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Statesman Tavern

Dinner by Dames 2017 Group. Photo by Stacey Doyle Photography

ExpiredDinner by Dames

by David Dadekian April 23, 2018
written by David Dadekian
Dinner by Dames 2017 Group. Photo by Stacey Doyle Photography

Dinner by Dames 2017 Group. Photo by Stacey Doyle Photography

One of Rhode Island’s most popular dining series, Dinner by Dames, returns for it’s seventh installment at this seventh Eat Drink RI Festival. This female-driven dining experience brings together five of Rhode Island’s most talented chefs—Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s and Ellie’s Bakery, Jordan Goldsmith of Moonrose Farm, Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande, Ashley Vanasse of Easy Entertaining Inc. and Jessica Wood of Fire and Water Restaurant Group—for a multi-course dining event. For the 2018 Eat Drink RI Festival we’ve added three guest Dames: Lisa Lofberg of Little Moss, Rebecca Lentrichia of Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel and Caitlyn McGuire of Ellie’s Bakery.

To make the evening that much more special Jen Davis, of The Eddy, along with a group of RI’s top bartenders—Cassie Coutard of Courtland Club and New Harvest Coffee & Spirits, Megan Freitas of Durk’s Bar•B•Q, Sam Royds, Elizabeth Sawtelle of Nicks on Broadway, Britt Simons of Persimmon and Kayleigh Speck of The East End—are creating cocktail pairings for each course with spirits very kindly provided by Origin Beverage Co. Dinner by Dames will once again be held at the beautiful Skyline at Waterplace in downtown Providence.

View the Dinner by Dames Seven Menu (PDF)

In addition, the Festival Dinner by Dames coincides with this year’s Paint the Town RED to benefit AIDS Care Ocean State’s mission of providing quality housing, case management, medical and nursing care, and prevention to those affected by or at risk for HIV infection. Eat Drink RI President David Dadekian is a co-chair of the dining event and is proud to donate a portion of Dames proceeds to AIDS Care Ocean State.

 

Skyline at WaterplaceOrigin Beverage Co.Paint the Town RED

Dinner by Dames tickets are $160 and are all-inclusive. The evening will begin with a 6 p.m. cocktail reception with welcome bites, then moving into a six-course dinner with cocktail pairings and more.

Due to the limitations of the venue we are regrettably unable to accommodate any alternative menu/allergen requests other than a vegetarian option. Thank you in advance for your understanding on this matter.

April 23, 2018 0 comment
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News Bites: GottaQ Smokehouse BBQ Needs Your Vote / Land & Sea Summer Farm Culinary Series / Hope & Main’s Schoolyard Market 2017 / Sage Cellars Introduce La Sirena Wines

by David Dadekian June 12, 2017
written by David Dadekian

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

GottaQ Smokehouse BBQ Asks for Your Vote To Be Named Mobile Cuisine’s Best Food Truck BBQ in America

GottaQ BBQ Smokehouse at the Eat Drink RI Festival 2017

GottaQ Smokehouse BBQ, based in Cumberland, RI, is poised to take home yet another award in Mobile Cuisine’s national Best Food Truck BBQ contest. Their authentic wood-smoked barbecue is served up on two food trucks, a BBQ trailer and a mobile smoker, as well as two brick & mortar locations, and a successful catering business. After placing 3rd in the annual contest three years in a row, GottaQ is ready to bring the top prize home to Little Rhody. The gang kindly asks for your support! This poll will wrap up on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 9:59 PM EST. Fans can vote daily via: https://mobile-cuisine.com/contest/2017-food-truck-bbq-of-the-year/.

“When we launched the company on April 25th, 2014 we had no idea how much of an impact we would have on the New England BBQ and food truck communities. People couldn’t get enough of GottaQ and their voice was strong enough to get us nominated as one of the top 10 BBQ food trucks in the country! We finished third, behind trucks from El Paso and Los Angeles.” said owner Michael Strout. “We’ve grown tremendously, and have continued to place third in the nation each year. We are so grateful to receive recognition and respect from our peers in the professional BBQ and food truck communities and have earned the chance to say that we are the #1 BBQ Food Truck in the USA. Please vote!”

