Recently , Pagán returned to Puerto Rico for six weeks to visit family and gain inspiration . While there , she learned more about jam-making and pastry arts , and brought new skills back home . She also settled on Little Sister ’ s coffee brand , Gustos , which has its own Puerto Rican farms , roasters and cafes on the island , and she recruited a new cook , Emanuel Rivera , who moved here and is adding additional Latin touches to the kitchen . She ’ s taken these steps to bring more of her homeland to Providence . Even Spanish music pipes through the kitchen while the bakers are at work .
“ I spent thirteen or fourteen years away from the island , and I went back for six weeks . That was the longest I have been there since college ,” Pagán says . “ I had an excuse to go down there and spend a lot of time and study the food , and get re-cultured so I could come back and bring home some of those ideas .”
Little Sister plans to sell its tropical fruit jams for retail , too . A shelf near the register in the storefront is already lined with papaya and guava jam and orange and passionfruit marmalade , and once they gain a variance from the health department , guests will be able to purchase them .
Eventually , Pagán hopes the jam might appear as an accoutrement on a Latin-themed charcuterie board with Spanish meats and cheeses , and she hopes wine , once they feel comfortable enough to open for indoor dining . “ We might try to do BYOB in the future , but for now , we ’ re taking it slow ,” she says .
Little Sister is open Friday through Sunday from 8 a . m . to 2 p . m . for takeout only , but they hope to gradually expand hours and open outdoor garden seating this spring . little sisterpvd . com
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By Kaitlyn Murray
{ where to eat }
Persimmon Piloted by multiple James Beard Foundation Awardnominated chef Champe Speidel , this modern eatery serves ingredient- and technique-driven American cuisine . Persimmon ’ s menu changes a bit from night to night , but Chef Speidel ’ s culinary vision remains a constant , putting exceptional skill , passion and flavor into in each and every dish . 99 Hope St ., Providence , 432-7422 , persimmonri . com .
Dune Brothers Sure , a city-based seafood shack might sound odd — but hear us out . Housed in Providence ’ s Innovation
and Design District , Dune Brothers is certainly bringing ingenuity to the Capital City with its charming walk-up window and its locally sourced eats . Try the cloudy New England chowder recipe , made up of fresh Rhode Island littlenecks and hand cut potatoes . 239 Dyer St ., Providence , 480-1269 , dunebrothers . com .
FURTHER AFIELD
GottaQ BBQ Once named by MSN as one of the top fifty barbecue joints in the country , GottaQ cooks up authentic wood-smoked pork , tri-tip and beef brisket , baby back ribs and pulled chicken . Don ’ t skimp on sides like mac and cheese , barbecue pit beans , brisket chili and more . This is classic barbecue done right , but you ’ re just going to have to taste it to believe it . 2000 Mendon Rd ., # 10 , Cumberland , 475-4227 , gottaq . net .
{ where to explore }
Roger Williams Park Zoo Discover more than 160 species of animals ( think : elephants , snow leopards , red pandas and even a
88 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JUNE 2021