Providence Area Restaurants That Are Sadly Gone
GoLocalProv News Team
Providence Area Restaurants That Are Sadly Gone
As Providence restaurant week is set to kick off its 10th Anniversary on Sunday with over 80 participating restaurants, here is a look at just a number of one-time popular, beloved -- or controversial establishments that closed their doors (or had them shut).
SLIDES: Providence Area Restaurants That Are Sadly Gone BELOW
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn 2013, Eddie and Son owner Connie Caputo talked with GoLocal about the popular diner that had been in business for nearly 70 years, before it closed its Dorrance Street location.
Caputo said that there were a number of reasons for retiring, which included spending more time with family. "I've got two great kids -- my son's a chiropractor, my daughter's a principal," said Caputo, noting with their families and careers they would not take over the business. "And we've got four great grandchildren, each more beautiful than the next."
"We made a lot of friends...judges, politicians, the folks in news," said Caputo, recalling, "I used to tell Matt Lauer he was going to move on to great things when he was at Channel 10 and we were on Pine Street."
Providence Area Restaurants That Are Sadly Gone
Rue De L'Espoir
99 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906
After opening its doors nearly 40 years ago in 1976, the East Side French stalwart Rue De L'Espoir is closing down on August 9, 2015.
Always a top pick for romantic restaurants and brunch spots in the city, the Rue, was a constant in the community, taking part in such events as Dine Out for Life.
Eddie and Son Diner
74 Dorrance St, Providence, RI 02903
Eddie and Son Diner, the long-standing Providence institution, shut their doors for good back in 2013, after nearly 70 years of serving customers.
The famed diner saw many illustrious faces over the years, from Matt Lauer during his Channel 10 days, when the diner was on Pine Street, to multiple generations of Rhode Island ruling elite, from John Chafee to Linc, and J. Joseph Garrahy to son John.
Blue Grotto
210 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
The iconic Italian Blue Grotto restaurant closed its doors for good in 2014 after lasting 34 years on Federal Hill.
At the time of its closing, Blue Grotto had a 3 star ranking (out of five) on Yelp. For a trip down memory lane, see reviewers' remarks here.
Tazza Cafe
250 Westminster St, Providence, RI 02903
Opening in 2001, the downtown restaurant was well known for its coffee bar, social scene, and locally sourced products.
After losing their lease in 2013, Tazza was back in the press in 2014, when a former subcontractor for 38 Studios alleged that his firm was ordered to work on former Speaker of the House Gordon Fox's business colleague Michael Corso's bar as part of their contract - that bar being Tazza.
RiRa
50 Exchange Terrace, Providence, RI 02903
A casual Irish pub that was good for watching sporting events, trivia night, brews, and cocktails, the establishment closed in 2014, marking another turnover in the popular -- but up-and-down - Union Station area downtown.
Photo courtesy of RiRa twitter
Ruth Chris
10 Memorial Blvd, Providence, RI 02903
An upscale steakhouse chain with various locations around the country, the downtown Providence location known for its expansive patio overlooking Waterplae Park - bowed out in 2014.
But steak lovers fear not, the Capital Grille will soon be settling in its new location there when it moves across the street -- if the the new signage is any indication, that should be any day now.
DownCity
50 Weybosset St, Providence, RI 02903
The onetime downtown landmark known for its drag brunches and hefty cocktails, which was a favorite among patrons gay and straight, closed down in 2011, after gaining fame on Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares.
Since then, Circe, popular among politicos, lawyers, and the late-night beautiful crowd, has firmly established itself in the same location in the Providence scene.
McFadden’s
52 Pine St, Providence, RI 02903
McFaddens, which closed in 2012, was a popular spot to catch a game, with a plethora of TVs - and a late night college-kid haunt for its DJ and dance floor.
Now Hanley's Ale House, it the bar hasn't lost much of its beer-loving roots -- and it continues to be a mainstay in the Providence social scene.
Tini
200 Washington St, Providence, RI 02903
A small, intimate restaurant and bar, Tini was best known for its snack sized items on the menu and having their own way of preparing traditional meals.
The "hip offspring of the legendary Al Forno" was popular until its end in 2013 - but was replaced by the award-winning Birch with Ben Sukle at the helm, earning rave reviews as an up-and-coming star.
Cuban Revolution Restaurant
50 Aborn St, Providence, RI 02903
The Cuban Revolution had a number of iterations in its lifetime in Providence, from several locations downtown, and in Olneyville, before they fell by the wayside.
Those close of the downtown location led to their placement on GoLocal's not hot list by Dan Lawlor in 2013, for the following:
The Westminster developer and the Cuban Revolution restaurateur have both done good for the city. Too bad they couldn't come to an agreement on Cuban Revolution's downcity location. Morabito choose to close suddenly and left for Olneyville. Chace has an open storefront. Not a great week for either.
$3 Bar
242 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
The popular -- and contentious -- Federal Hill nightlife spot lasted only several months in 2014, after making a big splash on the scene -- clearly rocking some boats in the process.
After announcing in June 2014 that it would be opening with all drinks, beers, wines, and food items price at $3, bard was the scene to several episodes of violence at the location, prompting the licensing board to revoke its liquor license last August - and owner Gianfranco Moracco railed against the establishment in an unsuccessful effort to save it.
LJ's BBQ
727 East Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02680
A BBQ restaurant that served great hickory-smoked ribs, chicken, sandwiches & burgers, the eatery was a popular spot in Pawtucket at the end of Blackstone Boulevard for years.
Sadly, the owners announced it closed at the beginning of 2014. "Sadly, Ljs is now out of business," they wrote on January 20 of that year. "Thank you for having supported us in better times."
