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Joe Biden

Yacht Club Soda's 2024 Limited Release Kamala's Berry Surprise
chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Yacht Club Soda’s 2024 Soda Pop Poll’s Unprecedented Surprise / Newport Restaurant Group Fundraises for Farm Fresh RI’s 20th / Ocean House’s Land and Sea Experience

by David Dadekian August 22, 2024
written by David Dadekian

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


Yacht Club Soda’s Soda Pop Poll Is Ready To Go With Kamala’s Berry Surprise Entering The Race Against Donald’s Trumpian Punch

Yacht Club Soda's 2024 Limited Release Kamala's Berry Surprise
Yacht Club Soda’s 2024 Limited Release Kamala’s Berry Surprise

Yacht Club Soda, The Official Soda of Rhode Island, knows that unprecedented times call for unprecedented bottling. This week sees the release of Kamala’s Berry Surprise taking over for Joe’s Bidenomics Berry in the Soda Pop Pollagainst Donald’s Trumpian Punch.

What began as Round Two when the first two new Limited Release flavors were released in June is now Remixed, with a new label for Vice President Harris. Just as Harris is taking over the Democratic race for President Biden, the VP’s flavor is taking over in the Soda Pop Poll. Sales figures for Joe’s Bidenomics Berry will be collected until August 22nd when bottles of Kamala’s Berry Surprise will hit shelves and have its sales tracked.

You may find Joe’s Bidenomics Berry on sale after the changeover date, but sales won’t be counted toward the poll. The final poll results will reflect the combined sales with no overlap. There’s no rigging a Soda Pop Poll! That certainly makes the Biden bottle a collector’s item now, so you might not want to pass it up.

“Like the rest of America, and the world, we were surprised by President Biden’s unprecedented decision to drop out of the race,” said Yacht Club Soda owner John Sgambato. “But making soda at Yacht Club never stops and our team is fired up to release Kamala’s Berry Surprise.”

While the soda in the bottle for Kamala’s Berry Surprise is the same blueberry-raspberry soda as in Joe’s Bidenomics Berry, the team at Yacht Club had to leap into action to produce the new bottle label. As before, Frankie Galasso, nationally syndicated sports, editorial and entertainment cartoonist/artist and Rhode Island resident, drew the Limited Release label art. Kristina Cinquegrana Petrilli, graphic designer and artist, and co-founder of Faith & Grace Design Studios created the new label. You can find more about Galasso, including his limited-edition lithograph celebrating the Celtics latest world championship at www.thefrankiegalasso.com. More information about Petrilli and her design work, including shopping her co-founded line of greeting cards, can be found at kristinapetrilli.com.

Both Soda Pop Poll flavors are now available at the Yacht Club Factory Store in North Providence—see their Facebook page at facebook.com/yachtclubsoda for hours, will be sold at farmers markets and can be found in local stores and restaurants through multiple distributors. Plus, you can order online from Yacht Club Soda’s site at yachtclubsoda.com and they ship all their flavors anywhere in the United States.

As with the last two presidential Soda Pop Polls, Yacht Club will release the results of the poll this fall to see which political pop people like best. Donald’s Trumpian Punch and Kamala’s Berry Surprise will only be available through election season, or while supplies last, so don’t miss out on your chance to vote in the Soda Pop Poll!

Yacht Club Soda's 2024 Soda Pop Poll
Yacht Club Soda's 2024 Limited Release Kamala's Berry Surprise

Newport Restaurant Group Celebrates Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s 20th Birthday with a ‘Fruits from the Field’ Fundraiser

For the Month of August, $2.00 from every local tomato dish sold will go to Farm Fresh Rhode Island

At Waterman Grille, $2.00 from every Grilled Peach and Farm Fresh Tomato Salad sold in the month of August will be donated to Farm Fresh Rhode Island. Local tomato dishes will also be offered at Avvio in Cranston and Bar ‘Cino in Newport for the organization’s benefit. Photo courtesy of Newport Restaurant Group
At Waterman Grille, $2.00 from every Grilled Peach and Farm Fresh Tomato Salad sold in the month of August will be donated to Farm Fresh Rhode Island. Local tomato dishes will also be offered at Avvio in Cranston and Bar ‘Cino in Newport for the organization’s benefit. Photo courtesy of Newport Restaurant Group

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), an award-winning collection of unique restaurants and hospitality venues located throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, will celebrate Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s 20th birthday with a special ‘fruits from the field’ fundraiser. NRG is Farm Fresh’s top tomato purchaser, and has been every year since the organization began. 

