5 Must-Try New Restaurants

Name: Go Local Prov
Price range: $

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Ann & Michael Martini, GoLocalProv Food Editors

Rhode Island, considering its small size, is lucky when it comes to food. Come rain or shine, recession or scandal, nothing seems to stop talented Rhode Islanders from pursuing their passion of providing locals and visitors alike with unique, inventive, delicious culinary experiences. And we're not talking the "Gee, wouldn't it be fun to own a restaurant?" type. Thankfully our state is relatively devoid of folks who have lots of money and just want a cool place to hang with their friends, who open a restaurant but don't give a second thought to the food or the service. We've got gems like Jake Rojas, who you will read about here, who with his wife travels back to his home state of California regularly to make sure he's up on the latest trends, the best ingredients, and the most traditional techniques.And Sean Larkin, a kid who loves beer and brewing and has made it everywhere, and won all kinds of awards, before venturing out on his own. Rojas and Larkin and others are who makes us special, and you the eater very, very fortunate. So try these new places opened by folks who know exactly what they're doing!

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