VIBE CHECK : The theme in this small eatery is Southern ( according to Dante ’ s “ mini ” primer on the South , y ’ all is the only proper noun ) and that friendliness extends to the service , which is efficient but not intrusive . Chat up the bartender at the tiny bar or grab a table in the window and watch the world go by on E . G .’ s Main Street .
GET : The warm beignets , which arrive in a cloud of powdered sugar , oozing rich Nutella goodness . Dante ’ s version of mac and cheese includes ( of course ) bacon and pulled pork and comes with cornbread . And the shrimp or crispy pork belly po ’ boys with jalapeno remoulade provide their own internal heat . Word of advice : Wear stretchy pants .
BOTTOMS UP : Ease into the day with Dante ’ s Inferno bloody mary , a generous pour with shrimp , olives , a shot of Tito ’ s vodka and a slice of bacon as a swizzle stick . If adult coffee beverages are more your thing , there ’ s bananas Foster ( vanilla vodka and banana liquor with a swirl of whipped cream ) or an Irish kiss ( Baileys and Jameson ).
BRUNCH FOR TWO : $ 50 –$ 60 plus tip .
FINE PRINT : Need to satisfy that biscuits and gravy fix ? Come on weekdays when Dante ’ s has the full breakfast and lunch menu . They also do takeout on weeknights . Sundays , it ’ s breakfast only and there are no reservations ; during warmer weather there ’ s outdoor seating . ● 315 Main St ., East Greenwich , 398-7798 , dantekitchenri . com — Sarah Francis
Mom and Pop Spots
The Norm McMuffin from Coffee and Cream in North Smithfield .
SIMPLE BREAKFASTS FROM FAMILY-RUN RESTAURANTS .
COFFEE AND CREAM 900 Victory Highway , North Smithfield , 488-4448 , coffeeandcreamrestaurant . com A one-time staple of breakfast binges and late-night excursions alike , this Blackstone Valley classic reopened in 2020 after a fire destroyed the original location . The new Coffee and Cream offers breakfast and lunch in a homey space that pays tribute to its farmhouse roots . Order a bloody mary with your Norm McMuffin , named for family patriarch Normand Branchaud , who founded the restaurant in 1990 .
BRISTOL SUNSET CAFÉ 499 Hope St ., Bristol , 253-1910 , bristolsunsetcafe . com The Bristol Sunset Café offers the best of both worlds : homestyle breakfast specials in a quaint , historic location steps away from Bristol ’ s beautiful water views . Order classics like the eggand-cheese on a bagel or go indulgent with the Funky Monkey — banana bread French toast layered with bananas , Nutella and walnuts . And don ’ t worry about the wait : while the restaurant fills up quickly on the weekends , guests can place their names on an online waitlist before leaving home .
GARY ’ S HANDY LUNCH 462 Thames St ., Newport , 847-9480 Escape the bustle of Thames Street at Gary ’ s Handy Lunch , an old-school , 1950s-style diner tucked amid the trendier hangouts of Newport ’ s downtown . Here , you ’ ll find lunch specials like American chop suey and franks and beans on the menu alongside classic breakfast fare . Fridays are for seafood , with all manner of fried Rhode Island goodness piled high atop the white diner plates .
BLUEBIRD CAFÉ 554 Kingstown Rd ., Wakefield , 792-8940 , bluebirdcaferi . com The Bluebird Café has been a must-visit for locals and beachgoers alike for more than thirty years . The restaurant serves up breakfast with a New Orleans flair , with fried catfish po ’ boys making their way to the table alongside corned beef hash and cheese grits . Order a freshly baked corn muffin and check out the flavored coffee selection , which changes daily .
MARIA ’ S BREAKFAST AND LUNCH 477 Smithfield Ave ., Pawtucket , 724-8944 For a classic mom-and-pop breakfast experience , head down Smithfield Avenue in Pawtucket to Maria ’ s Breakfast and Lunch . Portuguese or kielbasa omelets are served with only the crispiest home fries , and pancakes come in flavors like Reese ’ s , Oreo or chocolate chip . Get there before 9 a . m . for early bird specials and to avoid the crowds . — Lauren Clem
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l APRIL 2022 55