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News Bites: Lions Clubs of RI Auction to Benefit Hope’s Harvest / Little City Thrifty Market Returns / Clementine Bar Opening in Providence / Neon Marketplace’s Fall Menu

by David Dadekian September 14, 2022

written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

‘LIL RHODY-BIG YUM! — Lions Clubs of Rhode Island host an Online Auction for Hope’s Harvest

Introducing ‘LIL RHODY—BIG YUM, a Food-Centric online auction to raise funds toward the purchase of a refrigerated delivery van for Hope’s Harvest (a program of Farm Fresh Rhode Island).

Lil RHODY—BIG YUM runs through September 24.

Auction items can be found at: www.biddingowl.com/LionsofRhodeIsland

A bit more about Hope’s Harvest:

Hope’s Harvest is the only state-wide gleaning organization linking farmers who have surplus food, an army of volunteer pickers and hunger relief agencies for distribution. See more at www.FarmFreshRI.org. They need a refrigerated van to transport fresh produce. Hope’s Harvest connects fresh, local food with local hungry people, tackles on-farm food waste, and works to strengthen our local food system.

The Lions Clubs are proud to partner with Hope’s Harvest and assist them in fundraising to buy a refrigerated van to deliver the best quality produce possible.

HHRI by the numbers (since 2018):

48 Local Farms
48 Pantries & meal providers
350 Volunteers
400 TONS of fresh produce recovered and
Redirected to agencies serving 35,000 people monthly

Little City Thrifty Vintage Market Returns to WaterFire Arts Center

October 1st & 2nd, 2022
Noon to 6pm with 11am Early Buying Hour
WaterFire Arts Center
475 Valley St.
Providence, RI

Little City Thrifty Vintage Market is returning to Providence’s WaterFire Arts Center for another curated weekend of indoor vintage and antiques shopping on October 1st and 2nd, 2022! Recently named “Rhode Island’s Best Flea Market” by national publication Domino Magazine, Little City Thrifty is excited to kick off fall with a second festival, after a successful and sold-out inaugural event in March 2022.

Little City Thrifty’s October event will bring together vintage lovers and dealers from far and wide, and will feature over 85 well-curated booths of vintage and pre-loved clothing, books, barware, records, art, ephemera, furniture, home decor, and much more. The lineup includes local favorites, as well as well-known vendors from ten other states.

Tickets include a complimentary small beverage of your choice, provided by participating beverage sponsor, including a small cocktail from Bully Boy Distillers, a small beer from either Rejects Beer Co. or Trinity Brewhouse, a small hot coffee from New Harvest Coffee Roasters, or a glass bottle of Coca-Cola from Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast!

General Admission tickets are $8 in advance and may be available for $10 at the door, if the event does not sell out. “Early Buying Hour” tickets are also available but are very limited. For $15, these tickets allow for entry a full hour before the event starts, and they’re perfect for those who want some extra elbow-room while shopping and to get a first look at the vendors’ collections and rare items.

For a full list of vendors and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.littlecitythrifty.com.

Clementine, a New Cocktail and Tapas Bar, to Open in Downtown Providence in October 2022

Downtown developer Cornish Associates is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of Clementine at 200 Washington Street in Providence. The cocktail bar is the creation of Congressman and former Mayor of Providence David N. Cicilline. The grand opening will take place in mid-October 2022.

Clementine–named after Cicilline’s great-grandmother–brings a fresh, modern, and innovative take on classic cocktails to downtown Providence. The cocktail menu offers an artful presentation of a dozen seasonally inspired rotating signature drinks, including non-alcoholic options. The food menu includes a range of small plates, including the ham croquette with aioli, the chickpea fries with harissa mayonnaise, and the crab rangoon with sweet chili sauce. The bar program will feature a rotation of guest bartenders and pop-up chefs. There will be opportunities for guests to enjoy cocktail classes and to use the space for private events, as well.

Alongside his experience in Congress and at City Hall, Cicilline is a Providence native, author of a new book House on Fire, a graduate of Brown University and Georgetown University Law Center, and previously served as a defense attorney in Rhode Island. Prior to his political career, he enjoyed various roles within the hospitality industry in Rhode Island and worked in restaurants throughout college and law school. Cicilline is joined by Cristian Cantaragiu, who serves as general manager of Clementine. Cantaragiu has extensive experience in bartending that spans the globe, from the Royal Garden Hotel in London, to the Sweet & Chilly global drink agency, to lead bartender at the MTV Movie Awards in 2017. He most recently worked at 41 North in Newport, RI, and has studied bartending and mixology under international icons such as Simone Caporale and Simone Calabrese. Together, Cicilline and Cantaragiu look forward to sharing something new with Providence.

