Peruvian tapas, a new market and modern Italian: What to know about PVD's restaurant news

I thought I'd catch up on some Providence restaurant news. There is a new opening to report as well as a prominent re-opening. And did you know a market with prepared foods is getting ready to open in Providence?

Ceviches by Divino offers tapas

A Florida restaurant group has expanded to Rhode Island and opened Ceviches by Divino on July 28. The restaurant is at 11 Point St., Providence.

It is a Peruvian tapas restaurant that features ceviches, unique tapas, craft beer, cocktails and a full wine list.

The owners, brothers Christian and Frank Encalada, have four restaurants in Florida, with three restaurants in Miami and one in Fort Meyers. This is the first outpost up north. Christian is the executive chef.

'The Great American Recipe': Providence firefighter will be cooking up a storm on new TV show

They call it a gastropub with an industrial design and a fresh take on Peruvian food.

I have not been yet, but have to say the photos make me anxious to get there.

The menu promises Peruvian favorites, including Lomo Saltado, a stir-fry made with beef, onions and tomatoes. Traditional ceviche, which is marinated lightly in lime juice and seasoned with Peruvian limo chili, is the star of the menu. They also have poke bowls.

Learn more online at cevichesbydivino.com and follow them on Instagram.

A new Sarto at the Providence G

After friends texted they were coming to Providence from Narragansett and wanted to eat a 7 p.m. dinner at an outside table, I had one thought.

I suggested Sarto in the Providence G building because it only recently reopened. It has been closed since the beginning of COVID. I wanted to give it a try because the location is so great for dining before shows at PPAC. Now that it's it's back, I wanted readers to know.

This was the third time I've been to a new "Sarto" as chefs have come and gone and menus and staff have changed. This time, I think they have a winning formula for modern Italian cuisine.

They have a lineup of refreshing spritz cocktails. I tried the Galliano L'Aperitivo with bitter orange, and it was refreshing. But I also liked the plain Galliano Spritz. All the spritz drinks are topped with Prosecco and a splash of soda water.

Sarto also has mocktails, including Lavender Lemonade and a Blueberry Mojito. That fits the bill for many.

Can you guess the topping?: Pizza in Rhode Island is often topped with this favorite unpopular in the rest of the U.S.

The appetizers have quite the appealing range from crazy delicious warm olives, to decadent Carbonara French Fries, with the fries topped with creamy fontina fondue, pancetta and some sharp Grana Padano. There is also an octopus dish. It's poached in olive oil, grilled and wonderfully tender.

For entrées, there is a Porchetta on polenta, a huge aged ribeye and plenty of pasta choices.

I had the Restaurant Week menu that started with a fab Panzella salad, so perfect for hot days. The dinner ended with a fresh blueberry olive oil cake. I don't see either on the menu right now, but I expect that they could be nightly specials. It was a special meal that included a bucatini aglio olio for a main course.

The new executive chef is a Johnson & Wales University grad, who hails from Connecticut. Andrew Capella has made a strong start with his appealing menu and well-composed, tasty dishes.

Their wine program is also strong, and Sarto has recently earned a Wine Spectator Glass for excellence. I enjoyed a glass of Italian Gavi di Gavi with my dinner. But I appreciated they had a Vermentino on the menu. These Italian whites are a welcome change from what you see on many menus. One of my dinner companions enjoyed a glass of Nero d'Avola from Sicily, a beautiful red wine.

Sarto has sectioned off their sidewalk patio tables with half walls and an awning. Even in the heat, there was a breeze blowing through. I expect you'll be able to eat out there through the fall.

Why Westerly is worth the drive: Great seafood, delicious cocktails and waterfront views

They have valet parking, but I generally find a spot on Dorrance Street and you may too.

They serve dinner only, but open early at 3 for drinks at 86 Dorrance St., Providence, (401) 270-0790. They are closed Monday and Tuesday.

Rory's Market & Kitchen

In case you missed it, a new grocery store is coming to downtown Providence. Rory’s Market & Kitchen is an independent, second-generation owned, local, natural grocery store and kitchen that will open next month.

The store will open with more than 6,000 square feet on the ground floor of the Nightingale Building at 113 Washington St.

Rory’s first location was opened in Dennisport in 1978 by Darby Ziruk with the mission to bring organic produce to Cape Cod residents.

A second location was opened in Mashpee in 2014, followed by Darby’s daughter Rory Eames assuming ownership in 2019.

The Providence location will serve as the company’s third store and the first outside of Massachusetts.

From Cape Cod to downtown Providence: Rory's Market and Kitchen to make first urban spot

Other grocery store openings: Trader Joe's confirms it will be opening a Providence location this year

In addition to grocery offerings, Rory’s Kitchen offers made-to-order and grab-and-go breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The Providence menu will include organic cold-pressed juices, smoothies, grain bowls, avocado toasts, salads, sandwiches and more. Customers can also look forward to gluten-conscious menu items.

The store and kitchen will be open seven days a week, for in-person shopping, online-shopping, pick-up, and delivery service. Shoppers will enjoy the convenience of delivery for all grocery items, prepared foods, coffee and juice bar menu items.

To learn more about the brand, visit Rory’s website at loverorys.com/pvdgrandopening/ and on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: New restaurants in Providence include Ceviches by Divino and Sarto