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Providence Monthly | February 2016
• • • •
Horticultural Lectures RIEEA Kid's Adventure Zone Music by Reminisce (Thurs) & Hey 19 (Fri) And much more!
Contents
Photography (L) James Jones, (R) by Stacey Doyle
FEBRUARY 2016
Our guide to making sparks fly in PVD
25
This Month 20 Laugh Out Loud Meet the funny people of Rhode Island’s
41
Satisfying samplers at Vinya Tapas
31 City Style We push it to The Edge for a month of personalized fitness training 31 At Home 33 The Look 34 Get Fit 37 Beauty 38 Shop Around
improv troupes
25 The Perfect Date in Providence In the mood for love? Leave the hard work of setting the scene to us
Every Month 8 Editor’s Note 9 Online Exclusives
13 Providence Pulse
4 1 Feast Small bites are all the rage on Westminster Street 42 Review 44 On The Menu 47 In The Kitchen 48 In The Drink 49 Rhody Bites
53 Get Out PechaKucha turns PowerPoint into performance art 54 Calendar 56 Art 57 Music 59 Theatre
60 Savor Providence We get our caffeine buzz on with some of PVD's hottest lattes
Find our what makes PC’s star point guard Kris Dunn a giant on and off the court 14 City
On the Cover: Raquel and Gerry Fortuna at The Dorrance. Photography by James Jones. Makeup by Aline Sarkis for Suite Tart. February 2016 | Providence Monthly
7
Editor’s Note Falling in Love with Providence This time of year, it’s all about one day. One day when all of the restaurants are overcrowded, all of the florists are overbooked and all of the stores are oversaturated with red hearts and teddy bears. It doesn’t make a lot of sense: doesn’t love deserve to be celebrated not just on Valentine’s Day, but on February 13 and 15, too? And in March and April, and all year long? That’s why this month, we’re setting the stage for romance in Providence on any given day. Our cover story gives you ideas for perfect dates, whether you’re going on a first
date, in your fifth year together or you’re looking for someone special. There’s a lot to love in this city: people, places, cocktails… Get out there and enjoy it.
PROVIDENCE MONTHLY
Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell
Media Director Jeanette St. Pierre @JeanetteSTP
Creative Director Julie Tremaine @JulieTremaine
Managing Editor Grace Lentini @Gracie_NomNom
Digital Editor Tony Pacitti @TonyPacitti
Editor Courtney Denelle @CourtneyDenelle
Art Director Meghan H. Follett
Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas
Assistant Art Director Veatsna Sok
Graphic Designer Katie Leclerc
Account Managers Shelley Cavoli: Shelley@ProvidenceOnline.com Louann DiMuccio-Darwich: Louann@ProvidenceOnline.com Ann Gallagher: Ann@ProvidenceOnline.com Kristine Mangan: Kristine@ProvidenceOnline.com Elizabeth Riel: Liz@ProvidenceOnline.com Dan Schwartz: DanS@ProvidenceOnline.com Kimberly Tingle: Kim@ProvidenceOnline.com Stephanie Oster Wilmarth: Stephanie@ProvidenceOnline.com Contributing Photographers Amy Amerante Stacey Doyle Mike Braca James Jones Ian Travis Barnard Tony Pacitti Brian DeMello Tim Siekiera
Contributor Nicolas Staab
Brad Smith Contributing Illustrator Meghan H. Follett
Writer
Every month Nicolas Staab interviews one of the brilliant chefs that are consistently earning Providence high marks for dining on a national level. “Chefs are the hardest working people,” he says. “They work 65-plus hours a week in service to others. It takes passion to accomplish that feat, day in, day out.” If he could take any up-and-coming non-local chef on a culinary tour of PVD it would be Johanna Ware of Smallwares in Portland, OR. “It would only make sense to bring her to North. They both share a talent for amazing vegetable-centric dishes. After that, I’d hit Bacaro, Nick’s on Broadway and Olneyville NY System. Then go home and sleep for three days.”
Contributing Writers Keith Andrade @AndradeK
Stephanie Obodda @StephanieDoes
Erin Balsa
Cristy Raposo @foxywhite03
Alastair Cairns
Bill Rodriguez
David Dadekian @dadekian
Johnette Rodriguez Jenn Salcido
Emily Dietsch
Jen Senecal @JenSenecal
Claire Flanagan Amanda Grosvenor Molly Lederer Ali McGowan Interns Kendra Genereux
John Taraborelli @JohnnyTabs Elyena “Nellie” de Goguel
Madeleine Fournier Members Of:
Audited by:
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PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER. PAPER CONTAINS 20-25% POST-CONSUMER CONTENT
7
268
4
Perfectly romantic date night iteneraries for Valentine’s Day in PVD (Page 25)
Points scored (at the time of press) this season by PC point guard Kris Dunn (Page 13)
The minimum number of green smoothies in the office on any given day due to New Year’s resolutions. We’ll be back to Dr. Pepper, Monster and secret whiskey by midFebruary.
facebook.com/pvdmonthly
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
@pvdmonthly
@HeyRhody
Providence Monthly 1070 Main Street, Suite 302 Pawtucket RI 02860 • Fax: 401-305-3392 www.providenceonline.com mail@providenceonline.com @pvdmonthly For advertising rates call: 401-305-3391 We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright ©2016 by Providence Monthly, All rights reserved.
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Providence Pulse
Photo by Providence College Media Relations
CITY / MALCONTENT / SCENE IN PVD
Everyone’s Talking About #3 You may recognize Kris Dunn from those billboards along the highway. Or that profile in Sports Illustrated. Or, you know, from the fact that The Friars have been steadily climbing through the ranks all season. Turn the page to find out why Athletic Director Bob Driscoll thinks PC’s star point guard is a once-in-a-generation ballplayer.
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
13
Pulse |
City
Continued from Page 11
The Kris Dunn Effect PC’s Athletic Director emphasizes the rarity of this once-in-a-generation college athlete
14
Providence Monthly | February 2016
Junior point guard Kris Dunn has been getting a lot of attention locally and from national outlets
based on the adversity Kris had faced in his childhood. “I mean, he could have went to the NBA last year and made millions but he chose to come back because he wants to get his degree,” Bob says. “He has two younger sisters
that he wants to serve as a role model. That’s unusual for guys that have the potential to make a lot of money in the NBA, so the fact that he wanted to get his degree speaks volumes for the character of the young man.” Despite being a point guard, Bob emphasized how versatile a player Kris really is, saying that even when the ball isn’t in his hands, he’s transforming the game. “He plays both ends of the court at an elite level all the time. That’s unusual.” In his first game of the season back in a November match-up against Harvard, Kris brought in 32 points, six rebounds, nine assists and eight steals. For a school with undergraduate enrollment at a mere 3,800 people, having a player of Kris’ caliber is a rare situation. National sports outlets can’t seem to get enough of him, and with every article published, anticipation for the next game is lurking in the air throughout the Providence College campus. “I think people realize that he’s a once-in-ageneration player, and when those special people come around, people want to watch it,” Bob says.
When asked about his favorite moments watching Kris, he didn’t mention a memorable dunk shot or upsetting an opponent, but instead talked about when Kris meets with young boys and girls with serious health issues after games. “A selfish person would care about the score, the outcome and so forth. Kris actually cares about that young person, and takes himself out of his space to go help them,” Bob explains. “The smiles on these young peoples’ faces when they’re taking a picture with Kris Dunn are priceless. To me, that’s more important than his ability to shoot a basket, but he’s smart enough to understand that profile allows him to touch other peoples’ lives in a special way. He uses his notoriety and celebrity to share that with others. That’s his gift.” It’s never too early to start thinking about brackets – and Kris Dunn has Rhode Islanders already buzzing about post-season madness, draft picks and making history. This month, see Kris Dunn and the Friars take on Villanova, Georgetown and DePaul at home. For a full schedule, visit friars.com –Kelly Laske
Photo by Providence College Media Relations
Bob Driscoll leans back in his chair, hands crossed, with a 2014 Big East Basketball Championship ring resting on his finger. As the Athletic Director at Providence College for over 14 years, he’s seen it all – from his athletes making buzzer beater shots to a recent string of national championships. Seated in his office, surrounded by PC sports memorabilia and awards, excitement is written all over his face – and it’s for more than just the trophies. The reason? It’s once-in-a-lifetime athlete, Kris Dunn, the junior point guard for the men’s basketball team whose talent has coaches across the country openly envious. At 6’4”, Kris has always been a big man on campus – literally – but within just a few short months, he has arguably become one of the biggest names in college basketball, making itty-bitty Rhode Island stand out on the map. Despite predictions saying he would have been a first round NBA draft pick last spring, Kris passed up on the offer. Bob couldn’t help but be impressed at the 21-year-old’s decision to stay
Pulse |
City
It’s in a Book…
Learn What the Waves Know Local author and JWU professor Tamara Valentine discusses her debut novel “Really, a first person narrator that doesn’t speak? Good luck!” That’s what one agent said to native Rhode Islander and Johnson & Wales professor Tamara Valentine while she was writing What the Waves Know. After starting the novel eight years ago and subsequently locking it in a drawer because “it wouldn’t behave,” Tamara was haunted by the story and dove back into it, producing this breathtaking piece that explores the concept of “what to do if you’re afraid of your voice.” Have you always wanted to be a writer? I was born a writer; I really believe it. I’ve had a pencil in my hand as long as I can remember. I was that kid that would disappear into the woods for hours [to write]. Even when I wasn’t writing, I was daydreaming, and constantly building stories in my head. I didn’t know that I would ever be successful at it, but I knew that I’d always be writing, even if I weren’t a writer. What inspired What the Waves Know? When I first graduated undergrad, I worked with young autistic adults. There was one boy that everyone suspected was not on the spectrum. He never spoke. Every time he’d almost speak, he would take his pointer finger and bite it, like he was waiting to calm back down so
he wouldn’t speak, and it always haunted me. I’ve never forgotten him. A lot of people suspected he had trauma in his life before he stopped speaking, and it was sort of just always sitting there. That was probably [where the idea] of what to do if you’re afraid of your voice [originated from].
on February 9. Tamara Valentine will be doing a reading and Q&A at Books on the Square, February 19. 471 Angell Street. 331-9097, booksq.com –Samantha Westmoreland
You’ve written such strong female characters. Do you have strong female influences? I get discouraged by pieces that [feature] damsels in distress. The writers that I admire are immensely strong women that write strong characters. Margaret Atwood, Isabella Yende and Julia Alvarez, who I just adore, write these amazing, complicated female characters. How did you come up with the idea for the setting, Tillings Island? When I first started writing, I remember standing on the cliffs on Block Island, and looking at this white house, starting to fill in the characters that might live there. That is how this piece started, not with the characters, but with the place. I worked backwards, filling in the slots as I went. I kept a picture of that house up in front of me when I started writing. What the Waves Know will be on bookshelves
Author and JWU Professor Tamara Valentine
Movie Time
For the Love of Film and the Future Thoughtfully elevated programming in store at the PVD Children’s Film Fest
Photo (Top) by Ronald C. Valentine
Here in the Creative Capital, our collective commitment to the arts insists we look to the future, meeting the needs of the times today for a brighter tomorrow. This is no more abundantly showcased than with the Providence Children’s Film Festival, celebrating its seventh year from February 6-21. Executive Director, Anisa Raoof, speaks directly to a thoughtful level of development in carving out the film roster and workshop programming. “We jury all the films ahead of time,” she expands. “It’s independent and national, so we bring in the best films from around the world – films that these kids might never get to see. We insist on high quality, taking into consideration what would be best for different age groups and developmental stages.”
What was once a three-day festival has steadily grown, now spanning two weekends and running eight days, which has allowed for more expansive programming and accessibility by enabling more families to experience the festival. “It’s important for kids to see these movies, of course, but we want them to think about them and talk about them, perhaps in a completely new way,” says Anisa. Accordingly, the roster includes classic films – like Buster Keaton’s The General – and documentaries, as well as animated selections, but each is juried and chosen because it is suitable for kids, as opposed to being a kids’ movie. “We’re challenging them with some of these stories,” Anisa continues, “because we know they will rise to the occasion. Things don’t need to be dumbed down to be suitable for kids.”
In looking towards the future, the Festival continues to grow year round. Partnerships have been developed with the public libraries and schools to enable more free screenings and programming. In fact, all of the features from film fests passed have been cataloged on Film Hub, an online resource that directs people to libraries or retail platforms where they can view or purchase the movies. There are also study guides made available to accommodate educators interested in incorporating the Film Festival’s programming into their curriculum, “It’s really important for kids to have ways of expressing themselves and be exposed to different modes of storytelling,” she says. “It feeds their creative capabilities and makes them aware of different possibilities.” February 6-21, providencechildrensfilmfestival.org –Courtney Denelle
The animated short, Bear Story, will screen at this year’s PCFF
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
15
Explore new worlds at the...
