SID WAINER: BIGGER AND BETTER

Since you are venturing to Massachusetts to stop at  Portugalia (www.portugaliamarketplace.com) in Fall River, drive next to Sid Wainer & Son (a/k/a The Gourmet Outlet) in New Bedford (2301 Purchase Street  800-249-0447) and check out this well-known grower and distributor's newly redesigned retail outlet. It's bigger than ever and if there is a place anywhere better for a world-class selection of micro-greens and specialty vegetables I don't know where it is. (Warning though, check out the price of that little container of precious greens before you head to the cash register.) Look for special deals as you enter the cheese room - there's usually a table with great cheeses on the cheap due to close sell-by dates. Sid Wainer, where you must bring a sweater to survive visits into the cheese and vegetable/fruit rooms, has the balsamic vinegar you need as well as the one you covet.

Hours are Monday - Saturday  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

www.sidwainer.com 

 

PORTUGALIA MARKETPLACE IN FALL RIVER

If you haven't been to Portugalia Marketplace in nearby Fall River, MA (489 Bedford Street  508-617-9820) go soon, you won't regret it and you may love it. Portugalia is a feast to the soul (that covers eyes and mouth). For serious cooks of Portuguese cuisine it's the local (and not-so-local) go-to place for ingredients. For the basic food lover who is looking only for some olive oil it's a cultural blast of beauty and promise. Naturally, the food lover will leave with the olive oil and bread, and maybe some wine, cheese, chocolate-covered almonds, beautiful tins of sardines ....

Have lunch in the café - e.g., a grilled Portuguese tuna in oil with cheese. Pastries too. Prices are remarkably low for the sandwiches.

I'm not in the market for fifty pounds of salt cod, or giant quid, or octopus, but it's fun to look at it all. The long windowed "cod" room is very cool, figuratively and literally. Portugalia is an expansive airy warehouse-style shop which covers all things Portuguese from dishes to port (the cheese department covers much of Europe and some local U.S. too). This is an ideal place to buy components for a perfect antipasto platter.

There's a beer and wine section. Non-alcoholic Portuguese beer is available.
Cheapest wines near the floor, prices moving upward.

You're best bet for relatively peaceful shopping and easy parking is to go on a weekday. Weekends are busy, busy and the parking gets tight - you're in a commercial area and nearby street parking is limited. That said, it's fun to be there on Saturday, in the lively crowd, sampling cheeses and olive oils and buying way more than you need.

Hours are Monday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

WALRUS AND CARPENTER OYSTERS: SUMMER DINNERS ON THE BEACH

The Walrus and the Carpenter, by Lewis Carroll, drawn by Sir John Tenniel in 1871

Walrus and Carpenter Oysters (Ninigret, RI) is running a 4th year of oyster parties. Here are the dates and the guest chefs:

Mon, July 18 - Matthew Varga of Gracie's (Prov)

Tues, July 19 - Jake Rojas of Tallulah on Thames (Newport)

Wed, July 20 - Meytal Kotik of Blue Hill (NY)

Thurs, July 21 - Nick Rabar of Avenue N (East Prov)

Mon, Aug 15 - David Reynoso of Al Forno (Prov)

Tues, Aug 16 - Benjamin Sukle of Birch and Oberlin (Prov)

Wed, Augt 17 - Champe Speidel of Persimmon (Prov)

Thurs, Aug 18 - James Mark of North (Prov)

Wines selections are from Bottles Fine Wine (bottlesfinewine.com), 141 Pitman St, Providence (401-372-2030)

This is all-inclusive oyster adventure which begins on boats departing from Charlestown between 2:30 and 3:00 in the afternoon. Diners will be wading knee-deep and walking a beach on this oyster farm tour and meal. There's an in-the-water raw bar and later, a multi-course dinner. Bring a change of clothes. Tickets are super pricey - $225 per person - but look at the website right now and you will want to be in that picture (http://www.walrusandcarpenteroysters.com/).

Tickets go on sale on Monday, May 16 at 9:00 a.m. on the Walrus and Carpenter website.

PIZZA J ON WESTMINSTER STREET

Pizza J (967 Westminster St, Providence  401-632-0555) is a venture of Julian Forgue (of Julian's fame) and co-owners. It's on the near west side of 95, occupying a large airy space in a mini strip center, Pizza J looks like a modern pizza place ought to, relaxed and cool without self-conscious airs. It has an excellent, long wide bar, perfect for sharing a pizza and a couple beers. The pizzas are real, i.e., crusts are actual handmade pizza crusts not the ready-to-load crusts you're seeing everywhere now. And they're squarish. They deliver.

