Best Spots for Easter Celebrations
Ann and Michael Martini, GoLocalProv Contributors
Best Spots for Easter Celebrations
Ocean House, Watch Hill
Conde Nast Traveler just included this grand dame of Watch Hill on their prestigious "2011 Hot List." The issue features the best new hotel properties in the world and Ocean House was among the 124 picked. A large part of the hotel’s success can be attributed to Chef Eric Haugen and his incredible farm-to-table cuisine. Ocean House has a great famil- friendly brunch planned for Easter. Plan on an Easter egg roll and hunt with the Easter Bunny roaming the south lawn with the kids’ followed by a great buffet in the Seaside Ballroom. If a sit-down dinner is more your thing, Seasons restaurant is offering a five course dinner with two seatings. Either way we are pretty sure you will leave full and happy! 1 Bluff Ave. Watch Hill, 584-7000.
Iron Works Tavern, Warwick
Located in a restored factory dating to 1867, the Iron Works Tavern has been part of the incredible revitalization of the area of Warwick in and around the airport. Iron Works Tavern opened in 2009 with the hopes of bringing contemporary, American food to the hungry masses and boy have they! On Easter you have a couple of choices: brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or full dinner from noon to 8 p.m. The brunch has been written about in this space before and it is quite good. Cinnamon swirl sweet bread french toast dipped in custard batter anyone? On the dinner
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Aspire, Providence
Located in the Hotel Providence, Aspire is one of the great parts of the rebirth of Westminster Street. Aspire has two days of great events planned for Easter. On Saturday the 23rd from 10 a.m. to noon they are holding a kids bunny brunch featuring the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, face painting and a magic show. The coolest part last year was seeing the kids when they realized the buffet was set up at their height! The restaurant follows up on Easter Sunday with a traditional family style meal. Call for more details. 139 Mathewson St. Providence, 861-8000.
The White Horse Tavern, Newport
Established more than 100 years before the Revolutionary War, The White Horse Tavern is America's oldest tavern and one of the greatest historical landmarks Rhode Island has. There are few places that can say George Washington and Thomas Jefferson sat at the same bar that you're sitting at. Today, executive chef Rich Silvia and general
Hemenway's Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar, Providence
Hemenway's was always a great location, right on the water in Providence, but the food suffered from inconsistency. We are happy to report it’s improved since the takeover by the venerable Newport Restaurant Group. A recent visit was full of all that Hemenway's should be: vibrant, fresh, briny and delicious! Easter at Hemmenway's promises the same great old-school dinner menu with the addition of several Easter specials such as Colorado lamb chops, a tasty sounding pan-roasted Halibut and of course, impeccably fresh shellfish. One of our favorite appetizers in Providence is the crab and lobster cakes with corn relish. Also, the Grand Shellfish Platter is a great way of satisfying a lot of tastes with baby lobster, shrimp, oysters, clams and Alaskan King Crab. 121 South Main St. Providence, 351-8570.
Amici, Providence
When local restaurateur Gianfranco Marrocco joined longtime friend and chef Gianfranco Campanella to open Amici the sparks flew immediately. The two G's made Italian comfort food cool again. Since that time the menu has expanded to include dishes from across the globe. On this menu the antipasto is alongside tuna tatake and the incredible house-made kimchi that comes with it. Amici promises the same full menu they normally serve with an Easter menu that features such specials as beef Wellington and rack of lamb. We love the dragon scales appetizer which features shiso leaves stuffed with spicy tuna and tempura fried. It is finished with a sweet soy reduction that adds the needed balance to the spicy tuna and shiso. 242 Atwells Ave. Providence, 490-0409.
The Shelter Harbor Inn, Westerly
Located along Route 1 in Westerly, The Shelter Harbor Inn is a favorite of ours for their monthly wine dinners and beautiful rooftop views of Block Island and Long Island Sound. It is also a great destination on any holiday. The Inn is open 365 days a year and always features a great special menu for the holidays. On Easter Sunday the Inn features a great four-course menu featuring a choice of soup, salad, four entrees including roast tenderloin of beef and horseradish crusted halibut, and a dessert. When you factor in the setting and the food, it's really a beautiful place to spend your Easter. 10 Wagner Rd., Westerly, 322-8883.