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
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Who Are you lAughing At? Get your funny bone tickled by these local improv troupes by Barbara Pomerleau
A
Providence Improv Guild performs the first Saturday of each month
A Belly Full of Laughs The first Saturday of each month, Improv Jones takes the stage at AS220, performing their unique, signature brand of comedy along with a rotating complement of special guests. Counting themselves amongst the longest running troupes in the country, Improv Jones was founded by Mauro Hantman in 1992, and consistently attracts
some of the most experienced players in the local theater scene to their ranks, drawing their performers from such venerable institutions as Trinity Rep, The Gamm Theater and The Wilbury Group. In addition to their monthly shows, they are also the organizers of the Providence Improv Fest, a weekend-long event, now in its 13th year, that hosts over 40 local and outof-town groups in two separate event spaces in September. $5. First Saturday of the month. 10pm. AS220 Black Box, 95 Empire Street. improvjones.com.
Improvisation Through Collaboration
Catch Everett Company’s Friday Night Live every week in Providence
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
The Providence Improv Guild is exactly what it sounds like: a collaboration of various smaller independent acts, coming together to build, promote and share ideas within the improv community. From its humble beginnings as a means for struggling troupes to grow their respective audiences by offering a common space and schedule, the P.I.G. (as they are called) has over the years become a driving force in not only growing awareness of improv as an art form, but also as a training
ground for the next generation, offering classes and workshops to the public throughout the year. Most shows utilize the long-form format of improvisation (meaning they continually build on one central idea throughout the program), but also offer both a short-form performance (multiple independent skits), as well as an entirely musical performance, where songs and lyrics are made up on the spot, once a month. Check their website for the current schedule. $5. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 8pm. Southside Cultural Center, 393 Broad Street. improvpig.com
It’s All Fun and Games Billing themselves as “Good for ages 2 to 92,” Friday Night Live is a family-friendly alternative for those with little ones for whom the late night shows may be a little too risqué (or would go right over their heads). The evening starts with a series of games, similar to the popular TV show Whose Line is it, Anyway?, and is followed by a musical component, accompanied by either Bertrand Laurence on guitar, or Keith Munslow on keyboard. Hosted by the Everett
Photography (Top) by Tim Siekiera
h, February. The frantic socializing and high excitement of the holiday season has faded into memory, the good cheer wearing off only moments after all the gifts were opened. New Year’s resolutions have been both valiantly attempted and subsequently abandoned. Football season is over, for better or for worse, and with it the tailgating parties and Sunday afternoons at the local sports bar. Although it may technically only be six weeks away, those of us who have spent more than a year or two as New Englanders know that whatever Punxsutawney Phil says, spring is still a long time coming. Sure, you could just hunker down and do takeout and Netflix this weekend, again, but why would you, when for less than the cost of a movie ticket you can not only enjoy live entertainment, but be a part of the action, as well? Rhode Island is home to a host of improv troupes that offer shows nearly every night of the week, anchored by some of the state’s top performers and propelled by (100% voluntary) audience participation. If you loved reading those Choose Your Own Adventure books as a child, this grown-up version, where anything can happen and the show is never the same thing twice, is for you.
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The Bit Players keep the laughter going in Newport Friday and Saturday nights
Theater Group, the performers are a mix of seasoned professionals and students who have come up through the Everett’s improv training classes which, like the P.I.G., are offered to the public and are taught by the Everett School co-founders, Dorothy Jungels and Aaron Jungels. $5. Fridays. 7pm. Everett Company Stage, 9 Duncan Avenue. everettri.org
Family-Friendly Comedy
Photo courtesy of The Bit Players
Providence is a great city for many reasons, but more often than not, easy-to-find parking isn’t one of them. Save yourself some aggravation and head down to Warwick for Bring Your Own Improv (BYOI), fresh off of their eighth season at the Warwick Museum of Art. Grab a spot in the spacious lot behind the building and head into this small, intimate venue for one of two shows offered every Friday night. BYOI offers a family-friendly show at 7pm, followed by a PG-13 late show at 9pm. At the beginning of each performance, audience participants’ names are entered into a drawing to be the “Featured Audience Member”; the lucky winner gets to answer a list of questions that form the basis of the entire show. Check out their blog afterwards for a recap and enjoy your 15 minutes of fame! $8 adults/$4 seniors, military, students, children under 12. Fridays. 7pm and 9pm. Warwick Museum of Art, 3259 Post Road, Warwick. bringyourownimprov.com
Indulge, Imbibe and Improvise Island dwellers, never fear, you can get your fill of laughs without ever having to cross a bridge. The Bit Players have been entertaining Newport since 2007 with their short-form improvisation and a BYOB policy that can make for some raucous crowds and, shall we say, interesting suggestions. A favorite for bachelor parties, birthdays
and girls’ night out, the Players are more than happy to make the celebrants the focus of the show if you let them know beforehand. All-ages performances are also offered occasionally, on school vacations and holidays, so that the whole family can get in on the fun, and the Players can be booked for private or corporate events, too. They even provide complimentary soft drinks and coffee, as well as ice, cups and whatever else you might have forgotten to pick up at the liquor store on the way over. $15. Fridays 8pm; Saturdays 8pm and 10pm. Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Place, Newport. bitplayers.net.
A Side-Splitting Duo In South County, get your giggle on with the Contemporary Theater Company’s (CTC) double whammy of improv offerings, Micetro Improv and The Weekender. Micetro is a weekly competition-style show, where the audience members vote for the best performer in a series of games, until all but one are eliminated and a winner is crowned (literally). Micetro is a nationally recognized improv format, performed all over the world and brought to Little Rhody (by way of New Zealand) by Ryan Hartigan in 2010. Like several of its Providence counterparts, the CTC offers improv classes year round, and many of its graduates are welcomed into the rotating cast of 8-16 performers. The Weekender began as an experimental lab space for those very students, and is still used primarily as a forum for open performances and testing new ideas, although outside groups are also welcome to perform. The show is curated and hosted by Neal Leaheey and Charlie Santos, and the various groups perform in sets of 20 minutes each. $8. Micetro Improv, Fridays 9:30pm. Weekender, Sundays 5pm. Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, South Kingstown. contemporarytheatercompany.com
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1091 Main Street, Pawtucket (just over line) • 728-0800 Tues-Thurs 4pm-11pm • Fri-Sun 4pm-1am February 2016 | Providence Monthly
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
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Bobby Pins Salon
The Edge Fitness for Women
Edgewood Wine & Spirits
2208 Broad Street, Providence 461-3400 bobbypinssalon.com
1856 Broad Street, Providence 749-3134 theedgefitnessforwomen.com
1992 Broad Street, Cranston 785-2286 Facebook: Edgewood Wine and Spirits
A boutique salon supporting the best in Aveda products,
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A full-service liquor store with a healthy wine selection,
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a sense of community and personalized attention from
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helpful staff Edgewood is known for its selection of craft
hand and scalp massages, coffee and tea with every visit.
Barre, Boot Camp, Kickboxing, Strengthen and Tone, Cross
beers, including locals like GreySail and Foolproof.
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Elephant Room
Noon Design Shop
Twice Told Tales
2170 Broad Street, Cranston 461-2170 elephanttearoom.com
18 Post Road, Warwick 455-1222 noondesignshop.com
2145 Broad Street, Providence 785-9599 twicetoldtalesri.com
An all together unique storefront and studio that designs and fabricates jewelry, as well as letterpress greeting cards, home goods and more. Formerly located in Providence, they have relocated to Pawtuxet Village and are now open for business, providing one-of-a-kind items for this one-of-a-kind neighborhood.
Featuring an eclectic array of clothing, jewelry and
Beloved for its minimalist style and zen atmosphere, the Elephant Room offers a tranquil experience for the avid tea drinker. In addition to premium French press coffee, tea-infused scones and small plates, this tearoom/creperie serves select wine, beer, and house-infused cocktails.
accessories, Twice Told Tales also offers books, cards and gifts from local authors and artisans. With well-loved brands like Uno de 50, Trollbeads and Crabtree & Evelyn, there’s something special for shoppers of all ages.
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a providence love story Perfect date date ideas ideas Perfect
Photography by James Jones
plus one not required by Julie Tremaine
So you’ve met someone you’d like to get to know better. Great. Now what? Take the object of your affection on one of these memorable excursions, whether it’s your first date, your first anniversary or your fourth decade together. Love is in the air this month. Don’t waste it.
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26
Providence Monthly | February 2016
Photography (Top L) Mike Braca, (Bottom L) Stacey Doyle,
Photography (Top R) Mike Braca
et’s get something straight right off the bat. Not all dates are created equal. Depending on how you met your beloved and how long you two have known each other, your choice of location, activity and time commitment needs to change. Choose carefully, and you’re guaranteed to make a big impression. Whether that impression is good or bad is totally up to you. We’re not experts in romance at all. We just know how to have fun in the city.
