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Wright's Farm Restaurant's 50th Anniversary
news

News Bites: Wright’s Farm Restaurant Celebrates 50 Years / Newport Restaurant Group Announces 18 Promotions and New Hires / Blackstone Valley Culinary News

by David Dadekian May 23, 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.


Wright’s Farm to Host ‘Anniversary Fling’ Customer Appreciation Event

Wright’s Farm Restaurant’s traditional Spring Fling Shopping Event will be transformed into a celebratory customer event to mark the restaurant’s 50th anniversary

Wright's Farm Restaurant's 50th Anniversary

Wright’s Farm Restaurant, located at 84 Inman Road in Burrillville, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As part of the celebration, the Gift Shop will host a customer appreciation event, instead of its signature Spring Fling, on Friday, June 3rd from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Customers are encouraged to visit www.WrightsFarm.com for more information.

Shoppers will enjoy special treats, discounts, promotions, and opportunities to win raffle baskets, prizes, surprises from the Wheel of Wow Giveaways and additional fun. 

“For five decades, we’ve proudly hosted families as they celebrated important milestones,” said Frank Galleshaw III, Owner. “From birthdays, graduations to anniversaries, we have enjoyed celebrating with our customers, many of whom have become like family. We deeply appreciate the community making Wright’s Farm a part of their lives throughout the years, and we look forward to celebrating them during our Anniversary Fling.” 

Wright’s Farm, known as a gathering spot for generations of families to come together and enjoy a delicious homemade meal served family style, and shop for unique items in the Gift Shop, has been family-owned and operated for 50 years. 

Wright’s Farm’s Gift Shop carries the latest fashion accessories and jewelry trends from Luca + Danni, Spartina 449, Vera Bradley, John Medeiros, Dune, and Cape Cod Jewelry to name a few; as well as a selection of unique gifts, toys and a delightful array of candies, gourmet truffles and Wright’s Farm fudge, made on the premises.


Newport Restaurant Group Announces 18 Promotions and New Hires for Senior-Level Positions

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), an award-winning collection of unique restaurants and hospitality venues located throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, is pleased to announce the hiring and promotion of 18 employee-owners. NRG is the only employee-owned hospitality company in Rhode Island and offers full-coverage benefits, food and beverage discounts, generous time off and opportunities for career advancement. 

“This is the most significant round of hiring we’ve done in our history, demonstrating the strength of our company, even after two years of setbacks due to the pandemic,” said Kristin Allain, Director of Human Resources.  “It’s a true testament to our unique employee-ownership model and our strong leadership that we have been able to attract and retain talent, despite the labor shortage which reaches far beyond the hospitality industry.”

Promotions:

Alia Asher of Westport, MA has been promoted to executive sous chef at the Boat House in Tiverton.  Prior to her new role, she was sous chef at 22 Bowen’s in Newport, and had also worked at a local slaughterhouse in Massachusetts, and in numerous positions at restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, FL, including line cook, kitchen supervisor, and sous chef at the Riverside Hotel, sous chef at the Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grill, and chef de cuisine at the Boathouse at The Riverside.  Alia is a native of Kingston, Jamaica and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Paul Sousa of North Providence, RI has been promoted to general manager at Bar ‘Cino and La Vecina, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the neighboring restaurants in Newport’s Washington Square.  Paul joined NRG in 2014 as a restaurant manager at Hemenway’s before taking the helm at Waterman Grille.  Prior to joining NRG, he managed Cafe Paragon and Viva on Thayer Street in Providence. Paul holds a degree in Business Management from Rhode Island College.

Tobey Sanborn, an NRG veteran, has been named director of training, responsible for meeting strategic objectives related to training and development of all staff members with a focus on succession planning.  Prior to joining NRG, Tobey held various roles at the Capital Grille and Back Bay Restaurant Group, and then served as general manager of Hemenway’s before it was purchased by NRG in 2009.  He has since held various roles within NRG consisting of oversight of management training programs, the acquisition of the Papa Razzi locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Waterman Grille, and the Boat House.  Tobey is a past member of the board of directors of the RI Hospitality Association and is committed to several fundraising initiatives with RI Community Food Bank, Save The Bay, and the Ronald McDonald House in Providence.

Celia Darragh of Johnston, RI has been named general manager of Trio in Narragansett, responsible for managing all operations of the restaurant. Celia joined NRG in 2017 as a dining room supervisor at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar and worked her way up to assistant general manager in February 2021 before being promoted to her new position.  Prior to joining NRG, she worked as an assistant restaurant manager for the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Newport, overseeing the property’s five food and beverage outlets.  Celia holds an associate degree in Baking and Pastry Arts and a bachelor’s in Restaurant Management from Southern New Hampshire University.

Gary Morrison of South Grafton, MA has been named regional manager and is responsible for directing and overseeing management activities of assigned Business Units (BU) by partnering with general managers (GM) to maximize profits through efficiencies, policy, and best practices. Prior to joining NRG in 2012, Gary was a general manager and then regional manager for Back Bay Restaurant Group. 

Greg Coccio of East Greenwich, RI has been named corporate executive chef, responsible for training culinary teams on advanced cooking techniques, quality assurance, implementation and training with regards to new culinary objectives, and operational support for every restaurant.  Chef Coccio has been with NRG since 2010, first as kitchen supervisor and most recently executive chef at Avvio in Cranston.  Prior to joining NRG, he was an executive chef for Tavistock Restaurant Group and the executive sous chef at CBS Scene.

