What a week, more or less

The past week or so has seen Providence stumbling toward spring -- the weather has been windy, chilly and lots of rain. But no snow! Clear and cool this beautiful Saturday morning though and more is predicted for the next few days. Have we seen the end of winter here in the Ocean State? Of course I probably jinxed everything by declaring one way or the other but I stand firm that spring is here, officially and literally. Trees next door are even starting to bud and that tells me I can't be far off the mark.

Anyway, the weather notwithstanding it has been a fun-filled and curious week.

The City Graffiti Task Force was in our neighborhood doing some cleanup work -- we see them every so often around town. The city doesn't tolerate graffiti, and while it can't eradicate it completely at least it seems determined to tackle the problem head on and does what it can to keep the eyesores to a minimum.

A week ago this past Wednesday Susie and I drove up to Whitinsville, MA, where we met up with brother Dick for a wine tasting at Friendly Liquors.

Bill Giannopolis, the store's owner, puts on this shindig several times a year and it is always a fun event -- lots of folks come out to taste the wines and sample a little food as well. Anyway, as you walk in you're given a glass and a list of all the different tasting stations, and you're also given a number. If you like any of the wines tasted you just tell the person at the table and they put your number of how many bottles you want and a runner comes and collects the wines and sets them aside for you. Once you're finished you stop at the checkout table to tell them you're ready to go and they bring the wine to the checkout register. That's it!

Although it can be a bit tight this is in fact a great idea and an effective way of trying new wines. And everything is discounted in the store as well -- 20% off! Pretty good deal all the way around.

Anyway, after we toured the tasting tables the three of us headed off to Dick and Dorothy's where Dorothy had prepared a wonderful meal for us all -- we worked up quite an appetite tasting all that wine.

This past Monday Susie and I tried a new restaurant that just opened near our home: Broadway Bistro

As you might expect, this is located on Broadway, just a few blocks west of I-95 and along our walking route downtown. And it is just that: a bistro. After we sat down at a 2-top in the small but cozy dining room with a long bar at the far wall, we were both struck at just how much it felt like a small cafe in Paris.

The service was smooth and friendly, in fact one young woman handled everything out front: waiting on tables, tending the bar, you name it. And she did it easily and effortlessly. The kitchen is small but easily observed on the right side of the far wall and you can informally poke your head in and say hi.

The wine list is short but sweet -- Susie and I started off with a glass of prosecco and, since we both had fish for dinner we each had a glass of Santa Barbara chardonnay. And speaking of dinner Susan had the salmon, pan-seared to perfection on a bed of delicious shredded veggies and rice, and I had the fish 'n chips: a perfectly done, hefty piece of lightly battered cod that was moist and juicy; the chips were indeed what we Yanks call chips but the Brits call crisps. Whatever you call them they were homemade and exquisite bites of potato that complimented the cod very well indeed.

I couldn't help but notice this month in both Rhode Island Monthly and the latest issue of the Providence Phoenix, the restaurant reviewers focused on Loie Fuller (yes, yes I know it's pronounced Low Fuller), which, curiously enough is right across the street from our apartment but we haven't eaten there -- yet. The lines have simply been too long. So along comes something a little different for you without having to wait: the Broadway Bistro. The decor isn't art nouveau but it is very Parisian, the food is worth the trip, the service right on the money and the music is very eclectic and quite enjoyable. (The Broadway Bistro, 205 Broadway, where else?)

This past week has seen plenty of wonderful feedback about the big spread on the story of Susie's change of life, swapping the one white coat for another as many have noted. Susie also continues her experimentation with various desserts for Gracie's and she and Chef Joe make quite a creative team.

Lately she's been tinkering with different piping styles for a Baked Alaska that may very well get on the menu:
Another experiment that will probably get on the menu is a banana mousse-caramel creme thing that defies description and must be eaten to be appreciated:



And yes, it tastes as good as it looks!

And what better way to end out the week than over a glass of wine at Gracie's bar, just talking and watching people enjoy an evening shared over good food.

Wish you were there,

Steve