In addition to GottaQ’s two brick & mortar locations, you can find the Q-Crew out and about on one of their food trucks, with their Festival BBQ trailer and soon from a new mobile smoker. Enjoy lunch in downtown Providence at Kennedy Plaza every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., or check them out at Food Truck Friday at Roger Williams Park Carousel Village every Friday night starting at 5 p.m. You can also find GottaQ serving at special events and festivals by following them on social media.

Hosting a summer party and want GottaQ to come to you? GottaQ offers simple solutions for all your catering needs with everything from easy pick-up platters, delivery upon request, to full on-site vending from one of their food trucks or the giant BBQ trailer. For more details and pricing, please visit: https://gottaq.com/catering.

Follow GottaQ Smokehouse BBQ on Facebook @GottaQ, Twitter @IGottaQ, and Instagram @GottaQbbq.


Eat Drink RI presents the Land & Sea Summer Farm Culinary Series with Blackbird Farm & Matunuck Oyster and Vegetable Farm

Land & Sea Summer Farm Culinary Series

Eat Drink RI is thrilled to present a series of exclusive culinary experiences showcasing the bounty of summer in the Ocean State. The culinary marketing and events company, fresh off the successful sixth annual Eat Drink RI Festival, is partnering with Blackbird Farm in Smithfield, RI and Matunuck Oyster & Vegetable Farm in South Kingstown, RI for a series of eight open-air explorations. These curated, one-of-a-kind culinary adventures can only be experienced with Eat Drink RI.

Celebrate Independence Day weekend at one of the most-acclaimed beef and pork farms in New England, Blackbird Farm. Relax with a welcoming adult beverage and wander the idyllic farm pastures with a personal tour by farmer/owner Ann Marie Bouthillette. Learn about where your food comes from, how it’s raised and cared for, and enjoy a menu featuring the humanely raised 100% Black Angus beef and 100% American Heritage Berkshire pork.

This dinner experience begins at 4pm, with a cocktail hour and passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a multi-course seated dinner with friends, paired with wine and beer by Jonathan Edwards Winery and Revival Brewing Company. Finish the evening with dessert and gorgeous sunset views. Tickets are $139 per guest, all inclusive.

The 2017 Blackbird Farm Dinner Series
Friday, June 30th | Chef Ashley Vanasse | Easy Entertaining
Saturday, July 1st | Chefs Eli Dunn & Jordan Goldsmith | Eli’s Kitchen & Moonrose Farm
Sunday, July 2nd | Chef Nick Rabar | Avenue N American Kitchen
Monday, July 3rd | Chef Maria Meza | El Rancho Grande

Oysters, bubbles, and a sea breeze more your style? Join us for the pond to plate Matunuck Oyster & Vegetable Farm series in South Kingstown. This experience begins at 3pm with a personalized tour of the organic vegetable farm at the edge of Potter Pond with owner Perry Raso followed by the freshest raw bar in town, with oysters harvested directly from the pond, paired with bubbles. Enjoy a seated dinner in Matunuck’s lush vegetable garden, overlooking the coastal lagoon. Chefs will prepare a four-course meal, paired with wines from The Wine Bros. and The Savory Grape, and beer by Narragansett Brewery. Tickets are $189 per guest, all inclusive.

The 2017 Matunuck Oyster & Vegetable Farm Dinner Series
Monday, July 24th | Chef Chris Kleyla | Statesman Tavern
Tuesday, July 25th | Chef Antonio Franco | Basta
Monday, August 21st | Chef Rick Allaire | Metacom Kitchen
Tuesday, August 22nd | Chef Derek Wagner | Nicks on Broadway

To purchase tickets, please visit www.eatdrinkri.com/landandsea.


Hope & Main’s Summer Farmers Market Returns on Father’s Day

Local Families Can Celebrate with Dads & Grads at ‘Schoolyard Market’

Hope & Main Schoolyard Market

Hope & Main, Rhode Island’s first nonprofit food business incubator, announces its third Schoolyard Market season, open weekly on Sundays starting June 18 with a farmers-makers marketplace fit for families looking to enjoy their Sunday Funday focused on food. Locals can stock up on an unmatched variety of specialty foods and beverages all summer long with a cast of 48 Rhode Island and Massachusetts-based vendors including 30 Hope & Main members.

