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, and microgreens. You can add prosciutto, smoked salmon, or a local fried egg. Their specialty drinks also should not be missed! Try an iced rose matcha latte or an Aussie-inspired flat white: three espresso shots with steamed milk.

WORLD SHOWCASE

Federal Hill has long been known as Providence’s Little Italy, with mainstay establishments including Angelo’s Restaurant , Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant , Cassarino’s , and many others. Today, a walk along Atwells Avenue not only reveals some of the best Italian restaurants and markets in the state, but also a range of multi-cultural cuisine, from Japanese sushi at Nami to Middle Eastern fare at Opa , and others. For a full list, visit FederalHillPro v.com.

A U S T R A L I A

Federal Hill’s DePasquale Fountain

P hotos (top) by Hanna Dennett, (bottom) courtesy of Providence Warwick CVB

Two for $75 “Diapers2” with code IYRS SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY & TRADES NEWPORT, RI Accredited, hands-on career training in the marine trades & modern manufacturing since 1993 www.iyrs.edu

Tickets: $50 each

LIFE & STYLE

Azorean Oasis

A chef carves out space to bring the colors of childhood to her Barrington backyard

By Andrea E. McHugh

As owner of O Dinis, the East Providence eatery serving traditional Portuguese dishes, Natalia Paiva-Neves is a natural entertainer, and she extends that same hospitality, clearly woven into her DNA, at home in Barrington as well. This time of year, she begins the process of transitioning to outdoor living. She’s revamped her backyard into an al fresco oasis with an aesthetic inspired by her native Azores (or “Açores,” in Portuguese), an archipelago of nine islands nearly 1,000 miles off the Portuguese mainland. There, she says, outdoor living and dining is just part of the lifestyle, and one she mimics here in Rhode Island as soon as the temperatures start to rise. Once warm enough, she says the moment she leaves the restaurant, she heads home to enjoy the spoils of the season.

P hotos courtesy of Natalia Paiva-Neves

Last summer, Paiva-Neves was impatiently waiting to have an outdoor grill built in her backyard. She was tired of store-bought grills deteriorating year after year and sought a more permanent solution. In Portugal, outdoor grills are commonplace, even in compact spaces, as grilling is a standard way to cook traditional dishes – especially seafood. “It could be a very small space, but you all make it happen with your little grill outside and have your meals outside almost every night if you can,” she explains. “I had a vision, and couldn’t get guys to come out here and build it for me because they’re all so busy in the summertime” – so she decided to

do it herself. Simply constructed with cinder blocks and a grill grate, the project has paid off in spades, with Paiva-Neves cooking on it regularly ever since. A natural pool is the centerpiece of the outdoor space. “It creates this beautiful blue that you can’t get anywhere, and in the Azores, everything is very green and lush, so I didn’t want my backyard to look turquoise because that doesn’t work for me, because we have a lot of greenery,” says Paiva-Neves. Spruce trees, bamboo, annuals, perennials, and multiple gathering spaces extend the verdant hue emanating from the pool. She painted the wood fence a midnight blue to complement the landscape, which she says seamlessly

LEFT: Natalia Paiva-Neves’ apron features her logo, fittingly a square of Portuguese azulejo (tile)

ABOVE: A buffet keeps things unfussy; the food and wine make gatherings unforgettable

courtesy of Natalia Paiva-Neves

Shelves and hooks keep counter space available for food prep while showcasing pottery from Portugal

blooms from spring to summer. “It goes through the seasons. Soon I’ll have the peonies, then hydrangeas bloom, which we have all over the yard because that’s the flower of the Azores. It’s also my wedding flower.”

While Paiva-Neves thrives in this outdoor space, you never know when she’ll be inspired to tackle another project. She says, “Listen, every year when I travel to the Azores, I come home and my poor husband has one more thing to do because I’m filled with ideas!” She would also like to state for the record that before tinned fish and charcuterie boards were trending on menus far and wide, she was offering these starters on the regular. “I know it’s very fashionable to be Portuguese now, but we’ve been doing this for 100 years!” she laughs.

Get Rhody Style

Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.

Stocking Up

Paiva-Neves recently traveled to Spain where she learned how to make a “proper paella.” Arguably the best-known dish in Spanish cuisine, paella is named for the traditional cookware the dish is prepared in: a large, wide, round, shallow pan with slanting sides. Find paella pans at Stock Culinary Goods in Providence; Wickford Appliance in Cranston, Cumberland, Middletown, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, and Westerly; and similar pans at Peter Pots Pottery in West Kingston.

Fresh Picks

Paiva-Neves has a backyard garden where she keeps herbs and more at the ready. When she’s looking for seasonal inspiration, she heads to local farmers markets and farm stands, like Four Town Farm in Seekonk. “I’ll go two to three times a week, and instantly my mind will be changed because I’ll see what’s in season.” Visit FarmFreshRI. org to find a farmers market near you.

