Eat Drink RI
The best local food and beverage information in Rhode Island
  • Latest News
  • Interviews
    • The Show
    • Subscribe as a Podcast
    • RI Small Business Coalition Forum on YouTube
  • Upcoming Events
  • Food & Beverage Jobs
    • Post A Job
    • Job Dashboard
  • Small Biz Support
    • Restaurants with Online Ordering and Take Out
    • Shop Local Food & Drink Businesses Online
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 1 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 2 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 3 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 4 of 4
    • Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
    • Shopping
    • About
    • Contact
Tag:

east side

chefs & restaurantsnews

The Blogetarian’s Review: PVDonuts

by George Evans Marley March 9, 2017
written by George Evans Marley
PVDonuts, photo by George Evans Marley

PVDonuts, photo by George Evans Marley

It takes a hearty soul to stand outside on Ives Street during the winter. But, people from all over Rhode Island and Massachusetts do it every day for a taste of PVDonuts. Located on the East Side of Providence, this corner store has just enough room to pack the house, and the street corner, with donut enthusiasts and the curious. PVDonuts offers a wide menu of options of donuts and a handful of other baked goods.

This location was NOT PVDonuts’s first home. It’s success began in a shared storefront with Sin Bakery down on Allens Ave.  That’s when I first fell in love with these giant brioche treats. I had the pleasure of visiting that storefront twice, and ordered six donuts each time. I would have one and save the rest for friends later that day. BOTH TIMES my dog, Zee has jumped up on the counter and ATE all of them! She regretted it, but I can only imagine how happy she was while she was eating them.

Some of their flavors—like Milk & Cookies, a glazed brioche donut with Oreo chunks, Cereal & Milk which is covered in Fruity Pebbles and their Dave’s Coffee Milk which is covered in Dave’s Coffee flavored frosting—are here every day.  Other gems, like Puppy Chow, Gingerbread and their Friendsgiving donuts are made in limited batches.

They offer a wide-selection of seasonal beverages like Wright’s Farm egg nog, apple cider and house-made hot chocolate, and one of the best parts of a PVDonut morning is The Nitro Cart coffee served ice-cold every day. What is that you ask? Imagine starting your day with a coffee, poured like a Guinness, as smooth as silk and highly caffeinated—my favorite!

If you find yourself on the East Side in the morning, check out PVDonuts on the corner of Ives & Wickenden Streets.  You may have to wait, but it’s worth it!

Their current hours are:
Wednesday – Sunday
8 a.m. – 3 p.m., or ’til they sell out!

See you there!

PVDonuts, photo by George Evans MarleyPVDonuts, photo by George Evans MarleyPVDonuts, photo by George Evans MarleyPVDonuts, photo by George Evans MarleyPVDonuts, photo by George Evans Marley
March 9, 2017 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
chefs & restaurantsnews

The Duck & Bunny and the East Side Win I HEART PROVIDENCE 2013 Culinary Competition

by David Dadekian February 10, 2013
written by David Dadekian
Best Chef winner Chef Brandy Schwalbe of The Duck & Bunny

Best Chef winner Chef Brandy Schwalbe of The Duck & Bunny

On Tuesday, February 5th, the fifth annual I HEART PROVIDENCE was held at Providence City Hall. This year’s event included a culinary competition with the theme East Side vs. West Side. East Side chefs Nemo Bolin of Cook & Brown Public House, Brandy Schwalbe of The Duck & Bunny, and Paul Jalaf of Vanity “battled” against West Side chefs Mike McHugh of Julians, James Mark of North, and Jonathan Dille of The Grange, a plant-based restaurant from the owner of Garden Grille opening in March.

The judges,  David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI, Chef Branden Lewis of Johnson & Wales University and Chef Matthew Varga of Gracie’s, blind tasted the dishes from the six contenders and unanimously decided that The Duck & Bunny’s Chef Brandy Schwalbe’s bacon bread pudding was the winner for best dish. The judges also unanimously named the East Side as the side of Providence with the best food that evening. The People’s Choice vote went to the West Side.

Providence City Hall during I HEART PROVIDENCE 2013

Providence City Hall during I HEART PROVIDENCE 2013

Congratulations to The Duck & Bunny and Chef Schwalbe, as well as to all the participating restaurants who greatly impressed the judges and attendees.