Schoolyard Market features a unique, interactive experience where market-goers can sample and purchase products made by many small food start-ups who create their products onsite at Hope & Main in their shared-use, commercial kitchens. Says Hope & Main Founder, Lisa Raiola, “The Schoolyard Market consumer is actually part of the incubation process by providing input and feedback to these budding food entrepreneurs. We have had many companies crowd source and perfect their recipes, packaging and branding during the Schoolyard Market season. That makes this market unlike any other local food experience.”

Sip on coffee, cold-pressed juice, kombucha and sodas over brunch or lunch. Chefs are cooking on-site making meals to order as well as offering pre-prepared packaged foods ready for picnics and family occasions. Find fresh doughnuts, savory and sweet pastries, specialty confections, traditional sourdough breads, as well as handcrafted packaged items like granola, sauces, spreads, jams and pickles. Also find farm fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, eggs, meat and poultry raised within just 25 miles of Warren.

Market day activities promise fun for everyone all season, including live music, cooking demonstrations, “FEEDback” customer taste-test surveys, backyard games, face painting, storytelling and facility tours. Locals can look forward to additional specials events occurring monthly like chef competitions, talks and interactive demonstrations with experts in food, agriculture and gardening.

Especially for Father’s Day, Schoolyard Market will offer a great selection of “Dude Food” including favorites like tacos and chili. Backyard aficionados will be glad to meet Master Gardener Valerie Harvey, the keeper of Hope & Main’s organic garden classroom. Valerie will share sage wisdom with aspiring farmers and gardeners eager to dig in to their own backyards.
Schoolyard Market welcomes customers with EBT/SNAP/WIC and/or Senior Citizen vouchers using the Farm Fresh Rhode Island “Fresh Bucks” market coin system.

Schoolyard Market happens at Hope & Main, 691 Main Street, Warren, RI 02885. Free and open to the public every Sunday until October 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Rain or shine. Public parking. Dog friendly. More information is available at http://www.makefoodyourbusiness.org/market


Sage Cellars Introduces La Sirena Winery

Sage Cellars brings world famous winemaker Heidi Barrett’s label to the Rhode Island market

La Sirena Winery

It is with great excitement that Sage Cellars introduces La Sirena Winery to their portfolio of worldly wines. La Sirena is created by world renowned winemaker, Heidi Barrett, the first female winemaker from the Napa region. Barrett has earned five 100 point wines from Wine Advocate critic Robert Parker, who has called her “The First Lady of Wine”. Prior to starting La Sirena, Barrett was a winemaker for Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley, CA. Her Screaming Eagle 1992 6L vintage bottle sold for $500,000 at the 2000 Napa Valley Auction, setting the world record for the highest price paid for a single bottle of wine.

La Sirena varietals are made in small production in Barrett’s hometown of Calistoga, California. Living among her vineyards, the wines are near and dear to her heart and are “made with great care and the highest quality in mind”. Barrett creates varietals for some of the most prestigious labels, while continuing to produce for her own labels, Barrett & Barrett and, of course, La Sirena.

Sage Cellars is proud to introduce 4 varietals from La Sirena to the Rhode Island market. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is the “crown jewel” of La Sirena, and this elegant yet balanced wine will not disappoint. The 2015 Moscato Azul, the only white wine from La Sirena, is a fan favorite that has a perfumey aroma with crisp acidity and pairs well with many dishes during those warm summer nights. The popular 2012 Le Barrettage is a Syrah-based blend with rich, velvety, earthy and ripe flavors. Last, but not least, the 2013 Pirate TreasuRED is a big, bold and complex red blend. ​The base of this wine is Cabernet and Syrah, but also features Grenache and Merlot, as well as small amounts of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and Petite Syrah.

Sage Cellars is a Rhode Island based company owned and operated by trained professionals in wine and beer. As owners Anne Sage and Jesse Sgro explain: “Our passion for great craftsmanship runs deep and is born out of a life of dedicated study. Our business model is based on a simple premise: We choose to work with companies with whom we feel an equal excitement for their wines or beers and believe pairs well with the Rhode Island consumer. Our focus has been with family run vineyards, we are also a family business and understand the value in our industry. We listen closely, provide genuine and valuable support both for our quality products in our portfolio and our customers who sustain us.”

