Meet the Dishtectives
A group of up to fourteen friends visits a new restaurant each week to‘ dishcover’ new places.
T
HE DISHTECTIVES is like a book club, except the focus is food. Every Wednesday, a group of ten to fourteen people book a reservation for a different restaurant in Providence. They bring their“ Dishcovery”-branded black notebooks and pens, and take over a large table to socialize, share dishes and discuss the food. The group of friends of all ages— from late-twenties to late-seventies— all met at Warwick Country Club, but when the country club kitchen is closed during the off-season, they gather at local restaurants.
The Dishtectives was started by Marc Lundeberg, who works in health care. He bonded with the group of people at Warwick Country Club when he joined in June of 2025.“ I chose that club because I was not just blown away by its location by the water and its activities( golf, tennis, pool, aquatics, kayaking and a nice little private beach), but by its members,” he says.“ I was asked to join a group who would meet in the club on Wednesdays for drinks and dinner.”
The Dishtectives at Persimmon in
Providence.
But the clubhouse closes in January through March for the cold winter months.“ I said:‘ So, what are we going to do now?’ and the idea was born to continue with our Wednesday social club, but take it on the road,” Lundeberg says.“ Given Providence is becoming more and more of a foodie destination, the‘ Dishcovery’ initiative was born.”
They have visited many Providence restaurants, including Palo Tapas Bar, Fleur, Mill’ s Tavern, CAV, New Rivers, Sarto, Bacaro and Persimmon, with many more to come.
“ It’ s all about local friends, who share a love for food and drinks( all of them, in fact, being very good cooks in their own right!), and‘ dis( h) covering’ the evolving local food scene,” he says.
While they have visited more than a dozen restaurants since January, they are continuing the weekly ritual as a monthly gathering into spring and summer. They discuss the meal at the table while dining, then record their thoughts in notebooks. The Dishtectives also came up with a rating system— involving everything from quality and quantity of food to creativity of cocktails and quality of service— then average the results for a group rating. The possibilities are endless.“ We are also talking about formalizing the need to write a review of the restaurant on Google, after we have visited,” Lundeberg says.
The group gets excited about new openings, but also gives attention to restaurants that have been established for decades.“ We have a shared appetite to‘ dishcover’ the local food scene that everyone is proud and curious about,” Lundeberg says.“ As this is our first season, we have found our way and have been surprised how committed everyone has been.”— J. C.
After twelve years in business, Tallulah’ s Taqueria closed in Providence’ s Fox Point. From its Instagram:“ Since 2014, this space at 146 Ives St. has been a piece of our lives— not just a restaurant, but a home
Diner’ s for community. A place that started from a simple hope: that people could gather somewhere warm, welcoming and real. And somehow … you all made that hope come true. Providence gave us the chance
Update to create, to inspire, to build something bigger than tacos, something full of connection. We will always
The latest food, drink and be proud of what Tallulah’ s became, and of the love that lived inside its walls.” Ć Providence Wine dining news and events.
Bar in Wayland Square will soon be reopening as The Wayland, a new cocktail bar that’ s“ a little darker. A little moodier.” Ć The new and improved Trinity Brewhouse in Providence is officially open. The upstairs renovations are complete and the new menu features nachos, wings, pizzas, burgers and more, plus made-in-house brews.— J. C.
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I MAY 2026 125