Providence Restaurant Weeks Returns with 90+ Dining Deals — Here are Our Top Staff Picks
Rhode Island Monthly staffers name their picks for the foodie favorite promotion, which runs January 25 through February 7.
The Dirty Martini burger at Club Frills. Photo by Maurisa Arieta
Starting Sunday, you have fourteen days to frugally feast your way through the Ocean State. Providence Restaurant Weeks is returning for a twentieth (!) year with two weeks of dining deals from more than ninety(!!) dining options in Providence, Warwick and nearby towns, as well as some all the way down in South County. Plus, look out for brand new eateries like Yellow Door Taqueria, Ten Prime in Providence, Fresco and the recently re-opened Metacom Kitchen in Warren amongst the ranks. In addition to special prix fixe menus, participating restaurants may offer lunch, dinner, signature cocktails or other special discounts. This marks one of its biggest lineups to date.
“Since introducing Providence Restaurant Weeks twenty years ago, we’ve seen Providence’s culinary reputation continue to rise. Food & Wine recently named us one of America’s Next Great Food Cities, highlighting the chefs, restaurants, and diverse dining scene that set us apart,” says Kristen Adamo, GoProvidence president and CEO. “Providence Restaurant Weeks is the perfect showcase.”
Several of the participating restaurants will also be featured in the upcoming Providence Culinary Collective, which aims to kick off a season of chef‑driven food events across the city later this winter
The deals are on the table now through Saturday, February 7. A list of all participating restaurants, along with their Restaurant Weeks menus, may be found at providencerestaurantweeks.com. Guests are encouraged to share photos of their dishes on social media using the hashtags #PVDEats and #PRW.
If the list of spots is leaving you indecisive, Rhode Island Monthly‘s expert staff members have weighed in with our picks:
Jamie Coelho, Editor-in-Chief: “I want to use Restaurant Week as an opportunity to go back and enjoy some old favorites to see if they are still as consistent and reliable as I remember. Top of mind are Italian hotspots Pane Vino and Massimo on Federal Hill, but I also want to go and check up on Mill’s Tavern, now that they have celebrity chef Cara Mourning at the helm in the kitchen. She was recently hired as their new executive chef after appearing on the most recent season of “Hell’s Kitchen.” The menu at Mill’s is filled with comfort food favorites like maple mead short ribs with creamy Yukon Gold garlic parmesan potatoes and roasted heirloom carrots or oven baked cod with lemon and bacon gremolata. Massimo is equally as alluring with fettucine al tartufo (egg ribbon pasta with black truffle) and Statler chicken breast stuffed with fontina. And for dessert, I won’t leave the cannoli.”
Lauren Clem, Senior Editor: “I’m a big fan of sourdough pizza, so I was thrilled when Newport’s much-lauded Mother Pizzeria decided to open up an outpost at Track 15 in Providence. (I live in Woonsocket, and much as I love pizza, I wasn’t about to drive two hours round trip for a slice. I am a Rhode Islander, after all.) Since then, my husband and I have put it in our regular rotation. We typically order some variation on this year’s Restaurant Weeks offer: a Margherita pizza with Narragansett Creamery mozzarella and a Caesar salad with aged parm and sourdough breadcrumbs. It’s just the right amount of food for the two of us, and at $30 for both, it’s a deal over the usual menu price. The breadcrumbs on the Caesar are my favorite part – absolutely hits the sourdough craving!”
Edelinda Baptista, Editor of Special Publications: “During the glorious Providence Restaurant Weeks, I’ll make a reservation at Circe Restaurant & Bar in Providence (or I’ll give Circe Prime in Cranston a visit) and order the wagyu tacos with chimichurri, radish, pico de Gallo and chipotle aioli – that appetizer has me in a chokehold before devouring the wagyu bolognese with aged parmesan, sticking with the delicious wagyu theme.”
Kaitlyn Murray, Senior Digital Editor: “Following the holidays, I often fall into a bit of a social slump. Between my wallet feeling lighter post-gift giving and the steadily dropping temps, it can be so hard to get out of the house! That’s why I’m always so thankful for Providence Restaurant Weeks — the unbeatable deals from my favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) eateries are just the motivation I need. This year I have my eye on the Club Frill’s classic combo of a dirty martini and a dirty martini burger (with all the olives) for just $25, as well as the $35 three-course menu at the new Japanese-Italian-fusion-forward Misso Mozza on Federal Hill (my choice trio: toro truffle crispy rice, pappardelle miso mozza al ragu and Yuzu cheesecake). And I’m sure my To Dine list will only grow longer as the days go on.”
Dana Laverty, Managing Editor: “For the past few months, my best friend and I have been eating our way through Pasta Beach’s menu. So when I saw the Wayland Square eatery was taking part in Providence Restaurant Weeks, I eagerly pulled up the special menu. It’s quite a deal: For $45, you can choose from three Italian-inspired courses — antipasti, entree and decadent dessert, with goodies like marinated olives (please sample these — they’re delicious!), homemade bread with whipped garlic ricotta spread (also tasty!) and housemade limoncello for all to share. I’m eyeing the kale Caesar with Parmesan, lemon and crushed croutons to start, the butternut squash ravioli with gorgonzola cream and amaretti crumble for a main course, and to finish, the chocolate pistachio semi-freddo. Mangia!”