New Hires:

Jarrod Carter of Attleboro, MA has been named Inventory control manager.  The Johnson & Wales University graduate previously worked as director of operations at High Limb Cider and as systems manager and beverage manager at G Hospitality.

Jason Messier of Pawtucket, RI has been named human resources manager, responsible for special projects within the human resources department.  He attended Rhode Island College and has worked in various HR capacities for Peak Event Services, Russell Morin Catering & Events, and Blount Fine Foods.

Jay Nearhoof of Taunton, MA has been named Assistant general manager of the Mooring Restaurant.  He attended the University of Rhode Island and was most recently assistant general manager at Splitsville and Howl at the Moon in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Prior to that, he held a variety of positions over the course of five years at the Splitsville and Howl at the Moon locations at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Massachusetts, starting as a busser and working his way up to assistant general manager 

Jeff Tenner of Narragansett, RI has been named director of concept development, responsible for idea generation and the development and business implementation of new concepts and production practices, with a focus on balancing current values with emerging trends and new opportunities. Prior to joining NRG, the 25-year hospitality industry veteran, served as the vice president of food and beverage and head of restaurant operations for Spyce, a Boston-area restaurant start-up powered by robotics & automation. He helped lead the organization to their recent acquisition by Sweetgreen. 

Laura Schnaible of Marlborough, MA, has been named recruiting director.  Prior to joining NRG, she was a teacher, and then human resources representative at The New England Center for Children where she served children and young adults with autism.  A native of Indiana, she graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and holds a Master of Science in Education from Simmons University.  She is also a Society of Human Resource Management certified professional.

Lisa Knowles of Middletown, RI has been named show director, overseeing sales, marketing, and operations for the Newport International Boat Show.  Prior to joining NRG, Lisa worked in landscape design, responsible for logistics, graphics, drafting, and on-site operations.  She holds a degree in Plant & Soil Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is a certified crowd manager and is a past board member of the RI Marine Trades Association.

Robin Pearson of Newport has been named digital marketing manager, responsible for NRG’s digital strategy and presence, as well as its robust customer loyalty campaigns.  Prior to joining NRG, Robin worked in marketing and strategy for Reebok and Samsonite. She is a graduate of George Washington University.

Steve DeLuca of Pembroke, MA has been named the general manager of Foodlove Market, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the chef-crafted marketplace and cafe, including strategic direction, financials, inventory management, and more. He holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development and a Master of Business Administration from Bridgewater State University.

Tony Ojih of North Providence, RI has been named staff accountant, responsible for maintaining, reviewing, and preparing financial records and assisting with auditing and reconciling accounts. Prior to joining NRG, he worked in various accounting positions at TD Bank, Finish Line, the Town of Lincoln (RI), and Dunkin’. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Rhode Island College.

Christine Coogan of Milford, MA has been named General Manager of Papa Razzi Wellesley, responsible for leading the store and management team, hiring and developing new staff members, and the guest experience. Prior to joining NRG, Christine worked as the assistant general manager for the Barking Crab in Boston’s Seaport district as well as Back Bay Restaurant Group. 

Cindy Vigneau of Coventry, RI has been named benefits & compensation manager, responsible for the oversight of all benefit and compensation plan administration, the development of various employee benefit plans, and the maintenance and evolution of the company’s compensation plan.  Cindy brings 30 years of finance and HR experience, across a variety of industries, to her new role.   She holds a degree in Principles of Financial Management/Basic Accounting I/Basic Accounting II from the Community College of Rhode Island.

Cori Desmond of Bristol, RI has been named inventory & menu systems administrator, responsible for supporting the inventory & menu systems manager in creating and maintaining the inventory back-end systems for all business units within NRG.  Cori holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island.Additional positions are currently available at Castle Hill Inn, 22 Bowen’s, The Mooring, Smoke House, and Foodlove Market and include a variety of front and back-of-house positions including: managers, servers, hosts, bussers, bartenders, cooks, dishwashers, banquet staff, valets, baristas and cashiers.  Candidates who are interested but cannot attend the summer job fair are welcome to apply online by visiting: https://www.newportrestaurantgroup.com/careers.


Blackstone Valley Culinary News – May 19, 2022

Shish Kebob
555 Smithfield Avenue, Pawtucket
401-725-9505
Facebook

Shish Kabob, the only Persian restaurant in Rhode Island, has opened in Pawtucket.  (The space was previously inhabited by a restaurant call Shish Kebob but serving Lebanese food – two different places).  Be transported to another part of the world while eating authentic shish kabob and other grilled meats, Chicken and/or Beef Koobideh (grilled meat served with basmati rice and grilled tomato), Kashk Bademjoon (Persian Eggplant Dip), Falafel (a vegetarian option), platters, wraps, salads and, of course, for dessert – baklava.   

German-American Cultural Society of Rhode Island
78 Carter Avenue, Pawtucket  02861
401-726-9873
gacsri.org

The May Trachtenabend will be on Friday, May 20.  This month’s special menu features Brandenburg-style pork with green beans and potatoes.  Pre-purchased meal tickets are not necessary this month.  

Here are a couple of great weekend brunch suggestions in Pawtucket:  

Craft Burgers and Beer
342 East Avenue, Pawtucket  02860
401-723-5600
craftbandb.com

Craft Burgers and Beer offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.  In addition to their brunch menu, their full menu is available.   

