Best RI Places To Eat, Drink + Watch The Super Bowl
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Oh the humanity. The long, dark nights spent wondering where it all went wrong. Work? Relationships? Nope. Just mourning the end of Patriots football for another season. Well, we need a bright side and we think we've found one: We can just sit back and enjoy Super Bowl Sunday without worrying too much about the outcome. Now, where to do that...we set out to find 5 fun--and tasty-- places to drown our sorrows and came back with these...
Bar at the Hotel Viking, Newport
One of our favorite spots in the state is the lounge at the Hotel Viking. Once considered stuffy, this spot has been re-born at the hands of Chef Kevin Thiele and front of the house wiz Federico Luzzi. There are 2 60-inch TVs and two smaller ones set throughout the lounge area. There is a stand alone humidor with an incredible selection of cigars should you wish to enjoy one during the game. To make that cigar/game experience even better they have a wide array of high end spirits including some of the finest scotches around. All of the big boys are represented on tap with Guinness and Stella being our faves. But it's Chef Thiele's food that is the real star here. We are talking about a four-time winner of Newport's chili cook off--the only multiple winner EVER--so try some as it's outstanding. The lounge also features a well-rounded menu with pizzas and wings; a sublime BBQ chicken quesadilla with aged cheddar and a jalapeno aioli and a game-day special of pulled pork sliders. Chef Kevin will be passing trays of small bites throughout the game, too. Sounds like a big game winner to us! 1 Bellevue Ave. 847-3300, www.hotelviking.com
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
The Whiskey Republic, Providence
Located on the waterfront in Providence, the Whiskey Republic fills a void--in stomach and heart--in our lives. Owned by the front man from Dropkick Murphy's,Ken Casey, the Whiskey is the perfect spot to watch the game. There are plenty of TVs and always the vibrant buzz of a well-rounded crowd ready for a party. The food at the Whiskey is bar food with an upscale twist. Old-school faves like shepherd's pie and bangers and mash are here along with new-school stuff like oyster shooters and pulled pork flatbreads. They also have a cool "Game Day" menu that includes their Sunday Funday $1 burgers. Yup. $1. Customize them with everything up to and including a fried egg. The housemade russet chips with caramelized onion dip is also a good choice. The dip is the traditional onion dip you know and love, taken to new heights. 515 South Water St. 588-5158, www.thewhiskeyrepublic.com
XO Cafe', Providence
Certainly no sports bar here, but truly one of our favorite bars in the city. We love the bar at XO. There...we said it. When XO Cafe re-opened last year, we regained one of our favorite spots to drink and nosh and watch the game. Sidle up to the bar and allow the welcoming staff to take care of you. In store, you have the delicious cocktails of G.M. Alyssa Hudson and the hyper-seasonal, hyper-tasty food of Chef Martin Lyons. Drink away your Patriots sadness with a pear martini and ask what Chef Lyons is up to in the kitchen. Guaranteed you'll like what he's got to offer -- with a nod toward seasonality and a healthy dose of creativity, the food that comes out of the kitchen is fresh, creative, and tasty -- think sophisticated comfort food made by expert hands. That, plus a cocktail, and we don't care who wins. 125 North Main St. 273-9090, www.xocafe.com
Farmstead, Your House
You have it all. Giant TV. Surround sound. Ice luge. Friends invited. Then it dawns on you...wait a second, I can't @#$%% cook. What to do? Our suggestion here is to allow one of our best chefs, Matt Jennings (and his knowledgeable staff) to set something up for you. Take the thought and worry out of what goes with what and what and let them put together a cheese selection that will make you the hit of your own party. Or allow the staff to educate you as to why it all goes together. That is the real genius of Farmstead: education. For Super Bowl Sunday they have a special featuring Cheddarwurst, smoked gouda, their house mustard and our favorite bread and butter pickles. You can order it for 5 or 10 people and it promises to make a delicious sandwich -- it's the perfect combo of flavor and heat. Must now wipe drool from keyboard! 186 Wayland Ave. 274-7177, www.farmsteadinc.com
Wicked Good Bar and Grill at Twin River, Lincoln
Truth be told we don't make it to Twin River very often. We're not big gamblers but have been a few times recently for concerts and a meal. If you want loud, fun and crazy, the Super Bowl party at Wicked Good Bar and Grill should be just the ticket. This is the quintessential sports bar with tons of TVs, large, over-sized chairs and good bites. For $30 per person, you can enjoy an all you can eat prime rib buffet with many of their menu favorites prepared alongside. Along with the food you get two draft beers and entry into several raffles. You need to be 21 for this event but it promises to be entertaining. And hey, who knows...you could head downstairs and hit a jackpot on the way out. That'll make you forget the Pats til next season. 100 Twin River Rd. 723-3200, www.twinriver.com
Related Articles
- 5 RI Weekend Musts: Northeast Auto Show + More
- Best Takeout Chinese Food in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island’s Best Bakeries
- Rhode Island’s Best Neighborhood Joints
- Rhode Island’s 10 Best Pumpkin Dishes