June 12, 2017 0 comment
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News Bites: Eating with the Ecosystem Scales & Tales Dinner Series / Evelyn’s Drive-In 30th Anniversary Season / PVD Food Truck Events / RI Community Food Bank Letter Carriers Drive Results

by David Dadekian May 16, 2017
written by David Dadekian

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

Eating with the Ecosystem presents Scales & Tales, a Seasonal Fundraising Dinner Series

Eating with the Ecosystem Scales & Tales 2017 Dinner Series

Eating with the Ecosystem is partnering with Eat Drink RI to present a series of educational dinners at local restaurants to promote their mission of creating a place based approach to sustaining New England’s wild seafood. These upscale, seasonal dinners will be fundraisers for their Scales & Tales Mobile Food Boat program.

The Scales & Tales Mobile Food Boat is a skiff (a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat) that the team is converting into a mobile education platform, complete with a cooking demo station. Eating with the Ecosystem plans to run free, educational events at farmer’s markets and other public locations showcasing the Food Boat. The goal of these programs is to educate consumers about our local seafood, fisheries, and ecosystems.

The “Scales” part of the dinner series relates to the meal, where guests will enjoy a multi-course experience, paired with wine, beer, or cocktails. The menu will consist of seasonal and abundant local seafood produced by our marine ecosystems. The “Tales” portion of the evening is an education component, with fishermen and scientists sharing stories and digging deeper into Eating with the Ecosystem’s mission in relation to the marine species being served.

Each dinner is $90 per guest, all inclusive, and begins at 6pm with a welcome cocktail reception, followed by a multi-course seated dinner with drinks. To purchase tickets, please visit www.eatdrinkri.com/scalesandtales.

The 2017 Scales & Tales Dinner Series

Monday, June 12th | Statesman Tavern, Bristol | Chef Chris Kleyla
Tuesday, August 29th | Nicks on Broadway, Providence | Chef Derek Wagner
Monday, October 23rd | Easy Entertaining, Providence | Chef Ashley Vanasse


PVD Food Truck Events Announces Spring/Summer 2017 Schedule

Food events throughout Rhode Island seek to bring together community with seasonal food-centric celebrations

PVD Food Truck EventsComing on the heels of a wildly successful 2016 season, PVD Food Truck events has released its 2017 calendar of food events and invites the community to “Come Roll With Us.”  [FoodTrucksIn.com is the national food truck search engine based in Rhode Island.  PVD Food Truck events is its local event planning division.]  Together these brands continue to develop local events throughout the state.  They kick off a robust season of more and new community food events with the first event taking place on April 21st from to 5pm to 8pm with a spring break food truck pop-up event at the Roger Williams Park Carousel Village in Providence.

The month of May brings the return of popular events.  On the first Thursday of every month, food trucks will roll in to various Warwick locations. Warwick food truck night begins on May 4th from 5pm to 8pm at Norwood Library, 328 Pawtuxet Ave.  On May 18th and the third Thursday of every month, food trucks return to Warwick City Hall from 5pm to 8pm.  As Warwick events sometimes alternate locations throughout the city please refer to the website for the most up to date location information.

PVD Food Truck events looks forward to the May 5th return of their signature event- Food Truck Fridays at Roger Williams Park Carousel Village, Providence.  This weekly occurrence has become uber popular for families and foodies alike.  Food Truck Fridays are hosted by Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village.  Presented by A.B. Munroe Dairy and Ocean Spray, and sponsored by Power Home Remodeling.

A new stop on the map for PVD Food Truck events includes Woonsocket City Hall’s Market Square Food Truck night’s taking place on May 12 from 5pm to 8pm and then the 1st Friday of the month.

Providence City Hall is the next stop on PVD Food Truck events series with a May 25th return to City Hall.  Food will be served up from 4:30 on and take place every 4th Thursday of the month.

Food Truck Sunday Funday also continue weekly from Noon to 3:00pm at the Hot Club in Providence.

“We are excited to work with Rhode Island’s best local food truck purveyors and will also introduce you to some new and exciting mobile food trucks and cuisines for the 2017 season,” said Eric Weiner, President of FoodTrucksIn.com.  “We have put together a robust calendar of food events that intends to draw individuals together for a shared experience of food, conversation and community.”