Close to Home

While much of Paiva-Neves’ cookware and serving platters come from Portugal, she enjoys visits to Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River for new pieces.

“A one-pan meal is always a crowd pleaser,” says Paiva-Neves of this paella topped with grilled lobster that serves 12

P hotos courtesy of Natalia Paiva-Neves

Discover a wellspring of debuts, new work from favorites, and upcoming author events

By Robin Kall

Rhody Reads T

he lovely month of May has arrived and it’s not just the buds that are in bloom! Spring books are appearing in all their glorious splendor. As a #bookfluencer, sharing the books I’m excited about is almost as much fun as reading them. This roundup includes something for everyone, from novels and debuts to young adult, memoir, and non-fiction.

I tore through an early copy of Ann Hood’s latest novel, The Stolen Child , last summer and the story has stayed with me. Available on May 7, this un-put-downable novel is set in 1970s Rhode Island and France during World War I. An unlikely duo of cantankerous Nick and college dropout Jenny set out on a journey that takes them to France and Italy to solve a haunting mystery before Nick is out of time.

If You Can’t Take the Heat is the first YA novel by Hood’s husband Michael Ruhlman, a James Beard-award winning author. Available June 18, this coming-of-age story set in 1980s Cleveland is about high school football star Theo Claverback, who finds himself sidelined after a broken leg, quickly followed by a broken heart. Forced to pivot after his college plans are thwarted, Theo finds himself as a prep cook in an upscale French restaurant.

Just in time for the luscious summer reads we dream about all year is Pink Whales (June 4). Debut novelist and RI resident Sara Shukla has written a touching and fun zinger of a book. Charlie is already feeling disconnected when she and her family relocate to a coastal New England town; enter the power moms, mix in adult beverages, and settle in for a story that takes a sharp turn when you least expect it.

Adrienne Brodeur’s novel Little Monsters was one of my favorite summer ‘23 books, and I’m thrilled to share it again as it becomes available in paperback May 7. This story has memorable characters, dysfunctional family dynamics, a gorgeous Cape Cod setting, and mysterious happenings. Ken and Abby Gardner’s mother died when they were young and they were raised by their father, the brilliant oceanographer, Adam. The siblings’ relationship continues to unfold as adults and the complications become more apparent. If you haven’t read Brodeur’s memoir, Wild Game , add it to your list.

Another debut out now is The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time . In her memoir, Jane Bertch shares the story of how she went from an American banker transferred to Paris – with a lingering grudge against the city from a graduation trip 10 years earlier – to embracing the “City of Light” and deciding to open the cooking school, La Cuisine Paris. I had the pleasure of taking a pastry class last May and I can still smell the butter!

When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion by Julie Satow hits the shelves on June 4. The journalist/author expertly weaves together the stories of three dynamic trailblazers instrumental in directing the course of the department stores we came to know and love (and now miss): Hortense Odlum of Bonwit Teller, Dorothy Shaver of Lord & Taylor, and Geraldine Stutz of Henri Bendel.

ABOUT ROBIN KALL

Taking the advice of her mother, Robin Kall never leaves home without a book. “People want to know what I’m reading,” says the “fairy book mother” widely known under the moniker Reading With Robin (RWR). Based in East Greenwich, since 2002 Kall has been connecting readers and writers via author events and interviews, book clubs, giveaways, a podcast, and online platforms. A self-made force in literary and publishing circles, Kall receives advance review copies of books, and hosts popular events that have included authors Wally Lamb, Jodi Picoult, and Alice Hoffman, among many others.

READING WITH ROBIN EVENTS

Join Kall for lively conversations with authors, some of whom have books in this list. Ticket price generally includes one autographed/personalized copy of the author’s latest title and light bites and sips, with occasional suggested fun prompts (wear fuschia to the Hilderbrand event).

May 2: Books and Blooms with Ann Napolitano at Wicked Tulips Flower Farm, Johnston

May 4: Author Talk* with Ann Hood & Sally Hepworth at Providence Public Library

June 10: Author Talk with Elin Hilderbrand at The Savory Grape, East Greenwich

June 11: 10th Annual Summer With Robin: Program includes signings with Essie Chambers, New York Times bestseller Lisa Wingate, and Julie Satow, at Warwick Country Club.

