Perfection at The Point

from Providence Monthly September 2023

Culinary Field Trip

Nestled along Wickenden Street, The Point Tavern is a comfortable, dimly lit destination for drinks and indulgent bar snacks. On one side is the bar, where my friends and I were greeted with warm smiles and friendly hellos, and on the other side are cozy booths and tables. A few outside tables invite guests to savor the nice-weather days of early fall.

Swaying in our seats to neo-soul, R&B, and Afro-beats playing overhead, we met owners Ryan DaCruz, a third-generation caterer, and his wife, Nacelyn. They purchased the beloved neighborhood bar two months after their wedding with encouragement from Ryan’s mentor and previous owner, Manny Barrows. Their aim is to make space for everyone and, Ryan shares, for it to be “a place to create memories.”

The DaCruz couple kindly introduced us to Barrows (now a regular patron), chef

ATMOSPHERE: Friendly neighborhood bar

CUISINE: Elevated pub snacks

Jeff Andrews, and bartender CJ Baptista, who mixes luscious drinks with expertise and wit. My Blueberry Lemonade was a balance of tangy, berry sweetness and smooth vodka exactly the way I like it. Though not on the menu, Baptista is happy to make mocktail versions of most drinks if you ask. My friend enjoyed the fruity and refreshing Passion Fruit Mojito sans alcohol.

Drinks in hand, it was time for appetizers: Sweet Smoked Wings, BBQ Pork Skewers, and Papas. The mouth-watering wings were seasoned with a savory combination of a house-made dark rub, pepper, and toned-down A1 sauce, and although baked, they looked and tasted fresh off the grill. The A1 aioli sauce on the side brought a cool creamy respite to the smoky wings. The BBQ Pork was tender

Must-Try Items

The Tavern Burger ($15)

Angus beef, red cabbage slaw, yellow cheddar, house BBQ, sauteed onions, garlic aioli, and crispy onions on a brioche

Creamy Creole Shrimp ($21

Shrimp, celery, pepper, onions, and tomato paste served with toast

Sweet Smoked Wings ($11)

Dark rub, brined overnight, baked, and served with A1 aioli and covered in a delicious sweet sauce. The Papas were a nice snack of smashed tiny potatoes, salted and fried to a crisp outside and soft inside, served with garlic aioli.

I especially enjoyed how all the poultry and pork held in rich flavors, with each bite making us exclaim, “Why is this so good?” Ryan explained that most meats are marinated or brined overnight to be cooked the following day. With a tiny kitchen where all the culinary magic happens, they intentionally curate a small-but-mighty menu of crowd favorites they’ve worked to perfect.

Ryan recommended the Creamy Creole

Shrimp, an entree influenced by Afro-Caribbean, Cape Verdean, and New Orleans Creole cuisine and his ethnic background; it was also the meal he made on his first date with Nacelyn – and it’s clear why it won her over! The creamy, savory seafood flavor, jumbo shrimp, and crispy toast to dip in the sauce wowed us. We couldn’t leave without trying the famous Tavern Burger, which was juicy, flavorful, and hearty. The roasted onions and the crunch of slaw left me wanting more.

As promised, we left The Point Tavern with good memories – and full bellies – already looking forward to a return visit. Whether going out with friends for a drink or sliding up to the bar to strike up conversation with neighbors, you won’t be disappointed.

“There aren’t really any places that specialize in soup,” says Emily Medizza, the part-owner of Little Shop of Soups in Providence’s Financial District. “My dad came up with the name – we’re big fans of musicals.” The menu is built around traditional favorites. “Our Chicken ‘Not’ Pie soup is very creamy. We add chicken bits, carrots, peas, mushrooms, potatoes, celery, and onions. We also have a New England-style clam chowder with quahogs straight from Narragansett Bay.”

Medizza looks forward to students returning and the cool months that follow. “I deﬁnitely expect an increase in sales around soup season, starting in October,” she says. The tiny shop also o ers sandwiches including BBQ pulled pork topped with coleslaw and an Italian Caprese. At age 20, Medizza knows she is young to be operating a restaurant. “I’m learning a lot about adult things, as I call them, like electric bills, setting up internet, answering email, and communicating with people. It’s been challenging, but it’s put me on a path of growth, which I’m very grateful for. It’s a rare experience for someone my age.” Providence, LittleShopOfSoups.com

Industry veteran Brittany Fox recently opened Queen of Cups, named after “a tarot card that continually showed up for me when I was aspiring to create this warm and welcoming community space. The card signiﬁes kindness and compassion, to yourself and others, which I think is the perfect message for my vision,” explains Fox. Located across the street from Narragansett Town Beach, the shop serves locally roasted co ee from Empire Tea and Co ee in Newport. “Our cold brew, iced co ee, hot co ee, and espresso beverages are all amazing, but we also have a great selection of teas and refreshing drinks if co ee isn’t your thing,” she adds.

The most popular products on the menu are the homemade pop tarts in fun ﬂavors. Breakfast sandwiches, including the garden egg sandwich, made with egg, arugula, tomato, avocado, cheddar, and house-made sriracha aioli is a customer favorite. “We have a couple of house-made simple syrups – lavender and brown sugar cinnamon; those are both a hit. We are also making a lot of maple lattes and mochas, and our guests love workshopping new ﬂavor combinations with the baristas.” Narragansett, QueenOfCupsRI.com

At Mother Pizzeria, chef/owner Kevin O’Donnell begins with an ingredient shared by all great pizzas: the dough. “The sourdough pizza, made with local, stone-ground ﬂour, is deﬁnitely the star of the show,” says O’Donnell, who named the restaurant for the sourdough starter. Less than a 10-minute walk away, O’Donnell also owns Giusto, an award-winning restaurant and longtime Newport favorite. “At our core are exceptional ingredients and low-intervention farming/ sourcing practices.”

The menu leads o with starters including Nduja Croquettes, Octopus Salad, and Narragansett Creamery Burrata. Beyond the appetizers, it’s all pizza and house-made gelato at the Long Wharf Mall establishment. Popular picks include the Rhode Island Party Pie, a spicy delight with tomato, estratto di pomodoro, Sicilian oregano, and chili ﬂake. “The Margherita pizza seems to reign supreme but seeing what guests order when they build their own is also pretty fun,” O’Donnell adds. “We built a place that we would want to eat and drink at. It’s most rewarding when other people enjoy what you’ve created.”

Newport, MotherPizzeria.com

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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

Ten Locations throughout Rhode Island

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.

MainStreet Coffee

137 Main Street, East Greenwich

401-885-8787 |

MainStreet-Co ee.com

Casual co ee house meets hip martini bar. Best Espresso Martinis in Rhode Island.

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.

Mambo Sushi

380 Atwells Ave, Providence

401-642-8439 | mambosushiprovidence.com

Peruvian Flair to Asian Cuisine

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

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.

New Harvest Coffee & Spirits

10 Sims Ave, Providence | 401 438-1999 NewHarvestCo ee.com |

Our ﬂagship cafe accentuates the journey from co ee seed to cup and the journey of grain to glass.

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.