A number of food trucks with varying cuisines will be present at each event.  Selections may include barbecue, Asian, taco, grilled cheese and French fry, dessert trucks, gourmet, vegetarian, coffee themed trucks and more.  Select events will also include live entertainment and sale of beer and wine for guests age 21 and over.

Additional food truck events are being planned for later in the summer at Central Falls monthly salsa nights and Cranston’s Mulligan’s Island Full Moon Saturday night events.  A schedule of those events will be released later in the season

PVD Food Truck Events were created in an effort to use food trucks to bring the community together.  Since its inception in spring of 2015, these gatherings have become a weekly occurrence, attracting visitors of all ages to these mobile food events taking place across the state.  There are more than 75 independent food truck vendors serving the Rhode Island community.

Food trucks are also available to serve new locations and assist companies with catering and special events needs.  Visit FoodTrucksIn.com/food-truck-events for more information and to view the most up-to-date listing of events and real-time food truck locations.  Sponsors of the 2017 PVD Food Truck season include Ocean Spray, Motif Magazine, Metro PCS, Munroe Dairy and Moo.com.


Evelyn’s Drive-In Opens for 30th Anniversary Season

Evelyn’s Drive-In owners Jane and Dom Bitto are celebrating their 30th anniversary of owning Tiverton’s iconic roadside seafood stop in 2017, including special pricing on classic shore dining and a big birthday bash in June. Come join the party — Evelyn’s opens for the season today, April 17.

When Jane and Dom first visited Evelyn’s in 1987, Ronald Reagan was president, The Simpsons had just debuted, and the gas that the young couple put in their car for a trip out to the Cape was just 89 cents a gallon. “We took a wrong turn and stopped for lunch, and heard the owner say the restaurant was for sale,” Jane remembers. That happy accident soon led to the young, ambitious couple purchasing Evelyn’s from its namesake founder, who gave the Bittos her recipes and helped them take over the operation of the restaurant in July, 1987.

A lot has changed over the years, and not just gas prices. The Bittos has three children while juggling shifts; all three would eventually work alongside the hundreds of employees who have joined the Evelyn’s family over the years. “We love our staff and they love us back,” says Jane.

Not even a devastating fire in July of 2005 could slow the Bittos down: Evelyn’s came back strong the following year with a newly expanded dining room, thanks in part to local friends and fans who helped raise money for the renovations. That generosity reflected the restaurant’s strong roots in the local community, which includes the Bittos’ founding and sponsorship of the annual Singing Out Against Hunger concerts at Evelyn’s.

Over the years, Evelyn’s has grown from its roots as a simple seafood shack to a full-service restaurant offering a mix of classics like fried clams and fish & chips to serving seven different salads, their famous lobster chow mien (a mashup of two New England favorites lauded by celebrity chef Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives), and a menu of creative cocktails. In addition to an indoor dining room and picnic-table pavilion for takeout, Evelyn’s also added a waterfront patio right next to the restaurant’s dock, a popular stop for boaters cruising Mount Hope Bay and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

For the 2017 season, Evelyn’s is celebrating 30 years with a variety of weekly specials all summer, including $10.99 fish and chips on Mondays, $5 chowder and clam cakes Monday to Thursday, and $30 dinners for two on Wednesdays. The 30th anniversary dinner special includes clam cakes, a glass of beer or wine, and favorites like fish & chips, crab cakes, clam strips, grilled chicken, Mediterranean calamari salad, and beef, shrimp, or chicken chow mien.

The 2017 Singing Out Against Hunger Concerts will be held on three Fridays this summer: July 14, Aug. 11, and Sept. 8. All shows start at 5 p.m.; admission is free. Performers TBA.

Finally, Evelyn’s will throw an invitation-only Anniversary Bash on June 20, 2017 (rain date: June 27). Mark your calendar — more details to come!


25th Annual Letter Carriers Food Drive Collects More Than 60,000 Pounds

Donations of non-perishable food items benefit neighbors in need throughout Rhode Island.

Thanks to many generous Rhode Islanders – and their letter carriers – the Rhode Island Community Food Bank received more than 60,000 pounds of food through the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 13. To put that number in perspective, 60,000 pounds of food provides an estimated 150,000 meals for children and families affected by food insecurity.