I HEART PROVIDENCE founder Mike Ritz has declared 2014’s event will be themed “Will you marry me?” Ritz posted to Facebook, “Get ready to formalize your love with the city and that special someone. Take the big leap . . . renew your vows . . .dedicate yourself to a principle/idea . . .take an oath to your great city . . .make a lasting commitment in 2014 at I HEART PROVIDENCE.”

 

 

 

 

I HEART PROVIDENCE East vs. West Award Artwork by Ahlers Designs

I HEART PROVIDENCE East vs. West Award Artwork by Ahlers Designs

February 10, 2013 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
chefs & restaurantsnews

I HEART PROVIDENCE Hosts Culinary Competition Between East Side and West Side Chefs, Tuesday, February 5, 2013

by David Dadekian February 3, 2013
written by David Dadekian
I Heart Providence, Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I Heart Providence, Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Now in it’s fifth year, I HEART PROVIDENCE 2013 is hosting a culinary competition at Providence City Hall between East Side chefs Nemo Bolin of Cook & Brown Public House, Brandy Schwalbe of The Duck & Bunny, and Paul Jalaf of Vanity versus West Side chefs Mike McHugh of Julians, James Mark of North, and Jonathan Dille of The Grange, a plant-based restaurant from the owner of Garden Grille opening in March.

“This year’s collaboration with RI Food Fights is exciting to have at I HEART PROVIDENCE,” said Mike Ritz, the I HEART PROVIDENCE event founder. “It’s a free party that includes complimentary food, two live bands, a graffiti-styled art project, and hundreds and hundreds of Providence lovers . . . a fun celebration of our diverse city!”

Ritz created I HEART PROVIDENCE in 2009 as a way for positive Providence people to congregate and shout to the world why their city is so great. Since 2009, the annual event has expanded to all three floors of Providence City Hall.

The culinary competition judging panel of David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI, Chef Branden Lewis of Johnson & Wales University and Chef Matthew Varga of Gracie’s will determine the winners for two awards: Best PVD Chef and Best Side of Providence. The winners will be announced by Mayor Angel Taveras in front of his second floor office at 7 p.m. In addition to these two awards, the public will get a chance to vote for their favorite chef to determine the “People’s Choice” award which will be announced at the event’s after party at The Dorrance at 9 p.m.

This year’s event will showcase staggered performance times on the second and third floors with local bands Bored with Four and Miss Wensday & The Cotillions. Restaurants offering food sampling include Abyssinia, Ebisu, El Rancho Grande, Eye Cookies, Fertile Underground Grocery, Kabob and Curry, Los Andes, Olneyville New York System and Whole Foods Market. The RI Convention Center is supplying two cash bars. The Avenue Concept, a sponsor of the event, will oversee a graffiti wall for participants to “tag,” leaving an artistic memory of the evening.

I HEART PROVIDENCE is held at Providence City Hall on Tuesday, February 5 from 6 – 8 p.m. and is free to the public.

February 3, 2013 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
chefs & restaurantsnews

Have you visited Chez Pascal’s Wurst Window for lunch yet?

by David Dadekian August 13, 2012
written by David Dadekian
Interior bar seating at the Wurst Window Kitchen, Aaron Peirolo at work

Interior bar seating at the Wurst Window Kitchen, Aaron Peirolo at work

Sure it’s a cliche, but talk about turning lemons into lemonade. When a car crashed into the side of Chez Pascal over a year ago owners Kristin and Matt Gennuso decided to use the damage to their advantage and put in a take-out window. They already served fast fare that was take-out friendly from the Hewtin’s Dogs Mobile truck and a Hot Dog cart, so why not add some outdoor seating and serve it out of the restaurant as well? The Wurst Window, as it’s called, is now open and has already become a hit with those who’ve eaten there.

We spoke with Chef Matt Gennuso who described the menu as follows, “The Wurst Window will be focusing on the sausages. We’ll always have the hot dogs. There will be a sandwich of the day, and as we grow into it, the menu will grow. Start small, we do it right, build into it.” Don’t let Gennuso kid you though, Chez Pascal’s starting small is great. The window is open for lunch Tuesdays through Saturday, with outdoor seating, though that will grow to include indoor seating as well. Bar service includes beer and wine or a full bar when seated inside. As Gennuso said, it’s evolving but bottom line is: best sausage in town and beers available now at the Wurst Window.

