is topped with creamy feta cheese foam. They may have just invented an edible cocktail category. 1 West Exchange St., Providence, 666 – 0088, marcelinos boutiquebar. com
FRENCH CUISINE
Audette If old-school French cuisine is your happy place, Audette is your mecca. Housed in Bouchard Inn, the menu is a flawless execution of classic dishes. Seafood, chicken and beef all get the Pygmalion treatment, arriving at the table in their highest form. The Grand Marnier souffle is imperative, so do as you’ re told s’ il vous plait, and order ahead. 505 Thames St., Newport, 324- 5802, audettenewport. com
BAR-RESTAURANT
Purslane Purslane’ s setup feels like a minute nature preserve, but it also marries cocktails that are as noteworthy as its menu. Try the tamarind sour or the spicy maple margarita and, if you’ re lucky enough to get a table, be sure to try the Purslane platter of fish. Cocktail hour features a martini and fries for fourteen bucks. 318 Main St., Wakefield, 515-7340, purslane-ri. com
EAST BAY ITALIAN
Viola Cucina Viola is a welcome addition to Barrington, not only because it’ s a family favorite for the locals, but because its interpretation of Italian food is halfrustic, half-refined and all delicious. Our favorite app is the veal and peas but we always go for the lasagna when it’ s on the menu. Don’ t forget to try the focaccia with seasoned butter. 296 County Rd., Barrington, 252-4272, violacucina. com
HOT DOGS
Debbie’ s Ed Davis has traded fine dining for hot dogs and hoagies and that’ s reason to celebrate. In his small enclave on Washington Street, he turns street food into an addiction. Kayem dogs are covered in Italian staples like provolone and broccoli rabe, but he’ s also got mortadella sandwiches and fried bologna.
Pastry chef Alisia Custodio and owner Waleed Ghazi.
BAKERY
Brown Bee Coffee
Brown Bee is largely known for two things: its unparalleled croissants in flavors like caffe latte, chocolate strawberry and pistachio crunch, and its spot-on merchandising. But there’ s a lot more to love about this Benefit Street bakery, including the impressive sourdough and focaccia, as well as soft scrambled eggs on a butter-rich croissant. Grab a bite to eat and get a loaf to take home for dinner. 404 Benefit St., Providence, brownbeecoffee. com
We’ re all about a delicious throwback. 100 Washington St., Providence, debbies ri. com
INTIMATE COCKTAIL BAR
Loma This tiny cocktail hideaway is like stepping into a chill house party where the low Latin and salsa music sets the vibe but isn’ t too loud for intimate conversation. Small groups gather on cozy velvet banquettes and stools, in corner nooks and at the bar while sipping tropical-style cocktails and zeroproof drinks made with curated spirits, housemade syrups, gorgeous garnishes and hand-cut ice cubes. 112 Spruce St., Providence, instagram. com / loma _ bar
PUNK ROCK BAR
The Scurvy Dog Scurvy may have gotten an intimidating rap over the years, but the reality is anything but. Resident artists, musicians and hospitality industry vets gather here over whiskey, craft beers or’ Gansetts, and a pool table. The punk rock mystique makes it feel risky, but all walks of life are welcome here. Come for the eclectic atmosphere at the mega parking lot shows and stay for burgers and pizzas from Rebel’ s Rations, serving into the late-night hours. 1718 Westminster St., Providence, 270-7980, scurvydogbar. com
CLASSIC BAR
Mimi’ s Lounge Mimi’ s doesn’ t have to try to be divey because it just is. While many newer bars score vintage’ 80s and’ 90s signs and bric-a-brac at thrift stores and flea markets, Mimi’ s was born that way. Don’ t go asking for any fancy craft cocktails— this is a classic cocktail and beer-and-a-shot, no-menu kind of place. So figure out what you want, and no, they don’ t make espresso martinis. 590 Pawtucket Ave., Pawtucket, insta gram. com / mimisloungepvd
NEW ENGLAND-SOURCED
FIJIAN FUSION
Nimki We’ ve been savoring chef Nikhil Naiker’ s saina chickpea fritters and crudo since his Fortnight days. Watching him rise from north bakery and Oberlin to his own Nimki pop-up at Courtland Club— complete with a James Beard Finalist nod for“ Emerging Chef”— has been like watching an all-star rookie progress to the MLB. We already know he knocks it out of the park with his New England tropical cuisine that spotlights local fish and farm ingredients with a Fijian and Indian twist. Now let’ s see what the rest of America thinks. Nimki at Courtland Club, 51 Courtland St., Providence, instagram. com / nimki. pvd
WOMAN-OWNED WINE BUSINESS
Tipsy Rose Wine For nearly two decades, wine enthusiasts have turned to Maria Chiancola at the Newport Wine Cellar to select the perfect small-producer wine for gatherings large and small. But Chiancola went from simply selling bottles to rolling up her sleeves and crafting her own.
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