Boundary Kitchen & Bar
67 Garrity Street, Pawtucket  02861
401-725-4260
boundarykitchenbar.com

Boundary has just started doing Sunday brunch.  Stop by between 11 am and 2 pm or make a reservation for indoor or patio dining.  Here’s the Brunch Menu for May 22.  And the bar will be serving your favorite brunch beverages too – mimosas, bloody Marys and more!   And their specials for Thursday, Friday and Saturday look delish!  Boundary Special Menu

Crooked Current Brewery
560 Mineral Spring Avenue
Pawtucket  02860
401-473-8312
www.crookedcurrentbrewery.com

Yelp did a survey and announced the best brewery in each state.  Check out the article:  

Best Brewery in Each State.  The Best in Rhode Island is Crooked Current Brewery, founded by two native Rhode Islanders.  They are open on Thursdays and Fridays from 5 to 8 pm and Saturday from 1-5 pm (closed Sunday).  They are in a great location with other food and drink venues, such as White Dog Distilling, JA Patty, and Ming’s Asian Street Food.   You can eat and drink your way around 560 Mineral Spring Avenue!  

Spumoni’s
1537 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket  02861
401-726-4449
spumonisrestaurant.com/

Mark your calendar and get your reservations!  Spumoni’s presents The Comedy Factory and an Italian buffet!  For only $45 you’ll see a fabulous show with comedians from The Comedy Factory, the buffet, and tax and tip are included.  It will be Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 12:30 pm (doors open), buffet at 1:00 pm and show at 2:00 pm.  Call the number above to make your reservations before they sell out!   Spumoni’s and The Comedy Factory

Atrium on Main 
285 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI  02860
401-335-5500
Aomrestaurant.com

Here’s an idea for a nice afternoon in June – a great meal at Atrium on Main and then head to their Art Battle® event.  It’s a live painting tournament and you can be the judge!  Watch as local artists compete in 3 rounds of just 20 minutes each, transforming blank canvases into beautiful piece of art.  Then you can vote to help determine the winner of the event.  All artwork will be available in a silent auction.  Art Battle® is an event that happens in cities around the world.  How cool that the city of Pawtucket in a part of this!!!!   It happens on Sunday, June 12.  Doors open at 1 pm and the show starts at 2 pm.  Tickets are $25 for general admission or a $40 ticket includes a buffet.  Art Battle® Tickets

And Atrium on Main has updated their hours (expanding their lunch hours) as follows:  Tuesday – 11 am to 4 pm (take out and delivery only); Wednesday – 4 pm to 8 pm; Thursday – 12 noon to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday – 12 noon to 10 pm.  Sunday and Monday – closed.  

White Dog Distilling
560 Mineral Spring Avenue
Pawtucket  02860
401-475-3789
White-dog-distilling.square.site

Have you seen this post from the White Dog Distilling Facebook page?  Very interesting……

Ever wonder about the difference between moonshine and vodka? Both are usually clear, neutral tasting spirits consumed in a variety of ABV’s and come with a lot of misconceptions. Despite their similarities there are also a lot of distinctions, so let’s take a look at some: 

Vodka and moonshine are both classified by the government as “neutral spirits” and therefore defined as, “Spirits distilled from any material at or above 95% ABV and, if bottled, bottled at not less than 40% ABV. Vodka is specifically distilled or treated after distillation with charcoal or other materials so as to be without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color. Moonshine on the other hand is a Neutral Grain Spirit (NGS) and is defined as being “distilled from a fermented mash of grain”; interestingly the government also stipulates that an NGS can be stored in oak containers (aka barrel aged), although often this is not the case with moonshine. As we often point out moonshine is a pretty broad term that can be used as a catchall for any spirit not easily defined, therefore NGS only makes up one section of the moonshine spectrum.

Check out their “Pack Experiences” and Menu HERE

Ye Olde English Fish & Chips
25 South Main Street, Woonsocket  02895
401-762-3637
Yeoldeenglishfishandchips.com

Happy 100th Anniversary to Ye Olde English Fish & Chips!  Celebrate with them from Wednesday, May 25 to Friday, May 27 and enjoy their specials:  

Wednesday:  2 orders of Fish Cakes and Chips and 2 small sodas – $10

Thursday:  2 orders of Fish Burgers and Chips, plus 2 small sodas – $10

Friday:  2 orders of small Fish & Chips, 2 small clam chowders and 2 small sodas – all for $19.22!

May 23, 2022 0 comment
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Sarto Restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island
chefs & restaurantsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Sarto Reopens in Providence / Blackstone Valley Culinary News / Finback Brewery Whale Watching Festival

by David Dadekian April 27, 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.


Sarto Restaurant Opens With A Unique Approach To Italian Food In Providence

Sarto Restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island

One of Providence’s most celebrated restaurants, Sarto, located at 86 Dorrance St., has reopened. Winner of Wine Spectator’s 2021 Restaurant Award which honors the world’s best wine lists, Sarto is celebrating its long- awaited re-opening since closing due to COVID with a brand-new menu and a fresh take on “authentic” Italian. 

“In keeping with Italy’s authentic, old-world culinary traditions, we tried to approach our menu the same way an Italian chef opening a restaurant here in the US might,” states Sarto, Culinary Director, Gary Hatfield. 

“Sarto’s menu features dishes composed of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, that honor our region – but with a modern twist. 