July 11: Author Talk* with Liv Constantine at Jamestown Art Center

Please consider patronizing your local independent bookstore when making book purchases

For more information and registration, visit RobinKall.com/events-interviews

*RWR x Curiosity Store

Patterns of Behavior

Providence-based writer/photographer on latest book about the beauty of Portugal –plus personal picks for experiencing the vibrant culture at home and abroad

By Christine Chitnis

While writing my book, Patterns of Portugal , I embarked on a three-year journey, traversing the diverse landscapes of Portugal to research the ways in which color and pattern intricately weave into the country’s culture, history, architecture, and traditions. As a photographer, I was drawn to the unique palette and intrigued by how the same hues seem to echo throughout the country. The blue-and-white azulejos (tiles) are reflected in the sunbaked beaches and enchanting blue water of the Atlantic coast. The fuchsia and gold of bougainvillea in bloom are mirrored, though timeworn and softened, in the colorfully painted facades of pastel homes. It is my hope that every image in the book will invite readers to delve deeper into Portugal’s spirit and beauty.

QUINTESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS

My recommendation is to venture into the Alentejo region. Here, the essence of Portugal’s allure unfolds seamlessly, blending history with warm hospitality. The landscape shimmers with golden light that dances off olive groves and gnarled, ancient cork trees. The region, though arid, is fertile, renowned for its wine, olive oil, cork, wheat, and heritage livestock breeds, and Roman and Moorish ruins lie scattered throughout the bucolic countryside. Exploring the Alentejo is a journey through time and craftsmanship. It is easy to drive from one picturesque town to another, discovering hidden gems like tiny olarias (pottery studios), centuries-old textile mills, and enchanting villages steeped in the legacy of traditional Portuguese crafts. Évora stands as a

Hand-painted terra cotta at a pottery workshop in São Pedro do Corval

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Photo by Luisa Bravo, courtesy of Christine Chitnis

Christine Chitnis at her book release party in Lisbon

Michael Lancia

PITCHER

WATERCOLOR TILE PRINT BMonte

“FISHY” PILLOW/FABRIC

ORI CORK BOWL BentandBree.com, Seekonk

“I lo v e this cork bowl, which feels very Portuguese”

Photos courtesy of Christine Chitnis

SEA SALT & ORANGE SOAP Portugalia, Fall River

Designs, Etsy

Oliveira Textiles, Bristol

Portugalia, Fall River

“Casa Cubista is my favorite ceramic brand”

testament to history, housing treasures like the Chapel of the Bones, Évora Cathedral, and remnants of ancient Roman and Moorish civilizations. Nearby, the town of Arraiolos unfolds its rich tapestry of hand-embroidered rugs dating back to the 16th century, while Monsaraz enchants with its medieval hilltop allure. Corval emerges as a vibrant pottery hub, embodying the artistry and heritage of Portuguese ceramics.

SHOULDER SEASON

The warm reception from the people I met shaped my travels. Hospitality seems steeped into the very core of what it means to be Portuguese, adding an extra layer of warmth to every experience. If you are planning your visit, be aware of the high travel times. Late May through early September tend to be the high season in terms of tourism and prices reflect the demand. I love going in the shoulder seasons: late April, early May, and end of September through October. The weather is still beautiful, Mediterranean feeling, and especially in the Alentejo region, you’ll feel as though you have the place to yourself.

TASTES OF PORTUGAL

If a trip to Portugal isn’t feasible, you can still immerse yourself in the Portuguese spirit closer to home. Aguardente in Providence is a favorite of our family. Known for its creative Portuguese fusion flavors, the patio on a warm summer evening feels like a little slice of Lisbon. Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River, MA offers a treasure trove of ingredients and specialties, and they have been the most generous supporters of my book. Their wine selection alone is worth the drive, and you can find my absolute favorite cheery striped ceramic line there, Casa Cubista. O Dinis in East Providence ensures a taste of tradition in every bite. If you can find a seat on a Monday night, you are in for a real treat. Their Music Mondays feature mainly traditional Portuguese singers and musicians who play a variety of “musica popular” and Fado music.

Follow along @christine.chitnis or visit ChristineChitnis.com

Photos courtesy of Christine Chitnis

Every transformation begins with a single act. And when it comes to saving energy, money and the

Let’s make waves.

Meet Laura Afonso & Sascha Roberts

How two Providence pals turned a shared love of small biz and content creation into sweet success

By Elyse Major

How did Honey Buns Social come to be?

Laura Afonso: We worked on a couple of freelance projects together, and it just clicked – so why not do this for real? We started getting inquiries before we even officially launched, and it felt like we were making the right call.

Sascha Roberts: We met a long time ago and we’ve always been in touch. Over COVID her hubby Justin sold us our dream house, and started our new closer friendship. I’ve always been a huge fan of Buns and Bites.

Your company offers content creation, social media management, and photography. Who does what?

Roberts: We do a bit of everything. I think my strength is enthusiasm for this work, and Laura is the queen of reels! Our photographer Jesse Dufault has quickly become our go-to: his style and personality fit really seamlessly with our aesthetic, and most importantly, he always makes our unhinged ideas a reality. We’re so lucky to work with other talented creatives like Devin Zuba, and Bunny, our Sony a7 IV. Social media has become a full-time job and most business owners do not have time to do everything, and we have the ability to deliver high-quality content that they feel confident posting. Usually if we are shooting at a restaurant, by the end we, the owner, and the staff are sitting at the table talking and enjoying the dishes we shot and just having a great time!