“I’ve always loved the downtown neighborhood in the heart of the city and this location in particular,” says Cicilline. “While I served as Mayor of Providence, much of my time was spent right down the street at City Hall. Now, at Clementine, I want to create a space where people feel welcome, whether they’re connecting and socializing with friends, taking a break after a busy work day, or enjoying a cocktail before heading across the street to watch a show at Trinity Rep.”

Clementine’s interior will benefit from the work of the award-winning, internationally acclaimed interior designer Michael Booth. Booth is founder of BAMO–which has offices in both Providence and San Francisco–and has earned architecture and BFA degrees from RISD. Booth’s clients include Four Seasons, Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental, and many others. He is a member of the Hospitality Design’s Platinum Circle and his work has been featured in Architectural Digest, New York Times Sunday Magazine, House and Garden, and many other national publications.

Clementine can be found at 200 Washington Street on the ground floor of the Harkness Building (most recently occupied by Birch restaurant), directly across from Trinity Repertory Theater. The hours of operation are 4-11 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday through Saturday; Clementine is closed on Sundays. For updates and more information follow on Instagram at @clementinecocktailbar, or contact Cristian Cantaragiu at (401) 633-5402.

Fall is in the Air at Neon Marketplace

More than just lattes and muffins, Neon’s menu features seasonal pizza, salad, milkshakes and more

Neon Marketplace, the newest, most innovative, and elevated brand in the convenience store industry, with locations in Warwick, Rhode Island and Seekonk, Massachusetts and express locations in Middletown and Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is pleased to announce its line-up of fall flavors, available through November 25.

Guests can enjoy a taste of the season with the Fall Harvest Pizza: hand stretched pizza dough topped with an aromatic sage herb cream sauce, whole milk mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, grilled chicken, sweet caramelized onions, and house roasted butternut squash. This pizza is cooked in Neon’s brick oven and finished with dressed arugula and a sprinkle of roasted pumpkin seeds.

The New England Autumn Cranberry Chicken Salad, made fresh in-house, features grilled chicken, house roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, roasted pumpkin seeds, and onion over a bed of spinach and arugula with apple cider vinaigrette.

For a seasonal pick-me-up, guests can enjoy a customizable and crafted to order hot or iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, featuring Neon’s smooth and rich espresso sweetened with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin.

Neon’s sweet treats include an Apple Pie Milkshake: ice cream blended with sweet cinnamon apple pie filling topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, graham cracker crumble and a dash of cinnamon; a Pumpkin Pie Milkshake:ice cream blended with pumpkin pie filling, topped with whipped cream, graham cracker crumble, and a dash of cinnamon; Maple Pecan Plait Danishes, baked fresh daily, filled with pecan pie custard and topped with chopped roasted pecans and a sweet maple glaze; Pumpkin Swirl Pound Cake: classic pound cake swirled with craveable pumpkin spice cake and finished with rich vanilla icing.

Neon Marketplace also offers a full array of breakfast options, including pastries, freshly made-to-order egg sandwiches, artisan coffee and lattes; hand-made grinders and sandwiches; a variety of salads; snacks; all-natural lemonade and fresh-brewed iced tea, fountain, and cooler drinks.

Neon Marketplace caters to today’s modern traveler by delivering a uniquely refreshing and stylish experience designed to create loyal customers. Neon locations are targeted to areas where the convenience store customer is currently underserved and in areas where growing populations and/or business growth has resulted in increased vehicle traffic and consumer demand.Follow Neon Marketplace on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to learn more about the growing brand.

September 14, 2022 0 comment

ExpiredPVD Winter Lights Market 2019

by David Dadekian November 27, 2019

written by David Dadekian

Friday
December 6, 2019
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday
December 7, 2019
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm

We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

Mayor Jorge Elorza, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to announce the 2019 PVD Winter Lights Market and Tree Lighting produced by the City of Providence and the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy. Providence’s annual holiday tradition will take place over two days and feature a wealth of activities for all to enjoy including two tree lighting ceremonies, world champion figure skating demonstrations, special giveaways, live performances, the Eat Drink RI Market and so much more!

A slideshow of photos from previous Winter Lights Markets is below.