Patrons can order a mix of regional Italian and New England inspired favorites like Zuppa di Vongole (clam soup) with sweet/spicy Italian sausage, potatoes, clams, baby kale, a touch of cream and served with house made focaccia bruschetta. For seafood lovers there is smoked mussel Cacio e Pepe made with local Atwells Gold Cheese and Cozze Al Diablo (locally sourced spicy mussels). Ragu d Coda di bue (Ragu of oxtail) which combines the rich flavor of braised oxtail and Italian sausage and 30-day aged bone in Ribeye served with Narragansett Bay Sea Salt broccolini, marble potatoes and Saba-Beef Jus are available for those seeking more substantial entrées. 

The dinner menu isn’t the only aspect of Sarto that is legendary. The space, which features an expansive bar, once housed an apothecary, money-to-loan business and later the Philip Wolfe Haberdasher, which inspired the name Sarto or tailor in Italian. There is also an open kitchen concept where patrons can enjoy the culinary team prepare Sarto’s menu items from scratch. 

In a whimsical nod to the restaurant’s roots, the drink menu features Big and Tall or higher alcohol drinks with bold flavors, Light and Layered drinks with lower alcohol and Petite non-alcoholic options. Beer and cider aficionados can enjoy High Limb Noble Series cider and other local draft brews.

“We’re thrilled to open our doors to new and loyal patrons again,” said Karsten Hart, COO for Sarto and parent company, G Hospitality. “We’ve been working hard during the pandemic to continue sourcing local foods and various ingredients to bring our guests the most innovative, delicious tasting dishes in the area,” he said.

Sarto Restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday – Sunday from 4pm-midnight. For more information, please call 401-270-0790 or visit www.sartoprovidence.com


Blackstone Valley Culinary News – April 26, 2022

Miller’s Tavern
48 School Street, Albion, RI  02802
401-353-0007
facebook.com/MillersCrossingRi/

Miller’s Tavern is open!  Stop in and welcome them to the Blackstone Valley.  Check out their menu:   Menu – page 1    Menu – page 2

Apothica
3 Dexter Street, Cumberland  02864
401-205-2063
Apothicaherbs.com

New Name!  Blackstone Herbs and Coffee at 3 Dexter Street (corner of Broad Street) in Cumberland is now Apothica.  Same great staff, friendly service and coffees, other beverages, herb shop, breakfast, lunch and dessert options – and 100% Vegan…just a new name that more accurately reflects what they offer.  Stop in and see what everyone has been talking about!

The Wright Scoop
Wright’s Dairy Farm & Bakery
200 Woonsocket Hill Road, North Smithfield, RI  02896
401-767-3014
wrightsdairyfarm.com

We’re all screaming for ice cream!   The Wright Scoop opens for the season on Thursday, May 5!   May hours in North Smithfield will be Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 9 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 9 pm.  Here are a few “sneak peeks” of the flavors they will be offering:   Sneak Peek #1.    Sneak Peek #2.  

Rhode Island Spirits
59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket  02860
401-856-4111
Rhodeislandspirits.com

There is always something happening at Rhode Island Spirits!  Here is the event line-up through May:  

Friday, April 29, 6-8 pm – Cheese and Cocktail Pairing.  Enjoy a flight of three cocktails and cheeses (from Edgewood Cheese Shop) that pair with them.  Tickets

Sunday, May 8, 1 to 5 pm – Mother’s Day Cocktails and Allie’s Donuts.  Bring mom for some donuts and a Boozy Coffee, Bloody Mary or a Mimosa. 

Friday, May 20, 6-7:30 pm – Distillery Trivia.  Get your team together!  Join RI Spirit’s first Trivia event to compete for a prize – a bottle of your choice or a $25 gift certificate!

Sunday, May 22, 1-6 pm – Game Day.  There will be all kinds of games available to play or you can bring your own group and own game to play while enjoying your favorite cocktail.  

Thursday, May 26, 6-8 pm – RI Spirits will host the next program in RI Historical Society’s “Drink in the History” event.  There will be a presentation by the founder of the Providence Jewelry Museum, Peter DiChristofaro, who will offer insights into Rhodium’s namesake.  There will be original pieces of jewelry on display.  Guests will be treated to a mini-flight of their craft-made liquor and a Tom Collins cocktail.  Light, local culinary fare will also be available.  Tickets

Friday, May 27, 6-8 pm – Distillery Bingo.  It’s free to join in, but come early to guarantee yourself a table!  Bingo cards and daubers will be provided and prizes will include merchandise, free cocktails, bottles of your favorite spirits and more!

blackie’s
280 George Washington Hwy., Smithfield, RI  02917
401-231-4777
Eatatblackies.com

Have you always wanted to know about eating gluten-free?  Now is your chance to learn from the best at blackie’s!  The team at blackie’s will be hosting a gluten-free gathering as Chef Angie will serve tastings from blackie’s new spring/summer menu.  It’s on Wednesday, May 4 at 6 p.m.  Limited tickets are available, so don’t wait:  Tickets to b. g-free

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8.  Take Mom out to one of our great Blackstone Valley restaurants!  Here are a few suggestions:   

Andrew’s Bistro
3755 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI  02864
401-658-1515
Andrewsbistro.com

They’ll be serving their full menu plus specials for Mother’s Day from 12 noon to 4 pm.  Call the number above for your reservations.   