Did your Match/Tinder/OK/Whatever profile say that you “love going out on the town and trying all the new spots”? Time to prove it. Impress your date with your knowledge of the city’s brand new hotspots. The key to a great date – especially when you don’t know much about the person – is to choose a location that has some kind of interest factor built in. That way, when there’s a lull in the conversation, you have things around you to talk about. Biergarten, the new German beer hall, has a great beer selection and shareable Bavarian-inspired food. The fact that the place just opened in November and your date probably hasn’t heard of it yet? Bonus. 114 Spruce Street. 780-8975, biergartenri.com If things are going well, time to amp up the romance. Walk around the corner to DaVinci, where you have two options: head upstairs to the cigar bar, or downstairs into the dining room. The ambience is perfect for romance: low lighting, stylish decor and a bar where it’s easy to get closer to your date. Order a couple of martinis and the Antipasto Della Casa. 146 Acorn Street. 572-3911, davincilounge.com Since you just spent the last couple of hours cocktailing your way around Federal Hill, you probably don’t need another drink. But if you’re too enamored to call it a night, head for a nightcap just down the street at Pastiche. It’s not exactly brand new, but they make a great espresso, have a romantic fireplace and serve slices of Torta di Cioccolata with two forks. 92 Spruce Street. 861-5190, pastichefinedesserts.com
The Eddy
Vinya Tapas
The Duck & Bunny
Pastiche
Biergarten
DaVinici
So you’ve captured that elusive unicorn: you met someone face to face, and managed to land a date. Even better, you’re turning a friend into more-thanfriends. Focus on smaller venues where the two of you can get to know each other better without running into half of the city. Start with a cocktail at The Eddy. The tiny bar serves inventive, delicious libations and has all the low lighting you want on a date. Your best bet is to go on slightly off hours – at 7pm on a Saturday, you’re probably going to wait a bit for seats, and those 15 minutes of standing there and staring awkwardly at each other aren’t going to set a great tone for the evening. On a Wednesday, though? Date perfect. 95 Eddy Street. 831-3339, eddybar.com If you’d like to keep the evening going, head around the corner to Vinya Tapas. It’s a scientifically proven fact that tapas are the perfect date food. Not only do you decide together on different plates to share, but the order-as-you-go pacing of tapas means that you decide how long or short you want the evening to be. Vinya, the new tapas place on Westminster, has authentic European chops and a luxe, date-friendly ambience. 225A Westminster Street. 508-942-8918, vinyatapas.com If you’re too busy making heart-shaped eyes at each other to possibly call the date to a close, head to The Duck and Bunny. There’s a reason that this “snuggery” is consistently full of couples – it’s basically the perfect date destination. Fireplaces in all three rooms + sparkling cocktails + gourmet cupcakes + plush banquettes to cozy up to each other = romance in the air. 312 Wickenden Street. 270-3300, theduckandbunny.com
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
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The Spa at the Biltmore
Alex and Ani City Center Rink
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
The Capital Grille
The Avery
The Dorrance
Aurora
The key to maintaining a long-term relationship is to keep things fresh. Instead of the same old Saturday night date, mix it up by taking a weekday off together. No kids, no errands, no chores. Just each other. Start the day off right by treating yourselves to a super fancy lunch. The Capital Grille will do nicely for this. Sit by the windows overlooking Waterplace Park, share a half-bottle of red and a couple of petit filets, and have a real conversation. The most important thing: leave your phone in your pocket the entire time. This is about connecting, not looking up mid-season trades. 10 Memorial Boulevard. 521-5600, thecapitalgrille.com Don’t be afraid to have some silly fun together. Try ice skating at the Alex and Ani City Center. Nothing will make you feel more like a kid – or more like you’re back at the beginning of your relationship – than wobbling around on skates for the first time in who knows how long. The upside? You’re guaranteed to have someone at home to ice your bruises. 2 Kennedy Plaza. 331-5544, alexandanicitycenter.com Cap off your downtown adventure with a couples massage at The Spa at the Biltmore. It’s conveniently right across the street from the skating rink, so no matter what condition you’re in after skating, you’ll be able to walk over. The spa offers 20% off all services to Providence residents, but that doesn’t mean you can’t book a room if you’re feeling spontaneous. 11 Dorrance Street. 455-3100, providencebiltmore.com
Photo (Bottom L) by Tony Pacitti
So the first date went well. That’s great (and you’re welcome). Now is the time to step up your game. The first impression is important, but you want your future beloved to know you’ve got more than one trick up your sleeve. Start out the evening at The Avery. Yes, your date has heard of the tucked away West Side cocktail joint, but your date will know by your selection of said West Side cocktail joint that you’re a connoisseur both of watering holes and of companions to bring to them. Order an Aviation (a classic combination of gin, maraschino, lemon and creme de violette) or a Japanese whiskey – both are equally impressive – and get cozy on those banquettes. 18 Luongo Square. averyprovidence.com Follow up your strong start with dinner at The Dorrance. It’s arguably Providence’s most beautiful restaurant, and so suggestive of romance that couples get married there on the regular. The nice part is that the food stands up to the decor for an irresistible epicurean one-two. Linger over oysters on the half shell, Pappardelle with Lobster or Salmon with Forbidden Rice – just maybe don’t pull any creepy Shakespearean “food of love” stuff. 60 Dorrance Street. 521-6000, thedorrance.com By this point you’ll probably have had enough of sitting at restaurants. Time for some fun. Head to a live show. Aurora has music, theatre or film screenings nightly. Monday nights have live music, Tuesdays are comedy open mic, some Wednesdays have salsa dancing. Get moving together – it’s a sure way to test the chemistry. 276 Westminster Street. 272-5723, auroraprovidence.com
Photo (Bottom L) by Marianne Lee
The Dean Hotel
The Rooftop at the Providence G
La Gondola
There’s so much more to do with friends than sit around and drink beer. Try out one of these alternatives instead. Ugh. Exercise. But it turns out there are some classes that are actually much more fun when you bring a friend, like kickboxing. The two of you will be sparring, gloves on, trying equally hard not to punch each other in the face or to laugh hysterically at how silly you feel. Trust us. It’s a really good time, and it’s a lot more fun than spending a Sunday morning over cold Eggs Benedict. Try Fight 2 Fitness (65 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket. 728-2039, fight2fitnessri. com), or Rondeau’s Kickboxing (12 Sunnyside Avenue, Johnston. 9965425, rkblive.com), to start your own (hopefully less violent) Fight Club. Put your brains, and your friendship, to the test at Escape RI. The interactive puzzle game locks you in a room for an
Escape RI
hour, with only each other to help solve the puzzle and get you out. There are two different games: The Study puts you in the mansion of a reclusive billionaire, where you must rescue your fellow secret agents and discover his secrets; in The Gallery, you must rescue a famous artist by investigating her studio for clues before it’s too late. 385 South Main Street. 572-3889, escaperhodeisland.com Find some inner peace at Urban Sweat at Raffa Yoga. The spa experience is a series of saunas and steam rooms, designed to detoxify your body, clear your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. Especially in the cold weather, it’s a great way to spend an indulgent couple of hours. Couple Urban Sweat, where you can stay as long as you like, with a facial or massage, before or after a yoga class, for a truly mindful day. 19 Sharpe Drive, Cranston. 463-3335, raffayoga.com
Raffa Yoga
Think unforgettably romantic nights are reserved exclusively for Paris and Rome? Think again. It’s possible to fan the flames of romance right here in Providence. Here’s how. You know those gondolas that are always going up and down the river during WaterFire? It turns out La Gondola offers rides all the time, not just while there are thousands of people standing on either side of the river, watching your every move. The experience is a lot more romantic without the audience. The bonus: taking one in the cold weather means you’ll just have to try that much harder to keep each other warm. 1 Citizens Plaza. 421-8877, gondolari.com There’s a lot of pressure surrounding Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year according to Hallmark and the Lifetime Movie Network. Lucky for you, V-Day falls on a Sunday this year, effectively giving you three days to get it right. The restaurants at the Providence G are celebrating all weekend long. Both Garde de la Mer and The Rooftop are serving prix-fixe dinner with live music all three nights, and the Rooftop is serving a special brunch on Sunday. Romantic dining under the stars? Yeah, you’re getting this right. 100 Dorrance Street. 585-8005, providenceg.com Whether you live in Providence or not, make a night of it and stay at The Dean. The stylish hotel has garnered attention from GQ and Town & Country magazines this year alone. Grab a surprisingly inexpensive room and see where the night takes you… whether to cocktails at The Magdelanae Room or karaoke at The Boombox, obviously. Why, what were you thinking? 122 Fountain Street. 455-3326, thedeanhotel.com
The Jesse Burke exhibit at the RISD
Ten Prime Steak & Sushi
Museum
You’re not going to meet anyone to Netflix and chill with while actually Netflixing and chilling. Get out there and have some fun. Get some culture. The RISD Museum is worth a visit just for your own enrichment, but who knows, you might bump into a fellow appreciator of the arts who’s just dying to get a cup of coffee with you. The exhibit that opened at the end of January, Jesse Burke: Wild & Precious, is a RISD grad’s photographic journey across America with his daughter. Plus, the museum is free on Sundays and the third Thursday evening of the month. Dining solo at the bar gets a bad rep, but it’s actually a lot of fun if you go into the experience with the right mindset. Pick a lively place like XO Cafe (125 North Main Street. 273-9090, xocafe.
com) or Ten Prime Steak & Sushi (55 Pine Street. 453-2333, tenprimesteakandsushi.com). Strike up a conversation with the bartender, or some people sitting on either side of you. Just don’t spend the whole time staring into your phone. You’ll never see what’s happening in the world around you if you’re delving into the depths of social media. Get out of your element and learn something new. Take a cooking class – Johnson & Wales (jwu.edu) offers oneday lessons in everything from knife skills to tapas to party appetizers. Look at your city from a new perspective on a Rhode Island Historical Society walking tour (rihs.org). See an indie movie at The Cable Car (cablecarcinema.com). Whatever you do, just get out of your routine and out of your own way. You never know what could happen.
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
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Validated Parking Unlimited Group Classes Complimentary Towels Sauna Juice Bar Massage
Time For A ChAnge! Providence downtown Fitness Boutique We have the answer to your fitness rut! Group classes, spinning, free weights, cardio machines, and personal training; VP Fitness has it all at our 12,000 square foot facility. It is our goal to help you reach your personal health and wellness goals and we will do whatever it takes to get you in top notch shape. Join the movement â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Join VP Fitness Today!
VP FiTness, LLC 10 Dorrance Street Providence, RI P: 401-479-7099 F: 401-383-3099 www.vpfitness.net M-F: 5:30am-9:00pm Sat-Sun: 7:00am-4:00pm
City Style
AT HOME / SHOP TALK / THE LOOK / BEAUTY / GET FIT This image was captured by my dear friend Andree Kehn for the underwater series she has been working on for the past few years. The images she evokes of an oxygen-free environment are so poetic and otherworldly.
My boyfriend Shawn and I love to travel around the state finding little out-of-the-way antique shops, yard sales and thrift shops to peruse. We love the hunt. On one such day of adventure we came upon this lamp. I loved the large glass globe, the adorable little angel cherub and the amber glass droplets. And we grabbed it for a steal: only $13!
Another Shawn win. He was at a friend’s house and his friend was going to place this beauty on the sidewalk. Shawn traded a used computer for the chair and saved it from becoming possible landfill.
Photography by Stacey Doyle
Shawn has a great eye for vintage pieces. When he came upon this beauty at Salvation Army (which we call Sally’s or Sal’s Boutique) he didn’t hesitate in scooping it up. Not only is it lovely to look at, it’s super comfy too.
Vintage Sensibility About the Homeowner
I adore Nantucket, whether heading over to photograph a wedding or spending time with islander friends. On each trip, I try to make time to visit the island’s re-sale and thrift shops. A few years back I came upon this bright, beautiful rug at the Hospital Thrift Shop. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of one of my favorite places in New England.
Stacey Doyle is a freelance photographer who specializes in weddings. She and her boyfriend Shawn Anthony Fraser live in Pawtucket. They call this their Grand Room with The Fireplace.
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
31
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32
Providence Monthly | February 2016
City Style |
The Look
Pamela Rihani
Owner/Designer of Katima Jewelry
By Jeanette St. Pierre
Experience. Integrity. Results.
Tell us about your look today. I love taking pieces and mixing them together. I’m wearing a Wool Boucle dress that I sometimes double as a top. The bottom is a cool pencil skirt that has a zipper on the side. I love wearing it over these patterned Etro leggings to create a layered look. The boots are over-the-knee suede purchased in Italy a lifetime ago. I’m also wearing a necklace from my jewelry line. It’s made of an antique Tibetan lock and antique Hebron beads. It’s strong and powerful. I love your use of jewelry. There is so much power in how someone accessorizes. It speaks volumes about one’s personality. While I can certainly appreciate the beauty of a strand of pearls or a delicate gold necklace, that has never been me. I like statement pieces. I especially like wearing my pieces with just a pair of old jeans and a guy’s t-shirt. I don’t feel like I ever need be “dressed” to wear my jewelry. I take after my grandmother, who at 90 years old would put her favorite pieces of jewelry on everyday – even if she was just staying home. How would you describe your style? It is really important for me to be authentic. I can’t wear something that does not feel like me despite how fashionable it may be or if magazines say they’re hot. I wear things I love and that make me feel good. That could mean anything from a high-end designer to some weird inexpensive thing I may have picked up in my travels. I’m not methodical about the way I dress. It all just comes together very organically. I worked in the world of fashion many moons ago as a stylist, luxury retail buyer, personal shopper and for Giorgio Armani. I’ve seen it all and worn a lot of it. I love fashion, but I don’t chase after it.
Call Gerri Schiffman (401) 474-3733 #1 Agent at Residential Properties Ltd. Since 1996
Photography by Ian Travis Barnard
What inspires your jewelry line? My jewelry line is inspired by all things exotic. I was really influenced by the beauty of Bedouin jewelry while traveling in the Middle East. I love texture, color and things that feel soulful. My pieces carry an energy that is palpable when you hold them. The nicest complement came from a woman who said all my pieces tell their own story. Tell us about the name Katima. Katima means “powerful daughter.” One of my dearest friends came up with the name. It was such an amazing gift because it really sums up the vibe of my line, the wisdom my mother passed down and my own philosophy of the power of women. Katima Jewelry is available at Clad in Wayland Square and katimajewelry.com.
(401) 474-3733 gerri@residentialproperties.com
gerrischiffman.com residentialproperties.com
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
33
Think Spring...
City Style |
Get Fit
By Julie Tremaine
Girl Power A different kind of fitspiration at The Edge Fitness for Women
Sunday February 14
A specialty boutique Open Daily 10-5:30 Saturday 10-5
The Village CenTer 290 County road, Barrington 247-1087 Facebook “f ” Logo
CMYK / .eps
Facebook “f ” Logo
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femfanciesri.com 34
Providence Monthly | February 2016
Work your abs at TRX Core at The Edge
strong enough to hold you up. (Okay, maybe, but no promises.) Like I said: I was nervous to start. I didn’t have confidence in my body, or in my ability to keep up with the rest of the class. The other times I had tried fitness classes, I was one in a crowded room, clearly one of the least fit people there, and it was either you keep up, you get ignored, or you get yelled at in front of the group. So when I walked into my first class, a Monday night Boot Camp, you can imagine how I was feeling. But instead of sour-faced women taking #fitspiration selfies, I was greeted by a smiling Natalina, who introduced me to the five students. Everyone was friendly and chatty. The classes were small (Boot Camp is capped at ten people) and most of the women were from Edgewood and Pawtuxet Village, so they knew each other. It ended up being a great feeling, being in the middle of a group of women who were all encouraging each other, even the barely functional noob. The class was challenging, but it was the kind of challenging that energized me to keep trying. And try I did: through burpees and ab rolls, through up-and-down Spin pulses, through 5:45am pliés at Barre, through jumping rope and jumping jacks and swing lunges and high knees. It felt good to be
moving, to know I was working towards a better place physically (and mentally – don’t underestimate the joy of bragging about how you just came from TRX class). The classes were so small that every session felt like personal training: I always had the instructor’s eyes on me, tweaking my posture, helping me really get it. What I loved more than anything was that I wasn’t embarrassed to ask for modifications. When a side plank was totally impossible, instead of struggling in and out of the pose and not getting any benefits from it, I just asked for something easier that would strengthen my obliques so that eventually I could do a side plank. Can I do one now? Nope. But I’m going to keep working on it. Towards the end of the month – which, by the way, kept me from gaining anything at all over the holidays, even at only three classes a week – I had this bizarre moment. I felt something hard under my skin. I stopped, and felt again. It’s an ab, I thought to myself. I actually have an ab. Now, on to the next five of them.