Eat Drink RI is proud to be curating the Market again and this year the city has asked for it to be fully food & drink focused. The Market will take place Friday, December 6th from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, December 7th from 12-9 p.m. Vendors are required to commit to the entire time on both days. This event is intended to showcase local Rhode Island food & beverage producers serving prepared items for enjoying while engaging in the downtown activities or packaged food & drink items for gift giving (or to keep!).

Please review the Market details and vendor requirements below before registering and sending credit card payment by clicking the ADD TO EVENT CART button above.

This year’s registered participants include:

Aura’s Chocolate Bar
Beautiful Day
Beth Bakes
Blackbird Farm
Blount Fine Foods*
Clover Desserts LLC
DELIcious!
Enjoyful Foods
Gerbs Allergy Friendly Foods
GottaQ Smokehouse BBQ*
Incred-A-Bowl*
Kelila’s Designs
Matunuck Oyster Bar
Maxine Baked
Ming’s Asian Street Food*
New Harvest Coffee & Spirits
Pepper Junction
Pop On The Block
Revival Brewing Company
Rhode Island Organics
The Rustic Gift Basket
Twisted T’s*

A heated tent will be set up in the trolley lane in between the ALEX AND ANI City Center and Burnside Park. Vendors are required to bring tables and everything needed for booth set-up. The booth fee is $165 total for both days. Overnight security is provided and vendors may leave their booths set-up overnight Friday evening. Please be certain of your commitment to exhibit for both dates, as there are no refunds once payments are made. Load-in information will be sent prior to the Market day.

* Food trucks are parked outside the tent along Washington Street.

PREPARED FOODS: Prepared foods must be licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health. All sales and sampling must follow safe food handling guidelines. For any vendors providing prepared food, we require a copy of your food safety documents at the Market.

PRODUCT INSURANCE AND LICENSING: All vendors must carry product liability insurance, appropriate licensing from the RI Department of Health, and all applicable tax and sales permits. Copies must be submitted prior to the opening of the market. Vendors will not be allowed to set-up before these items are provided. A general liability insurance rider is required for December 6 and 7, 2019 naming:

Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy
30 Exchange Terrace
Providence, RI 02903

Eat Drink RI LLC
1061 Fish Hill Rd.
Coventry, RI 02816

CERTIFICATION & FOOD SAFETY: Vendors must maintain all appropriate Town and State licenses for their type of goods or food products, provide copies of such to Eat Drink RI and have licenses in their booth at all times. Vendors that serve any food samples that are not prepackaged must comply with state laws and regulations related to food service. Requirements include wearing of plastic gloves and providing a waste receptacle if sampling food.

All product labeling shall be truthful and accurate and adhere to the requirements set forth by the State of Rhode of Island. Any claims, such as organic, pesticide-free, origin, gluten-free, free range, sugar-free, etc. must be substantiated. Any intentionally false claims shall be cause for immediate removal from the Market.

INDEMNIFICATION: Vendor shall indemnify and hold harmless Eat Drink RI from and against any and all liability, claims, demands, damages, expenses, fees, fines, penalties, suits, proceedings, actions and costs of actions (including all attorney’s fees), of any kind or nature arising out of or in any way connected with this Agreement or Vendor’s use of the space(s), sale of goods or conduct of business by Vendor, its agents, servants, employees, customers, patrons or invitees or any act or omission of Vendor, its agents, servants, employees, customers, patrons or invitees. Vendor is responsible for all monies collected from the sale of Vendor’s goods. Eat Drink RI is in no way responsible for any lost or stolen monies or items. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Rhode Island without regard to conflict of law principles and venue for any action arising from this Agreement shall be in Providence County, Rhode Island. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a writing signed by the parties.

Vendor’s payment of $165 fee indicates that Vendor has read and understands the above Eat Drink RI Market Policies and Procedures and that any violation of such may result in loss of Market rental privileges. Vendor acknowledges that such Policies and Procedures may be amended from time to time and agrees to abide by the terms of any such amendments if Vendor continues to vend at the Eat Drink RI Market.

We're sorry, but all tickets sales have ended because the event is expired.