Mapleville Farm
544 Victory Highway, Mapleville, RI  02839
401-568-0544
MaplevilleFarm.com

Mapleville Farm is hosting their Mother’s Day Tea and Garden Luncheon again this year.  You’ll enjoy elegant sandwiches, soup and salads along with delicious fresh scones and pastries and homemade jams.  Of course, there will be tea and it will all be served in a setting surrounded by beautiful flowers. MENU There will be two seatings on Mother’s Day – 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.   Call them or go online to make your reservations before they sell out!   


Finback Brewery Announces Whale Watching On May 21, 2022

Inaugural festival to feature over 50 acclaimed breweries, timed “Whale Sightings” releases of rare beers, VIP-exclusive stouts, access to new merch, and more

Finback Brewery Whale Watching Festival 2022

Finback Brewery is pleased to announce the inaugural Whale Watching festival on Saturday, May 21 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Tickets are now available for purchase at the link here: https://whalewatching-2022.eventbrite.com.

Finback’s highly anticipated entry into the world of beer festivals is more than two years in the making. The event was originally slated for the spring of 2020, but it had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We were certainly disappointed that we did not get a chance to host our very first Whale Watching festival two years ago, but it gave us time to really think about how to offer a unique and engaging experience for our guests when it was finally safe to gather,” says co-founder Basil Lee. “We are thrilled to have some of the best breweries in the country participate, and look forward to throwing a well-run and successful event for the beer community, who have shown us tremendous support through everything.”

Whale Watching attendees can enjoy delicious beers from a roster of over 50 acclaimed and exciting brewers from around the country, many of which have never been offered in the Ocean State before, including 3 Sons Brewing Co. in Dania Beach, Florida; Other Half Brewing in Brooklyn, New York; 450 North Brewing Company in Columbus, Indiana; Great Notion Brewing in Portland, Oregon; Horus Aged Ales in Oceanside, California; and Burial Beer Co.in Asheville, North Carolina. Many of these producers will be in person to serve their works, offering guests an opportunity to socialize with some of the industry’s most innovative and creative minds. Entertainment from DJ Chris Maestro of New York City’s popular beer and vinyl bar, Bierwax, and a selection of Rhode Island-based food vendors such as Ming’s Asian Street Food, PVDonuts, and TrapBoxPVD will also be available.

In a playful nod to the world of elusive, limited-edition beers, Finback will tap select breweries to release super small quantities of rare brews at specific times throughout the afternoon, billing them as Whale Sightings. There will be no need for a pair of binoculars to catch a glimpse of these special drops, promises Kevin Stafford, co-founder and brewmaster: “Just keep your eyes on the clock and have an empty glass ready.”

As the festival date nears, Finback plans to partner with several Rhode Island counterparts, including Narragansett and Long Live Beerworks, on collaboration beers. Finback is headquartered in New York, with locations in Glendale, Queens, and Gowanus, Brooklyn, but both Lee and Stafford are originally from the New England region—the former being a native of Rhode Island. “It is deeply important to us to host Whale Watching in our hometown, a place that is so influential in our personal stories as well as the brewery story,” Lee says. “We hope to start a rich tradition with this festival that beer fans can look forward to for years to come.”

Whale Watching will take place outdoors at 249 Roosevelt Avenue, overlooking the Blackstone River, and run from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets cost $80 for General Admission and $180 for All Access, which includes early entry at 12:30 p.m., a special stemmed taster glass, and bottles of two limited-edition, barrel-aged imperial stouts created specifically for the event:

  • Whale Watching 2022: Banana Pie: Imperial stout with banana, vanilla, pudding, and ladyfingers, and aged in bourbon barrels
  • Whale Watching 2022: Coffee: Imperial stout with coffee syrup, coconut, caramel, and sea salt, and aged in bourbon barrels

For more information, please visit https://whalewatching-2022.eventbrite.com or follow us on Instagram (@finbackbrewery), Twitter (@finbackbrewery), and Facebook (facebook.com/finbackbrewery).

April 27, 2022 0 comment
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World Championship Cheese Contest Gold Medalist 2022
chefs & restaurantsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Narragansett Creamery Wins at World Championship Cheese Contest / RI Breweries Easter 2022 Schedule / Blackstone Valley Culinary News

by David Dadekian April 11, 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.


Narragansett Creamery wins Gold and Bronze Medals at the World Championship Cheese Contest

Narragansett Creamery was awarded a First Place Gold Medal for its Low-Fat Coffee Yogurt at the World Championship Cheese Contest on March 3–5 in Wisconsin. Our low-fat coffee yogurt contains milk and probiotic cultures, contains no stabilizers or preservatives, and is lactose free.

Narragansett Creamery was also awarded a 3rd  Place Bronze Medal for its Burrata Cheese. Each Narragansett Creamery Burrata is made by hand. Mozzarella is stretched to form a pocket where it is then hand-filled with Stracciatella, a mixture of “torn” mozzarella (Stracciare – to tear apart) cream, and a trace of salt.

This year’s World Competition was highly competitive with 2,978 entries from 29 countries. The contest initiated in 1957, is organized by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.

“We are honored to win these awards in the Yogurt and Burrata categories and to be included with such an outstanding group of dedicated and creative cheesemakers,” said Mark Federico, owner and co-founder of Narragansett Creamery.

Narragansett Creamery is a family-owned creamery based in Providence, RI that uses milk from nearby New England farms to make its artisanal cheeses and yogurts.

“We thank our local farmers who supply us with excellent quality milk which enables us to create award-willing cheeses,” Federico said. 


