Oysters at Hemenway's. The popular seafood-and-more restaurant is back open for lunch on weekends. Photo; Hemenway's FB
Across Rhode Island, a number of restaurant owners are opting to open -- or reopen -- as the fall season begins.
While colleges might not be at full capacity, students, faculty, administrators, and workers are back on campuses, and will have parents and families coming to visit.
What can you expect to see? The owner of a former popular Hope Street eatery making a comeback, a new piano bar downtown -- in a familiar old location -- and more.
See some of the Providence restaurants that are looking to open — or reopen — this fall.
SEE SLIDES BELOW
The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, coming off its most recent “Restaurant Week” initiative, has resources for dining in the state — as well as Halloween and “fall fun” in Providence — here.
Related Slideshow: Restaurants Opening and Reopening in Providence - Fall 2020
If you remember the Local 121, you’ll know where the George is set to open at the end of September.
Aptly named, “The George on Washington,” you can get a sneak peek of their menu on their Facebook page — think stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, pasta bolognese, pizzas, burgers, and more.
Did we mention it’s going to be a piano bar?
A “soft” opening is slated for September 24, with a grand opening on October 1.
On September 1, the long-standing Jewelry District staple announced it was reopening, taking to social media to announce the news — and outlined the measures it took during the summer to address the virus.
CAV Restaurant is now open, Yay!
Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our guests. It is our commitment to provide safe dining environment for our guests and our staff during COVID-19.
In addition to meeting all health, sanitizing and social distancing standards, we have installed a new HVAC system with UV sanitizing lights and virus rated filters. UV ceiling fans will be installed mid September.
Both these systems are designed to sanitize the air. We have redesigned the dining room with a focus on safety and social distancing.
We have also purchased a electrostatic sanitizing sprayer enabling us to professionally sanitize the restaurant daily. We apologize for the inconvenience caused during this upgrade.
The popular downtown lunch establishment tried to make it work when restaurants were allowed to reopen in Rhode Island in the late spring, but took a hiatus in the summer, when the financial district was a near ghost town.
On July 6, OSSC announced the news of the temporary closure — and in September, made good on their promise to reopen.
"I truly want to thank everyone that has come out and supported the shop over the past month as we struggled to adapt to this new world in which we live," said OSSC owner Eric Handwerger in July.
"To be completely transparent the numbers just aren’t working for right now and after discussing it with my financial advisors and my family I have made the difficult decision to close Ocean State Sandwich Company until Labor Day," said Handwerger. "The menu may change, the restaurant may change, but I will not let my dream die! I love you all and looks forward to feeding you all again in September."
During the summer, the long-established, seafood-focused restaurant worked to adapt to the state’s restrictions, starting with outdoor dining before expanding into indoors when allowed.
Hemenway’s has innovated — using menu-less QR codes on tables, adding heat lamps to its outdoor patio in anticipation of cooler weather — and now, is reopening further, expanding from its recent just-dinner hours to lunch on the weekends.
We have exciting news! Our new Saturday and Sunday hours will be 12:00pm-9:00pm starting tomorrow!! Our employee owners can’t wait to serve all of you.