The Edge Fitness for Women 1856 Broad Street, Cranston 749-3134 theedgefitnessforwomen.com
Photography by Amy Amerantes
New arrivals Daily! Valentine’s Day
I am, by all measurable standards, a wimp. And yet there I was, wearing boxing gloves, throwing punch after punch: jabs, upper cuts, hammers. “That’s great,” my sparring partner told me. “Now let’s speed it up.” I hadn’t exactly meant to learn how to throw a good punch when I signed up for a month of personalized training at The Edge Fitness for Women, a boutique gym in Edgewood that offers small group training for women. But once I tried their Tuesday night kickboxing class, I was hooked. “Do you come every week?” I asked a woman who didn’t look all that strong, but who was throwing surprisingly fierce punches towards my face. “Every week,” she said. “This is the fastest hour you’ll ever spend.” She was right. What felt like three minutes later, gym owner Natalina Earls was leading us through our final stretches. I’m not going to lie: when I looked at the class offerings at The Edge, I was intimidated. I’m pretty sure that’s a response common to any gymaverse person who’s staring down a new exercise regimen, especially when that gym-averse person knows really nothing about working out (me, obviously) and the workouts have names like Boot Camp and TRX Core. Luckily, Natalina anticipated this. Before I went to any classes, she had me come in for a personal training consultation. Underneath a wall of her Spartan Beast and Tough Mudder medals, she walked me through all of the basics. There was Spin, the high intensity bike class; TRX, which uses straps suspended from the ceiling and your own body weight as training tools; Barre, a ballet/yoga/aerobics fusion; Pound, a rhythmic cardio workout; Kickboxing, which focuses on cardio and core with the added stress relief of punching and kicking things; and Boot Camp, focusing on strength and tone. Natalina also explained to me that for every move, there would be an easier option. Can’t do a plank? (Clearly, no, I can’t.) Then you can do a modified plank, on your knees, until your arms and core are
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historic What’s happening p
Thayer Street Providence Children's Film Festival Coming to the Avon Cinema in Feb 6th to Feb 21th. Check our Website for details: www.ThayerStreetDistrict.com
Parking Meters on Thayer Street changed from 2 hrs to 3 hrs, and Meeting Street from 3 hrs to 4 hrs!
district at ThayerStreetDMA
For what’s happening on Thayer visit: ThayerStreetDistrict.com
Welcome New Merchant's to Thayer: Francesca's, tech service shop, mighty sharp Barber shop & sushi Cafe & Bar!
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36
Providence Monthly | February 2016
City Style |
Beauty
By Meghan H. Follett
Beauty and the Beast An herbal apothecary on the East Side saves your skin from brutal winter conditions
Illustration by Meghan H. Follett
Hiding within the chic mid-century-modern salon on the East Side is a little something you probably didn’t know about. A full-service apothecary. Say what? Oh yes indeed. Jo-Anna Cassino is not only the owner of Flipp Salon Apothecary but an herbalist as well. Within an antique case inside the salon is a world of handmade herbal treasures. Any sort of beauty product you can imagine, from beard balm to lip scrub, can be customized by hand using all organic, plantbased ingredients. This full service apothecary is a service that most people don’t know about despite the fact that “apothecary” is in the name. I’m telling you people, it’s the real deal. I visited with Jo-Anna on a blustery afternoon to chat about the kind of non-salon services, products and tinctures that one can find at Flipp Apothecary. Are you looking for an herbal remedy for what ails you? An all natural face scrub? How about some tea that’s custom blended for whatever flavor or mood you are feeling? You will find it all here. Jo-Anna even works with a local farm on the West Side where they grow most of the herbs she uses in her products. After Jo-Anna and I chatted about all the possibilities I could try, we decided a good place to start would be with the mini-facial products. In my little goodie bag I had one of their signature facial oils, a moisturizing lip balm, a sugarbased lip scrub and a similar sugarbased variation that is used for the face as a cleanser or exfoliator (just add water to dilute the scrub with a touch of water in your hands to turn it into a cleansing wash.) But the real kicker was the custom-blended tea that promised to help with my anxiety and digestive health, which was so up my alley after the holidays. All in all I left the salon with a regimen that promised to get me feeling fab from head to toe, inside and out. So on a rare quiet evening I took to the bathroom for some quality me time. With just four steps, the whole process only took me about five minutes.
I doused my face with warm water and started right in with the facial polish. Since I hadn’t exfoliated my face in a couple weeks, I decided to use the scrub at its full power. I began by rubbing it on my face in a circular formation, and was more than pleased with the oatmeal cookie aroma. Since all of Flipp’s facial products are made with all natural oils and ingredients I didn’t have to worry about it irritating my skin. I gently rubbed the facial polish into my skin to let the sugar granules do their work and then splashed my face with water to rinse it off. I dabbed my face with a cloth to make sure I left behind the moisturizing coconut and jojoba oils. My next step was to exfoliate my lips with the lip scrub. I took a finger sized amount and scrubbed it about with my index finger. The different sized sugar granules along with the coconut oil (the same base as the face polish) felt pretty amazing and the exfoliation was muchneeded. I again splashed off the exfoliating bits and made sure to leave the hydrating oils behind. For the moisturizing component, I moved onto the face oil, which not only promised to help keep my skin looking
dewy but also contained some aromatherapy components that helped me get into my mini relaxation session. I measured out five drops into my palm as Jo-Anna instructed and dabbed some onto my wrinkleprone areas. I then rubbed the rest in between my palms and applied it to my face. I followed that with the Flipp Balm on my lips, which was rich and smooth and smelled like cocoa butter. And just like that, I was already done. The results: right off the bat I became an instant fan of the lip scrub. My lips felt soft and moisturized and I was immediately imagining what it might be like to not have to apply my Chapstick 25 times a day. I also noticed after running my fingers over my skin, that it did indeed feel kind of magical. As Jo-Anna mentioned, all natural, plant-based oils are absorbed by the skin more easily and I could feel my face drink it in. I finished the evening with a warm cup of my relaxation tea. After steeping for 15 minutes to ensure the chamomile, ginger, chicory root and fennel had time to release their goodness, I took a sip and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. I’m not a fan of tea typically, so this was a new turn. I slept like a baby that night and I can only guess that the tea along with the pampering had more than a little something to do with it. As someone who is a creature of habit when it comes to skin care, I would definitely urge anyone to try out the line of products at Flipp. Trying something new was not only fun, but felt pretty good to boot. These little pots of natural ingredients can really work for any skin type, and Jo-Anna can help create a product for you if the base formulas don’t suit your needs. I awoke pretty much feeling as fresh as a newborn baby (for me anyways), and after this brutal season… that’s really saying something.
Flipp Salon Apothecary 38 Transit Street 274-1981 flippsalon.com February 2016 | Providence Monthly
37
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
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The Emporium of Pop Culture is an homage to awesomeness past Though it may be a little hard to find – located a little ways off Smith Street in a warehouse-like building marked only in the back – the new Emporium of Popular Culture, or POP, is a can’t-miss site. When you walk into a small entranceway, a door greets you on your left and on your right. POP boasts two separate spaces that host different features – the door on the right leads to the main store, while the door on the left leads to the gallery and performance space. Owner Darren Hill first leads me into the gallery space. A Homer Simpson statue in a Santa hat sits on the small stage in front of a microphone. Funky art hangs on all of the walls. The gallery space will host art shows and musical performances, he explains. I’m then led into the main room, as he explains the kind of items he collects. “I try to focus on pop culture antiques, primarily from the ‘50s through the ‘80s,” he says, “But I also have some dinosaur bones, other stuff that’s a bit older than that,” he adds with a laugh. The room is breathtaking. The ceiling is extremely high and the walls are completely packed with a range of old posters, signs and paintings – from abstract art to a giant glass lit cinema case with an original Jaws poster. There’s everything from chic couches and tables to old carnival rides from Rocky Point, playful Richard Nixon and other political masks to antique gas masks, a section of all sorts of medical equipment to a section filled with retro board games, comics and paper dolls from the 1980s. The space is incredibly fun. I’m not exaggerating when I say you could explore
it for hours. The range of featured pieces would appeal to everyone of any age – there are nostalgic children’s toys and games as well as grown up items, like furniture, art pieces and more. “I was a musician for many years so I traveled around the world quite a bit and have always been interested in cool old things. So I would accumulate and accumulate, and after years on the road I filled up many storage spaces,” explains Darren. POP was originally located in East Greenwich, but then the opportunity arose for Darren to buy and renovate this building here in Providence. It’s big enough to feature the gallery and performing space that he really wanted. There’s also basement space in this location equal the size of the first floor. When I visited, Darren was still in the process of opening and the basement wasn’t quite ready yet, so I was sadly unable to check it out. But if it’s anything like the first floor room, which it probably is, it’s surely marvelous. The first art show is scheduled for this month featuring artist Mark Freedman. Visit the website or Facebook page for more info on upcoming shows or for photo previews of some of the amusing finds at POP. Swing by for a truly fun antique exploring experience, or visit for an art show or performance in the gallery space.
Emporium of Popular Culture 219 West Park Street 885-5050 emporiumofpopularculture.com
Photography by Tony Pacitti
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Feast
IN THE KITCHEN / oN THE mENu / rEvIEw / IN THE drINK
Tie One On
Photography by Brian DeMello
From a new tapas restaurant to a German beer hall, there are exciting and delicious things happening in our city. Turn the page to find out where to find them and what you should be eating now.
Biergarten on Federal Hill serves up Bavarian Pretzels and other German-style specialties
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
41
Feast |
review
By Stephanie Obodda
Downcity Tapas vinya takes tapas dining in a sophisticated, new direction
Tortilla vinya
preference is to choose a seat overlooking the kitchen – it’s fun to get a glimpse of what’s cooking. We’ve stopped by fairly early and have always been able to find seating for two, but if you’re worried about getting in, they do take reservations. The driving force behind Vinya is Massimiliano Mariotta, a Swiss chef with an impressive background including some time at Providence’s The Dorrance. Every time we’ve visited Vinya, he’s eager to talk about the menu and get feedback from diners. Though Vinya has a printed menu, make sure to read the three chalkboards showcasing the available meats and cheeses, tapas specials and desserts. We started with a Cheese and Charcuterie plate ($16 for 3 items, or $6 each a la carte), choosing Murcia Al Vino, a semi-soft Spanish goat cheese with a winewashed rind, local spicy sopressata and aged Serrano from Spain (a $2 surcharge). Our cheese and meat plate was garnished with a slice of
Patatas Bravas
date cake, quince paste, grapes and honey. We followed with a snack from the specials menu – the Catalan Egg ($3), a smoked hard-boiled egg spiced with paprika.
