LAOTIAN FOOD
Haus de la Vie If you need a Laotian friend to translate the menu, that means you’ re in the right place. Let us share what we’ ve learned: Go with the papaya salad— Lao style— with freshly shredded green papaya, carrots and green beans in a sweet and savory sauce with chopped peanuts, followed by some Lao sausage, nime chow or khao jee, sticky rice battered in egg and fried. For entrees, any of the finely minced meat laab selections or the pad kra pow with a fried egg on top will make you want to book a plane ticket to Southeast Asia stat. 1342 Douglas Ave., Pawtucket, 537- 7180, hausdelavie. com
AFRICAN FARE
Suya Joint Everything on Suya Joint’ s menu seems to manifest joy. Dishes are often stewed and meant to be shared— each one an exuberant amalgam of culture and cuisine. The key is to order as much as you can because everything is good. Bonus: You can get a bag of beef empanadas and their tomato stew to take home after dinner. 320 Westminster St., Providence, 388-4952, suyajoint. com
JAMAICAN FOOD
Ja Patty The best Jamaican patties in Rhode Island now have their own tuck shop in addition to a truck. Known as a local corner store in Jamaica, this quick stop satiates lovers of Jamaican jerk chicken, curry and oxtail with takeout rice bowls that come with a side of plantains. Patties are stuffed with various fillings, including traditional beef, jerk chicken, curry vegetable and even apple pie for dessert. Grab some take-andbake patties to pop in the oven anytime at home. 1577 Westminster St., Providence, 424-9880, japatty. com
DETROIT-STYLE PIZZA
A Guy and His Pie Detroit-style is having its day and Brian Cauti is the delivery man. We can’ t get enough of his chicken cutlet, bacon and ranch pie but we’ ve never left without getting either the Bee Sting( pepperoni, jalapeno, Mike’ s Hot Honey) or the
THOUGHTFUL LOCAL MENU
Saint Martha
This new intimate Warren restaurant had big shoes to fill in the space that was formerly Hunky Dory and Eli’ s Kitchen. A void also needed filling in town with the closure of Metacom Kitchen. Thankfully, Saint Martha stepped up to the challenge and succeeded in restoring the coastal town’ s food rep. From simple salads bedecked with beets and sunflower seeds and crispy smoked whitefish croquettes to the heartier seared Point Judith scallops and duck breast, we bow down to this patron saint of hospitality. 40 Market St., Warren, 561-0222, stmarthari. com
jalapeno honey cheesy bread. You now know our flavor profile. 560 Mineral Spring Ave., Pawtucket, 495-4614, aguy andhispie. com
FOOD HALL
Track 15 Other cities build food courts in malls, but developer Chris Marsella and family chose a defunct train station to bring some of the state’ s best food together in a single location called Track 15. Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, pizza, seafood, burgers and sandwiches— made by those who do it best— all sit under one roof with a central bar. Another reason to look forward to WaterFire.
COURTESY OF JAMIE COELHO.
1 Union Station, Providence, 443-9215, track15ri. com
ADDICTIVE SNACK
LaSalle Bakery LaSalle’ s pizza crisps might be our favorite snack ever. If pizza and potato chips had a baby, this would be it: crunchy, addictive and coated in sauce and cheese. It turns out that the world’ s best food is fully portable. Make sure you buy several bags at a time because there’ s always tomorrow. 685 Admiral St., Providence, 228-0081; 993 Smith St., Providence( check availability first), 831-9563, lasallebakery. net
GLOBAL EATS
CHOP Housed in the Providence Public Library, CHOP has a lot of stories to tell. Working with culinary students at the Genesis Center, the sprawling restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving food from around the world. It has everything from a brie panini to braised short ribs and a well-stocked bar. 211 Washington St., Providence, 429-2450, culinaryhubPVD. com
BREAD
Serenity Sourdough Bakery It’ s true that Serenity is more a shack than a store, but the bread is just as good no matter where it’ s housed. Place your order online and your loaves will be waiting for you on the weekend. The everything bagel sourdough is a must as is the roasted garlic, but don’ t sleep on the lemon scones, which are the start to a perfect Sunday. 223 Matteson Rd., Hope, instagram. com / serenity _ sour dough _ bakery
CHARCUTERIE SPREAD
Bar Lazio Charcuterie might be all the rage, but nobody does it better than Bar Lazio, which pulls from its Italian identity to create the best boards in the state. Aged Asiago and pecorino picante are right at home next to piles of mortadella, speck and finochiona— but there are also plenty of olives, eggplant and artichokes to turn your cheese board into a meal. 1669 Cranston St., Cranston, 337-9666, barlaziori. com
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