From August 1st through August 31st, NRG restaurants Avvio, Bar ‘Cino (Newport), and Waterman Grille (Providence), will offer a special, locally-grown tomato dish using produce from Farm Fresh and Greenview Farms, and will donate $2.00 from each dish sold to Farm Fresh. 

Waterman Grille will feature a summery Grilled Peach and Farm Fresh Tomato Salad for the month. Bar ‘Cino and Avvio will offer a daily special featuring Greenview Farms tomatoes.

“We have been a proud partner of Farm Fresh since its inception, from utilizing its Market Mobile to hosting the annual Local Food Fest at Castle Hill Inn,” said Kevin DiLibero, Director of Culinary Arts, Newport Restaurant Group. “What the organization has done to not only connect farmers with restaurants, but also to increase access to fresh local food for those who need it the most, is nothing short of amazing. We look forward to another 20 years of the organization’s positive impact.”

When Farm Fresh was created, Newport Restaurant Group quickly became its largest customer. Since then, NRG has continued its support of the organization, landing in its top three largest customers every year, and regaining the title of largest seven times, including this year. “Farm Fresh Rhode Island is honored to have Newport Restaurant Group’s support in celebrating our 20th anniversary. Their commitment to sourcing local produce has not only strengthened our organization but has also provided vital support to our local farmers,” said Nikki Ayres, Director of Giving, Farm Fresh Rhode Island. “This partnership has been essential in our mission to connect farmers with the community and ensure access to fresh, local food. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and look forward to many more years of collaboration and shared success.”


Ocean House Introduces An Extraordinary Land And Sea Yacht Experience Combining A Stay In The Nautical-Inspired Morgan Suite And Cruise Aboard The Historic Aphrodite Yacht

Guests Will Have the Opportunity to Sail on the Completely Restored 1937 Vessel that Once Carried Luminaries Such as ShirleyTemple, Fred Astaire, Nelson Rockefeller and President Roosevelt

Cruises Aboard the Aphrodite Can Also be Reserved Independently for Regional Voyages Exploring the Scenic New England Coastline and Celebrated Summer Destinations

Aphrodite, photo courtesy of Ocean House
Aphrodite, photo courtesy of Ocean House

Ocean House, a Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, will introduce the first-of its kind Land and Sea Yacht experience combining an unforgettable suite stay with a scenic sunset champagne cruise for up to six guests aboard the historic Aphrodite yacht. A professional photographer is also on hand to capture images prior to departure, enhancing the transporting experience only available to guests of the Relais and Chateaux property. Guests-in-residence can also reserve the Aphrodite for leisurely sailing discoveries in and around the area.

The Land and Sea Yacht Experience

The package includes a three-night stay in the sprawling nautical-inspired Morgan Suite, reflective of Watch Hill’s maritime heritage and inspired by the classic sailing and motor yachts that take to local waters. The bi-level suite includes four guestrooms, a private outdoor terrace, and garden space with beach-level access. In the living room, the custom-milled, vertical-grain beams, doors and floors pair seamlessly with the custom-made hardware of the suite, enhancing its warm seaside surroundings. The dining area with demonstration kitchen features a classic Molteni range and encourages conversation while allowing dining companions to admire expansive ocean views. The lower level is complete with vintage nautical touches. A private beach cabana is also offered daily.