When it’s time to unplug, what do the Honeys like to do most?

Afonso: As a major Rhode Island fan girl, I love just hopping around the state eating, drinking, and shopping – spending a weekend afternoon on Hope Street at J Marcel, downtown at Bobbles and Lace, and getting snacks and coffee in between. My husband and I also make it a weekend activity to drive somewhere “far” for coffee that is outside of our normal caffeine hangouts, for an excuse to get out and about. For sweets, head to Pawtucket for the famous pastel de nata at Matos Bakery.

Roberts: We both love going out, but my fave activity is going on adventures and hopping on a flight to some new city. I love to shop. Find me stopping by NAVA on Wickenden Street for a new outfit or Stock Culinary Goods on Hope Street for some cutesy kitchenware.

What is the perfect night out for the Honey Buns?

Roberts: When we have a night out together, all bets are off! We love a little cocktail and snack in PVD; The Eddy, Gift Horse, and Tiny Bar are some of our go-tos. It probably comes as no surprise that we spend our off-hours in restaurants, too. We both love a good glass of wine, or an espresso martini.

Photo by Jesse Dufault, courtesy of Honey Buns Social

Mrs. Robinson

Fine Lingerie

We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. Email or tag us on social media using #RhodyGem to suggest yours, and we might just feature it!

What it is:

An upscale women’s lingerie shop featuring bra-fitting services.

Where

to find it:

On the section of Wayland Avenue between Medway and Waterman Streets, look for the green awning. Mrs. Robinson’s is sandwiched between Feed the Cheeks and Milan Clothiers.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

For decades, Wayland Square has been a destination for specialty shopping, and a mainstay in that classic mix is Mrs. Robinson. Since purchasing the women-owned business named for the Simon & Garfunkel tune in the 1980s, Melanie Elman has continued to ofer pajamas, nightgowns, and more, along with bra fitting, no appointment necessary. The boutique carries both European and domestic brands and is an exclusive local provider for some of the best names in the industry. Getting married or know someone who is? Mrs. Robinson has a unique selection of peignoir sets and bridal accessories. Spring lines include slip dress chemises and colorful robes. Whether you’re coming in for your first bra or a longtime wearer tired of grabbing ill-fitting models of the rack at big box stores, Elman’s mission is to make you feel confident, comfortable, and experience the luxury of shopping for fine lingerie. “Thank you to our generations of customers. We love being a part of your lives,” says Elman. “And, to anyone who hasn’t been in yet, we can’t wait to meet you soon!”

Mrs. Robinson

180 Wayland Avenue, Providence

ShopMrsRobinson.com

@mrsrobinsonfinelingerie

Facebook: Mrs. Robinson Fine Lingerie

Photo courtesy of Thea’s

PROVIDENCE’S FIRST AND LAST STOP OF THE NIGHT

Transport yourself into an environment unlike any other in Rhode Island.

FEATURE

Bridging the Gap

How two East Providence business owners are navigating bridge woes – and why their places are worth sitting in traffic for

By Emily Olson

When the westbound lanes of the Washington Bridge were abruptly closed last December for repair, social media feeds were flooded with tongue-in-cheek goodbye messages from East Providence residents to their friends and family across the bridge, while the rest of the state responded with promises to still visit. But those messages were short-sighted – East Providence is alive and well, and woe to those who would let traffic stand between them and their next favorite spot. As long as you have a good podcast and a passing knowledge of surface roads, East Providence remains a draw for those outside of the neighborhood.

Brian Dwiggins, owner and roaster at Borealis Coffee Company, says that the bridge closure has caused some internal headaches, but business remains strong. “We’re a community-driven shop, and local commuters still stop by on their way to work,” he says, noting that the bridge construction has created a slight decrease in the shop’s after-work and weekend traffic. Luckily, Borealis’ Riverside Square location is right on the East Bay Bike Path, so those who want to skip car traffic altogether can still get their caffeine fix.

Photo by Cate Brown Photography, courtesy of Borealis

FEATURE

In addition to small-batch roasted coffee – sourced Fair Trade through partnerships in Colombia and Guatemala –Borealis serves a limited menu of baked goods that are produced in the kitchen of Borealis’ more recently opened Bristol location, which Dwiggins points out is just a quick seven additional miles down the bike path. The Riverside location opened in 2016, so this isn’t the first storm the coffee shop has weathered. Restaurant closures due to the pandemic certainly made an impact on the coffee shop, but it survived the pandemic because of its Pawtucket roastery, which churns out freshly roasted beans four days a week. “We opened the roastery just before COVID hit,” says Dwiggins, “but it worked out well because when

Photos courtesy of Borealis

Brian Dwiggins with Guatemalan coffee partners Inside Borealis’ Riverside cafe

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THREE DAY TRIPS IN EAST PROVIDENCE

Snag a parking spot during off hours and map out an itinerary for morning coffee, shopping, and lunch, or go for a stroll and see where it takes you. Who knows? You might find a new favorite spot. Here’s a few itineraries to get started.

