Big City Vibes in the Burbs

With over 400 miles of shoreline, Rhode Islanders know their seafood – so you can imagine a restaurant with “oysters” in its name would work extra hard to live up to its discerning coastal clientele. Providence Oyster Bar does just that. The Federal Hill staple set its sights on being even closer to the water when they opened a second location in East Greenwich just over a year ago, bringing big city vibes to the quaint waterfront town.

Located on bustling Post Road in the former Sweet Twist candy shop, Providence Oyster Bar is a welcome addition to the East Greenwich dining scene, with a sophisticated yacht club feel featuring lots of dark shiplap and many nautical touches. A large bar area is the perfect spot to grab a round of appetizers with a couple of cocktails, choosing from a list that’s creative without being too over the top. I ordered a Paper Plane – made up of Bulleit bourbon, Aperol, St. Agrestis amaro, and lemon juice – which was well-balanced and delicious. My friend enjoyed the Blood Orange Cosmopolitan.

As the name alludes to, Providence Oyster Bar has a robust raw bar. On the night we visited, they were showcasing oysters from Walrus and Carpenter in Charlestown, and some from just over the border: Beach Plum Oysters harvested in Westport, MA, and Connecticut’s Mystic Oysters. I can’t get enough of Walrus and Carpenter mollusks, so I ordered a dozen. They were fresh, buttery, and briny – a perfect way to start the meal. (Pro-tip: catch Appy Hour nightly from 3-6pm and load up on discounted clams, shrimp, and oysters – in EG and Providence!)

For a nearly identical menu –including everything mentioned in this article –without leaving city limits, visit Providence Oyster Bar at 283 Atwells Avenue.

Following our server’s recommendation, we also ordered a couple of appetizers. Our surprise favorite was the Loaded Greek Hummus, featuring the creamy spread topped with olives, feta cheese, red onion, and tomato. The grilled naan on the side was excellent even on its own. A round of Bacon Wrapped Scallops arrived cooked to

CUISINE: Seafood

ATMOSPHERE:Sophisticated Yacht Club perfection and drizzled with the most delicious espresso maple syrup.

For dinner, I ordered the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna, which was served with a side of fried lobster wontons. My dining companion ordered the Lobster Gnocchi and was surprised by the huge portion. The dish contained plenty of sweet and tender lobster morsels. We were both impressed by the elevated yet unpretentious meals.

We were too full for dessert but did see the tray of sweets circulating, which included crème brûlée, New York cheesecake, and chocolate cake. They also have daily flavors of house-made gelato or sorbet – the perfect end to the night or palate cleanser.

If you’re looking for a fun night out, Providence Oyster Bar is sure to please. The menu has something for everyone (even the landlubbers). The sophisticated atmosphere, excellent cocktails, and tasty food will bring me back for more.

Must-Try Items

Loaded Greek Hummus ($15)

Hummus with tomato, cucumber, red onion, feta, Kalamata olives, and grilled naan bread

Wasabi Ginger Calamari ($16)

Calamari topped with pickled cucumber, peppadew peppers, pickled ginger, and wasabi aioli

Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna ($35)

Ahi tuna, lobster wontons, baby bok choy, and sweet soy glaze

Providence Oyster Bar

EG: 715-2526

PVD: 272-8866

ProvidenceOysterBar.com

Plant-forward cafe puts down roots in Pawtucket

Like many new entrepreneurs, Chris and Mandy Aubin used the pandemic as an opportunity to refocus their lives. “I’ve always loved co ee and like a lot of people, my wife got really into plants during the pandemic,” says Chris. “We thought, maybe there’s a space for retail products unique to what we are interested in.” The couple decided to follow their passion and Seed Café and Espresso Bar, a space selling co ee and plants at Still on Main in downtown Pawtucket, was born.

“The whole concept of the co ee shop is essentially wanting to show co ee as a sense of place, where the co ee comes from, focusing on single origins,” says Chris. “Customers can get multiple brewed co ees in di erent ways – drips, pour-overs, and iced, without it being too complicated.” The cafe also o ers build-your-own breakfast sandwiches at affordable price points. Additional menu items, including toasts and sandwiches, as well as in-cafe events will be added later this summer. Look for their products at the Pawtucket Farmers Market at The Guild Brewery through October. Pawtucket, Facebook: Seed Cafe RI

The state’s newest small-batch brewery is scheduled to open in South Country Commons in late summer. Named for popular Route 1 landmark, the Hannah Robinson Tower, Tower Hill Brewery is a dream come true for four lifelong friends. Like many new projects in the food service industry, it’s been a long time coming. “There are still supply chain issues due to the pandemic,” says co-founder Brian Hubert.

