Food

Caffé Itri

Enchanting Italian away from the Hill
At 18 years, Caffé Itri is one of the longest-running places on Cranston’s “restaurant row”, and for very good reason, as we re-learned on a recent visit.

By: JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | September 03, 2008

The West Deck

Not to be forgotten
Shame on us. There we were, scratching our heads over which Newport restaurant to choose as the destination for an visitor, and we didn’t think of the West Deck until last.

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | August 27, 2008

La Laiterie

Swell food, wine, and service
To truly sample the bistro’s offerings, we turned to heartier fare.

By: JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | August 20, 2008

Red Stripe(1)

Moules frites for the masses
Now it’s starting to get scary.

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | August 06, 2008

Pho Horn

Authentic Vietnamese plus
Strictly speaking, this is not a pho shop, like the more than two-dozen in Boston that offer countless variations, since it offers much more — nearly 100 dishes.

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | July 30, 2008

The Cooked Goose

Fun, friendly, and a water view
When summer rolls around, we South Countyites like to pretend that we’re tourists right along with the out-of-towners.

By: JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | July 23, 2008

A treat, but not every night
Italian Corner offers gourmet grinders every day, but from 5:30 to 8:30 on Saturday nights — and Friday nights, come August — proprietor Osvaldo Pirrò comes out of retirement as a master chef (Golden Fork Award and all) — to provide dinner.

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | July 16, 2008

Le Central

A winning French touch in Bristol
Le Central’s décor, like its menu, is a mix of bistro fare with updates on French classics.

By: JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | July 09, 2008

San Vivaldo Trattoria

In Chef Alfie we trust
Terms like “destination dining” and “authentic Italian” take on new meaning at San Vivaldo Trattoria.

By: CHRIS CONTI | July 07, 2008

The Little Inn

Instant nostalgia
The menu declares allegiance to “Slow food, prepared and cooked to your order, very carefully!”

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | June 25, 2008

Up River Café

Sipping Prosecco on the Pawcatuck
It’s always a shame when a restaurant with a great location fails to equally impress with the actual food. Not to worry, however, about the Up River Café.

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | June 18, 2008

Starboard Galley

A cut above the average clam shack
Clam shacks and chowda houses are quintessential Rhode Island, and an eatery named the Starboard Galley couldn’t be more nautical.

By: JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | June 11, 2008

Liberty Elm Diner

Neighborliness and buttermilk pancakes
Every neighborhood should have a diner like the Liberty Elm.

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | June 04, 2008

Trio

Three times the buzz
Trio began to serve customers on Monday, May 19, and we broke our cardinal rule of waiting three months to review a spot by walking in two days later.

By: JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | May 28, 2008

Rhode Island has a prominent place in diner history

Rhode Island figures heavily in The History of New England Diners , a production of Rhode Island PBS
Rhode Island figures heavily in The History of New England Diners , a production of Rhode Island PBS.

By: TIM LEHNERT | May 21, 2008

Chinese Laundry

Exotic and erotic
Very Hong Kong street stall, kind of Blade Runner without the rain.

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | May 22, 2008

Siena Cucina Enoteca

Small plates, Italian style
How does a restaurant re-invent its image while spinning off a sister venture?

By: JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | May 14, 2008

3 Steeple Street

More than a gravitational attraction
Given its location, 3 Steeple Street has an edge in being successful.

By: BILL RODRIGUEZ | May 07, 2008

El Chapincito

Hospitality from south of the border
A recent experience at one of the city’s Latin-American restaurants left me with the distinct impression that if I don’t hurry up and learn Spanish, I’m going to be out of the loop.

By: JOHNETTE RODRIGUEZ | April 30, 2008