Aphrodite’s Storied History

Originally built by the Purdy Boat Company in May of 1937 for Wall Street financier, John Hay (Jock) Whitney of Long Island, Aphrodite has a storied history of its own. Best described as a “Commuter Yacht”, this elegant and sleek 74-footer would take Whitney on a daily journey down the Long Island Sound to his Wall Street office. Over the years, Aphrodite’s guest list became a “Who’s Who” for summer day cruises with such luminaries as Fred Astaire, Sir Laurence Olivier, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Henry Ford II, FDR advisor Harry Hopkins, Shirley Temple and Nelson Rockefeller. In April 1942 she was commissioned as a Coast Guard auxiliary vessel and spent her wartime career ferrying dignitaries and transporting President Roosevelt to and from his Hyde Park home. In 1983, John Pannell, owner of the Harbor View Marine repair company, restored the yacht which had fallen into disrepair and relaunched the Aphrodite in 1984.

In 2003, Pannell sold Aphrodite to her present owner, Charles Royce, the owner and proprietor of Ocean House. A classic boat enthusiast, Royce began a complete restoration of the yacht to bring her systems up to today’s standards while using the original boat as a template to ensure its authenticity. True to Royce’s nature and aligned with how he approached Ocean House’s careful restoration in 2004, the first stage of the project was to extensively catalog all aspects of the boat for later reference. Once this historical documentation was completed, reconstruction began with the replacement of the original backbone, stem, floors and the reframing of Aphrodite’s signature torpedo stern. Once the framing work was completed, the hull was then re-planked, as originally built, with two layers of Philippine mahogany and copper rivets. A new deck, along with the crafting of Aphrodite’s distinctive cabin and interior accommodations was then finalized, and in October of 2005, Aphrodite traveled to its new home in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

The Aphrodite Yacht Experience

Guests of Ocean House can reserve a private cruise aboard Aphrodite during their visit and select from a variety of curated tour immersions to scenic destinations and popular regional locales. Onboard, they’ll learn more about the yacht’s legendary history and surrounding areas from a knowledgeable captain while being well-cared for by an attentive crew. Whether venturing out for a scenic excursion to Fisher Island or Montauk; being dropped off on Block Island with a picnic lunch for an afternoon of exploration; or embarking on a sunset cocktail cruise to enjoy a gourmet dinner in nearby Stonington; a selection of two to three hour curated journeys at sea await.

The package and yacht sailings are offered August 1 through October 31, 2024, The package is priced at $42,000.00 plus taxes and fees, and the individual yacht sailings are priced from $5,000. For information and reservations for the package, please call 401-584-7000 and visit Ocean House Special Offers. For information and reservations for the Aphrodite Yacht Experience, please call 401-584-7000 and visit Ocean House Experiences.

August 22, 2024 0 comments
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Yacht Club Soda's Soda Pop Poll 2024 Limited Release Flavors Joe’s Bidenomics Berry and Donald’s Trumpian Punch
newswine & drinks

News Bites: Yacht Club Soda’s 2024 Soda Pop Poll Limited Release Flavors / Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Releases New Bourbon

by David Dadekian June 28, 2024
written by David Dadekian

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


Yacht Club Soda’s Soda Pop Poll is Back for Round Two With Joe’s Bidenomics Berry vs. Donald’s Trumpian Punch

Yacht Club Soda's Soda Pop Poll 2024 Limited Release Flavors Joe’s Bidenomics Berry and Donald’s Trumpian Punch
Yacht Club Soda’s Soda Pop Poll 2024 Limited Release Flavors Joe’s Bidenomics Berry and Donald’s Trumpian Punch

Yacht Club Soda, The Official Soda of Rhode Island, is playing politics in the 2024 presidential election with the return of their Soda Pop Poll. It’s Round Two with the choice of two new Limited Release flavors for consumers to show their presidential preference: Donald’s Trumpian Punch and Joe’s Bidenomics Berry. As with the last two presidential Soda Pop Polls, Yacht Club will release the results of the poll this fall to see which political pop people like best.

In 2020, soda lovers had a favorite flavor, but didn’t pick the winner of the election, with that year’s limited release of Donald’s Big League Punch beating Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade 54% to 33%, with 11% going independent. In 2016, the palates of New Englanders did predict the winner of the election with Donald’s Populist Punch just narrowly overtaking Hillary’s Liberal Limeade.