Another special, the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chorizo ($9), was a seasonally appropriate selection. I was surprised by the tomato sauce. It may be an unexpected combination, but the sauce had a light sweetness that complemented the saltiness of the Brussels and sausage. We also enjoyed the Braised Ribs with Red Wine ($9), meaty short ribs cooked to fall-apart perfection. These paired especially well with our wine. Speaking of wine, we enjoyed talking to Will, who trained as a sommelier and plans to add some tapasfriendly Spanish wine selections to the restaurant’s menu; diners will still be able to bring their own bottles. Currently, there are several nonalcoholic beverages on the menu, including a few unusual sodas and sparkling water. We sipped the large bottle of Vimeiro ($7), a sparkling water from Portugal. Our dinner continued with the Albondigas with Spicy Tomato Sauce ($8). I’ve never had a meatball that was so light and fluffy; despite their
ONE MORE BITE: Vinya is now open for lunch. A limited menu including sandwiches is available for takeout, while the dine-in menu features tapas and more. 42
Providence Monthly | February 2016
Photography by Stacey Doyle
Vinya is the latest restaurant to spring up in the small space of 225a Westminster Street. Like the Arcade’s microlofts, tiny restaurants have a cozy allure, especially in a compact city like ours. If you’ve been around Providence for a few years, you might have visited this address when it hosted Flan Y Ajo, also a tapas restaurant. The layout is similar, but Vinya’s configuration is entirely seated, with room for 20. Since Vinya is BYOB, we browsed the shelves at Eno, conveniently located next door to the restaurant. Though it’s also fairly small, Eno is practically stacked to the ceiling with a large selection of wine, and the store’s knowledgeable staff are always ready to help you find the right bottle. We ended up with the Mustiguillo Mestizaje Bobal ($15.99). A Murtia Monastrell and the Lechuza Garnacha, both under $12, were also recommended for tapas. Stepping out of the crisp night and into the welcoming warmth of Vinya, we found two seats at the bar. My
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Brussels Sprouts and Chorizo
delicate consistency, they were rich in flavor. A dish of Patatas Bravas topped with an egg ($6) was fun to eat but wasn’t my favorite incarnation of the dish. Maybe it just paled in comparison to the more vibrant dishes we’d been sampling. Even if you carry a childhood disdain for anchovies, don’t dismiss the Marinated Anchovies ($6). In this traditional Spanish preparation, also called boquerones, the fish are not salty like the their pizza-parlor cousins, but pickled and light. These were served on small toasts alongside tasty marinated red Spanish peppers and small olives. I would have gladly tried every option on the dessert board, but we limited ourselves to two: a Ruby Port Fig with Ice Cream and Arroz Dulce with Strawberry Chutney (both $6). Since we were on our way to the theater, we thought it would be a good idea to wake up with a
heady espresso ($3 each). When I first heard that a tapas restaurant was opening at this address, I thought it was a brave undertaking: Flan Y Ajo was a Providence favorite and arguably impossible to recreate. However, the menu selections and vibe of Vinya take tapas in a different direction, Barcelona-inspired and mature. Since our first visit on opening week, the menu has grown considerably, and the restaurant is clearly finding its groove, with plenty of regular diners eager to sample its small, flavorful dishes.
Cafes & Boutiques right outside your door
500 Angell Street, Providence • 751-7700 www.waylandmanor.com • info@waylandmanor.com
Vinya 225a Westminster Street 508-942-8918 vinyatapas.com February 2016 | Providence Monthly
43
Feast | on the menu
By Grace Lentini
Bring on the Biergarten Federal Hill’s newest restaurant celebrates oktoberfest everyday
experience, know that Biergarten is more than what’s on the walls. From the authentic men’s lederhosen and customary women’s dirndl dresses (think St. Pauli Girl) the servers wear to the 32-ounce steins, Gian imports German sausages such as bratwurst (veal and pork), bauernwurst (beef and pork) and weisswurst (veal) and serves them on a bulky roll with sauerkraut, red cabbage or caramelized balsamic onions. There’s even a ToFurkey-certified vegan beer brat. Complement these items with German curry ketchup and senf German mustards (say that three times fast). There are even sides like Rotkohl (red cabbage), Kartoffelsalat (potato salad) and Gurkensalat (cucumber salad) to accompany any dish. What should you have for dessert you’re asking yourself? The answer is Chocolate Stout Cake: four layers of dark chocolate stout sponge cake with a malty, coffee chocolate ganache between them topped with a creamy chocolate mousse. Prost! 114 Spruce Street. 780-8975, biergartenri.com
Grab a stein and some wurst at Biergarten
Home Brew Hotspot
Jewish Soul Food
For a state so small, we certainly have an embarrassment of craft beer riches. As our palates become more attuned to hoppy and malty varieties, it makes sense that home brewing is gaining in popularity. Enter Brew It Yourself New England, your friendly neighborhood home brewing supplier. Brewing entrepreneur Brian Buongiovanni is an avid homebrewer who received a starter brewing kit three years ago and hasn’t stopped since. “I think one of the misconceptions about homebrewing is that it’s difficult, which couldn’t be further from the truth,” explains Brian. “Thanks to major advances in equipment and ingredients it can be as easy or as advanced as you’d like it to be.” So if you’re thinking of taking the plunge and are looking for a simple recipe, an amber ale or pale ale is a great place to start. According to Brian, both styles are simple and tasty. If you’re thinking you’d rather dabble in wine making, he suggests attempting a robust red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec. If hard cider is more up your alley, you’re in luck because apparently ciders are very easy and fun to make. “I just brought in a special yeast strain specifically designed for cider
If you’ve been planning a trip to New York to get your fill of Jewish deli items, put the brakes on. Rudy’s Deli in Cranston can satisfy that craving. Cooked right on their premises, expect corned beef, turkey, roast beef, sliced chicken breast, baked ham, chopped liver, white albacore tuna, chicken salad and beef tongue. They also have pastrami, Hebrew National salami and Nova Scotia lox. No jewish deli worth their salt would be complete without matzo ball soup, meat and potato knishes, potato latkes, cheese blintzes, noodle kugel, potato kugel, rugelach, whole kosher pickles, whole and half sour tomatoes, kasha and varnishkes. For the uninitiated, kugel is a baked pudding or casserole most commonly made from egg noodles or potato. Their noodle kugel is a sweet treat made with custard, pineapple, golden raisins, cinnamon and sugar. Their potato kugel is a savory baked potato pie made with eggs and onion. The only thing that isn’t made in-house is the pastrami, but don’t worry, that’s shipped directly from New York. 961 Dyer Avenue, Cranston. 632-0044, facebook.com/rudysdeli
44
Providence Monthly | February 2016
making,” he says. “Up until now, cider makers have relied mostly on champagne yeast, but this market is constantly changing and there’s always a company out there working to meet the needs of customers and releasing products tailored to the home fermentation field.” In addition to producing a tasty treat for you and for friends (or just you, who are we kidding?), you can fulfill your dream of playing mad scientist and bringing something to life. “I have customers that regularly email me with special orders and entire recipes that they need filled,” Brian explains. “I’m always happy to help.” Available at Nikki’s Liquors, 32 Branch Avenue. 8619006, biyne.com
Photography (Top) by Brian DeMello, (Bottom L) by Brad Smith
You say Federal Hill, I say… German biergarten? Opened this past December by longtime restaurateur Gianfranco Marrocco, Biergarten fills the Weihenstephan Vitus German beer and schnitzel niche that Providence has been missing. “Biergarten is actually as close as you can get to an authentic German biergarten,” explains Gianfranco. “There’s the brick structure of the building covered with ivy in the summer, the medieval lions on the wrought iron gate and fence, the imported-fromGermany biergarten tables and the picnicstyle communal tables with benches that are meant to be used by total strangers to make new friends.” But don’t let the name fool you, there are still plenty of non-German dining options to choose from on the menu such as their Sweet and Spicy Thai Wings, tasty burger options, a sausage and peppers sandwich and fried calamari, to name a few. Of course you can get a ‘Gansett if that’s what your heart desires, as well as gluten-free adult beverages. But for those who want that biergarten
For use against a white or light background
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FEBRUARY 16-21
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Celebrate the Month of love! SPecialS at the Bluefin Grille all Month lonG!
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
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Feast |
In the Kitchen
By Nicolas Staab
Fired Up Dining
meet the man behind the wood fired oven at Figidini Over the past few years, Providence’s dining scene has morphed into an impressive mix of both traditional and modern styles. Take a walk through Downcity and you’ll find a small restaurant with the best of both worlds – Figidini Wood Fire Eatery. We met up with chef Frankie Cecchinelli to get a glimpse of his unique cooking that comes from one source: wood fire. He shares with us his love and respect for Neapolitan pizza, and the journey to perfecting this simple, yet challenging pie. Is there a certain culinary inspiration that draws you to the kitchen? I was never “formally trained.” We had a restaurant growing up, so I got a lot of my experience at a very young age. I was watching my mother cook, tasting different things and loving the scents of the kitchen. A certain smell will trigger a memory – a very important inspiration for me. I follow my nose. That’s what guides me.
Photography by Mike Braca
Do you have an ethos that you follow? How does it instruct your cooking? The biggest word in the kitchen here is “awareness.” It’s the one thing I try to instill in my staff and for myself. When you’re cooking with a wood fire grill and oven, you have to be respectful. It’s not a cliche; you will get burned. You have to be aware of all the little things. If you respect the area you work in and pay attention to the details, that’s going to transpire into your food. Cooking with fire is so primeval. What drew you to the idea of a wood fire eatery? The flavor of cooking over a fire is something that stuck with me since childhood. When I tasted food that wasn’t cooked that way, it seemed to be missing something essential – that burst of flavor that only a wood fire can give. Can you describe what guests can expect from authentic, Neapolitanstyle cooking? Neapolitan pizza is a totally different beast. It’s incredibly delicate. The flour has been milled over and
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401.465.8625
Frankie Cecchinelli serves up Neapolitan pies on washington Street
over and over again. With that super fine dough, the right ingredients and a very high temperature oven, you get this pillowy, soft, wet pizza. To do it right is a serious challenge. There are many Neapolitan-style places that will accommodate the American palate, make it drier, make it crispier, put it in a box, cut it up. But I’m trying to do it as authentic as possible. That’s why a fork and knife are a necessity here. A true Neapolitan pizza is a rare find. What’s the secret to making it? That Stefano Ferrera oven blows me away. Down to every last little nuance. The floor is four different pieces of forged volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius. That same ash is used in the soil where I get my tomatoes from. I think when you match up a tomato and an oven, in that certain way, that’s the secret to Neapolitan pizza. What’s the one item on your menu a first-time guest must have? It’s all about the Margherita pizza. Those San Marzano tomatoes, the buffalo mozzarella from Campania, sea salt, basil, olive oil. It’s the simplest thing, but incredibly
challenging to get just right. I tried 12 different tomatoes for that pizza when I first fired up the oven in here. I’ve been making pizza for 25 years. I’m three years into Neapolitan-style, and I just had a major breakthrough about four or five months ago. Are there moments of doubt when people are trying your pizza for the first time? It’s always good to have somebody come back from Naples and say how authentic my pizza really is. It means a lot to me. One of our frequent diners grew up in Naples and comes here several times a month for that experience. That’s a great reassurance. When the pizza leaves the kitchen and arrives at the table, I look to see that first bite and nod of approval, like, “Yeah. Oh, yeah.” That’s what I’m into.
B eth Mazor
508.878.3929
Rebecca Mayer
401.447.8040
Figidini Wood Fire Eatery 67 Washington Street 808-6886 figidini.com
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
47
Feast | In the drink
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February is a notorious breaking point for patience with winter. People start to behave like passengers midway through a tedious road trip. The common trajectory: Misery, antsiness and finally, simmering rage primed to boil over any moment. Lucky for adults in this month’s sad, slushy mess, there is alcohol. Yes, yes, there’s the timeworn tradition of dulling winter’s edge with booze as an anesthetic. Like your cousin Jimmy, for instance, who pouts next to whiskey until whenever it is that he can put on shorts again. But let’s not be sad about it, shall we? A drink can
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
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According to the drink’s creator, Sarah Rumple, the drink’s namesake is Federal Hill’s iconic arch – although in a roundabout way. “Everybody thinks what’s in the middle is a pineapple,” Rumple, told me. “And it does look like one. But it’s a pinecone! Go figure.” To DIY the vodka, put pineapple chunks (not from a can, for the love of Moses) in a clean jar, and add high-proof vodka. Seal and steep for one week. Strain and store for weeks or even months, to get you through to spring.
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be joyful and transportive, too. Take The Arch that’s served at Siena, which is essentially sunshine with a buzz. A modern take on tiki, it’s made with fresh pineapple-steeped vodka, basil and elderflower liqueur. Also of note, it’s poured generously (and thus dangerously). Let the barstool vacationer beware.
Siena Locations in Providence, Smithfield and East Greenwich sienari.com
• 3.5-4 oz pineapple-infused vodka (homemade preferable) • 3-4 basil leaves • Splash of elderflower liqueur • Splash of simple syrup • Ice Place a small amount of ice and the basil in a cocktail shaker or large glass. Muddle until the leaves become fragrant – but not mashed. Add the other ingredients, then shake like the dickens. You want a little froth in the end. Strain into a chilled glass.
