Best Spring Food Events
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Spring is a time of looking ahead to the warmer months to come. We shed our winter layers and venture out to see what survived the cold months (okay, there weren’t that many cold months, but it was winter nonetheless). We food lovers look forward to spring events because that same re-birth happens in restaurant kitchens all over the state. We set out to find the must-do’s on the spring restaurant docket and came back with these 5 tasty ways to enjoy spring…
Gracie’s, Providence:
Star Chef Dinner with Evan Mallett Monday, April 16th
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Gracie’s has been on the forefront of Providence’s dining scene since it’s time in a little spot on the Hill with Persimmon chef/owner Champe Speidle at the stove. It has since been the home to some of the most talented chefs and creative menus in the capital city. The Gracie’s Star Chef Series was started with the hope of brining national chefs to Gracie’s to cook with the current kitchen team. That team is led by talented executive chef Matthew Varga who has manned the stoves at Gracie’s for several years. On April 16th, Chef Evan Mallett of Portsmouth New Hampshire’s Black Trumpet Bistro will join the Gracie’s team for an evening of food and wine. Chef Mallett has traveled the far and wide to develop his culinary style with elements of Mexico and New England intertwined to make some seriously tasty food. Chef Mallett’s restaurant is named for the black Trumpet mushrooms that can be foraged locally and appear on all the best spring menus. When you couple that with Gracie’s commitment to the local and sustainable movement you have a winning combination that we’re sure will delight your taste buds. Gracie’s was among the first restaurants in the state to start growing their own herbs and lettuces and vegetables for the restaurant and their rooftop garden will certainly be a source of inspiration for chefs Mallett and Varga. This will be chef Mallett’s second foray in the Gracie’s kitchen and that sense of comfort with the surroundings is sure to shine through. 194 Washington St. 272-7811, www.graciesprovidence.com
The Dorrance, Providence:
The Dorrance and Chifferobe Present: In Cleopatra’s Company Saturday, April 14th
One of the top new spots in the state is the Dorrance, in Downcity. The location alone is worthy of gasps with the ornate beauty of the old Federal Reserve building setting the backdrop for the incredible food coming from the kitchen of executive chef Ben Sukle. In its first year of existence, the Dorrance is already gaining national traction as a top restaurant with a James Beard Award nomination and several nominations for national awards for best new restaurant and young chef. The Dorrance is also the most beautiful event space around and on April 14th the space will be taken over by Chifferobe for a night of mummies and mayhem with In Cleopatra’s Company. Chifferobe is a great group of performers who transform spaces to different bygone eras. Recently they did a Sinatra themed event at the Dorrance that was great fun. The Cleopatra event promises to be an unforgettable night of tapas, performers in period appropriate costumes and the Dorrance’s usual collection of eclectic cocktails. 60 Dorrance St. 521-6000, www.thedorrance.com
Chez Pascal, Providence:
The Secret Sunday Supper, Sunday May 6th
There are a lot of different reasons to love Chez Pascal on Hope Street in Providence. From the food to the atmosphere to the food truck and the hot dog cart. Chez Pascal is that neighborhood bistro that makes you wish you lived in THAT neighborhood. The hardest decision facing diners is what way you choose to enjoy the food of Chef Matt Genuso. First it was taking over this iconic little French bistro and making it his own; then it was a gourmet hot dog cart across the street from the restaurant and finally a mobile option with Hewtin’s Dogs. Chef Genuso doesn’t stray from the French food often at Chez Pascal but every so often he can’t resist tapping his Italian cooking roots. On Sunday May 6th chef Genuso is holding a secret dinner where he will be preparing dishes that speak to his Italian training. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to be at Chez Pascal when Genuso has his Bolognese on special, you know that this is not to be missed. Fresh pasta will be made…locally sourced products will be used and we’re sure that there will be some tasty and appropriate wine selections. France and Italy share a lot culinarily as many foods grow on both sides of the border and talented chefs have been jumping back and forth for thousands of years. Chef Genuso has found a delicious way to to educate on this tremendous culinary history. 960 Hope St. 421-4422, www.chez-pascal.com
Ocean House, Watch Hill:
Seasons Farm and Vine Dinner with the team from Thames Street Kitchen Wednesday, June 6th
The Ocean House is one of the true destination resorts in Rhode Island. You would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful place anywhere in New England. When the resort was bought a few years back, we all hoped it would be returned to its former glory and were subsequently blown away by what they did. Sitting on the deck and sipping a cocktail while the sun sets over the ocean is our idea of battery charging during the summer months. Another new favorite of ours is Thames Street Kitchen in Newport. Chefs Chad Hoffer and Tyler Burnley along with their twin-sister wives opened their restaurant this past year and have been killing it since they opened. Now, you combine these forces of culinary good and you end up with an exceptional 3 course dinner with chefs Hoffer and Burnley leading the team at Ocean House’s signature restaurant, Seasons. It’s a win-win-win. 1 Bluff Ave. 584-7000, www.oceanhouseri.com
New Rivers, Providence
Duval Leroy Champagne Dinner Thursday, April 19th
A spring champagne dinner sounds like just the thing to shake off the last effects of winter, and when it’s being held at the classic New Rivers, you can count on a delicious time. Owner Bruce Tillinghast is one of the original restaurateurs to take a chance on the reborn city of Providence. He opened a tiny restaurant at the foot of college hill and began teaching people to eat with the seasons. Today the kitchen is ably led by chef Beau Vestal and his talented team. Chef Vestal is one of the leaders of the local food movement and he really excels at curing meats and foraging. Both of those talents will be on display for the Duval Leroy Champagne dinner. It doesn’t get more spring sounding-and tasting-than this menu. You can expect an array of spring foods like: black trumpet mushrooms, fiddlehead ferns, Vidalia onions and spring garlic to be used respectfully and deliciously to accent the fabulous champagne. 7 Steeple Street, 751-0350, www.newriversrestaurant.com
Michael Martini is a former chef and Ann Martini is a communications professor. Together they own and operate Providence/Newport Gourmet Tours.