RI Breweries Easter 2022 Schedule

Rhode Island Brewers Guild

Wondering if your favorite RI Brewers Guild facility will be open on Easter? Here’s a list of open and closed breweries for Sunday, April 17th.  See you there!

Fool Proof Brewing                          Normal hours, 12 noon – 6
Linesider                                            Normal hours, 12 noon – 6
Long Live Beerworks                       Normal hours 12 noon – 5
Lops Brewing                                    10 am to 6 pm
Moniker Brewery                              Normal hours
Narragansett Beer                           Normal hours
Newport Craft Brewing                    Normal hours
Pivotal Brewing                                Normal hours 12 noon to 5
Proclamation Ale                              12 noon to 6
Providence Brewing Co                  Normal hours
Ravenous Brewing                          Normal hours 
Rejects Beer Co                               Normal hours
Shaidzon Beer Co                           12 noon to 5 
Six Pack Brewing                             12 noon to 5
Taproots Brewing Co                      11 am to 4 pm (bar service only, no food)
The General’s Crossing                  Normal hours
Twelve Guns Brewing                     Normal hours
Union Station Brewery                    11:30 am to 1:00 am
West Passage Brewpub                 Normal hours

Apponaug Brewing Co                    Closed                        Revival (LVP&B)                              Closed            
Beer on Earth                                   Closed                        Smug Brewing                                  Closed
Bravo Brewing                                  Closed                        The Guild Pawtucket                       Closed
Buttonwoods                                     Closed                        The Guild Warren                            Closed
Chair 2                                               Closed                        Tilted Barn Brewery                         Closed
Coddington Brewpub                       Closed                        Trinity Brewhouse                            Closed
Crooked Current                              Closed                        Whalers Brewing                              Closed
Grey Sail Brewing of RI                  Closed                        Ragged Island Farm Brewery
Hive Beer                                          Closed                                    (Closed temporarily under construction)


Blackstone Valley Culinary News – April 6, 2022

Davenport’s Family Restaurant
1070 Mendon Road, Cumberland  02864
401-334-1017
Davenport’s Bar and Grille
1925 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence  02914
401-438-3381
davenportsri.com

Davenport’s has new spring specials.  And they are also now offering gluten-free pizza which has been very popular.  

Kountry Kitchen/Kountry Clam Shack
10 Smith Avenue, Greenville 0282
401-949-0840
Kountryfoodgroup.com

Sadly, our friends at Kountry Kitchen will be closing the restaurant on April 10.  The Kountry Clam Shack did a Culinaria Live episode with us which was great!  We’re happy that the Delos family will be retiring and relaxing.  The restaurant has been purchased and will be undergoing renovations for about six months before it reopens under new ownership.  So stop by before April 10 to enjoy Kountry Kitchen one more time and to wish the Delos family well!   Here is more information in a Valley Breeze article

Angelos Palace Pizza
133 Mendon Road, Cumberland  02864
401-728-3340
Angelospalacepizza.com

Angelo’s is having an Easter brunch on Sunday, April 17.  Seatings are at 10:30 am and 1 pm – reservations are required.  Adults are $30; Children are $20; and children under 5 are $15.  Check out the buffet menu HERE

Spumoni’s
1537 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket  02861
401-726-4449
spumonisrestaurant.com/

Spumoni’s is offering their famous Easter brunch again and I hear it’s spectacular!  It will be on Sunday, April 17 between 10 am and 3 pm and the cost is $28.99.  Reservations are accepted for parties of 5 or more, but don’t wait to call for reservations (at the above number).  Check out the Easter Brunch Menu

Ye Olde English Fish & Chips
25 South Main Street, Woonsocket  02895
401-762-3637
Yeoldeenglishfishandchips.com

Congratulations to the Robinson Family at Ye Olde English Fish and Chips on their 100th Anniversary!  There was a great story by WPRI about the Robinson Family and the history of the iconic Woonsocket restaurant.  Read it HERE

Rhode Island Spirits
59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket  02860
401-856-4111
Rhodeislandspirits.com

Rhode Island Spirits has a very busy event schedule.  Hope you can join them for some of these events:  

·  Friday April 8 Distillery Bingo 6-8, free, no reservation required; Cookie Chow will also be onsite with sweet treats! 

·  Saturday April 9, Uncorked! (to benefit RI PBS). We’ll be at the Pawtucket Armory for this event with samples of Rhodium products. 

·  Sunday April 10 Gin School (sold out, but there are tickets available for June/July/August) 

·  Friday April 15 Distillery Trivia with Jordan 6-8, free, no reservation required, PRIZES 

·  CLOSED Easter Sunday April 17 

·  Sunday May 8 Mothers Day We’ll be featuring Donuts, Spiked Coffee, Bloody Marys and Mimosas

Mimi & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop
1306 Broad Street, Central Falls, RI  02863
401-474-8185

Mimi & Pop’s opened on April 1.  Stop by for some sweet treats – soft serve and hard serve ice cream, banana splits, milkshakes and more!

Poke Brothers
622 George Washington Highway, Lincoln  02865
401-642-8708
Facebook.com/pokebroslincoln

New restaurant alert!   This new restaurant, specializing in Hawaiian-style Poke bowls, has opened a Lincoln Commons location – the first franchise to open in New England!  Read all about them in this Valley Breeze article.  Here’s a picture of their MENU or you can design your own bowl.