“Our customers loved ‘voting’ with their taste buds in 2020 and 2016 so we always planned on Limited Release Soda Pop Poll flavors this year. With the rematch of Biden vs. Trump we wanted to give people new flavors to try in Round Two,” said Yacht Club Soda owner John Sgambato. “Donald’s Trumpian Punch is a raspberry fruit punch this year and Joe’s Bidenomics Berry is a blueberry-raspberry soda. As in the past, every soda sold is a vote for that candidate to become President of Soda Pop!”

Once again Frankie Galasso, nationally syndicated sports, editorial and entertainment cartoonist/artist and Rhode Island resident, drew the Limited Release label art. Galasso then turned his art over to Kristina Cinquegrana Petrilli, graphic designer and artist, and co-founder of Faith & Grace Design Studios. Petrilli, a North Providence native and resident of Warwick, RI, created the two labels as Sgambato and his team were preparing to bottle Trumpian Punch and Bidenomics Berry. You can find more about Galasso, including his limited-edition lithograph celebrating the Celtics latest world championship at www.thefrankiegalasso.com. More information about Petrilli and her design work, including shopping her co-founded line of greeting cards, can be found at kristinapetrilli.com.

Both Soda Pop Poll flavors are now available at the Yacht Club Factory Store in North Providence—see their Facebook page at facebook.com/yachtclubsoda for hours, will be sold at farmers markets and can be found in local stores and restaurants through multiple distributors. Plus, you can order online from Yacht Club Soda’s site at yachtclubsoda.com and they ship all their flavors anywhere in the United States.

Donald’s Trumpian Punch and Joe’s Bidenomics Berry will only be available through election season, or while supplies last, so don’t miss out on your chance to vote in the Soda Pop Poll!


Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Releases New Year-Round Bourbon

The South County distillery is adding Sons of Liberty Bourbon to their core line of spirits

Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Bourbon Whiskey
Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. Bourbon Whiskey

Rhode Island’s Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. is adding a new Bourbon Whiskey to their core line of spirits. Bottled at 94 proof and finished with toasted oak staves, Sons of Liberty Bourbon is the inaugural release to their Barrel Selection Series – a series dedicated to handpicking whiskey barrels from other distilleries for the sole purpose of enhancing their flavor through finishing.

“For this Bourbon, we have selected barrels, and will continue to select barrels, that match a flavor profile we are looking for,” explained Mike Reppucci, Sons of Liberty’s President & Founder. “We then bring them in house to finish them with a blend of toasted oak staves to complement and enhance the starting Bourbon.” Sons of Liberty has been crafting a variety of whiskies, gins, vodkas and more since 2011, but this process is a first for them. “This is a new adventure for us,” said Reppucci, “and we’re really fired up to use our knowledge and experience acquired over the years to be able to offer a great tasting Bourbon at a great price.” 

Described on the label as being bold, yet approachable, with notes of toasted vanilla and caramel, 750ml bottles of Sons of Liberty Bourbon are now available in Rhode Island liquor stores with an SRP of $39.99. The Bourbon is also available in Sons of Liberty’s tasting room in South Kingstown. “We encourage Bourbon lovers to visit the tasting room and try it out in a whiskey flight, on its own or even in a cocktail,” said Sons of Liberty’s tasting room manager, Paul Baptista. “It’s truly delicious. Well-rounded, great depth of flavor, very enjoyable.”

Sons of Liberty’s tasting room is open Thursday-Sunday. Thursdays 5-9pm, Fridays 5-10pm, Saturday 1-10pm and Sundays 1-7pm. The product locator on Sons of Liberty’s website can be used to find local stores carrying the new Bourbon.

June 28, 2024 0 comments
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Yacht Club Bottling Works "Soda Pop Poll" 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian
newswine & drinks

With Only Weeks to Go Until Election Day, the Yacht Club “Soda Pop Poll” Delivers an Update

by David Dadekian September 23, 2020
written by David Dadekian
Yacht Club Bottling Works "Soda Pop Poll" 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian
Yacht Club Bottling Works “Soda Pop Poll” 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian

Yacht Club Bottling Works, The Official Soda and Water Company of Rhode Island, is releasing some preliminary results from this year’s Soda Pop Poll, and depending on your taste in candidates, the results may be shocking.

