ridaily
2009-11-06The Restaurant at AS220
The Restaurant at AS220 opened today at 11 a.m. and is likely serving its very first customers as I type. Regardless of where you stand on the whole AS220/Taqueria Pacifica controversy (the beloved burrito joint housed within the art space closed a few months back after a rent dispute with AS220), its tough not to be intrigued by the new incarnation's delicious-sounding, super affordable menu. The most expensive item is just $8. Options include roasted pumpkin and squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds ($4 a bowl); pulled pork empanadas ($4); and grilled chicken with sweet potato mash and collards ($8). No surprise, there are a ton of vegan and vegetarian friendly dishes, such as tandori tofu ($5); whole wheat pasta with spicy pomodoro and local kale ($7); and crispy chickpeas with garlic, basil and paprika ($1.50) (view the full menu here). The restaurant's even got a do-gooder bent, providing six month work positions for youth involved in the RI Training School's culinary arts program and AS220's own Broad Street Studio program for teens in or recently released from state care. And like Taqueria, it sources seasonal ingredients from local farmers and food artisans. Kinda makes you want to celebrate, doesn't it? You can at next Friday's "Hail Seitan" grand opening featuring a $6.66 buffet from 6 to 11 p.m.
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2009-11-05I Heart Portland
Words can’t quite adequately describe how much I love Portland. The coastal Maine city is perfectly compact enough for ditching the car and walking everywhere, the people are warm and welcoming (imagine that?) and the dining scene is second to none. Seriously, you wouldn’t think it, but walk a block in any direction, pick a restaurant and you’re guaranteed a good meal. I try to make it up there at least once a year (spring and fall are the times to go; crowds are nil and hotel rates are low) and just returned from a quick visit there this past weekend. I had an awesome meal at The Front Room, which riffs on comfort-food classics. If you haven’t been, you don’t know what you’re missing. P.S. I’ve written about Portland before, so read that for more info. |
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2009-11-04New Urban Arts at the White House
I'm a "fan" of New Urban Arts -- an amazing And then yesterday afternoon, there was this: “New Urban Arts About the same a press release landed in my inbox with all the details. It seems that NUA has been chosen as one of fifteen youth arts and humanities programs to receive the super prestigious 2009 Coming Up Taller Award. Here's how the release explained the award: Coming Up Taller is a national initiative that recognizes and supports outstanding out-of-school and after-school arts and humanities programs for children, especially those with great potential, but limited outlets for creative expression. A project of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Coming Up Taller Awards honor programs that offer exceptional learning experiences in the arts and the humanities and that have a tangible effect on the lives of young people as evidenced through improved academic scores, enhanced life skills, and positive relationships with peers and adults. So basically NUA rocks -- on a national scale. And they are accepting their award meeting with Michelle Obama. As. We. Speak. Congrats! |
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2009-11-03Money, Honey!
I had ninety-two trick-or-treaters on Saturday, so I am still recovering. They were fun and dear, and I love the old-fashionedness of having neighbors come to call, but for a person used to living alone, the pounding of feet and fists outside the door can start to become the very tiniest bit overwhelming when candy is running low and the hour is getting late! I spent Sunday in a movie-marathon haze (which included Getting Out of Rhode Island, one on a long list of Rhody-made movies I am happily Netflixing my way through) and am now back on track, ready to think about leaves and money. Leaves because they are all over the yard and I'm not sure if it is horrible to ignore them (Is there a law in Rhode Island, like with snow, that you must shovel the sidewalks clear of them?) and money because we're doing a story about it in February. Which leads me to ask you: What is your biggest money problem? Are you an uncontrollable spender, not sure how to save, being eaten alive by jealousy of rich people? Email to tell me because I am seeking volunteers who want help getting their issues under control. (Come on -- free advice from a financial planner! You can't pass this up.) And then stay tuned for the February issue. |
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2009-11-02Still Spooky
I know Halloween's over, but I didn't get a single trick or treater, so I feel cheated. And while I was walking around downtown Providence Saturday night, I saw a group of people clustered around an old building on Benefit Street who looked like they were having a fun time. I asked around, and i guess they were doing this. |
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2009-10-30Eats Week
The countdown is on. Newport Restaurant Week starts Sunday (and runs through the following Sunday) and I'm already poring over the menus online. The whole concept intrigues me. How do restaurants serve food that will wow first-time guests enough to draw them back on a regular week, avoid losing money (they're only charging $16 for three-course lunches and $30 for three-course dinners) and put enough on the plate so big eaters aren't tempted to stop at Mickey D's on the way home? Sounds like a challenge. But restaurants keep signing up (nearly 40 are participating this year) and diners continue to fill tables, so the idea must be mutually beneficial for both. Of course, not all Restaurant Week menus are created equal. Here are a few that look especially promising: Spark, Tucker's Bistro, Scales & Shells and Trattoria Simpatico.
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2009-10-29Rhody Gets Crafty
Halloween may be this weekend, but the holidays will literally be here before we know it (I’m predicting a full-on decoration and commercial onslaught come November 1). I’d decided a while ago that I was going to make a concerted effort to get all of my gifts locally this year, so I was super excited to find out about Rhody Craft 100, a group of local crafters and artisans who are going to be showcasing their wares every Saturday in November, December and January at the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket. I’d venture to guess that it’s similar to Craftland, on Westminster Street in Providence, with lots of one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry, home decor and art. You know, gifts with that little something special that you’re always looking for but can never find? Well, now you can. |
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2009-10-28To Market (Finally)
Lately, Warren has been going through a bit of a rough patch in the food department — we’re talking markets and restaurants. I know, I live there, and I’ve had to rely way too heavily on gas station marts for quick sustenance (this is a problem because I can’t walk past a package of Skittles). First, India closed up shop. Then Feast of Famine followed. And so did Three Rivers and Basically British. The Nat Porter has closed. Twice. And the Cutler Market did the same. Twice. So, needless to say, when Tom’s Market opened this month (in the old Cutler Mills space) there was pretty much a collective sigh of relief (could be the hunger talking). You mean I don’t need to go to Cumby’s to get my just-about-to-expire milk? Or cross the you’re-not-going-to-believe-it-but-it’s-still-under-construction Barrington Bridge (!!) for a pound of ground beef? Yippee! Tom’s is locally owned, and in addition to this market in grocery-starved Warren they have a shop in Coventry. Oh and they carry everything from apples and Cheerios to cat food and coffee. Who knew the basics could be so exciting? |
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2009-10-27Here’s the Beef
Until three weeks ago, I’d never tasted wagyu beef. Waygu beef, for those who don’t venture deep into the land of carnivores, is very expensive and very marbled, the product of grass-fed cows, and is sometimes called the foie gras of beef – if you can wrap your brain around that concept. But in the last twenty-one days, I’ve had it twice, as waygu beef cheeks no less. (Who knew cows have cheeks; I certainly didn’t.) |
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2009-10-26Jack O Lanterns
The pumpkin thing at the zoo really is amazing. |
