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Downtown

Downtown

PVD Restaurant Week 2017: New Rivers

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Providence Restaurant Week is here from July 9-22 featuring nearly 100 restaurants around the city at fixed menu prices. Enjoy three-course lunches at $16.95 and three-course dinners at $29.95 or $34.95.  There’s no better way to try the places you’ve been meaning to test out – especially the upscale, pricey spots.

Restaurant Week took us right to New Rivers on Steeple Street on the edge of Downtown Providence.  I’ve been meaning to try this restaurant forever – I’ve passed it on countless jogs and always thought it was the cutest gem ever!

With locally sourced food from around the area, chef Beau Vestal creates well thought-out plates with flavor in each bite.  It seriously was so good.

We couldn’t have kicked off Restaurant Week in any better way.  Not only was the food incredible, but the service was great too.  Each course was spaced out appropriately from the next, with time to enjoy wine and conversation in between eating.  This is highly recommended, and we will be back!

My three-course meal:

$1 Walrus & Carpenter Oysters

Chilled fresh tomato & virgin olive oil soup, cracked pepper, basil, maldon

Brined & grilled berkshire pork loin, fregola sarda, cool salsa of apricot, cucumber, & radish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My lovely dinner date, a vegetarian, ordered:

Summer greens & herb salad, cherry tomato, radish, crispy quinoa, goat cheese toast

Hand rolled ricotta cavatelli, fava beans, tomato basil confit, crispy garlic, parmigiano

Artisan cheese, sweet and salty nuts, summer fruits jam, olive oil crostini (+$4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downtown

The Dorrance – A Step Back in Time

60 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903

We can’t say enough good things about The Dorrance!  This once historic bank now transformed into an elegant dining establishment will make you feel like you’ve time-traveled to the Roaring Twenties.  That’s right, Gatsby would have loved this place with it’s 30 ft gold-plated ceiling and marble floor.

And, if the atmosphere isn’t enough to make you feel like a royal, the staff’s expert cocktails will certainly do the job.  The Dorrance’s drink menu is one of the most creative in PVD.  From whiskey to gin based drinks, they have it all.

With a rotating food menu, The Dorrance offers a variety of dishes.  Warm up with a winter vegetable medley or enjoy some summer calamari.  We tried both and they were phenomenal!

  • Cuisine: European roots
  • Price: $$$
  • Setting: Swanky chique
  • Recommendations
    • Appetizer: Rhody Calamari
    • Pasta: Gnocchi with Pork Sausage
    • Meat: Roasted Chicken Breast
    • Cocktail: The Up & Cumber

Downtown

Circe – That Fresh Feelin’

50 Weybosset St, Providence, RI 02930

This hidden gem is nothing short of delicious.  Set in the heart of Downtown, Providence near The Arcade and infamous Superman building, Circe offers a variety of food and drinks – all of which are out of this world.  Not only is the cuisine great, Circe’s bartenders make some of the tastiest cocktails we’ve ever had.  There is something here for everyone.  You won’t be disappointed!

  • Cuisine: New American
  • Price: $$$
  • Setting: Sleek, fine dining
  • Recommendations
    • Appetizer: Caprese
    • Meat: Grilled Wagyu Burger
    • Seafood: Frutti di Mare