The Dish
DINING DETAILS
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT : The atmosphere at Troop goes from day to night ; roasted acorn squash ; brunch ; chef Chad Hart .
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Troop Top Shape
Providence ’ s hip-hoppiest restaurant is celebrating seven years with an updated menu and events . By Jamie Coelho
N CELEBRATION OF TROOP ’ S SEVEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY in Providence , we checked in with chef Chad Hart and co-owner Chris Simonelli to see what ’ s new with the restaurant and bar .
Hi chef Chad . Tell me about your culinary background and how you became the chef at Troop . I ’ ve been in the restaurant business for twenty-three years . I started out as a busboy at a local breakfast restaurant , then moved to dishwasher . I became interested in cooking while watching the cooks during my downtime . Once I got my chance to cook , there was no looking back . I worked at various restaurants in the area , learning what I could from everyone around me . I was looking for a new restaurant job and a friend told me about Troop opening up on the West Side and that they needed cooks . I started out as a line cook , and after a year , I got promoted to supervisor . I moved on to sous chef and helped build the brunch scene . After two years , I was offered the executive chef job . It has been seven years now , persevering through all the hardships of running a restaurant .
And you ’ re still here ! What ’ s new for winter ? We try to bring different cultural flavors to the menu . We have a root vegetable salad with local honeynut squash , beets , apple and
green onion puree . Entrees for the winter will warm you up , including butter chicken over rice with pickled red onions , crispy pita chips and cilantro . For the vegetarians and vegans out there , we have a roasted stuffed acorn squash with marinated tofu . Of course , we have our famous street noodles that you can load up with fried tofu , pork belly , shrimp or our amazing chicken nuggets .
Chris , what types of events do you host throughout the month ? We have some of our favorite deejays lined up that have been rocking with us from day one including 4Hundo , DJ Ken , DJ Nook , LowKey and some new additions . We have Troop Bingo on the second Wednesday of the month . We are a restaurant first , but we love providing a platform for local talent and will continue to push boundaries when it comes to events at Troop . instagram . com / trooppvd
Loma is a classic and intimate Latin cocktail bar , located at 112 Spruce St . in Providence ’ s Federal Hill . The bar has
News Bite been a long time coming from renowned local bartender
Leishla Maldonado — whose background includes the Eddy , Courtland Club and Dolores — and her partner , Osman Cortave , and family . Try the tropical-influenced cocktails , signature vermouth service and zero-proof options . Stay tuned to their Instagram , @ loma _ bar , for hours . — J . C .
96 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I FEBRUARY 2025