You might cry, “FAKE NEWS!” but as of mid-September, Donald’s Big League Punch holds a commanding 52% lead over Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade at 36%. Perhaps even more of an upset is the 12% of the vote being held onto by the independent seasonal favorite Berrymelon Rebellion. You can affect the final results of this poll by buying up your favorite of these Limited Release flavors now through election season, or while supplies last.

These preliminary results aren’t just from local sales but countrywide, as the Yacht Club Soda Pop Poll flavors can be found throughout the Midwest and West Coast in such notable soda pop retailers as Pops 66, Real Soda Distribution, Jim’s Apple Farm Minnesota Largest Candy Store, Blue Sun Soda and KC Soda Shop. 

Meanwhile, the pundits have been peppering Yacht Club owner John Sgambato with big questions: Is it the bold, punchy flavor that has given Donald the edge over Joe’s lemonade with a twist? What is it about the strawberry watermelon soda pop that is keeping a 3rd party vote alive? Is the x-factor swaying voters the Limited Release label art by nationally syndicated sports, editorial and entertainment cartoonist/artist and Rhode Island resident, Frankie Galasso? Sgambato responded, “The public has been voting with their palates since the flavors were released in May and the only thing they seem to agree on is that it’s all delicious!”

All three Soda Pop Poll flavors are available at the Yacht Club Bottling Works Factory Store in North Providence—see their Facebook page at facebook.com/yachtclubsoda for updated hours, will be sold at farmers markets and can be found in stores and restaurants through distribution by McLaughlin & Moran. Plus, the Yacht Club site at yachtclubsoda.com offers online ordering and will ship all their flavors to anywhere in the United States.

As reported previously: in 2016 the palates of New Englanders predicted the winner of the election. Of the 48,048 politically themed bottles sold that summer and fall, 46.3% of them were Donald’s Populist Punch, proving narrowly more popular than Hillary’s Liberal Limeade. Don’t miss out on your chance to vote in the 2020 Soda Pop Poll!

September 23, 2020 0 comments
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Yacht Club Bottling Works "Soda Pop Poll" 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian
chefs & restaurantscookingnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Hope & Main Nourish Our Neighbors / Yacht Club Bottling Works “Soda Pop Poll” / Newport Restaurant Group Mother’s Day 2020

by David Dadekian May 19, 2020
written by David Dadekian

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



East Bay “Eats Strong” During Covid-19 Crisis Thanks to New Hope & Main-based Program

Nourish Our Neighbors launches with 2,400 free meals distributed, and counting

Caitlin Mandel, Hope & Main’s Market & Community Program Manager, drops bagfuls of meals and fresh greens into the car of a local recipient during weekday morning pickups. Photo by Rupert Whiteley
Caitlin Mandel, Hope & Main’s Market & Community Program Manager, drops bagfuls of meals and fresh greens into the car of a local recipient during weekday morning pickups. Photo by Rupert Whiteley

HOPE & MAIN, the nonprofit food business incubator, recently launched the Nourish Our Neighbors program with donations raised from more than 250 generous donors and a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund. The program is a part of the nonprofit’s urgent response to support both the community and the local food economy during the Covid-19 crisis.

Nourish Our Neighbors is designed to ensure that local families, individuals and seniors have access to wholesome, prepared meals at a time when access to nutritious food is an increasing and critical challenge.

“During these unprecedented times we are seeing the breakdown of the local food supply chain. It makes no sense that the State’s farmers and fisherman have no market for what is locally cultivated and landed here, at the very moment when Rhode Islanders want fresh, local food. Consumers want to support them, but the distribution channels aren’t there. Nourish Our Neighbors is a way to support business continuity for our dozens of member companies as well as our local food system. Using the funds we raised, HOPE & MAIN-based chefs can purchase from local purveyors and prepare healthy food for vulnerable families in a time of need,” says Lisa Raiola, MPH, President and Founder of HOPE & MAIN. “There is nothing healthier than the food we cultivate and produce right here.”

