ridaily - June 2011
2011-06-30The Frozen Yogurt TakeoverI might want to partake in a triathlon or drop the sophomore fifteen I gained, but in no way shape or form will I cave to the frozen yogurt trend. With Juniper Frozen Yogurt and Froyoworld located right in Providence and the first Pinkberry in Rhode Island opening in July (the June issue of The Dish has more on that, or if you’re not a subscriber, join), I feel like frozen yogurt is taking over. No offense to those who mistakenly believe that frozen yogurt tastes better than real ice cream. I can’t change their beliefs; I can only help them realize the errors of their ways. And I am extremely disappointed in those who turn to frozen yogurt as an ice cream alternative.Ice cream is savory, rich, heavy, melty and sweet. Frozen yogurt is exactly that: frozen and cold. It’s... Posted at 01:20 PM in ridaily Eating Out | Permalink | Comments |
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2011-06-29Burrito AffairI had an affair this weekend…with a burrito. It wasn’t your typical Mexican restaurant, classic burrito, but one found at a seaside burger shack/beach bar. I never try adventurous food when I eat out, but tired of ordering grilled chicken or turkey burgers, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I realized I’d never really eaten a burrito before and decided tonight was the night.It came on a serving platter rather than a normal sized plate and was the size of two burgers sitting side-by-side. Its soft, folded-in sides puffed out like a new pillow, showing no signs of under-filling. The lightly colored tortilla was sprinkled with freshly sliced tomatoes and red onions and stared back at me, wanting to be sliced open and discovered from the inside out.I was overwhelmed... Posted at 10:45 AM in ridaily Eating Out | Permalink | Comments |
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2011-06-27Summer StealsEverybody eats out more in the summer. So to offset our insatiable out-to-dinner, out-for-drinks habit, we went in search of some of the state's best dining deals. The five below were published in the June edition of The Dish, but we're hungry for more. If you know of any, clue us in in the comments section. And if you don't get The Dish yet, go ahead and sign up here.Summer StealsDeWolf Tavern Super Sunday, indeed. Twenty-eight bucks gets you a three-course prix-fixe lunch or dinner. Start with salad or soup, followed by filet or tandoor oven-roasted lobster, and finish the feast with a scoop of homemade ice cream or sorbet. Plus, you get a glass of house wine or draught beer -- not to mention a nice view of Bristol Harbor. 259 Thames St., Bristol, 254-2005. XO Café... |
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2011-06-23Summer TastesAfter years of dating, my boyfriend and I have mastered the art of going out to eat. One thing I love about summer is trying new restaurants. Sure, the usual favorites are always great, but I can never pass up the chance to eat somewhere special to the season.Two years ago we discovered East Side Pocket. We spotted their traveling falafels, wrapped around the hearts of those who formed lines on a side street during WaterFire, and we couldn’t resist finding the origin of these amazing Mediterranean wraps. Of course, they had me at tabouleh and hummus, but Boyfriend took a little more convincing. When they introduced the hot sauce, he was game. Why do we love it in the summer? This place provides a great quick lunch before heading out to the beach or zoo, or a great late-night bite... |
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2011-06-21First DayAt one point in my childhood, there was an above-ground pool in our yard. Nobody in my family remembers how it got there. ("Maybe somebody gave it to us," my mother said when I just called to ask her about it.) I can remember watching my dad put it together. I was five, and I wondered how it was going to get into the ground. Then he hung the hose over the edge, and I thought it was funny that you put the water in the pool before it went into the ground. Days later, my dad shut off the hose and we all hopped in, and I still wondered how the pool was going to get into the ground. I think my brother had to tell me that it was never going into the ground. It was going to stay right there on top of the yard.While the rest of us relaxed on the porch, my dad would tend to the pool.... |
2011-06-20Making the LeapEach summer, I think of great outdoorsy things I am going to do during my school vacation. This list generally includes hiking, skydiving, bungee jumping and white water rafting. All of which can be done in Rhode Island or through a day trip somewhere in New England. And none of which I ever end up doing.I have slowly come to the realization that I am, in fact, much more of an indoor person. I’d rather catch a matinee at the Avon than explore Cliff Walk in Newport. The most outdoorsy I get each summer is heading to the beach or Six Flags to ride a roller coaster. Otherwise, I try to sit in the air conditioning as much as possible. But this summer will be different. I am becoming outdoorsy. One of the first tasks on my list is to skydiving. Once I finally get up the... |
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2011-06-16Strawberry FestivalStop by Smith's Castle in Wickford this Saturday. Have delicious strawberry shortcake with fresh home-whipped cream while you're there, but go especially to see Dan Butterworth and his marionettes: His performance makes it the hippest Strawberry Festival you could ever imagine. Posted at 04:51 PM in ridaily What's On | Permalink | Comments |
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2011-06-15Building a Better BurgerI’ve had two awesome burgers recently — the first at Nicks on Broadway (with smoked bacon, pickled onions, hot mustard and Swiss) and the second at The Sunnyside in Warren (on Bolo toast with bacon, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese). Though I’ve had enough red meat recently to make a heart doc shudder (let’s just keep the fried chicken liver fritters I also devoured at Nicks between us), I want more. I went in search of a creative burger recipe for this weekend and came across this one in Men’s Health. It was created as a challenge by avant-garde Chicago uber-chef Grant Achatz. Having done a crazy-good, eighteen-course tour de force tasting at Achatz’ Alinea a couple years back, I’m pretty intrigued to try his take on an American... |
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2011-06-14Glory DaysI was thinking of you all when I was in Jamestown this weekend. I was there because I had company and couldn't think where to bring them in the wet weather. I got the idea that the scenery at Beavertail State Park would be so lush-looking in the mist. True. It was so beautiful, it could seriously break your heart. We stood on the rocks by the lighthouse, and my friend turned to me and said, "I had no idea Rhode Island looked like this."Afterward, we went to Newport, got soaked walking around the uncrowded streets, dried off for a while on the viewing platform at the International Yacht Restoration School (oh dreamy afternoon, sanding a hand-built boat, rain pouring down the windows), sat by the window for late lunch at Clarke Cooke House, drove back through the damp and... |
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2011-06-13Baseball WidowAs the Red Sox go full force into their 2011 season, some of us Rhode Islanders sit on the sidelines every week. Not at Fenway, of course, but on rotting wooden bleachers (why are they called that anyway?), while watching a group of men hit and throw away their testosterone. That’s right. I have the pleasure of attending a men's softball league game once a week. Of course, the fun of this is not so much the game but the promise of a case of cheap beer and stories to tell afterward. And at every game, underneath the desire to win and to be champions, fellow teammates hold their breath for someone to strike out so they can supply the beer for the following game. Hey, as long as it’s not you, it’s o.k. I came across a new term when my “player” joined this... |
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