5 Great Mid-Week Restaurant Deals
Thursday, May 10, 2012
We all have felt the pinch of this terrible economy, and we tend to cut back on things that aren't necessary -- like dining out. But there's no need! Restaurants have felt the pinch and fought back by being creative. We lucky diners have taken advantage and found ways to dine out on the cheap every night of the week…
Monday: Hemenway’s and Sardella’s
The first day is always the hardest, right? Then start it off at one of these Rhode Island institutions: Hemenway’s is one of the grand dames of the city restaurant scene and there's no better way to enjoy this gem than with half-price raw bar specials. Sidle up to the bar and enjoy the impeccably fresh seafood --and a glass of wine that the knowledgeable staff will help pair for you. If you’re in the southern end of the state, one of the best deals you can find is the two for one special at Sardella’s. Perfectly executed Italian food is paired with a bottle of wine for $28 for two! Don’t want the wine? Then it is a rock-bottom $16 for two. We don’t think you could eat fast food for $8 per person. Hemenway’s, 121 South Main St. 351-8570, www.hemenwaysrestaurant.com. Sardella’s, 30 Memorial Blvd. West, 849-6312, www.sardellas.com
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We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the changeover at New Rivers. Longtime owner Bruce Tillinghast has handed the reins to longtime chef Beau Vestal. Bruce was one of the pioneers in Providence and Beau admirably continues the tradition. One of the fun nights to try New Rivers is Tuesday for dollar oyster night. An ever changing array of fresh, local oysters all served for a buck a piece. Awesome! If tacos are your thing, head over to the waterfront and check out Lola’s Cantina. It’s just cool to enjoy Mexican while overlooking the water and the power plant, but some fiery and tasty tacos make it even more bueno. On Tuesdays you can head over and get $2 tacos all night long. New Rivers, 7 Steeple St. 751-0350, www.newriversrestaurant.com, Lola’s Cantina, 525 South Water St. 383-0220, www.lolascantina.com
Wednesday: White Horse Tavern/XO Café
Man this is a tough one. Delicious burgers and beer in the oldest founded tavern in America or a three-course meal-for free- at one of the city’s hippest spots. We start in Newport at the White Horse where people have been eating and drinking since 1670 or so. Every Wednesday Chef Rich Silvia is serving a tasty, fresh ground burger with hand cut fries and a draft beer for $15. We dare say it is one of the best burgers in the state. This next one even we can’t believe…every Wednesday at XO Café they offer a complimentary 3-course meal for the ladies. Starter, entrée and dessert all expertly prepared by chef Simon Keating. This past week featured a local asparagus soup, shepherd’s pie and house made ice cream and fresh berries. Wow, right? The White Horse Tavern, 26 Marlborough St. 849-3600, www.whitehorsetavern.us. XO Café, 125 North Main St. 273-9090, www.xocafe.com
Thursday: Mill's Tavern/Trio
What’s not to like about Thursday, given that the weekend is right around the corner and restaurants in both the city and the ‘burbs offer these great deals? Steal away for a couple of hours after work between 5-8 p.m. at Mill’s Tavern in Providence. The bar here offers oysters on the half shell shucked right in front of you for $1.50 each, Point Judith little necks for $1.25 each, and shrimp cocktail for $1 each (we’ll do about 20 of those, thank you very much). Afterwards, you may find us enjoying one of Chef Edward Bolus’s famous Mill’s Sandwiches, featuring Hudson Valley foie gras. If you’re in the neighborhood of the beaches, stop into Trio for half-price appetizers that you can make a meal out of. We love the risotto with fresh veggies as well as the calamari, the lobster and shrimp spring rolls and the meatballs. Mill's Tavern, 101 North main St. 272-3331, www.millstavernrestaurant.com, Trio, 15 Kingston Rd. 792-4333, www.trio-ri.com
Sunday: Waterman Grille/Whiskey Republic
We don’t know about you, but every once in a while we suffer from what we’ve coined “Sunday Syndrome” – that slightly overwhelming feeling that a long week is about to begin. When the feeling hits we fend it off in one of two ways. At Waterman Grille In Providence we settle in for the $19.95 per person, three-course seasonal prix fixe menu. We always start with the tasty Szechuan beef skewers (we could bathe in the accompanying fiery peanut dip), and then move on to steak, chicken or seafood and finish up with the flourless chocolate cake. When the weather turns nice any day now (please!) we’ll head over to the Whiskey Republic for their Sunday Fun-Day specials, which include $1 burgers and $3 Narragansett Beers. (The Whiskey loves special offers…check out their website for something almost every day of the week)! Waterman Grille, 4 Richmond Sq. 521-2229, www.watermangrille.com, The Whiskey Republic, 515 South Water St. 588-5158, www.thewhiskeyrepublic.com
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