The meals are a nutritious compliment to the free breakfasts and lunches supplied by the Bristol Warren School District that HOPE & MAIN has been distributing since mid-March from 8am-11am every Monday through Friday. The Nourish Our Neighbors team is also delivering 220+ frozen, reheatable meals each Friday to the area’s three Senior Centers. All of the Nourish Our Neighbors meals are provided at absolutely no cost to recipients.

An anonymous participant who retrieves meals daily for herself and housebound neighbors said “If I needed to use one word to describe it, ‘amazing’ would be the word of choice. I’m honored to be able to help children and elders in my community by delivering such well-balanced meals to them during this time of need. The staff is truly amazing and make you feel so welcome when you go to pick up the meals. And I enjoy seeing the smiles on the faces of the families when I drop off the food to them. It gives me a feeling like never before in my heart that I know I’m truly helping others.”

Community-based food businesses like Gotham Greens, Blount Fine Foods and Granny Squibb have also contributed food and supplies, says Kelley McShane, Managing Partner, The Granny Squibb Company, “HOPE & MAIN has always been a great support to Rhode Islanders and the small business/start-up community. It’s incredible to see how they have stepped up during a time of crisis. We are honored to be able to play a small part in their efforts.”

Roger Williams University has additionally partnered with HOPE & MAIN by providing a part-time staff member from Dining Services, Don Fitting, to help exclusively with the Nourish Our Neighbors program. “As part of our mission to strengthen society, RWU is proud to support HOPE & MAIN’s efforts to provide assistance to those impacted by Covid-19 through unemployment, public school facility closings, and to our local senior citizens,” said President Ioannis Miaoulis. Raiola notes, “As a life-long East Bay resident, Don has been a wonderful resource bringing both talent and heart to this ambitious initiative.”

Now three weeks into operations, HOPE & MAIN’s team is organizing to distribute 800-900 prepared meals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. Caterers, prepared meal companies, restaurants and food trucks based at the nonprofit’s facility are eagerly stepping up to assist, many adapting and re-focusing their business models to meet current demand. Companies like Savory Fare, The Holistic Trick, Mise, Flat Waves, BSquared, Good Vines, Basil & Bunny and others are staying active, cooking up wholesome, ready-to-eat meals, incorporating local ingredients (including other HOPE & MAIN makers’ products) when possible.

“Being a part of Nourish Our Neighbors has been an incredible blessing for all of us at Flat Waves Food Shack. When 100% of our catering business was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were very concerned about the immediate future of our business,” says Will Burgess, owner of Flat Waves Food Shack and member of HOPE & MAIN’s copacking program, “Nourish Our Neighbors has helped keep our entire staff working, provided an outlet for our perishable food that otherwise may have spoiled, and brought some positivity, hope, joy (and income) to our business!”

The latest development in the Nourish Our Neighbors program is dubbed “Buy One, Give One”, intended to help sustain support in the months to come. Anyone with the means to do so can purchase a single-serving meal through HOPE & MAIN’s website. For that cost, one meal will be available for the purchaser to pick up on Monday evenings and one will be reserved for a community member in need for later in the week. Says Raiola: “These are beautiful, healthy meals, freshly prepared with care in our kitchens. I love that we will all be able to eat the same food — almost like gathering at the same table — to create a community of common support. This is how, together, we will get through this.”

For more information on Buy One, Give One, accessing meals or to donate to the Nourish Our Neighbors program please visit https://makefoodyourbusiness.org/nourish-our-neighbors/. Email community@makefoodyourbusiness.org or call (401) 245-7400.


Yacht Club Bottling Works Returns to Politics with the Release of Their Second “Soda Pop Poll” featuring Donald’s Big League Punch and Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade

Yacht Club Bottling Works "Soda Pop Poll" 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian
Yacht Club Bottling Works “Soda Pop Poll” 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian

Yacht Club Bottling Works, The Official Soda and Water Company of Rhode Island, is getting back into politics for the 2020 presidential election with the return of their Soda Pop Poll. This year people have the choice of two new Limited Release flavors to show their presidential preference: Donald’s Big League Punch and Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade. As with the last presidential Soda Pop Poll, Yacht Club will release the results of the poll this fall to see which political pop New Englanders like best.

