This afternoon I sampled several restaurants in Providence who were participating in a program called Savor Providence to benefit the education programs of Trinity Repertory Company. With coupons from a little booklet one could get small items at approximately 22 restaurants.
First I went to Local 121, at 121 Washington Street, a restaurant that uses many local and organic ingredients. I had two delicious little items, a mini veggie burger and a mini sandwich of pulled pork, as well as a glass of water. For dessert I had a small sandwich of vanilla ice cream between two cookies. The employees seemed pleasant and competent, and the premises were attractive. I hope to go back again for a full meal.
Walking down Washington Street toward Empire Street, I looked in at Gracie’s and Bravo Brasserie, but decided not to bother trying anything at either place.
I sat down at an outside table at Aspire, a restaurant on Westminster Street that described itself as a seafood restaurant. A waiter came and asked me whether I’d like a fried rissotto ball, but I said “No, thanks” and left. It did not sound appealing to me.
At Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse in the Westin Hotel, I sat at the bar and had a very nice little crawfish appetizer with a pleasant mildly spicy sauce.
Near the river I had a nice little mini tenderloin steak sandwich at a table outside Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
After crossing the river, I went to Mill’s Tavern at 101 North Main Street and had a pleasant shrimp cocktail and a glass of water at the bar.
I then went to the nearby 3 Steeple Street and sat at the bar where I had chicken-liver pâté on crackers with red onion marmalade, an Asian pear salad with greens, bleu cheese, candied pecans, and balsamic vinaigrette, and a glass of red sangria. The bar tender was a very pleasant woman who appeared to enjoy talking with the customers.
I then walked up the hill to the Cafe Paragon on Thayer Street near Brown University. The restaurant is a mediocre-looking student hangout that I had been to about twenty years ago when it had a different name. The waitress seemed focused on selling me a drink that wasn’t covered by the coupons, and I left in disgust. If they aren’t going to participate in the coupon program wholeheartedly and with good grace, they shouldn’t be participating at all.
On the whole I’d say I liked 3 Steeple Street the best, and Local 121 a close second.
