because then you get to sample many different dishes. The( fresh) catch is that you won’ t know what’ s coming until the plates hit the table. For $ 45 per person, there’ s a mix of vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes to please all types of appetites. 322 Metacom Ave., Warren, 289-3446, metacom. kitchen
Little Friend
The Backstory: Little Friend is like a secret dinner party that includes twenty special guests at an undisclosed location in
Providence. Once you sign up through Instagram, you’ ll receive email instructions with detailed dinner directions leading to a hidden back entryway through a warehouse door that peeks inside the culinary creatives’ minds. What to Order: Chefs Andrew McQuesten( you might remember him as the mastermind at north before it closed) and Stephen Sternkopf gather the best in seasonal produce from Little Compton’ s Wishing Stone Farm( where they also run a pop-up restaurant), local squid and other seafood, plus proteins from Hopkins Southdowns Farm to create a simple but surprising five-course menu that changes monthly. Fun Perks: To gain entry to this secret communal dinner party, available on Tuesday evenings in the summer, and Wednesday and Friday evenings Sept. through May, follow @ littlefriendpvd on Instagram and send a direct message for details. It’ s BYOB, so bring your favorite wine or beverage pair-
FROM LEFT: Crudo and sushi from Hemenway’ s; roasted tautog from Metacom Kitchen.
What to Order: Nobody does octopus quite like Allaire, who flash-grills it to buttery textural perfection and serves it with avocado, roasted scallion, potato and chipotle vinaigrette. There’ s always a market fish— like tautog— served daily with seasonal ingredients, as well as items like olive oil poached cod accented by housemade sauces and garden herbs. Fun Perks: On Mystery Mondays, diners can choose a threecourse blind tasting experience. It’ s best shared with a group
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