Notes Coffee Co.
508 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket 02861
401-335-5181
notescoffeeco.com

Save the Date!  Notes Coffee Co. will be holding their first Maker’s Market event on Friday, April 22 from 6 to 9 pm.  More info to follow regarding the artisans who will be there.  

Smug Brewing
100 Carver Street, Pawtucket  02860
401-642-5701
Smugbrewing.com

 PICK UP and TAPROOM HOURS FOR THIS WEEK:

April 6th, Wednesday 1pm – 6pm (Pick-up only) 

April 7th, Thursday 3pm-9pm (Taproom and Pick-up)  Trivia with Reb begins at 6:30 and 7:30; Nanu Burmese Fusion onsite

April 8th, Friday 3pm-9pm (Taproom / Pick-up) 

April 9th, Saturday 1pm-10pm (Taproom / Pick-up)  

Bonsai Bar event and Sarcastic Sweets

April 10th, Sunday 12pm – 5pm (Taproom / Pick-up) 

April 11, 2022 0 comment
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Miller's Famous Sandwiches interior
chefs & restaurantsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Blackstone Valley Culinary News / Miller’s Famous Sandwiches Expansion / Providence Open Air Saturdays 2022

by David Dadekian March 29, 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.


Blackstone Valley Culinary News – March 29, 2022

Harvest Kitchen
2 Bayley Street, Pawtucket, RI  02860
401-335-3766
farmfreshri.org/programs/harvest-kitchen/

Harvest Kitchen is welcoming spring with their new and expanded Spring Menu.  Check out the fresh, local ingredients they use to create healthy options for you!

Brewology
9 Cedar Swamp Road, Smithfield  02917
401-642-7111
facebook.com/brewologyri

New restaurant alert!  Brewology is open – serving coffee (iced and hot coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, mochaccinos, chai teas, as well as smoothies, protein shakes and more) and breakfast from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (bagels, sandwiches, acai bowls and pastries made fresh on site).  On Thursday, Friday and Saturday they’ll remain open until 1 a.m. serving specialty martinis, cocktails, wine and beer, as well as light bites and desserts.  There will be occasional entertainment too.  Check out the relaxing lounge space HERE.  

Davenport’s Bar and Grille
1925 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence  02914
401-438-3381
davenportsri.com

Did you know????   Davenport’s has partnered with Providence Performing Arts Center for a Show Shuttle Dinner/Show Package program.  When you sign up for a Show Shuttle package, you receive your choice of Orchestra or 1st Dress Balcony seating for each show in the package, dinner(salad, entrée, non-alcoholic beverages, dessert, tax and tip) and round-trip transportation from the restaurant to the theatre and back.  After the show, Davenport’s will also offer coffee, tea and pastries at PPAC!  Click HERE for more information.  

Boundary Kitchen & Bar
67 Garrity Street, Pawtucket  02861
401-725-4260
boundarykitchenbar.com

Boundary has some great SPECIALS planned for Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.  And check out this picture of their Stone Pie – stone oven pizza, hand-tossed with a custom crust.  It looks delicious!  And it’s available gluten-free too!

Here are some upcoming events to mark on your calendar: 

Mapleville Farm
544 Victory Highway, Mapleville, RI  02839
401-568-0544
MaplevilleFarm.com

Tuesday, April 12 –  Last day to order and pay for your Easter order from Mapleville Farm.  They have the most delicious homemade breads, pastries and desserts that you’ll want for the holiday.  Check out their MENU.  Orders need to be placed and paid for by April 12 and order pick up is Saturday, April 16 from 9 am to 6 pm.  

Tavolo Wine Bar and Tuscan Grille
970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI  02917
401-349-4979
tavolowinebar.com/Smithfield

Sunday, April 17 – Tavolo invites you for a stress-free Easter Sunday dinner at their Smithfield and Warwick locations.  They’ll be serving their full dinner menu as well as some specials – open 12 noon to 8 pm.  You can book your reservations online or call 401-349-4979.  

Parma Ristorante
266 Putnam Pike, Smithfield  02917
401-349-0079]
Parmaristorante.com

Sunday, April 17 – Parma will be open for Easter Sunday for a Brunch Buffet from 11 am to 2 pm and dinner service with Easter Specials from 3 pm to 8 pm.  Reserve your table by calling the number above.  

A & W Root Beer
460 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, RI  02828
401-949-9892
awrestaurants.com/aw-smithfield-ri

Tuesday, April 19 – A & W Drive-In will start their Cruise Nights – every Tuesday – staring April 19.  Great food, root beer made on-site and classic cars – a great combination for a fun evening!

Johnny’s Victory Diner
2731 Victory Highway, Burrillville, RI  02830
401-765-2661
johnnysvictorydiner.com

Friday, May 6 – Johnny’s begins their BBQ Season with outdoor seating and live music.  Plan to visit and try the #1 BBQ in Rhode Island according to Food and Wine magazine in September 2020.   

Mapleville Farm
544 Victory Highway, Mapleville, RI  02839
401-568-0544
MaplevilleFarm.com

Sunday, May 8 – Mother’s Day Garden Tea and Luncheon.  Enjoy soup, salad, sandwiches, pastries, candies, and tea in their perennial garden.  Seatings are at 11 am and 1:30 pm.  This is a very popular event, so don’t wait to get your tickets.  Click HERE for tickets and more information. 