Photography by Brian DeMello
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RHODY BITES A Sponsored Statewide Dining Guide
view our full restaurant Profiles on RhodyBites.com
Blend Cafe For chef/owner Welbi Genao, Blend Cafe is literally a dream come true. Chef Welbi discovered his passion for cooking during a bumpy time in his life, enrolled in a culinary program and now runs one of the state’s most exciting new restaurants. The name Blend Cafe comes from two places: Chef Welbi’s love of blending music as a DJ, and his passion for blending Latin flavors with modern culinary techniques. Whether stopping in for brunch to try the Dominican Eggs Benedict (two farm fresh poached eggs with house corn bread, Dominican salami and fresh hollandaise on a bed of butter mangu) or for dinner to sample the Bistec al Caballo
(thinly sliced sirloin beef grilled and tossed in their signature steak sauce, garnished with an over-easy egg), make this restaurant your next culinary adventure. Blend is a small restaurant tucked away on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston, but the impression is big. The food at Blend is art. Chef Welbi makes sure every detail is perfect, every plate is beautiful and every ingredient is fresh and local. He’s committed to a farm-to-table philosophy, represented in everything from the Chicken and Waffle, which features Adobo-seasoned chicken from Johnston’s Baffoni Farm, served with a savory ricotta waffle, to Blend’s serving Yacht Club soda.
Can’t miss dish: Reservoir Clams – Rhode Island littlenecks with PV Farm Italian boar sausage and seasonal veggies, served in a white wine broth
745 Reservoir Ave, Cranston • 270-5533 10 Prime Steak & Sushi Gourmet steaks and sushi. 55 Pine St, Providence, 4532333. LD $$$ Angelo’s Civita Farnese Restaurant Italian American comfort food classics. 141 Atwells Ave, Providence, 621-8171. LD $-$$ AQUA Poolside cocktails with seasonal American cuisine. 1 Orms St, Providence, 272-2400. LD $-$$ Aruba Steve’s Island cuisine, handcrafted cocktails and Caribbean flair. 520 Main St, Warren, 289-2677. LD $-$$
Photo by meghan H. Follett
Aspire Seasonal Kitchen Contemporary New England fare. 311 Westminster St, Providence, 521-3333. BBrLD $$-$$$ Besos Kitchen & Cocktails Tapas and eclectic cuisine and cocktails. 378 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-8855. BrLD $$$ Bistro 22 New American rustic cuisine in Garden City. 22 Midway Rd,
Cranston, 383-6400. LD $-$$ Black Bass Grille Classic seafood, historic waterfront setting. 3 Water St, South Dartmouth, MA, 508-999-6975. LD $$ Blend Café Modern Latin-American infused fare. 745 Reservoir Ave, Cranston, 270-5533. BBrLD $-$$ Bluefin Grille at the Providence Marriott Downtown Seasonal and sustainable seafood in an elegant atmosphere. 1 Orms St, Providence, 272-5852. LD $-$$ Breachway Grill Classic New England fare, plus NY-style pizza. 1 Charlestown Beach Rd, Charlestown, 213-6615. LD $$ Café Nuovo Contemporary New World cuisine. 1 Citizens Plz, Providence, 4212525. LD $-$$$ Capriccio Upscale international food with a northern Italian/Mediterranean accent. 2 Pine St, Providence, 421-1320. LD $-$$$
Blend Cafe
Carriage Inn & Saloon Regional comfort food accompanied by a whiskey bar. 1065 Tower Hill Rd, North Kingstown, 294-8466. D $-$$ CAV Eclectic cuisine and art in an historic setting. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, 751-9164. BrLD $$-$$$ Celestial Café Organic farm-to-table fine dining. Oak Harbor Village, 567 S County Tr, Exeter, 295-5559. BrLD $-$$$ Centro Restaurant & Lounge Contemporary cuisine and cocktails. 1 W Exchange St, Providence, 228-6802. BLD $$$ Champlins Seafood Dockside fresh seafood serving easy breezy cocktails. 256 Great Island Rd, Narragansett, 783-3152. LD $-$$ Chez Pascal/The Wurst Kitchen Seasonal farm-to-table cuisine with a French accent. House made sausages, hot dogs and accoutrements. 960 Hope
St, Providence, 421-4422. LD $-$$$ Chapel Grille Gourmet food overlooking the Providence skyline. 3000 Chapel View Blvd, Cranston, 944-4900. BrLD $$$ Circe Restaurant & Bar South Beach meets New England seafood favorites. 50 Weybosset St, Providence, 4378991. BRLD $-$$$ Clean Plate Delicious comfort food in a casual setting. 345 S. Water St, Providence, 621-8888. BBrLD $$ Decadent Designs and Cafe Custom cakes and pastries alongside a fresh cafe with soups and sandwiches. 1285 Park Ave, Cranston, 942-9300 BL $ DeWolf Tavern Gourmet American/ Indian fusion. 259 Thames St, Bristol, 254-2005. BLD $$-$$$ The Dorrance Fine dining with exquisite cocktails. 60 Dorrance St,
Key: B breakfast Br brunch L lunch d dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
49
RHODY BITES Continued
Eleven Forty Nine City sophistication in the suburbs. 1149 Division St, Warwick, 884-1149. LD $$$ Ella’s Fine Food & Drink Elegant dining meets international cuisine. 2 Tower St, Westerly, 315-0606. D $-$$$ Flatbread Company Artisanal pizza, local ingredients. 161 Cushing St, Providence, 273-2737. LD $-$$ Fresco Italian American comfort food with international inspirations. 301 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-0027; 140 Comstock Pkwy, Cranston, 228-3901. D $-$$ George’s of Galilee Fresh caught seafood in an upscale pub atmosphere. 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd, Narragansett, 783-2306. LD $-$$ Harry’s Bar & Burger Handcrafted sliders, brews and pub games. 121 N Main St, Providence, 228-7437; 301 Atwells Ave, 228-3336. LD $-$$ Haruki Japanese cuisine and a la carte selections with casual ambiance. 1210 Oaklawn Ave, Cranston, 463-8338; 172 Wayland Ave, Providence, 223-0332; 112 Waterman St, Providence, 4210754. LD $-$$ Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House Classic clam shack fare, plus famous doughboys. 889 Oakland Beach Ave, Warwick, 737-9459; 1157 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, 783-5608. LD $ Iron Works Tavern A wide variety of signature American dishes in the historic Thomas Jefferson Hill Mill. 697 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, 739-5111. LD $-$$$ Jacky’s Galaxie Local Pan-Asian chain offering sushi and classic entrees in a modern atmosphere. Locations in Providence, North Providence, Bristol and Cumberland, jackysgalaxie.com. LD $-$$$ Jigger’s Diner Classic ‘50s diner serving breakfast all day. 145 Main St, East Greenwich, 884-6060. BL $-$$ Julian’s A must-taste Providence staple celebrating 20 years. 318 Broadway, Providence, 861-1770. BBrLD $$
Kabob and Curry Award-winning Indian food serving Providence since 1987. 261 Thayer St, Providence, 273-8844. LD $-$$
style pizzas. 100 East St, Cranston, 383-7722; 380 Atwells Ave, Providence, 273-2400. LD $-$$
Paragon & Viva Contemporary dining and nightlife. 234 Thayer St, Providence, 331-6200. BrLD $-$$
Kartabar Mediterranean-style cuisine, chic setting. 284 Thayer St, Providence, 331-8111. LD $-$$
Nordic Lodge Surf and turf buffet selections perfect for family gatherings. 178 E Pasquisett Trl, Charlestown, 7834515. LD $$$
Parkside Rotisserie & Bar American bistro specializing in rotisserie meats. 76 South Main St, Providence, 3310003. LD $-$$
Oceanside at the Pier New England fare overlooking the Atlantic. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 792-3999. BrLD $$
Pat’s Italian Fine Italian favorites, natural steaks and handcrafted cocktails. 1200 Hartford Ave, Johnston, 2731444. LD $-$$$
KitchenBar Contemporary comfort cuisine. 771 Hope St, Providence, 3314100. BrLD $$ Laurel Lane Country Club Upscale pub cuisine overlooking a picturesque golf course. 309 Laurel Ln, West Kingston, 783-3844. LD $-$$ Legends Pub and Grub Hometown pub food and brews with ample sports viewing. 1458 Park Ave, Cranston, 2704170. LD $ Lim’s Restaurant Upscale Thai and fresh sushi. 18 South Angell St, Providence, 383-8830. LD $$
Ocean State Sandwich Company Craft sandwiches and hearty sides. 1345 Hartford Ave, Johnston. 155 Westminster St, Providence, 282-6772. BL $-$$
Phil’s Main Street Grille Classic comfort food; great rooftop patio. 323 Main St, Wakefield, 783-4073. BBrLD $
The Olive Tap Extra virgin olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars and gourmet food and gift selections. 485 Angell St, Providence, 272-8200. $$-$$$
Pho Horn’s Fresh authentic Vietnamese dishes in a colorful setting. 50 Ann Mary St #403, Pawtucket, 365-6278. LD $-$$
Worth The Drive:
Luxe Burger Bar Build your own creative burger. 5 Memorial Blvd, Providence, 621-5893. LD $ Maharaja Indian Restaurant Indian cuisine and traditional curries in a warm setting. 1 Beach St, Narragansett, 3639988. LD $-$$ Malted Barley American craft beer, gourmet pretzels and creative sandwiches in downtown Westerly. 42 High St, Westerly, 315-2184. LD $$ McBride’s Pub Traditional Irish pub fare in Wayland Square. 161 Wayland Ave, Providence, 751-3000. LD $$ McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steak Mixed grill selections and signature fish dishes sourced locally and seasonally. 11 Dorrance St, Providence, 351-4500. BLD $$-$$$ Mia’s Prime Time Café Upscale café cuisine by the Pawcatuck River. 1 West Broad St, Pawcatuck, CT, 860-5993840. BLD $$ Mill’s Tavern Historic setting for New American gourmet. 101 N Main St, Providence, 272-3331. D $$$ Napolitano’s Brooklyn Pizza Classic Italian fare and traditional New York-
Ella’s Fine Food and drink
Ella’s Fine Food and Drink You won’t find another restaurant quite like Ella’s Fine Food and Drink. First, there’s the concept: seasonally influenced American food with a distinctly Asian flair, prepared with classical French techniques. Next, there’s the team: husband and wife duo James and Jeanie Roland, who own the restaurant (and another in Florida, The Perfect Caper) with Chef Jeanie in the kitchen every night. But really, there’s the food. The dinner menu ranges from gourmet comfort
Can't miss dish: The Filet la Maison – A house filet mignon with asparagus and Drambuiepeppercorn sauce, served with a side of lobster mac and cheese
2 Tower St, Westerly • 315-0606
For full restaurant profiles, go to RhodyBites.com
50
Providence Monthly | February 2016
food to worldly cuisine. In the lounge, things are more casual, but equally delicious. The lounge menu offers creative smaller plates like Duck Confit with warm bacon dressing and a duck fat fried egg. There are salads like the Salade Parisian: frisée, arugula, shaved Gouda, pan fried chicken and hazelnut vin. During the warm weather, enjoy dining and drinks on the outdoor patio – but during any season, enjoy creative, gourmet takes on local bounty at Ella’s Fine Food and Drink.