NEW AND OLD FAVORITES

SWEET TREATS: Taunton Avenue Bakery, 217 Taunton Avenue

BREAKFAST: The Rhody Hen, 615 Waterman Avenue

LUNCH: Jeff’s Pizza, 127 Waterman Avenue

BEERS: Crook Point Brewing Company, 65 Massasoit Avenue

ENTERTAINMENT: The Comedy Connection, 39 Warren Ave

LIVE MUSIC: Myrtle, 134 Waterman Avenue

RUMFORD WITH THE FAMILY COFFEE: Seven Stars Bakery, 20 Newman Avenue

SHOP: The Pantry at Avenue N, 20 Newman Avenue

LUNCH: Uncle Tony’s Pizza and Pasta, 260 Newport Avenue

ENTERTAINMENT: United Skates of America, 75 New Road

DINNER: El Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 335 Newport Avenue

ALONG THE BIKE PATH COFFEE: Borealis Coffee Company, 250 Bullocks Point Avenue

SHOP: Tall Tumbleweed Modern + Vintage, 279 Bullocks Point Avenue

LUNCH: Sake Cafe, 275 Bullocks Point Avenue

SCENIC VIEW: Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

DINNER: Union Square Bistro, 332 Bullocks Point Avenue

the cafe closed, we kept roasting and sold our coffee wholesale.”

The roastery continues to serve its wholesale customers, which include PVDonuts, Oak Bakeshop, and Plant City. “We used to deliver our coffee beans to cafes and stores twice a week, but since the bridge closure, we only go out once a week,” Dwiggins says. He’s also adjusted the work schedules for his employees,

many of whom live in Providence. “We either give our employees longer shifts so that dealing with the traffic is worth their while, or we adjust their shift start and end times to help them avoid heavy traffic.”

Natalie VanLandingham, who owns the East Providence retro bar Myrtle with her husband, Tommy Allen, has also weathered the storm by forging relationships in the neighborhood. In

Photo by Abigail Brown

Avocado toast at Borealis

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EP cocktail bar Myrtle

Photo courtesy of Myrtle

TRAFFIC TIPS

Ideas for making the best – and most –out of a trip across the Seekonk River

PLAN AHEAD:

Check navigation apps for expected and real-time delays when planning, and opt to take the Henderson Bridge or Newport Bridge when it makes sense.

RIDE SHARE:

Don’t go alone! Traffic is more fun when you’re carpooling with your besties. Q ueue up your favorite podcast or playlist, and belt out tunes like no one’s watching.

PEDAL POWER:

The East Bay Bike Path offers easy access to Riverside Square, connecting cyclists to Barrington, Warren, and Bristol, with India Point on the East Side only about 15 minutes away.

ALL ABOUT TIMING:

Aim for mid-day when possible, when delays are less than 10 minutes.

PACK SNACKS:

Grab coffee before you go, and on your way out, stop by one of EP’s many cafes or bakeries for a sweet snack on the ride back.

SPEND THE NIGHT:

Make it an overnight of it by securing a place to stay. Ask for special mid-week and RI resident deals.

fact, although she isn’t a Rhode Island native, community is one of the things that drew her to the state. “You feel responsible for each other in a way that I didn’t get in the big cities I’ve lived in before,” she says. She and her husband, both musicians and artists, opened their spot on Waterman Avenue just six months ago in a building that was a shoe store 100 years ago. Theirs is an eclectic cocktail bar that hosts a

variety of free events, from burlesque brunches to touring bands to talent shows, and they even have a small vintage shop tucked inside. “We’ve had a very warm reception,” says VanLandingham, who also says that the neighborhood bar draws people from New York, Boston, Connecticut –and, of course, Rhode Islanders from across the Washington Bridge.

But despite drawing people from miles

around, the community where Myrtle exists is a tight-knit and supportive one. “We all know that the area was abandoned for a long time, so we stick together and support each other,” she says, name dropping Jeff’s Pizza, Rosa’s Tavern, and Red Bridge Tavern. “The city has spent a lot of time and resources building the street up, so we’re excited to see what happens.”

Dwiggins says the same of Riverside

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Photo courtesy of Myrtle

Square. “There are a couple of institutions that have been around forever,” he says. “But there are also a couple of new restaurants that are going to bring new life into the square. It’ll be cool to have new little places to check out.”