East Providence’s Miller’s Famous Sandwiches Seeking Franchise Partners

Miller's Famous Sandwiches interior

For 50 years, Miller’s Famous Sandwiches has remained a dining institution in and around East Providence, Rhode Island. Today, with the third generation of family owners at the helm, Miller’s has officially launched its franchise opportunity and is ready to introduce its signature Roast Beef and variety of other mouthwatering sandwich options to throngs of new customers.

With two flagship stores already satisfying customers of all demographics in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Miller’s intends to expand its footprint across the East Coast. President Gwendolyn Graham hopes to see approximately 5-7 restaurants open up over the next few years in an area that extends from the Northeast down to Florida.

“People love Miller’s and we’re excited to begin providing our unique product and services to customers in other communities across the country,” says Graham. “Franchise expansion doesn’t mean that we’ll cease to be family-owned, however. It just means that each new franchise owner and all of their customers become family, too. This is why our guiding philosophy has always been and always will be ‘Family Serving Family.’”

The first Miller’s restaurant was opened in East Providence, Rhode Island in 1972. Since that time, the brand has become a local icon on the foodservice scene, offering one of the best tasting, authentic roast beef sandwiches on the market. The roast beef is slow roasted every night, overnight – resulting in the most tender and tasty sandwiches. Other mouthwatering sandwich options include: Pastrami, French Dip, Reubens, Thanksgiving (Turkey), Chicken, Lobster, BBQ Pulled Pork, Ham, Corned Beef, and New England style Lobster Roll.

Remarkably, Miller’s cooks 12,000 pounds (that’s 6 TONS!) of its signature slow roasted roast beef each month and sells over 8,000 sandwiches each week.

Freshly-made sides include: crinkle cut fries, onion rings, baked beans, homemade slaw, clam strips, and more.

As for the restaurant design? Every Miller’s location is based off of the look and feel of the original restaurant that was opened nearly a half-century ago. Details such as community tables, swivel stools, and warm wood tones are just a few of the ways that Miller’s recreates this atmosphere. An open-kitchen concept allows customers the ability to watch their food being made, while giving them a better understanding of the craft, quality, freshness, and love that goes into Miller’s products.

“At Miller’s, we understand that in the quick-moving world that we are currently living in, today, sometimes it’s nice to just take a step back and get back to basics,” says Graham. “Our home-cooked menu options, our freshly prepared meals, and our comfortable dining atmosphere constantly bring customers coming back to feel that nostalgic feeling that comes with being ‘home.’”

She adds, “It’s a bit of the past continuing to the present – when quality meant something special.”

Today, armed with a refreshed brand identity, Miller’s is seeking franchise partners who understand family, understand quality, and understand what it takes to be successful no matter what the economic climate looks like.

Including a franchise fee of $40,000, the initial investment range for a Miller’s restaurant is between $396,000 and $818,000.

A typical franchise location sits approximately 1,500 to 2,200 square feet and is located in a strip center, is free standing, or is found on a pad site in a shopping center. Most Miller’s employ 20-25 full- and part-time employees.


Open Air Saturdays Returns Bigger and Better to Providence in 2022

InDowncity partners with local businesses for downtown-wide six event summer series with live music, outdoor dining and drinks, marketplaces, and family-friendly activities

Beginning May 7, InDowncity is bringing back the popular event series “Open Air Saturdays” to downtown Providence. From May through October, guests can enjoy programming across the city on the first Saturday of each month. The family-friendly event will run from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 7, June 4, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, and Oct. 1.

Each Open Air Saturdays event will feature live music performances, a rotating line-up of food trucks, two beer gardens, two marketplaces, outdoor games and activities, ample outdoor dining at local restaurants and more. Attendees are encouraged to make a day of it, visiting multiple locations throughout downtown: Grant’s Block, Aborn Street, Union Street, Biltmore Park, and the BankNewport City Center.

During Open Air Saturdays, the Grant’s Block location (on the corner of Union Street and Westminster Street) will feature live traditional music from around the world programmed by Providence World Music, as well as the return of Long Live Beerworks’ beer garden and a variety of visiting food vendors.

On Aborn Street (between Washington Street and Westminster Street) Rosalina will offer outdoor drinks, Italian street foods, and outdoor bocce. On the same block, Durk’s Bar-B-Q will program live rock and roll performances while serving drinks at an outdoor bar and offering a selection of smoked meats and barbeque.

Kin Southern Table + Bar will curate the “Kin Marketplace,” a market on Union Street—between Washington Street and Worcester Street—that highlights various BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and women-owned businesses. Attendees can enjoy outdoor seating with food and drink by Kin, and a mix of R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, and Afro Beats by local DJs.

At Biltmore Park, Trinity Beer Garden will serve local craft beer and select cocktails. Attendees can enjoy live music, a maker marketplace, outdoor games, and the exclusive opportunity to order food delivery from Reiners. Trinity Beer Garden is both family-friendly and dog-friendly. Next door, the BankNewport Skating Center will be open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. for roller skating.

“InDowncity is thrilled to expand our footprint this season as we welcome so many new partners to the Open Air Saturday program,” said Joanna Levitt, Director of Commercial Leasing and Marketing for Cornish Associates and InDowncity. “This season, guests can plan an entire day of strolling the various event locations, taking in unique programming at each.”

Further announcements–including lists of food vendors, musical artists, and retail vendors–will be released as the event dates near. For regular updates, visit www.indowncity.com/news/open-air-saturdays-2022 and follow @indowncitypvd on Instagram.

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