Photography by Hilary Block
Providence, 521-6000. D $$$
Pizzico Diverse Italian and fusion cuisine in a rustic yet eclectic atmosphere. 762 Hope St, Providence, 4214114; 308 County Rd, Barrington, 2470303. LD $-$$$ Providence Coal Fired Pizza Old world coal-fired pizzas, appetizers and entrees made from scratch. 385 Westminster St, Providence, 454-7499; 6105 Post Rd, North Kingstown, 8857499. LD $-$$
T’s Restaurant Plentiful breakfast and lunch. Locations in Cranston, East Greenwich, Narragansett, 946-5900. BL $ Taullulah on Thames Farm-driven, a la carte and prix fixe menus in a simply decorated setting. 464 Thames St, Newport, 849-2433. BrD $$$ Tavern by the Sea Waterfront European/American bistro. 16 W Main St, Wickford, 294-5771. LD $$
Public Kitchen & Bar American food with changing daily inspirations. 120 Francis St, Providence, 919-5050. BrLD $-$$
Ten Rocks Tapas Bar Cape-Verdean inspired small plates, handcrafted cocktails and frequent live music. 1091 Main St, Pawtucket, 728-0800. BrLD $-$$
Rasa Authentic and contemporary Indian. 149 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2822. LD $$
The Coast Guard House Modern New England fare with Bay views. 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett. 789-0700. LD $$-$$$
Rasoi Vegetarian-friendly Indian cuisine. 727 East Ave, Pawtucket, 7285500. LD $$ Red Stripe Casual French-American bistro. 465 Angell St, Providence, 4376950; 455 Main St, East Greenwich, 398-2900. BrLD $$ Rick’s Roadhouse House-smoked barbecue. 370 Richmond St, Providence, 272-7675. LD $-$$ Roberto’s Italian fine dining and large wine selection in the scenic East Bay. 450 Hope St, Bristol, 254-9732. D $$-$$$ Sa-Tang Fine Thai and Asian fusion cuisine with gluten-free selections. 402 Main St, Wakefield, 284-4220. LD $-$$ Scampi Seafood and Italian cuisine with expansive water views. 657 Park Ave, Portsmouth, 293-5844. LD $$ The Sea Goose Seafood with New England and southern flair. 265 Post Rd, Westerly, 315-0788. LD $$-$$$ Theatre 82 & Cafe Hybrid art space with all day breakfast, coffee and theatre-inspired entrees. 82 Rolfe Sq, Cranston. 490-9475 BL $ Siena Impeccable Italian cuisine. Locations in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield, 521-3311. D $$-$$$ Simone’s Gourmet brunch followed by upscale Mediterranean cuisine. 275 Child St, Warren, 247-1200. BBrLD $$-$$$ Sophia’s Tuscan Grille BYOB eatery with classic Tuscan dishes and homemade desserts. 1729 Warwick Ave, Warwick, 732-6656. BLD $-$$$
Tortilla Flats Fresh Mexican, Cajun and Southwestern fare, cocktails and over 70 tequilas. 355 Hope St, Providence, 751-6777. LD $-$$ Trinity Brewhouse Rhode Island’s original brewpub. 186 Fountain St, Providence, 453-2337. LD $-$$ Twin Willows Fresh seafood and water views in a family-friendly atmosphere. 865 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, 789-8153. LD $-$$ Vanuatu Coffee Roasters Artisancrafted, single origin coffee, pastries and breakfast sandwiches. 294 Atwells Ave, Providence, 273-1586. BL $-$$
Upscale Mexican Cuisine on Historic Federal Hill
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351 Atwells Avenue, Providence • 454-8951 • donjosetequilas.com
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OCEAN STATE ULTIMATE GRINDER!
Vetrano’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Italian cooking like grandma would make. 130 Granite St, Westerly, 348-5050. LD $$
155 Westminster Street Providence 521-OSSC (6772)
The Village Casual dining and live entertainment. 373 Richmond St, Providence, 228-7222. BrLD $$ Vittoria’s NY Pizza Best pizza north of Manhattan. 224 Post Rd, Westerly, 322-1901. LD $-$$
Lunch Specials Under $10
BREAKFAST • LUNCH • CATERING
1345 Hartford Avenue Johnston 282-OSSC (6772)
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Waterman Grille Riverfront New American dining. 4 Richmond Sq, Providence, 521-9229. BLD $$$ Wes’ Rib House Missouri-style barbecue, open late. 38 Dike St, Providence, 421-9090. LD $$ Whiskey Republic Delicious dockside pub fare. 515 South Water St, Providence, 588-5158. LD $-$$ XO Cafe Creative cocktails and New American fare. 125 N Main St, Providence, 273-9090. BrD $$
Fine Thai & SuShi ReSTauRanT
Dine In Take Out or Have us Cater Way l a n d S q u a r e
@RhodyBites
facebook.com/RhodyBites
18 South Angell Street, Providence • 383-8830 • www.limsri.com Tues-Thurs 11:30-10pm• Friday & Sat 11:30-10:30pm • Sunday 12-9:30pm
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
51
WE HAVE BIG PLANS FOR YOU IN 2016!
MARCH 3
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EVENTS / ART / MUSIC / THEATRE
Walking with ‘Trane comes to the VETS February 27
Move It All Month Long 1.
Photo by RIck McCullough
February 27: Gear up to be electrified at Walking with ‘Trane: A Live Music and Dance Tribute by Urban Bush Women, an all-female tour de force in American dance, as they rattle the stage at the VETS with their dazzling and dynamic tribute to John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme. 8pm, 1 Avenue of the Arts. 421-2787, thevetsri.com
2.
February 3: Interested in establishing a meditation practice? Join South Side Yoga Center’s weekly Meditation Group, held every Wednesday. Learn basic mindfulness meditation and engage in discussions surrounding your experience in a warm and accessible environment. 7:15pm. 19 Elmwood Avenue. southsideyogacenter.org
3.
February 2-28: Why bear the weight of living with your story untold any longer? Bravely put that pen to paper once and for all at Writing Fearlessly, a six-week course carrying on into March as hosted by Frequency Writers group. Write without abandon this year – you deserve it. 186 Carpenter Street. frequencywriters.org
4.
February 19, 21 & 26: With striking relevance amid a tempestuous geopolitical climate, don’t miss Frost/Nixon, a dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon. AS220 Blackbox. 95 Empire Street. 831-9327, as220.org
5.
February 27: Bring along the whole brood to this month’s Craft Bash at Artists’ Exchange, and enjoy a free day of playing, learning and creating. You’re officially invited to be delighted amidst this month’s dreamy theme, Cardboard Imaginarium. 11am. 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. 490-9475, artists-exchange.org
February 2016 | Providence Monthly
53
Get Out |
Calendar
By Courtney Denelle
February February 1: Calling all Mamas: Don’t miss the Easy Entertaining Culinary Class, Healthy Moms to Be, and set yourself up for full-term vitality with tips and tricks for mindful nourishment, including fabulous mock-tail recipes to toast the health and wellness of you and yours. 6pm. The Cafe at Easy Entertaining, 166 Valley Street, Building Ten. 437-6090, easyentertainingri.com February 2, 9, 16 & 23: Bring your little ones and shake your groove thang directly following Storytime at Zumba4Toddlers, offered every Tuesday at the Rochambeau Public Library – a perfect recipe to ensure a nice long nap for teeny tiny dancing machines. 11am. Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street. 272-3780, provcomlib.org February 2-23: It’s never too late to live artfully. Nurture your #RhodyResolution as well as your creative spirit at the adult learning exchange, Hamilton House, in their course Drawing the Simple and Complex, and learn all the foundational tools that will help you realize your vision. 1pm. 276 Angell Street. 831-1800, historichamilton.com February 5: Give your hoighty toighty attitude the night off and take it straight to the low road as Randy and Mr. Lahey from Trailer Park Boys perform live on stage at Firehouse 13, sure to be a laugh riot of the supremely low brow variety. 8pm. All ages. 41 Central Street. fh13.com
– an encore just ain’t the same when you’re holding your iPhone in the air. 7pm. 79 Washington Street. 3315876, lupos.com February 6-21: In celebration of the arts and the Creative Capital itself, don’t miss the Providence Children’s Film Festival, presenting film screenings and workshops, as well as discussions surrounding the art of the moving image designed to inspire a new generation of artful thinkers and doers. Come one, come all because, while all films are suitable for children, these are certainly not kids’ movies. childrensfilmfestival.org. February 11: Spice up your wintry wan with some entertainment of the sweetest variety at the Sweet Little Variety Show, with performances as wildly diverse as our fair city. 8pm. 276 Westminster Street. auroraprovidence.com February 12: People all over the world, join hands and start a love train – a love train! – as The O’Jay’s take the Twin River stage, performing their hits like “Forever Mine,” “You Got the Hooks in Me” and, you guessed it, “Love Train.” 8pm. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, twinriver.com
February 5: Got prog? If not, don’t fret as Umphrey’s McGee with TAUK take the Lupo’s stage for a night of blistering rock-blues-jazz-metal synthesis. 7pm. 79 Washington Street. 331-5876, lupos.com
February 14: Calling all lovers – Star Trek lovers, that is. Mark your calendars for star-date Valentine’s Day as the greatest music from the franchise is performed live on stage at PPAC - from The Original Series and Wrath of Khan to Deep Space Nine and Starfleet Academy – at Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage, sure to be an exciting and unique concert experience. 7pm. 220 Weybossett Street. 421-2787, ppacri.org
February 6: Things change and pop culture carries on accordingly, but one thing is certain: Zeppelin rules. Don’t miss Get the Led Out: The American Led Zeppelin, on stage live and direct, playing all the tunes you know by heart. And don’t forget your lighter
February 18: Step into stillness and enlist yourself in the Good Vibe Tribe at Live Music Yoga Class with Trinity Flow, offered every third Thursday of the month at All That Matters Providence studio. 5:45-7:15pm. 1 Park Row. 782-2126, allthatmatters.com
February 14: This Valentine’s Day, treat yourself to some self-love of the most mindful variety at Candlelight Flow Vinyasa with Julie Shore, a 90-minute practice offered weekly at Providence Power Yoga that will steep you in the gentle warmth of flickering candles, and nourish you from head to toe. 6pm. 51 Bassett Street. 273-3500, providencepoweryoga.com
February 18-21: Refresh your senses with the sights of springtime and all the earthly aromas at the Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show, sure you bust you out of your winter doldrums and replenish your optimism in remembering that the sunnier weather is just around the corner. 1 Sabin Street. 458-6000, riconvention.com February 19: Gather ye rosebuds, gang, and join the literary set at Books on the Square as they welcome local author and Johnson and Wales professor Tamara Valentine in honor of her recent publication, What the Waves Know. The novel, rich with themes and settings alight with the Ocean State itself, spins the tale of a daughter on the path to finding her own voice. 7pm. 471 Angell Street. 331-9097, booksq.com February 19-21: Are you wildly creative? Got an unshakable passion for the next frontier of humanity?
