She's From Cranston, He's From the DR - Together They May Have Created the Next Hot Restaurant

She's From Cranston, He's From the DR - Together They May Have Created the Next Hot Restaurant

Nathaniel Lopez was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States when he was 21 — and always dreamed of owning a restaurant.

Michelle Gradus Parenteau grew up in Cranston, went to school for fashion marketing, and now is a top residential and commercial interior designer. 

And in typical Rhode Island fashion, they were introduced through a mutual friend.

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Lopez -- along with partner Henry Casso -- was planning on opening “Nathaniel’s Bistro” in Lincoln, when he saw Parentau’s work.

“I did a kitchen in Cranston, and my client is a friend of Nathaniel’s, and I got a text message out of the blue from him,” said Parenteau, who owns Michelle Lee Designs. 

For Parenteau, it was a match made in heaven — when she first sat down with Lopez, he embraced her vision. 

“I always talk with the client about the story they’re trying to tell,” said Parenteau, whose interior design resume includes working on Wickford on the Water, Mesa Cafe in Cranston, Mews Tavern, and more.

“I love when they’re not afraid of color. They wanted wild and a wow factor at Nathaniel’s Bistro — I said I will create that ‘wow’ for you with materials and texture," she said. 

And for Lopez, the recent opening is the culmination of a lifelong journey. 

“I have always dreamed of running a big restaurant like this,” said Lopez. 

 

Working His Way Up the Food Industry

“I’ve always worked in food, including as a food manufacturing manager,” said Lopez, who said at his core he’s a “people person”

Lopez had tried his hand in the restaurant space with “Simmering Soups” in Cumberland, before eyeing his new location at 600 George Washington Highway in Lincoln. 

“When I planned on opening it, we went around to see what other places were doing — and position ourselves well in every aspect,” said Lopez. “It took us to bit to build the menu.”

The seafood-and-steak-centric bistro offers traditional Rhode Island favorites such as calamari and littlenecks, to crudo including octopus carpaccio and “ceviche de corvina,” which includes “red onion, cilantro, corn choclo, and lemon citrus.”

Main plates feature dishes such as paella, whole bone-in branzino, cornish hens, Kobe burgers, and short ribs. 

“Everyone seems to love it so far,” laughed Lopez. 

 

A Broad Design Base — With a Local Focus 

For Parenteau, whose work can take her across the country, making sure that she uses local vendors when she can is a top priority. 

“Lighting and Design by J an K in Johnston; Eastern Countertop in Cranston, HMI Glass with Town Glass, Supply New England Bar top by Vincent Lafazia, Peacock mural by Crestar Picture Framing, Rhode Island Tile in Cranston, The Blind King in Providence, and photography by Grace Lentini Photograpy,” said Parenteau of the local vendors that she used on the project. 

You can see more of the restaurant Lentini's photos -- below.