Providence, Rhode Island has quietly become one of the great food towns. Lots of great seafood from the Atlantic and Narragansett Bay. The clams — called quahogs in Rhode Island, are unsurpassed. Fried clam bellies. Local oysters. Crabs (soft shells are now in season). Scungili and snail salads are available at many venues. Indeed, the Ocean State lives up to its name (of course, there’s Federal Hill for all of the good things of Italy).
Celebrated Brilliant Granddaughter SR’s 8th grade graduation at the lovely New Rivers Restaurant on the edge of the Brown University campus. World class food. Lots of small plates to start. Smoked trout. Smoked Artic Char. Smoked squid salad. Crunchy falafel, Flavorful tete de veau terrine. Truly an international array. Chilled bottle of Prosecco was perfect for the weather and the smoky appetizers. Mains centered around Berkshire pork and extraordinary fried soft shell crabs nestled on a galette of crispy shoe string potatoes. Wines were an Italian Dolcetto and a California Pinot Noir. Dessert was dense chocolate cake augmented by salted caramel. Nice celebration for SR’s outstanding academic performance. 