Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - March 29, 2024

HOT

Hot for 100 Years

Angelo’s Civita Farnese on Federal Hill is turning 100 next month — and has a big weekend of celebrations planned.

The Italian restaurant on Atwells Avenue and its owner, Jamie Antignano, have now shared the plans for three days of festivities starting on April 5. 

That Friday, the official birthday kickoff begins at noon, followed by live Italian music and cigar rolling. 

Then, on Saturday, there is more music - and grape stomping during the afternoon. 

Finally, on Sunday, the restaurant will host a pasta-making station starting at noon. 

And birthday cake will be served all three days. 

GoLocal had the scoop this week -- read more here. 

HOT

NCAA Hockey Tournament Back in Providence

The good news this weekend is the regionals for the NCAA Hockey Tournament are back in Providence.

It is good for hotels, restaurants, and hockey fans.

HOT

More Good Destination News

Providence will host hundreds of printmakers and arts professionals from around the world when the Southern Graphic Council (SGC) International 2024 conference takes place at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

The four-day event, open to artists at any stage of their careers, highlights some of the area’s premier arts institutions and organizations, with sessions and workshops at the Handicraft Club, the RISD Museum, AS220, DWRI Letterpress, the Steel Yard and more.

SGC International is an organization dedicated to the advancement of artists making original prints, as well as to engaging public interest in the arts of printmaking, drawing and other graphic media. 

“We couldn't be more thrilled to be holding SGCI's 50th conference in Providence! The vibrant artistic community offers a unique intersection where printmaking seamlessly merges with other ideas and media,” said Gretchen Schermerhorn, executive director of SGC International. “From traditional academic settings to dynamic community shops and innovative maker/DIY spaces, the city provides a diverse canvas for creative expression. Our conference aims to unite these varied elements, fostering cross-pollination and celebrating the expansive realm of printmaking, graphic media, and independent publishing.”

The conference, taking place April 3-6 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, is attended by professionals including artists, professors, printmakers, librarians and conservators. It features demonstrations, mentoring sessions, gallery tours, and Open Portfolio sessions, allowing attendees a unique platform to showcase their work among peers. A Friday evening Print Hop will take attendees to some of Providence’s hippest art spots.

HOT

A New Restaurant is Opening in Downtown Providence This Weekend

Located within the Omni Hotel — adjacent to the Convention Center and Providence Place Mall — “Fleur” will celebrate its grand opening on Friday. 

“Experience the charm and elegance of Fleur Providence, where our Parisian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine offers a wide range of delicious breakfast, brunch, dinner, and cocktail options,” writes the restaurant. 

Serving breakfast and dinner, Fleur’s menu features raw bar staples including oysters and shrimp cocktail; as well as small plates such as clams, calamari, and meatballs. 

Fleur’s dinner options run from flatbreads to Wagyu burgers and lobster rolls; entrees are highlighted by a “Veal de Fleur Deluxe” — bone-in veal chop stuffed with lobster, shrimp and crabmeat with a wild mushroom demi cream sauce — and “Fruits de Mer Rouge”— shrimp, mussels, littleneck clams, calamari and scallops in a spicy red sauce. With your choice of rice, rigatoni, or mashed potatoes.

Cocktails play homage to the restaurant’s name with a Fleur 75 - Plymouth gin, lemon juice, honey simple syrup, Champagne; a “Water Lily” — Butterfly Cannon Blue tequila, Cointreau, creme violet, simple syrup, lemon juice — and more. 

NOT

Under Alviti, Engineers Out - Projects Run by Interior Designer, Zoo Worker & Salesman

When then-Governor Gina Raimondo appointed Laborers’ International mid-level staffer Peter Alviti to serve as director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation — he had functionally no experience building roads or bridges.

During Alviti’s more than nine years as the director, he has systematically reduced the number of professional engineers with so-called “project managers.”

In the past three years, the United States Department of Justice has investigated two RIDOT projects -- the $420 million 6/10 project and now, the failure of the Washington Bridge. 

According to RIDOT personnel records, the experience of project managers prior to their joining the agency ranged from working for a furniture store, another worked as a manager at a zoo, and another was a restaurant and interior designer.

According to employees and former employees of RIDOT, dozens of engineering positions have been eliminated and replaced by project managers — many of whom do not have engineering, construction, or technical degrees. 

In some cases, they have degrees in political philosophy, interior design, and theater.

But make no mistake about it, they are overseeing the biggest and most expensive road and bridge projects in Rhode Island. According to RIDOT payroll records, there are more than 20 full-time project managers.

READ MORE

PHOTOS: L-R Franki Chamaki, Kam Idris, Nikolay Tchaouchev, Unsplash

NOT

Consistently Inconsistent 

Governor Dan McKee’s office announced that the Rhode Island Department of Health has a new acting director.

McKee’s office said in a statement on Thursday, “Dr. [Utpala] Bandy will be retiring on March 29th. We thank her for leadership and service to the people of Rhode Island. While we move through the final stages of the hiring process for a permanent RIDOH director, Governor McKee is appointing Dr. Staci Fischer as acting director.”

Since McKee ascended to the governorship in 2021, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott resigned, and then Dr. James McDonald served as acting director, followed by Bandy.

NOT

Transfer Portal Consumes URI

This past season, the URI men's basketball team had 16 players, including walk-ons.

One player graduated.

7 have now entered the transfer portal.

There is clear discontent in Kingston.

IMAGE: Created by GoLocal in AI platform DALL-E

NOT

Providence Marathon and Half-Marathon Canceled - RIDOT Washington Bridge Failure Cited

"Despite our best efforts working with local leaders, the 2024 Providence Marathon & Half Marathon has been canceled due to unforeseen challenges, including the Washington Bridge closure. The safety and security of participants is our priority, and while we were unable to secure an adequate route this year, we hope to see everyone in 2025,” the spokesperson said in a statement.