14 RI Restaurants Selected For AAA's 2015 Five and Four Diamond Awards
GoLocalProv News Team
14 RI Restaurants Selected For AAA's 2015 Five and Four Diamond Awards
Each year, AAA inspectors visit more than 58,000 establishments across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, using the Diamond rating system to guide AAA members when choosing places to stay and eat.
“Just 0.3 percent of the 58,000 properties inspected by AAA receive five diamonds, and just 3.9 percent receive four diamonds,” said David J. Raposa the Managing Director of Public Affairs for AAA Northeast.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe awards will be presented at a Newport Luncheon in March.
The 2015 Recipients are:
Five Diamond
Ocean House, Watch Hill, first honored in 2011
Four Diamond
Point Pleasant Inn & Resort, Bristol, 2003
Cliffside Inn, Newport, 2003
Hydrangea House Inn, Newport, 2005
The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Newport, 2004
The Vanderbilt Grace, Newport, 2011
Hotel Providence, 2005
Omni Providence Hotel, 2003
Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel, 2008
The Weekapaug Inn, Westerly, 2013
Historic Jacob Hill Inn, Seekonk, MA, 2001
Muse by Jonathan Cartwright, Newport, 2012
Spiced Pear Restaurant, Newport, 2004
Gracie’s, Providence, 2011
Seasons at the Ocean House, Watch Hill, 2010
5 Must-Try New Restaurants
Tallulah's Tacos, Providence
The collective prayers of taco loving city dwellers--like us--were answered recently when uber-talented local chef, Jake Rojas, brought his version of Cali-Mex to Providence. Chef Rojas is one of the most talented chefs in Rhode Island, and his Talulah on Thames, in Newport, is one of our best restaurants. Rojas takes his fine dining training and ingredients and adds in the greatest ingredient of all--love. Years of learning at the hips of grandmothers and grandfathers and fathers and mothers brings a depth of flavor that most can only hope to achieve. Try everything. There hasn't been a bad bite in 5 recent visits. 146 Ives St. 849-2433, www.tallulahonthames.com
Stoneacre Pantry, Newport
A recent overnight in Newport left us wondering what to do for brunch. We were down near the waterfront so we headed over to new local fave Stoneacre Pantry. We started where the menu began, with the biscuits. We had the Gruyere and the sausage gravy versions. Both were buttery, flaky and delicious. After that we tried some of the charcuterie and then shared the egg sandwich with local bacon, arugula, Gruyere, and a wonderful house mustard. The mustard provided a perfect balance to the richness of the rest of the ingredients. We would never had thought of mustard with bacon and eggs, but we're glad they did! 515 Thames St. 619-7810, www.stoneacrepantry.com
Rogue Island, Providence
One of the best parts of the renaissance of the Arcade, in Downcity, was the opening of Rogue Island. This delicious stop features local, farm to table food that is a really good. We began with the warm pretzel bites and the pickled vegetable plate. The housemade pretzel bites are everything the frozen, chain restaurant version wish they could be. The pickle plate was the perfect refresher before the epic entree. When you see Blackbird Farm pork belly, you get it. When it's cured with New Harvest coffee, served with sweet potato hash, an apple gastrique and a slow cooked farm egg? You experience the best non-breakfast you've ever had. 65 Weybosset St. 831-3733, www.rogueislandgroup.com
Two Ten Oyster Bar and Grill, Wakefield
There is a little spot along Route 1, in South Kingston, that has been a myriad of different restaurants through the years. Here's hoping this one sticks around a while. Two Ten Oyster is a perfect spot for a post-beach detour. The views of Salt Pond are terrific on their own, but when you add in some fresh, local seafood and creative drinks, we're there. We started with the fabulous Walrus and Carpenter oysters and a crisp wine. We didn't make it much further. They were so good and so perfect we ordered more and ended up here until sunset. Summer doesn't get much better. 210 Salt Pond Rd. 782-0100, www.twotenobg.com
Brutopia Brewery and Kitchen, Cranston
There are certain names that transcend the hype when it comes to local food and beverage artisans. One of those names is master brewer Sean Larkin. He has crafted brews at every reputable local brewery and has brought those talents to Brutopia. Part of his job is create beers that pair well with the mouth watering smoked meats coming from the kitchen. The menu is expansive--with an impressive number of Gluten free items--but we quickly focused on the BBQ. We settled on some smoked brisket and a Brutopian Valhalla. The were both spot on with the brisket--and it's undertones of hicory--stealing the show! 505 Atwood Ave. 464-8877, www.brutopiabrewery.com