Pizza is the main thing but appetizers abound - most involve a fryer. There are wings and fries, fried mozzarella and vegetable tempura, all the comfort food indulgences. There's also a good sandwich selection, from classic Italian to Vietnamese. For me though, the best thing is skipping all  ancillary items and going straight for the pizza. The white pizza with thinly sliced potato, elephant garlic and onion on a thin crispy crust was a thing of beauty and it tasted great. Even the leftover slices were terrific the next day.

Beer selection is very good, wine is basic and there's a full bar.

Venture to the west side, worth the trip. http://pizzajprovidence.com/

PERSIMMON, BRISTOL RI

Check out the Persimmon (31 State Street, Bristol RI  401-254-7474 ) website for restaurant week info.The Newport and Bristol County Restaurant Week runs Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 15. Menu looks inviting.  www.persimmonbristol.com/

R.I. CHURCH BAZAARS: NOVEMBER 6 - 8, 2015

St Mary's 35th Annual Holiday Bazaar - look for Middle Eastern foods, pastries, take-out and bulk food purchases. Friday (Nov. 6) 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 7), 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 8), 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Parish Center  One Saint Mary Way  Pawtucket

Sts Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church - 85th annual food fair and bazaar
Look for Armenia foods, pastries and take-out. Saturday (Nov. 7), 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday (Nov. 8), noon to 6:00 p.m.
Egavian Cultural Center  70 Jefferson Street  Providence
armenianfoodfairri.com

AVIARY RESTAURANT, SWANSEA

The Seekonk to Fall River path is short on good dining options so when Aviary (2229 Grand Army, Swansea, MA  508-379-6007) was suggested as a new option it seemed worth a try. Hmmm. The Aviary is a seven-day-a-week lunch and dinner place with brunch on Sunday. It's not in a mall but that's the atmosphere, inside and out. Everything is perfect and the place appears to have been designed and decorated by people who design restaurants at fancy conference centers. It looks like a restaurant at a resort except it's on Route 6. There is not a thing intimate or individual about it. Cocktail too sweet, duck wings not notable, and the fish tacos poor.  http://www.theaviaryrestaurant.com/
 

DOLLAR OYSTER UPDATE - OCTOBER 2015; $3 OYSTERS AT MILL'S TAVERN

david manniaux

The Providence Journal provided a public service a few weeks ago by listing dollar oyster locations in Rhode Island.(http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150916/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/150919533). I copied the article and put it on the wall. Long a fan of Tuesday night oysters at New Rivers (7 Steeple Street, Providence  401-751-0350) I thought we should branch out. So, in that spirit of good will I decided to meet my friend at Mill's Tavern (101 North Main, Providence  401-272-3331) which has dollar oysters Monday through Saturday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays 4:00 to 7:00. Friend was to arrive at 7:45, in time to put in the order. This plan was a big deal as my oyster-loving friend has been at odds with Mill's Tavern for at least seven years (starting during the recession when our haughty waiter neglected to present the special $30 set menu and after he finally produced it kept referring to our dinner choices as being from the "value" selections.) Anyway, this time my friend sat at the bar and asked about the dollar oysters; the barman said, just order them by 8:00 and you're all set. I arrived and soon we had a plate of twelve, three each of four varieties. Three were terrific and the the fourth type (Beavertail from Jamestown) was not so pleasing, but for $12 we were not complaining. Time passed - more eating and baseball-watching followed before the bill arrived. The charge for the oysters was $30. Friend said to barman, what's this?, we were here for dollar oysters. Oh, says the barman, only the Beavertail are $1. A lot of things wrong with this picture. So, Mill's Tavern, maybe this is why your place is half empty most nights.