As for the Washington Bridge construction

and its impact on the business community, VanLandingham is philosophical. “As a small business owner, you know that there are always going to be things coming your way that you have no control over,” she says. “But the best thing you can do when that happens is

create something that you’re proud of and hope the things you can’t control don’t deter you from your mission of making good food, good drinks, good art, and doing interesting things for the people in and around your community.”

Cocktails at Myrtle

Photo courtesy of Myrtle

Open 7 days a week

Lunch: Monday-Friday

Brunch: Saturday-Sunday

Roasted to Perfection

Head north for Portuguese-American dining that focuses on hearty meat dishes and savory seafood

By Kou Tukala Nyan

On a Friday evening, a friend and I visited a new hot spot in the northern part of the state: Assados Kitchen & Bar. Father-son power team Jorge and Ryan Diogo opened the restaurant in February 2023, with a name that means “roast” in Portuguese – their signature menu staple that has turned first-time guests into regulars.

With a near-packed parking lot, we were concerned the venue would be overly crowded, but the inside was spacious, expansive enough to accommodate plenty of diners. An upscale rustic aesthetic included subtle yet homey decor, from the hints of greenery offered by plants to paintings on the walls of each room. The venue has five sections: the banquet room, where they hold many events; the dining room; a lounge with televisions; a bar; and outside is a deck ideal for summer dining. These options allow guests to choose between slightly fancy date-night vibes or kicking back for a casual happy hour after work.

hoto courtesy of Assados

Must-Try Items

CALAMARI PORTUGUESE STYLE ( $16 )

Breaded calamari, banana peppers, chouriço, Portuguese spices, and cervejas

PORTUGUESE SIRLOIN STEAK ( $34 )

10-ounce choice char-broiled Angus sirloin, garlic-brown sauce, prosciutto, two fried eggs, roasted potatoes, and rice

Atmosphere: Lively, spacious restaurant

Cuisine: Portuguese roasts and more

Ryan escorted us to the dining room, where we sat by the stone fireplace in leather dining chairs. Light jazz music blended with the lively chatter and clatter of people tucking into their dinners. It was a busy Friday evening, and it was clear that Assados draws a crowd – Ryan explained that since opening, guests have traveled from various parts of southern New England to visit.

The menu invites exploration, with the appetizers section titled “Great Beginnings.” We looked forward to the

hearty meat entrees Assados is known for, but started with something from the sea – Calamari Portuguese Style – as the start of our culinary voyage. The buttery, crispy squid was lightly breaded, served with flavorful thinly sliced chouriço and banana peppers; a squeeze of lemon juice brightened the Portuguese spices, which offered a pleasant kick.

For an entree, I looked forward to digging into the Portuguese Sirloin Steak. The dish includes roasted sliced potatoes – a trademark of the cuisine – soft rice, crunchy fresh

Drinks and charcuterie at Assados

P hoto courtesy of Assados

FOOD & DRINK

Salad

potato chips, and two fried eggs. The steak was easily the star of the plate: juicy and cooked medium-well to my preference, with a thin layer of prosciutto sandwiched between the eggs and sirloin. The steak was soaked in a brown garlic sauce, providing a burst of umami and enhancing the bold roasted aroma.

When it was time for dessert, the waitress brought a selection of sweet offerings on a tray, allowing guests to let their senses guide their choice. Ryan shared that half of the desserts were made in-house, while

the rest were supplied from a local bakery. Assados prides itself on collaborating with local businesses in the area.

A drive to Assados Kitchen & Bar is the perfect reason to venture to Glocester, especially if you’re craving yummy roasts in a vibrant Portuguese restaurant.

Assados Kitchen & Bar

102 Putnam Pike, Harmony 401-349-2400

AssadosKitchenBar.com

till

Open ‘til 1am ocean front views weekly specials

Full menu served ‘til midnight 7 days a week!

fresh espresso rooftop bar

Green Eating

Curried broccoli stem soup avoids food waste in a way that’s flavorful and healthy

By Liz Murray

Want to employ a waste-less strategy in the kitchen? Stop throwing away those broccoli stems! Instead, strip away the tough outer layer with a vegetable peeler, and then chop them up into small pieces, which can be cooked just like the florets and added to stir-fries, soups, or salads for extra flavor and nutrition. This curried broccoli stem soup recipe offers a clever solution to using those perplexing stems. Warm spices add a flavorful kick, and it’s a healthy, waste-reducing – and wallet-friendly – dish to add to your meal-planning repertoire.

Rhody Resources

Opt for authentic curry spices, along with a variety of other Indian and Middle Eastern staples like rice, flour, naan, roti, and more, from corner markets to make this recipe sing.