2018 PVD Winter Lights Market

November 27, 2019 0 comment

PVD Winter Lights Market and Tree Lighting 2017

chefs & restaurants news wine & drinks

Eat Drink RI Presents an Artisan Winter Lights Market featuring Local Artists and Food & Drink as Part of the City of Providence’s 2017 Holiday Celebration

by David Dadekian November 28, 2017

written by David Dadekian

PVD Winter Lights Market and Tree Lighting 2017

This weekend, Friday, December 1st from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, December 2nd from 12-9 p.m., Eat Drink RI is pleased to present the Artisan Winter Lights Market for the city of Providence’s Holiday Celebration. The annual holiday tradition, hosted by Mayor Jorge Elorza, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Department of Parks & Recreation, is produced by the City of Providence and the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy. This year, the celebration will take place over two days and feature a wide array of activities for all to enjoy, including two tree lighting ceremonies, world champion figure skating demonstrations, special giveaways, live performances, children’s programming, music, the Artisan Marketplace and much more!

The Artisan Marketplace will take place in a large heated tent in the trolley lane, in between the ALEX AND ANI City Center and Burnside Park. Local artists selling everything from jewelry to glass art, to handmade soaps and candles, will be setup under the tent showcasing their wares—perfect for holiday gifts. Other fun things include face painting, hand dipped chocolate treats, and a mobile fashion truck!

Beat the chill with a warm beverage from New Harvest Coffee Roasters, or enjoy a beer from Revival Brewing Company or Trinity Brewhouse! Wine from Jonathan Edwards Winery will also be available. Come hungry and check out the local food, there’s something for everyone: GottaQ Smokehouse BBQ, Red’s, Hometown Poké, and Ocean State Oyster Festival featuring Salt Pond Oysters.

Local artists and artisans include Andre’z Dipped & Drizzled, Conjoined Pins, Glass Monkey, Kelila’s Designs, Luxe Lathers Boutique, Ocean State Pepper Co., Old Flame Candles, Providence Plastic, RI Face Painting, Radia Herbs, Stone Street Tye-Dye, The Attic Project Jewelry, and The Blank Space Collection.

For a schedule detailing all the programming and highlights, please visit: http://artculturetourism.com/2017-city-of-providence-holiday-celebration-christmas-tree-lighting/

November 28, 2017 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news

Gracie’s Offers Kids’ Tasting Menu for the Holidays

by David Dadekian December 1, 2011

written by David Dadekian

Local Catch Fish & Chips with triple cooked potatoes, cole slaw and green tomato tartar sauce

Gracie’s restaurant in downtown Providence is now offering a three-course kids’ tasting menu during the holiday season. Executive Chef Matthew Varga and Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark designed the kids’ menu using the same philosophy behind Gracie’s main dining menu: “offering the freshest ingredients to reflect the flavors of the season.” Varga said, “I always have a blast cooking for kids because we were all kids once. My inspiration for this menu is all the things I loved to eat when I was a kid. Broccoli Mac & Cheese—I grew up on that. Meatloaf—my father, he’d be very proud of my meatloaf. And my mother [would make] fried mozzarella. That’s a thing we always had around when I was growing up. The menu’s really reliving my childhood. It’s a great time.”

In order to check out that “great time,” my family went to dinner at Gracie’s this past weekend to sample several of the kids’ menu items. My daughters are a bit young to clean their plates, which was fine with us adults since that meant we could get a taste of all those childhood memories. From an adult perspective I offer these notes on the menu items my children had. The Mozzarella Arancini, fried mozzarella with a marinara dipping sauce, was a big hit and from the adult perspective, beautifully presented. The Chicken Noodle Soup was really hearty and the croutons added a wonderful crunch alongside the abundance of noodles.

I could’ve made a meal out of the mozzarella and a big bowl of the soup alone, but then I would’ve been very sad to have missed the Mac & Cheese that was so homey and crunchy. There was broccoli in the dish for health and color, as well as lots of big chunks of bacon for, well, bacon! The other kids’ second course we tried was the Meatloaf which my father and I could have easily polished off had it not been my daughter’s dinner. It may be a kids’ menu item, but the whole plate said Gracie’s with perfectly peeled and cooked carrots and onions, and deliciously creamy mashed potatoes.

As for the third course, desert, unsurprisingly I didn’t manage to get a bite of either the Milk & Cookies or the Brownie Sundae. My daughters enjoyed everything which would be the endorsement I’d want. Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark had the best last remark when I asked her about the menu, “It’s a good time to be a kid.”

There are three choices in each course of the kids’ menu: First Course of Baby Greens Salad, Mozzarella Arancini or Free Range Chicken Noodle Soup; Second Course of Rotini Mac & Cheese, Local Catch Fish & Chips or Blackbird Farms Meatloaf; Third Course of Milk & Cookies, Brownie Sundae or Gracieʼs Crème Brûlée. The cost per child is $25. For more information or to make a reservation, see www.graciesprov.com.