WINE DINNER AT SIMONE'S MONDAY OCTOBER 19

Okay, another wine dinner you say. But this one promises a rich and savory presentation. And the price is right. It's a Louis Latour night at Simone's (275 Child Street, Warren  401-247-1200). Here are the wines: 2013 St. Veran, 2013 Marsannay, 2012 Pommard vs 2012 Volnay. And ever important, the menu: oyster and leek stew, house-made mushroom and mascarpone ravioli, and braised beef in burgundy. For these dishes crank your Fitbit goal for the day up to a new high and do serious atoning before dinner. Simone's is an inviting, modern venue (if he removes those ersatz flowers I'll like it even better).  simonesri.com/

Time is 6:30     Cost is $85 inclusive     Call 401-247-1200 to reserve

SAVE THE BAY HARVEST DINNER SEPTEMBER 16

Good cause and good dinner. This Save the Bay (http://www.savebay.org/contact) event is at Hemenway's (www.hemenwaysrestaurant.com/) and all proceeds go to Save the Bay.
Cocktail time is at 6:00 p.m. and features oysters on the half shell, mussels, etc. Dinner is a four-course affair with bouillabaisse, Point Judith squid, and a surf and turf combo.

Cost is $85.00 before tax and tip. Call Hemenway's to reserve:  401-351-8570

TONIGHT - AUGUST 21 - EAT A GYRO IN PAWTUCKET

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church (97 Walcott St., Pawtucket  401-725-3127) starts its annual fair tonight. There's Greek music, dancing and the agora but what do we really want? The gyros, the pastries, (and the winter memory of eating the gyro on a late summer's night). It's rain or shine, tonight from 5:00 to 10:00, Saturday from noon until 10:00 and Sunday noon until 9:00. Free admission & free parking.

http://www.assumptionri.org/GreekFestRI/index.htm

OYSTERS & WINE: CAMPUS FINE WINES AT BROADWAY BISTRO MONDAY AUGUST 3

Campus Fine Wines (campusfinewines.com/) at 127 Brook Street in Providence is a great store and has an especially good event on Monday:

OysterFest/Campus Pop-up at Broadway Bistro
Directly from the Campus newsletter:

"Can't get enough oysters? Neither can we! We'll be at Broadway Bistro with Ocean State Oyster Festival for a casual meal inspired by the sea. There will be a raw bar for the 1st hour, with wines from the Wine Traditions portfolio paired with small plates throughout the evening.

In addition to the tasty food and beverages, there will be much food for thought regarding the past, present and future of oysters in Rhode Island."

Monday, August 3    6:30 - 8:30
 
$40 + tax & tip

Call Broadway Bistro (broadwaybistrori.com/) to reserve a spot:  401-331-2450



ELLIE'S BAKERY: MOTHER'S DAY IN PROVIDENCE

Ellie's Bakery (61 Washington Street 401-228-8118) is open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday BUT not Sunday. If you're wise and thinking ahead about Mother's Day, decide now, put an order in and pick up the goods on Saturday. Trust me, the cake and cookies will still be good a day later.

This is what I think someone should order me: a box of ginger sandwich cookies with lemon cream cheese frosting. These are for me to hide and parcel out (to myself). To share with you? I'll have the Bon Anniversaire, a vanilla multi-layered cake with milk chocolate sour cream frosting and an adornment of croquembouche.

Just sayin ...

elliesbakery.com

CHEZ PASCAL SUNDAY SUPPER: MAY 3

Check out Chez Pascal's (960 Hope Street, Providence) Secret Sunday Supper being served this weekend, Sunday May 3, between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. They are cooking a four-course (with choices) all-Italian dinner. The complete menu isn't posted but a pair of the contemplated dishes: cannelloni with rabbit and roasted clams with sausage. Nice timing for a Sunday supper.

Call to reserve: 401-421-4422

Cost is $68 before tax, tip and drinks

www.chez-pascal.com

GLENDORN CHEF AT OCEAN HOUSE MAY 6

Joseph Schafer has cooked at a number of posh resorts and now presides at Glendorn (www.glendorn.com), a tony spot in northwest Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, May 6 he'll be in Watch Hill at the Ocean House (www.oceanhouseri.com) kitchen presiding over a farm and vine dinner - four courses paired with wines from Hourglass Vineyards (www.hourglasswines.com) in California.

Time is 7:00 - 10.30 p.m. Cost is $95 for dinner only; $135 for dinner with wine pairing. Tax and tip additional.