For the 25th year, members of National Association of Letter Carrier collected bags of healthy, non-perishable food items left at mailboxes by postal customers. In addition to the 60,000 pounds delivered to the Food Bank, many local pantries received thousands of pounds of food directly from nearby post offices increasing the total amount of food collected.

“We are so thankful to the letter carriers and postal customers who teamed up to collect tens of thousands of pounds of food for Rhode Islanders in need of food assistance – all in one day!” said Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Bank. “This food drive is critical to our ability to feed children and families through the spring and into the summer.”

Food donations are always welcomed at the Food Bank and local food pantries. Most-needed items include canned soups and vegetables, peanut butter, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, canned beans, tuna, and healthy cereals. As always, the food collected will be sorted by volunteers who check for use-by dates and damaged packaging.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event, a national effort to fight hunger. Across the country, partners supporting Stamp Out Hunger include the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), United States Postal Service (USPS), National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA), AFL-CIO, AARP Foundation, UFCW, United Way, Valassis, and Valpak.

May 16, 2017 0 comment
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News Bites: Sons of Liberty Wins American Craft Producer of the Year / RI Quahog Week Kicks Off March 20th / Jo’s American Bistro Wins Newport Burger Bender

by David Dadekian March 18, 2017
written by David Dadekian

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

Sons of Liberty Named American Craft Producer of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s 2017 Icons of Whisky Awards

Rhode Island Craft Distillery Garners Top National Honors from Global Whisky Industry’s Most Prestigious Insider Awards Program

Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky Award

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. was named American Craft Producer of the Year, last night, February 28th, at Whisky Magazine’s 2017 Icons of Whisky awards, presented in New York City at the Brandy Library. Sons of Liberty also took home several individual product awards with America’s Best Flavored Whiskey for its Gala Apple Seasonal Release and two Gold Medals in the American Single Malt category for its UPRISING and Battle Cry whiskies.

Judged exclusively by an editorial panel of decorated industry insiders, Whisky Magazine’s annual Icons of Whisky celebrates the finest companies and individuals in the whisky industry, with regional winners advancing to the global round.

“To say we’re ecstatic is an understatement. With more than 1,200 distilleries currently operating in the U.S. it is an incredible honor to be named an Icon of Whisky for 2017,” said Sons of Liberty Founder, Mike Reppucci. “Since day one we have strived to redefine American Spirits and the support we have received from the local community over the years has been invaluable in putting Sons of Liberty in the conversation with the world’s finest distilleries.”

No stranger to individual product recognition from Whisky Magazine in years past, Sons of Liberty has taken home World’s Best Flavored Whiskey (2014) for its Pumpkin Spice Seasonal Release, North America’s Best Flavored Whiskey (2015) for its Hop Flavored Seasonal Release and a Gold Medal (2016) for its Battle Cry Single Malt Whiskey, and now looks to capture the Global Craft Producer of the Year title won by Seattle WA’s Westland Distillery in 2016.

“It all starts with beer,” says Reppucci. “We craft our spirits from distinct styles of beer brewed on-site and those unique flavors carried through the distillation process have established our identity in redefining American craft spirits. Whiskey, specifically, is a very traditional industry, but you won’t find very much traditional with us. Now that we hold our brewer’s license, the goal is to offer the beers in our tasting room and give everyone the opportunity to taste the originating beer alongside the resulting spirit. A truly unique experience that we are very proud to have underway.”.

New England’s most awarded distillery with 75+ awards in blind tasting competitions since 2012, Sons of Liberty’s first product release was its signature, UPRISING Whiskey, born from a stout beer brewed by the team themselves. Sons of Liberty pushed the envelope one step further by introducing the first-ever, seasonal line of craft whiskies and since then has transitioned its beer-into-spirit methodology to the gin category with its True Born Gin. Recently acquiring its brewer’s license and expanding the distillery to feature a full bar and tasting room, Sons of Liberty is now serving and bottling the flavorful craft beers responsible for the distillery’s award winning whiskies.


2nd Annual Rhode Island Quahog Week Kicks Off On Monday

Quahog Week March 20-25, 2017

Governor Raimondo—along with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and other partners—will kick off the 2nd Annual Rhode Island Quahog Week with a special launch event at Save The Bay in Providence on Monday. Quahog Week, running March 20 – 25, highlights the importance of Rhode Island’s wild shellfish harvest to the state’s history, traditions, and economy.