Below are a few photos from the opening week of the Wurst Window. That week’s menu can be seen below, but as noted, it will change. Chez Pascal is at 960 Hope Street in Providence.

Knackwurst with Beer Onions and Feta & House Mustard. The wooden serving boards were made by Matt Gennuso's father and the small ceramic condiment bowls were made by his mother.

Knackwurst with Beer Onions and Feta & House Mustard. The wooden serving boards were made by Matt Gennuso’s father and the small ceramic condiment bowls were made by his mother.

Sign hanging above the Wurst Window outside Chez Pascal

Sign hanging above the Wurst Window outside Chez Pascal

Outdoor seating area by the Wurst Window

Outdoor seating area by the Wurst Window

Inside the new Wurst Window kitchen, Aaron Peirolo doing prep

Inside the new Wurst Window kitchen, Aaron Peirolo doing prep

A couple of sausages and a pastrami sandwich on the flattop

A couple of sausages and a pastrami sandwich on the flattop

Condiments for each order

Condiments for each order

Detail in the tile work in the new interior Wurst Window bar

Detail in the tile work in the new interior Wurst Window bar

The famous Hewtin's Dogs with either chili (above) or kraut (below)

The famous Hewtin’s Dogs with either chili (above) or kraut (below)

The Wurst Window menu (subject to change)

The Wurst Window menu (subject to change)

August 13, 2012 0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail

Recent Posts:

  • News Bites: 10 Prime Seafood Poppy Hour / Avvio Taste of Naples Prix Fixe / Celeste Tour of Portugal Menu / Chow Fun Food Group Lenten Specials / The Return of Track 15 Station Tastings

    February 27, 2026
  • News Bites: Hemenway’s Handroll Happy Hour / The Mooring Paella Nights / RI Hospitality Education Foundation Competition Winners / J.T. Commons Lunch, Late-Night and Take-out Specials

    February 26, 2026
  • News Bites: Giusto “Secret” Winter Menu Items and Lunch / Track 15 Dining Igloos and Curling / Anna’s Taqueria Opens

    February 13, 2026
Advertisement:
Advertise here on Rhode Island's top local food site Eat Drink RI
Advertisement:
Eat Drink RI YouTube Channel
Advertisement:
Advertisement:
Advertisement:
One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Make a one-time donation

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate
Donate monthly
Donate yearly
Four Time RI Monthly Best of RI Winner for the Eat Drink RI Festival

Four Time RI Monthly Best of RI Winner for the Eat Drink RI Festival

Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance Member

Rhode Island Foundation 2014 Innovation Fellow

Rhode Island Foundation
2019 Rhode Island Inno Blazer Award Winner & Two Time 50 On Fire Winner

2019 Rhode Island Inno Blazer Award Winner & Two Time 50 On Fire Winner

Happy 20th, @bdadekian! ❤️ It’s another #NationalDaughtersDay and these two drive me a little crazy, but they are THE BEST! I don’t usually post about today, but it’s been a long time since I shared this beautiful piece of writing. Pizza Night! When you’re going to stand by a 900 °F oven you need something cold, delicious and light (not sponsored, just thirsty 😀). @drinklani tasting short clip. Please go watch the full video at YouTube channel link in bio. Brigid left for college! ❤️ Swipe for first day of kindergarten!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Tumblr
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Rss
  • Tiktok

Copyright © 2010-2026 Eat Drink RI LLC. All rights reserved.


Back To Top
Eat Drink RI
  • Latest News
  • Interviews
    • The Show
    • Subscribe as a Podcast
    • RI Small Business Coalition Forum on YouTube
  • Upcoming Events
  • Food & Beverage Jobs
    • Post A Job
    • Job Dashboard
  • Small Biz Support
    • Restaurants with Online Ordering and Take Out
    • Shop Local Food & Drink Businesses Online
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 1 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 2 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 3 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 4 of 4
    • Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
    • Shopping
    • About
    • Contact
Loading Comments...

Terms and Conditions – Privacy Policy