Call to reserve: 888-552-2588

MEXICAN COOKING CLASS AT OCEAN HOUSE

"Exploring Mexican Cuisine" is next up in the demonstration kitchen at Ocean House (1 Bluff Avenue, Watch Hill  401-584-7000). May 2, 9:00 a.m. to noon. $95 (before tax and tip) gets you the class, recipes and an Ocean House apron (hmm, as good as my Cordon Bleu apron?). Call to reserve: 401-584-7000

oceanhouseevents.com

SEVEN STARS DEMO AND SALE: APRIL 25, 2015

Seven Stars Bakery (sevenstarsbakery.com), locally famous for its olive bread and great bread in general, is opening its flour mill at Hope Artiste Village (1005 Main Street, Pawtucket) for a milling demonstration and fresh-flour and whole-grain bread sale. Saturday, April 25 during the Wintertime Farmers' Market,  9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

LOS ANDES ON CHALKSTONE AVENUE: MAKE THE TRIP

It's fun being at Los Andes (903 Chalkstone Avenue  401-649-4911) even before you eat. Why? Because it's alive. It reminds you of dinners out in New York or any other big city where waiting in line is part of the drill. If you want prime-time reservations at Los Andes, call days ahead but if you are flexible on either end just show up early or arrive at 8:30 when the turnover pace is fast and the line starts to disappear (on weekdays at least).

We couldn't get the time we wanted the other night but we showed up (per the advice of the man who answered my call) and were immediately lucky, getting just enough seats at the bar. For two or three people sitting at the bar can be the best time. We watched the super hard-working (and friendly) bartender and the crazy fish in the giant tank. And I savored a chicken empanada dipped in spicy sauce. What could be better, really?

The menu has every manner of Bolivian and other Andean specialties. There are multiple ceviche choices and a standard appetizer is the "ceviche martini" - mixed seafood in a martini glass. If you're a ceviche fan, try it. A special the other night was tuna ceviche with a crown of crispy calamari, all healthy benefits of the tuna cancelled out but a good treat. There are saltenas (Bolivian chicken pies) and empanadas (chicken and queso and a special yucca and cheese in a banana leaf) and other popular Bolivian fare. Here's where you can order grilled garlic-marinated beef hearts on skewers.

The main menu is roughly divided among ceviche, other fish, beef and chicken. There are popular low-cost low-cut beef dishes with posole, fried eggs, etc., South American comfort food. Many of the tastes are not familiar flavors of the northeast U.S. More familiar are the expensive beef offerings, steaks of all types. Ceviche as a main course is popular and Los Andes serves it several ways - tuna, calamari, sashimi-cut tilapia. There's plenty of cooked fish including a simple, aromatic dish of steamed potatoes with tilapia and soft sauteed red onions on rice. Cheap, perfect. Next time around  we'll do some serious chicken ordering.

A busy place where people are obviously happy to be, a Pisco sour, an empanada dipped in spicy sauce and a menu which allows you to spend freely or frugally. East Siders, go west.

Los Andes is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, serving straight through on Saturdays and Sundays.

losandesri.com

CLAUDINE PÉPIN AT PERSIMMON APRIL 22

Claudine Pépin will discuss food, family and her new book, Kids Cook French, at a special Champe Speidel dinner on April 22 at Persimmon (31 State Street, Bristol  401-254-7474). Speidel will use recipes from the book as part of his four-course dinner with French wine pairings. The party starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $100 and include dinner, wine and a signed book. Tax and tip are extra. Call to reserve.

www.persimmonbristol.com

AL FORNO WINEMAKER DINNER FEB. 25, 2015

Al Forno (577 South Main St, Providence  401-273-9767) has a winemaker event coming up. Andrea Sottimano's Italian wines (http://www.skurnikwines.com/prospects.cgi?rm=view_prospect_detail&prospect_id=392) will be featured at a special dinner Wednesday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Here's the menu (as of now, these things can change) with the wine pairings per the Al Forno website (alforno.com):

   Mixed crostini

Grilled Pizza Bianca

Sottimano, Dolcetto d'Alba, Bric Del Salto, 2013

Grilled Endive "Bagna Cauda"

Sottimano, Barbera d'Alba, Pairolero Superiore, 2012

David's Amazing Agnollotti

Sottimano, Nebbiolo, Langhe, 2012

Slow-cooked Pork "Brasato"

Sottimano, Barbaresco, Currá 2010

Vanilla Affogatto "Corretto"

Moscato d'Asti, Saracco  

Check the website for details. Cost is $125 per person, inclusive. Call Suzette or Rob to reserve.  401-273-9767