WHERE: Save The Bay
100 Save The Bay Drive
Providence, Rhode Island

WHEN: Monday, March 20, 2017
12 – 2 p.m.

WHO: Governor Gina Raimondo
Janet Coit, DEM Director
Loren Spears, Tomaquag Museum
Chef Chris Kleyla, Statesman Tavern
David Ghigliotty, RI Shellfishermen’s Association

At the launch event, local shellfishermen will compete in a quahog shucking contest and educate guests on their profession. Guests will also enjoy a raw bar and creative preparations of the quahog, courtesy of RI Shellfishermen’s Association, Nicks On Broadway, The Capital Grille, Statesman Tavern, and Matunuck Oyster Bar. Beverages will be provided by Rhode Island’s own Granny Squibb’s Ice Tea.

Rhode Island is known for its food and diverse food cultures. The state’s booming local food sector supports more than 60,000 jobs and continues to attract and inspire the imagination of entrepreneurs and innovators. The local fishing industry has been, and continues to be, a vital part of the equation. Last year, more than 100 million pounds of seafood arrived to a local port – with an export value over $1 billion. And more than 28 million quahogs (off-the-boat value of $5.5 million) were harvested from Narragansett Bay and local coastal waters. Quahogging has a rich history locally, supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of fishermen as well as serving as a treasured pastime for Rhode Island families.

As part of the week, participating restaurants and markets will feature quahog-inspired menu items and deals, and Quahog Week partners will hold special events, including a quahog-themed Eating with the Ecosystem School of Fish Workshop on March 20 and the Official Beer of the Clam Wrap Party on Saturday, March 25 at the new headquarters of Narragansett Beer at The Guild in Pawtucket.

Quahog Week partners include Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Dave’s Marketplace, Discover Newport, Eat Drink RI, Eating with the Ecosystem, Go Providence, Granny Squibb’s Ice Tea, Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House, Isle Brewers Guild, Johnson & Wales University, Narragansett Bay Lobsters, Narragansett Beer, RI Commerce, RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Shellfishermen’s Association, Save The Bay, Tomaquag Museum, the University of Rhode Island, and Yacht Club Soda.

For more information on Quahog Week and participating venues, visit www.seafoodri.com. Follow us on Facebook @RISeafoodRocks and join the conversation using #QuahogWeek.


Jo’s American Bistro Wins Inaugural Newport Burger Bender

The restaurant’s all-beef patty wins the hearts and palates of casual diners and critics alike

Newport Burger Bender 2017

Limited to just 25 participants, the Newport Burger Bender proved to be a savory success over its 10-day tenure with Jo’s American Bistro in Newport taking top honors. The “best burger” contest took place February 17 through February 26, 2017, in tandem with the Newport Winter Festival. Local chefs and restaurateurs were challenged to “bring the heat” by offering their best hamburger to diners who were encouraged to vote for their favorite. Burgers ranged from traditional beef patties to creative culinary delights.

“The secret is out: We have great burgers!” said Joann Carlson, owner of Jo’s American Bistro in Newport. “I especially want to thank my brilliant Chef, Brian Ruffner, for creating such a tasty and messy burger.”

A Critic’s Choice category was also presented with Gail Ciampa from the Providence Journal and providencejournal.com naming three Critic’s Choice winners: Midtown Oyster Bar, Pour Judgement and Jo’s American Bistro.

“It was a tough choice,” admits Ciampa. “The fried oysters in the Oyster Bar Burger were amazing and Pour Judgement’s burger was a perfect bargain. But the bacon onion jam burger at Jo’s—so messy to eat, just like a good burger should be, was sweet and salty with bacon onion jam and spicy with siracha sauce, and then a wave of creamy cheese, too.” Ciampa paired Jo’s burger with Rhode Island’s own Foolproof beer. “What a delicious idea for a dining promotion. The Burger Bender put the spotlight on the All-American burger. But the choices were anything but ordinary as the chefs built their burgers with fabulous flavors and sauces. Long live the burger.”

The next big culinary extravaganza gourmands should mark on the calendar is Newport Restaurant Week, which will take place March 27 through April 7, 2017. For more information, visit www.DiscoverNewportRestaurantWeek.org.

March 18, 2017 0 comment
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