BAHRA MARKET, West Warwick

MR. SPICE, Johnston

NOT JUST SPICES, Pro v idence

SWAGAT INDIAN FOOD, Woonsocket

CURRIED BROCCOLI STEM SOUP

INGREDIENTS

• 6 large broccoli stems

• 2 small onions, peeled

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 large garlic cloves, peeled

• 1 Tbsp water

• 1 tsp curry powder

• ½ tsp coriander

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp table salt

• ½ tsp red curry paste

• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth; use vegetable broth to make it vegan

• 2 Tbsp sliced green onion for garnish

STEPS

1. Peel the broccoli stalks until you reach the meaty interior. Do a thorough job of this task to avoid having any small fibers in your soup.

2. Once peeled, chop stalks into half-inch medallions. Rough-chop the onions as well.

3. Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Coat in the olive oil and then add the broccoli medallions and chopped onions. Cover and cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

4. At the 6-minute mark, toss in the two peeled garlic cloves and add a tablespoon of water to the pot. Place the lid back on and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 more minutes.

5. Add the curry powder, coriander, black pepper, salt, and curry paste, and stir well to incorporate.

6. Allow to cook for 1 minute before pouring in 3 cups of broth.

7. Bring the soup to a boil and continue to simmer for 5 minutes until the broccoli is fork-tender.

8. Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool for 15 minutes before carefully pouring it into a blender.

9. Blend on high for 60 seconds. Test the temperature – if it needs to be hotter to serve, pour the soup back into the soup pot and heat on the stove until the desired temperature is achieved. If the temperature is satisfactory, transfer it directly into soup bowls. Garnish with sliced green onion, and enjoy!

For more healthy recipes and a free Mediterranean diet guide, visit RecipeHippie.com.

Photo by Liz Murray

World Flavors on Wheels

Food trucks hitting the summer circuit offer a casual way to discover new-to-you cuisines

By Patty J

Trucks Turns 10

To have your pick of many mobile food businesses all in one place – accompanied by live music and family-friendly fun –follow PVD Food Truck Events, which celebrates a decade of culinary delights on wheels this season with a lineup of over 75 gatherings across the state. Find PVD Food Truck Events on Facebook or visit FoodTrucksIn.com/pvd-food-truck-events for happenings near you.

Food truck season is upon us, which means it’s never hard to find flavors from all over the globe popping up at parks, breweries, and festivals. Discover new-to-you trucks that you never knew you needed in your life, and hop on social media to find where your long-time favorites will be posting up this season. Let the multicultural food adventures begin!

Bem B ō m

This Portuguese/American fusion food truck and caterer uses beloved family recipes and locally sourced ingredients to cook up dishes like their famous Chourico and Peppers sandwich. They are also synonymous with mouthwatering pulled pork sandwiches and fries that are truly next level. Facebook: Bem B ō m Portuguese/American Culinary Fusion

Bun Buds PVD

Founders Ananya Chand and Jacob Weiss began selling their gourmet quality dumplings and hot dogs (including vegan options) at PVD’s India Point Park, and the unexpected pairing has garnered a devoted and passionate following among native foodies and hungry tourists alike. Find them this month at breweries, festivals, and more. Facebook: Bun Buds

Incred-A-Bowl

This food truck, with a brick-and-mortar in EP, has some of the best Jerk Chicken around, not to mention a Liberian Bowl with sweet potatoes, spinach, and plantains; and a vegan Jerk-style Portobello Mushroom for plant-based eaters. Regulars also adore their Pink Paradise and Caribbean Sea smoothies. IncredABowlFood.com

La Fogata

Based on Hartford Avenue in Providence, this Latin-fusion truck is all about absolutely delicious Tacos de Birria with meat stew consomé, Q uesadillas with Hot Cheeto Chicken,

and Chimis – a traditional Dominican burger. There’s some outside seating and music playing if you prefer to stick around and enjoy your order. @lafogata.foodtruck

Ming’s Asian Street Food

Folks come from miles around for this truck, with a Sando Bar in Pawtucket, which specializes in Bahn Mi (including a tofu version), Fried Chicken Sandwiches, Crab Rangoon, and Pho’tine Fries – topped with pho gravy, cheese curd, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, fried garlic, and lime. Inquire about booking their mobile bar, Bu’s Tap Trailer. MingsRI.com

Nanu Burmese Fusion

Yes, they have opened a restaurant on Sandy Lane in Warwick, but don’t worry because their food truck specializing in Asian-fusion will still be out and about. Nanu is known for their scrumptious dumplings (including a vegetarian version), sweet wings, Tom Yum soup (hot stuff), and noodle bowls. NanuBurmeseFusion.com

Pa’l Monte

Run, don’t walk to their next stop because this family-owned and -operated food truck based in Smithfield is cooking up incredible Dominican and Puerto Rican dishes. We’re talking empanadas; pastelitos, a flaky savory pastry; fried green plantains called tostones; and so much more. Regulars love the food and the customer service. Facebook: Pa’l Monte