If you’re not interested in “voting” for Donald’s Big League Punch or Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade, Yacht Club will be re-releasing last summer’s Limited Release hit Berrymelon Rebellion as the 3rd party flavor choice. In 2016 the palates of New Englanders predicted the winner of the election. Of the 48,048 politically themed bottles sold that summer and fall, 46.3% of them were Donald’s Populist Punch, proving narrowly more popular than Hillary’s Liberal Limeade.

“People had so much fun trying our election flavors and ‘voting’ with their taste buds in 2016 that we knew we had to do it again this year, but with new sodas,” said Yacht Club owner John Sgambato. “Donald’s Big League Punch is a new and improved version of 2016’s Donald’s Populist Punch and Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade is a lemonade at heart but with a fun twist. Remember, every soda sold is a vote for that candidate to become President of Soda Pop!”

As has become the standard for Yacht Club’s Limited Release label art, Sgambato described his concept to nationally syndicated sports, editorial and entertainment cartoonist/artist and Rhode Island resident, Frankie Galasso, who drew both Trump and Biden labels in his own inimitable caricaturist style. Galasso considers himself “a bit of a soda freak” and enjoys his Yacht Club collaborations. Galasso can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/frankgalassori/.

All three Soda Pop Poll flavors are now available at the Yacht Club Bottling Works Factory Store in North Providence—see their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/YachtClubSoda/ for updated hours, will be sold at farmers markets and can be found in local stores and restaurants through distribution by McLaughlin & Moran. Plus, Yacht Club has an updated web site at https://www.yachtclubsoda.com/ with online ordering and will ship all their flavors to anywhere in the United States.

Donald’s Big League Punch, Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade and Berrymelon Rebellion will only be available through election season, or while supplies last, so don’t miss out on your chance to vote in the Soda Pop Poll!


Newport Restaurant Group Celebrates Mother’s Day with Takeout Offerings

Newport Restaurant Group

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), an award-winning collection of unique restaurant concepts throughout Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, is celebrating moms this Mother’s Day with takeout options from Iron Works in Warwick and Avvio Ristorante in Cranston.

Iron Works, located at 697 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, will offer a selection of specials in addition to its full takeout menu from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Specials include Crab Cakes: lump crab, seasonal slaw, and smoked tomato-aleppo pepper aioli; Shrimp Risotto with blistered grape tomatoes, corn, mascarpone cheese and fresh herbs; and a 16 oz. Bone-In Ribeye with potato and leek gratin, sautéed spinach, and house steak sauce. Family-style side dishes feature Garlicky Broccolini, Gruyere Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and Roasted Mushrooms, Fennel & Carrots. For the full menu and to place an order, visit https://www.ironworkswarwick.com/.

Avvio Ristorante, located at Garden City Center at 90 Hillside Road in Cranston, will be offering a family-style takeout menu for Mother’s Day from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., in addition to its full takeout menu. The family-style menu feeds four people and includes a half sheet pan of focaccia bread, salad, entrée, and dessert for $100.

Salad options include a Caesar with romaine, focaccia crisp, creamy anchovy dressing, Grana Padano; and the Insalata di Avvio with romaine, arugula, radicchio, shaved fennel, Grana Padano, and a lemon basil vinaigrette.

Entrée selections include Chicken Piccata: pan-sautéed chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans, and a lemon, white wine, and caper butter sauce; Chicken Parmesan with penne pomodoro; Rigatoni Bolognese with a beef, veal, pork, and tomato ragu and Grana Padano; or Penne con Pollo with grilled chicken, shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes, roasted garlic, and a white wine butter sauce. Dessert features Assorted Cookies, including lemon biscotti, cannoli, and chocolate chip cookies.

Family-style orders must be placed by 8:00 p.m. on Saturday for Sunday pick up. For the full menu and to place an order, visit https://www.avvioristorante.com/.

May 19, 2020 0 comments
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  • News Bites: Giusto “Secret” Winter Menu Items and Lunch / Track 15 Dining Igloos and Curling / Anna’s Taqueria Opens

    February 13, 2026
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