Brown University Engineering hosts a three-day interactive workshop, Space Horizons 2016 – International City on the Moon, and welcomes inventive and imaginative individuals from all fields and backgrounds and all sides of the economic, philosophical and political issues surrounding lunar colonization. Far out, indeed. Brown University, 182 Hope Street. spacehorizonsworkshop.com/#2016 February 20: Experience the triumphant and dramatic Ride of the Valkyries as performed by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, sure to have you on the edge of your seat with every roaring kettle drum roll and jubilant trumpet blast. 8pm. 1 Avenue of the Arts. 248-7000, riphil.org February 20: Who remembers fun? Pogo and dance yourself into a smiling, sweaty mess as Rambudikon presents The Venetia Fair’s Final Rhode Island Performance featuring Trophy Wives,
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE For an up-to-date statewide calendar and to submit your own listings, visit providenceonline.com 54
Providence Monthly | February 2016
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Calendar
based on the book by Harper Lee • adapted by CHristopHer sergeL
March 3 – april 3
tickets from $25 (401) 351-4242 trinityrep.Com 201 Washington st. providence •
Que Sera & More. 7pm. 103 Dike Street. 383-1112, fetemusic.com February 20: It’s set to be mighty loud at the Dunk this Saturday, Saturday, Saturday with the rip roaring excitement of Monster Jam #MoreMonsterJam, featuring more trucks, more racing, more wheelies and more action than you ever thought your eardrums and eyeballs could handle. 7:30pm. 1 La Salle Square, Providence. 331-6700, dunkindonutscenter.com February 21: Back by popular demand, head down to Aurora for the triumphant return of Downtown Smash II, the killer but casual Super Smash Bros tournament. To those who are about to game, we salute you. 6pm. 276 Westminster Street. February 26-28: Get up offa’ that thang, and dance ‘til you feel better – or at least bring along those jazz
hands – at the Imagine National Dance Challenge, a regional dance competition for kids and young adults from ages 4 and under to 20 and older, with competitions in vocals and fashion modeling, as well. 1 Sabin Street. 4586000, riconvention.com February 27: Take your fitness and good will to the next level by dashing up the stairs of the Omni Providence Hotel at the Fight for Air Climb, a race to the 20th floor to benefit the American Lung Association. 8:30am. 260 West Exchange Street. 533-5171, fightforairclimb.org February 27: In the spirit of Spirit, the Long Island Medium herself takes the PPAC stage in Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience, a firsthand transmission of her psychic gifts that includes live readings for audience members throughout the show. 8pm. 220 Weybossett Street. 421-2787, ppacri.org
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Photo courtesy of The Burbage Theatre Company
Once yOu've been MOOned, yOu will always cOMe back fOr MOre... tAke in the gAMe with our 40" & 60" surrounD sounD tVs February 1-5: “Stay or go; talk or sulk; laugh or cry – as you wish. Do whatever seems called for…” But just don’t miss the chance to catch the witty, scathing and elegantly relevant dialog of Kurt Vonnegut as the Burbage Theatre Company presents, Happy Birthday, Wanda June at Aurora. 276 Westminster Street. auroraprovidence.com
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Get Out | Art
By Elyena “Nellie” de Goguel
A Perfect Providence Scene An East Side illustrator calls the city his muse The sun is fixed along
the horizon, half-set and resting as a semicircle. Soft lilacs and deep mauves illuminate Kennedy Plaza, while tiny city dwellers sell balloons in the square and snack on burgers from Haven Brothers Providence Media Diner as a horse-drawn carriage rides down Dorrance. Downtown is alive, yet Spot ads: 2.125" x 2.875" completely still – a bird’s eye view froDecember 16, 2015 zen in vivid color. “I love the way they light the buildings,” explains Peter J. Thornton, the illustrator behind this en2015 Providence Monthly, February Issue ergetic city scene. “It’s just beautiful.” From the back corner of Seven Stars 8, 2015 Bay Magazine, February issue $5 off any $25 on Hope, Peter flips through images poror more alterations traying Providence icons of architecture; Valid Until February 29, 2016 one shows a father and son hand in hand One Per Customer & Not To Be Combined With Other Discounts outside of the Alex and Ani City Center, a warm, seemingly occupied Superman 186 Front St, Lincoln • 475-6288 building glowing in the background. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm •Sat 9am-4pm Another depicts Weybosset Street, just outside of PPAC, as a bright cultural space teeming with life; as the artist imagines it, our own miniature Times Square. An image of WaterFire at dusk especially catches my eye. Peter grew up in Providence and comes from a family of creatives. His father was a painter who also worked as RISD’s museum photographer for 35 years, and his mother studied fashion and illustration. “It’s kind of what I grew up doing,” explains the native Rhode Islander. “Not throwing a football with dad, but drawing.” Naturally, Peter matriculated at RISD for illustration and has worked on a number of children’s books over the years, a whole series of which are obviously set in Providence, according to his drawings. “Ah yes, the Everybody Serves series,” reminisces Peter. The four books – Everybody Cooks Rice, Everybody Bakes Bread, Everybody Serves Soup and Everybody Brings Noodles follows a young girl and her little brother while they interact with culturally diverse neighbors, learning how similar types of food are prepared differently around the world. While the story itself is engaging and illuminating for young readers, it is the bright, beaming images that bring the tale to life, and the influence of Providence jumps off the page. During our caffeine-laced conversation, Peter and I discuss the importance of reading to infants rather than MERCEDES BENZ VOLKSWAGEN MINI PORSCHE
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
The work of illustrator Peter Thornton is alight with the vivacity of the Creative Capital
plopping them in front of screens. One of his latest projects – a collaboration with an expert on child literacy – focuses on this idea and tells the true story of how the author adopted a child from China and describes her experiences teaching the child to read. On the opposite page of each illustration are scientific facts about child literacy and how it affects brain development. “This book about reading is so important because of the science behind it,” expresses Peter. “So often, kids get caught up in screens and the research [shows] that the lessons [and] word stimulation that kids get from TV is not effective – or not nearly as effective – as human contact.” The books are being given to new moms at Women and Infants and other hospitals throughout the state, and the hope is to expand distribution to institutions of health across the country. Reading aloud and telling tales to a young audience, relying on his illustration work as a visual aid, is one of many ventures Peter is currently undertaking. A Natural Man: The True Story of John Henry is one of Peter’s first books and recently celebrated a successful re-publishing in paperback. The chapter book includes 15 black and white illustrations and retells the folktale of John Henry, a freed slave who goes to work for the railway but
is challenged by a new machine that can supposedly manage the task much faster than is humanly possible. Sadly, Peter recently received news that the author passed away, so he decided to take the storytelling responsibility on himself. “I’ve memorized the book and it takes me half an hour to tell it,” explains Peter. “The idea is to put the art on a PowerPoint and go into schools and to do a little curriculum around the story. It’s such a rich tale and lends itself to talking about the Civil War and Reconstruction – it’s a nice entree for a class of kids who are studying [that time period].” Among his myriad enterprises – illustrating books, putting pastel to sandpaper for his expanding Providence prints collection – Peter also teaches spin at the Hope Street YMCA, sings in the seasonal choral group The Voices of Christmas and whacks paddles in an East Side ping pong league. A showing of his work – specifically of the city prints – will take place sometime in early 2016 at City Hall. Keep your eyes on PM for updates.
Peter Thornton 787-8037 facebook.com/ Peter-J-Thornton-Illustrator
Photography by Brad Smith
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Music
By Tony Pacitti
Punk For All
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Downtown Boys fight for inclusion and empowerment within the punk scene
Photography by Tim Siekiera
2015 was a hell of a year
for Downtown Boys, Providence’s own “bi bilingual political dance sax punk party.” Their album, Full Communism, dropped in May and got them the attention of Rolling Stone, NME, Pitchfork, Stereogum, NPR and Spin. Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello called them America’s best punk band. Local media, present company included, was generally late to the party in that respect. I can’t speak for my peers, but I’ve got no good excuse. All I can do is try to make it right because, in a world where racial inequalities are dominating headlines, Downtown Boys is the kind of punk we need. On Full Communism the band leads a six-person assault against all the world’s phobias and -isms. Lead singer Victoria Ruiz alternates between English and Spanish as she spits righteous fire across 12 tracks that manage to make the saxophone work wonders for aggressively political punk rock. Not-ready-for-radio topics like the lingering effects of slavery, white supremacy and queerphobia are given the gloves-off treatment. Even the institution of punk, which prides itself on being inherently progressive, is challenged. “What isn’t being brought to the light but is happening in underground spaces are a lot of POC punks and queer musicians,” explains Victoria. “People who are breaking out of cis (cisgender), white male identity who are making art and music in order to fight that status quo. That’s punk.” She chalks up the idea of punk being a white man’s game to the same skewed perceptions that make politicians, CEOs and cops, by and large, white. “Why is punk so white? That question comes from what we see being raised in punk, or what’s put on magazine covers. It’s institutions of whiteness,” says Victoria. “Maybe the problem isn’t with punk, but with how we’re reading history and how we’re analyzing it.” “There’s always this stigma that people of color aren’t doing art or aren’t in punk bands because they’re not interested in those types of things,” says drummer Norlan Olivo, who cites his
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experiences at AS220 and New Urban Arts as the reason he’s a drummer and currently in school for photography. “It’s not that they aren’t interested, it’s that there aren’t a lot of resources where they can go and do those things in the community that they live in.” Norlan and Victoria have served as mentors at New Urban Arts and praise both organizations for the roles they play in providing these resources. By opening those doors, another wave of punks, regardless of their medium, will be better equipped to tear down walls that would otherwise hold them back, which is about as punk as it gets. “When I go to see bands that I like a lot and see what they can do in their space, that in turn inspires me to try to create something so that people can come to our shows and feel included and empowered,” says lead guitarist Joey DeFrancesco. “I want them to feel powerful enough to create possibilities that they’re not seeing.” Speaking of creating possibilities, Joey and Victoria, along with Rhode Island politician and activist David Segal, launched the website Spark Mag in November. The three of them saw a problem with the way local bands with a political message were being covered – or weren’t being
covered, in many cases – and took it upon themselves to create an alternative space for alternative voices. Described as the “culture wing of Demand Progress,” Spark Mag serves to raise awareness and financial support for musicians and artists whose work promotes progressive ideas. Downtown Boys don’t have time for superficial outrage or trendy slacktivism. Theirs is punk in its purest form: angry, marginalized and ferociously hopeful for a better tomorrow, someday. Last year there were a lot of ears on them and, for their part, they’re keeping the conversation moving forward. This year, they’re set to tour down to SXSW, then over to Europe later in the spring. Each show is a conversation, an opportunity to open one more person up to what’s happening in the world around them and the idea that it’s within their capacity to do something about it. “The most important thing,” Victoria says, “is for people to feel included and empowered.”
Downtown Boys downtownboys.bandcamp.com thesparkmag.com
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By Jenn Salcido
Grown Up Show and Tell PechaKucha carves out opportunity for connection and community
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Do you know how
to pronounce PechaKucha? It’s okay - you can admit it if you don’t. Turns out, it’s pih-CHAHkuh-CHAH. One word, kind of rolls off the tongue. In fact, frequent Providence Monthly contributor John Taraborelli, who has been organizing the Providence chapter of the event – a worldwide celebration of “the art of concise presentations” – for about two years, still gets people coming up to him with their interpretations. “Aren’t you the guy from that thing, that Pikachu?” he recalls with a laugh. You might know PechaKucha isn’t a Pokemon, but what is it, exactly? According to John, the name is derived from a Japanese word (the format, now more than 820 cities strong, began in Tokyo in 2003) that literally translates as the sound of conversation. “The closest English analog is chit chat,” says John. Out in the world, this translates to a free, unjuried night of presentations and conversation open to all; each presenter has an allotment of 20 slides to present, and is given 20 seconds per slide. And if you’re wincing when you hear the words “presentation” and “slides,” allow me to disabuse you of the notion that this is a boring night of rote business jargon or an interminable TED talk. PechaKucha is anything but. “It’s meant to be a fast and fun way to share ideas,” says John, who as of this writing had just wrapped up co-hosting the event’s 81st occasion in Providence with counterpart Stephanie Caress. Every month, presenters are given a theme, which they are meant to interpret as loosely or as strictly as they’d like. “The theme is there to kind of give people a nudge if they need it. People
can feel free to disregard it,” John says. Stephanie has a lot of PechaKucha memories to choose from at this point (in addition to co-hosting the event, she’s the secretary and treasurer of the group’s board), but says that one of her earliest presentations was her favorite. At Machines with Magnets she interpreted the night’s theme, Fresh, as “fresh start,” and gave the audience a top four list to consider if they ever had to flee the country for any reason. “At the end, I feel I left the audience with a very strategic, plausible and hopefully humorous escape plan. If you must know, the best options are: Morocco, Croatia, Vanuatu and Con Dao.” “Providence is a hotbed for creative storytellers,” Stephanie continues. “We have such a community of grassroot businesses, designers, entrepreneurs and dream-makers that want to share their interest. I think that PechaKucha offers such a great format.” John said that another special twist of the PechaKucha event is that it stimulates connections beyond the more typical networking events. During the break, John says, conversation between the audience and the presenters naturally occurs. “I’ve made friends that way, I’ve found stories that way. People find business partners that way,” he says. “It’s not a place to do business, but rather to share ideas or stories. I love the free flow of conversation and ideas, and I’ve come to appreciate even more how it just opens up and connects people.”
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59
Savor Providence
By Grace Lentini
Thanks a Latte
Feel Good Brew
All About the Chocolate
It’s a thing of beauty, a latte done just right. It’s both visually stunning and delicious, and the one at The Shop checks these boxes. Their single origin, direct trade beans make you feel like you’re supporting a worthy cause, then there’s the taste. It’s clean, delicious and warms you up on the chilliest of days. 460 Wickenden Street. 684-1140, theshopfoxpoint.com
While Seven Stars is well known for its baked goods, its coffee deserves high praise as well. The Mocha Latte we tried was superbly frothy on top (with a lovely design might we add) that complemented the smooth and strong espresso below. And the chocolate within the espresso? Rich, dark and not too sweet. Locations in Providence and Rumford. 521-2200, sevenstarsbakery.com
For the Bourbon Lover
Outdoor-Inspired Sipping
Dave’s Coffee has really made its mark with its coffee syrup, but what you may not realize is that the little-coffee-shop-that-could started in Charlestown. Now in the big leagues, their Vanilla Bean Latte with bourbon-infused syrup stands up well to any morning. This latte is bourbon forward, which in our opinion is never a bad thing. 341 South Main Street. 322-0006, facebook.com/davescoffee
The Woodsman Latte at Bolt Coffee Co. highlights maple syrup in the best way possible. We’re imagining that a lumberjack went into the woods, cut down a tree, extracted the syrup and poured it right into our bright berry-like espresso. The steamed milk keeps the latte nice and creamy and complements the subtle maple flavor. The Dean Hotel, 122 Fountain Street. 533-6506, boltcoffeecompany.com
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Providence Monthly | February 2016
Photography by Jason Lee, (bottom L) by Grace Lentini
It’s no secret that Providence loves coffee. There seems to be a new gourmet shop popping up with every season. To celebrate our appreciation for these benevolent beans, we went on a walking tour to sample some of the city’s frothiest brews. And if you ask us, you should do the same.
ARTISTIC ICONS SERIES at
February 27
WALKING WITH ‘TRANE
An electrifying live music/dance tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane
Urban Bush Women
“Their expressive powers shake the theatre!” —The Village Voice
Photo | Julieta Cervantes