The Dish
DINING DETAILS
In addition to bowls and cones , Big Feeling ’ s new locale offers pints to go .
Big Feeling Bounty
Alex Maddalena ’ s pop-up , where you can buy pints of inventive ice cream flavors , is now permanent on the West End of Providence . By Jamie Coelho
B
IG FEELING FANS now have a permanent spot to access its memoryunlocking craft ice cream by the scoop , cone or pint . The ice cream flavors are created by icy dessert extraordinaire Alex Maddalena , who wanted to channel childhood memories and emotions with the name of the business : Big Feeling .
The shop opened just before Christmas — yes , in the dead of winter . They are giving us the snark we came for : “ Economists warned against it . Scholars pointed me elsewhere . Behavioral scientists said it would never work . But I pushed forward to open an ice cream shop in a month with average temperatures of 21 degrees F ,” Maddalena wrote on Instagram . “ It is our job to prove these out-of-touch academics wrong .”
Help Big Feeling defy the odds of the popularity of ice cream in the freezing season by showing your support . The premise of the shop is to tap into your emotions , and ice cream has the power to channel summer .
“ I wanted it to reflect the literal feelings you get from having something so nostalgic and emotionally charged as a good ice cream cone ,” Maddalena says . “ Most people have
a recollection from their childhood of a sweet treat or dessert that really stands out to them . I thought the name Big Feeling really reflected that experience .”
Some of the flavors at the shop might include vanilla , chocolate , dulce de leche , Key lime pie , Thai tea and Fluffernutter . Non-dairy versions might include mango sticky rice and horchata . You can order them by the scoop ($ 6 ), double ($ 8 ) or pint ($ 12 ).
Every week is an opportunity to come up with new ice cream flavors that excite devoted fans . “ We cycle through new flavors and keep it new and fresh and reflective for the time of year ,” Maddalena says . “ That keeps people excited to try it over and over again , and it keeps the brain sharp in terms of dreaming up new flavors .” 769 Westminster St ., Providence , bigfeeling . co
CRU PVD is a new cafe from the same owners as Russell Morin
News Bite Catering & Events , now open in the former Bayberry Beer Hall spot on the West End of Providence . It bills itself as “ an elevated counter service dining experience , serving dinner , drinks and weekend brunch .” The restaurant is first-come , first-served . No reservations needed . Place your order at the counter , grab a seat and the team will bring your food and drink to you . crupvd . com — J . C .
94 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I MARCH 2025