Expect the brewery to have a widespread selection of popular beers. “We’ll have a great o ering of hazy IPAs, which everyone loves,” says Hubert. “Ivan, our head brewer, who has been homebrewing for several years, has an amazing porter that he is going to scale up.”

Tower Hill will also serve seasonal brews such as winter ales, summer blondes, and Oktoberfests. A seasonal beer garden will o er “800-900 square feet of outdoor space that will open into the main area inside,” adds Hubert. “We’re going to really encourage our customers to become patrons of the restaurants in South County Commons. We’re also hoping to do some live entertainment.”

South Kingston, TowerHillBrewing.com

A green concept for roasting co ee beans inspired Vincent Emery to establish The Lil’ Rhody Co ee Company while still a student at St. Raphael Academy in 2022. “When you look at how co ee is traditionally roasted using fossil fuels, and the global supply chain that fuels it, nothing has really changed in the past 100 years,” explains the Bryant University sophomore and CEO of the company that he runs alongside his father Patrick.

“We decided to roast our co ee using 100 percent electricity, with no fossil fuels, resulting in over 80 percent fewer CO2 emissions. We’re doing these small things to set ourselves up for long-term success.”

The co ee will initially be sold online and at farmers markets throughout the region.

In true Rhode Island fashion, the co ee varieties are named for landmarks including Rocky Point (cold brew), Federal Hill (espresso blend), and What Cheer (medium blend). “You’ll be able to go to the website and purchase bags, tools, merchandise, and other brewing products,” adds Emery. Pawtucket, LilRhodyCo ee.com

Discover the flavors of Rhode Island! From fresh seafood shacks to farm-to-table eateries, little Rhody o ers a diverse culinary landscape that caters to all tastes. Indulge in delicious seafood, global cuisines, and locally-inspired dishes, and experience the culinary richness of the Ocean State with a dining experience that will leave you craving for more.

Dave’s Fresh Marketplace

1000 Division Street Suite 20, East Greenwich | 401-558-0190 | davesmarketplace.com/WeeklySpecials

Made fresh daily in our kitchens - 60+ Take Out Options!

All Favorites Cafe

1678 Broad St, Cranston | 401-941-3550 allfavoritescafe.com |

A Breakfast/Lunch restaurant serving a mash up of Southern and French inspired flavors. Everything from French Toast to Cubanos.

Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille

8 locations across RI!

Chelos.com |

A Rhode Island staple since 1955! Fresh, homemade deliciousness in every bite.

El Paisa Restaurant Patio and Bar

598 Dexter Street, Central Falls 401-726-8864 | ElPaisa.com |

Since 1978, El Paisa Restaurant and Bar has served home-cooked, classic Colombian recipes and cocktails with great joy.

BLU On The Water

20 Water St. East Greenwich | 401-885-3700 bluonthewater.com |

Fresh seafood daily and live outdoor entertainment make BLU RI’s premier waterfront destination.

Chelo’s Waterfront

1 Masthead Dr. Warwick | 401-884-3000

Cheloswaterfrontri.com |

Fresh food, family friendly, and unparalleled views of Greenwich Bay.

Mambo Sushi

380 Atwells Ave, Providence 401-642-8439 | mambosushiprovidence.com

Peruvian Flair to Asian Cuisine

CAV Restaurant

14 Imperial Place, Providence | 401 751-9164

CavRestaurant.com |

Bistro style Brunch and Lunch. Fine Dining Dinner.

The Coast Guard House Restaurant

40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett | 401-789-0700 thecoastguardhouse.com |

Waterfront dining - local raw bar, lobster, pasta, steak & seafood. Award-winning wine list. Dining rooms, bars, patio & deck.

Marcelino’s Boutique Bar

1 W Exchange St, Providence | 401-666-0088 marcelinosboutiquebar.com |

Craft cocktail bar serving Mid-Terranean Fusion Mezze and World-Class Craft Cocktails | #ItsMarcelinos

Slice of Heaven

32 Narragansett Ave. Jamestown

401-423-9866 | sliceofheavenri.com

| Serving breakfast, lunch and daily handcrafted pastries. Family and dog friendly with a great outdoor patio.

Stack House

99 Fortin Road, Unit 108, Kingston

401-854-7470 | Stackhouseus.com |

New England’s Premier Brunch, Fried Chicken and Southern Cuisine Restaurant with a menu boastings over 20 chicken flavors.

Tallulah’s Taqueria

Three Locations:

West End • Fox Point • Jamestown tallulahstaqueria.com |

Order by App, Online, or In-Store. Chicano Street Food...Rooted in Hospitality.

Twin Willows

865 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett

401-789-8153 | TwinWillowsRI.com |

Water-view dining with fresh lobsters & steamers served daily in this casual sports bar/restaurant.