XO Café Closes - Another Top Providence Restaurant Shuts Down

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

XO Café Closes - Another Top Providence Restaurant Shuts Down

XO closed Saturday night
The iconic and massively romantic XO Café closed Sunday. John Elkhay, the Providence restaurateur confirmed the closing and said that the space could re-open in the future in a new concept if the lease can be extended at the historic John Updike House in Providence which was built in 1799.

When the restaurant opened in 1997, XO led the culinary renaissance in Providence, earning such titles as “the hippest restaurant in Providence” by Chef Magazine and “Rhode Island’s Most Romantic Restaurant” by the now-closed Providence Phoenix.

“Long overdue renovations after almost 21 years. Some of the states best chefs have gone through our kitchen, including Jules Ramos, Nick Rabar, Rachael Klein, Ben Lloyd, Marty Lyons etc.,” said Elkhay, who also runs the Harry’s chain, 10 Steak and Sushi and others.

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The closing comes on the heels of the story by GoLocal that Paragon on Thayer Street has closed.

XO claimed, “With a “harvest-to-table” philosophy, XO marks the spot for creative cocktails, impressive wine list, and dishes that highlight the bounty of the sea and seasonality of Southern New England farms such as Pumpkin Seed-Crusted Salmon with celery root gratin, wilted greens, beet & apple slaw, and Dijon gastrique; Seared Bomster Scallops with pork belly, Brussels sprouts, crispy quinoa, and carrot-ginger puree, and Grilled Pork Tenderloin with root vegetable hash, braised red cabbage, spiced cider reduction, and pickled mustard seed.”


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