Rhode Rage

Established in 2014 by Pakistan-born chef Rizwan Ahmed, this food truck is bringing haute cuisine on wheels to PVD and beyond. Inspired by Ahmed’s global adventures (he has also worked in both Michelin-starred and AAA 5 Diamond restaurants), the menu features things like Moroccan Meatballs, Blackened Fish Tacos, and more. RhodeRageRI.com

Photos courtesy of (L) Ming’s, (R) Nanu Burmese Fusion

Nanu Burmese Fusion

Ming’s Asian Street Food PVD Food

Paradise Found

A speakeasy-style bar’s new permanent chef brings a taste of the tropics to the West End

By Ann Martini

From the moment you pull up to Courtland Club, tucked into a quiet residential street off of Broadway, you suspect this might be unlike just about any other bar experience you’ve had in Rhode Island – or maybe even anywhere. The building is easy to miss: cedar shiplap siding with small, rectangular windows that you can’t see into, a heavy gray door, and a large enclosed patio. There’s no sign, just a “51” above the door. New visitors might think,“this can’t possibly be it.”

Nothing about Courtland Club is as you’d expect it – not the exposed brick walls that cradle old pizza ovens (back in the 1920s, this was a Crugnale Bakery of pizza strip fame) and act as a canvas for the projections of obscure video footage, nor the vintage glassware and stained-glass window that owner Jason Shechtman acquired during trips to antique

shops before he opened the club in 2017. There’s the soft-seating space with a custom leather banquette, and a nine-seat bar.

The food that the kitchen turns out is unexpected, too, in the most delightful of ways, especially with a new partnership in place between Courtland and chef Nikhil Naiker of Nimki, which has been serving Courtland’s customers as an occasional pop-up since 2019. Shechtman and Naiker have decided to make the partnership permanent, allowing Naiker and his second-in-command Ricardo Silva to expand their offerings.

“I’m so excited to do this,” Naiker says, “to have a home base where I can develop new things.” A Johnson & Wales grad with a degree in culinary arts and sustainability, he honed his chops at the now-closed north restaurant before creating Nimki. Naiker has described his own cooking style as “New

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

Courtland Club drinks complement Nimki’s “New England Tropical” menu

Cocktails developed by Laura Ganci

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England Tropical,” because it combines his love of local meats and seafood with cooking techniques and flavors that he learned growing up in Fiji, and then in the Monterey Bay region of California. “I think for the longest time I was afraid to lean into those tropical flavors that mean so much to me,” he says. “But it’s been really fun to share these flavors and dishes with people who might not have had them before.”

Examples of menu items include a Rock Crab and Carrot Flatbread with brown butter, peppercorn miso sauce, mustard, and lime, or a

Roasted Black Bass with coconut broth, cumin herb oil, and bok choy. His Spiced and Fried Chicken Sandwich with jalapeño and cabbage slaw and tamarind chutney is a favorite and has claimed a permanent spot on the menu, while other offerings will change according to what ingredients are freshest and available. There will be small plates and larger ones, and they’ll all be crafted to work alongside the unique cocktail program at the club, devised by beverage director Laura Ganci. “His food complements our cocktails so well,” says Shechtman.

The official partnership will also allow for the

development of new collaborations between the kitchen and bar. When Naiker proposed a lamb barbecue to take place later this spring, it led to a conversation about using the leftover fat from the meat to create fat-washed cocktails, in which fat is mixed with a spirit – say, whiskey – and then frozen. The fat rises to the top and is scraped off, but the flavor of it is left behind in the alcohol, adding another level of flavor to the drink.

“We want to create experiences for people,” Shechtman says. And while the club does offer speakeasy-style paid memberships, it is absolutely open to everyone. When Crugnale

Chef Nikhil Naiker

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

moved out of the space in the 1930s, what succeeded it was a long line of post WWIIera men’s clubs; Shechtman wanted to honor that spirit of hospitality and camaraderie, while updating for contemporary sensibilities, and he has. But this latest incarnation of 51 Courtland Street is poised to be its most successful, and thanks to the appointment of Naiker, surely its most delicious.

Courtland Club

51 Courtland Street, Providence CourtlandClub.com

RHODY SNAPSHOTS

Images via Instagram highlight the beauty of the Ocean State

Use #HeyRhodyPhotos and you could be featured next!

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Serving innovative takes on American classics and signature cocktails.

Let us host your next event!

Our unique private dining space can accommodate events from 15-125 guests. To connect with our Sales Manager about planning your next private event, please call 401-314-9050 or visit ironworkswarwick.com/private-events.

697 Jefferson Blvd. | Warwick, RI

scan to explore our private dining options

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