The Providence Journal Critic's Choice will feature new restaurants and old friends
More than 60 restaurants, wineries, cafes, breweries, bakeries and other food artisans will be serving samples of their signature food, drink and more at The Providence Journal Critic's Choice on Nov. 17 at the Crowne Plaza ballroom in Warwick.
It is an amazing lineup, and I dare say some of the best Rhode Island has to offer. We are so grateful to have them all join The Journal, and our charitable partner Amos House, for this evening. Amos House is sending their chef to join in the fun.
I didn't know what to expect when we sent out the invitations to about 120 businesses in September. We know how restaurants have struggled since the pandemic hit in March 2020. We understand many have staffing issues and some have supply problems. If they all said no, we couldn't criticize.
But the response has been overwhelmingly yes! It seems many of my favorite folks are ready to spend this special night with us and celebrate making it through such a challenging time.
Critic's Choice lineup
Sharks’s, the Peruvian restaurant in Central Falls, is new to the event and you will love their energy. Los Andes of Providence, which is well known for their South American cuisine, is returning for another year.
Persimmon with owners Champe and Lisa Speidel will be there as will Nick and Tracy Rabar with Avenue N from Rumford and Providence.
Kin Southern Table + Bar is a first-time attendee, having opened last year in Providence. New is Talullah's Taqueria, which opened a second Providence location this year, Sarto, which reopened late this summer and the popular Mare Rooftop.
Cranston's Chaska will be there with their Indian cuisine for the first time.
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Pat's Italian from Johnston will be in the house. Ten Rocks Bar and Tapas will bring their Cape Verdean cuisine from Pawtucket. Both have been popular stations in the past.
Sweet Marie's Tea House will make their first appearance from their darling restaurant in Wickford.
Sons of Liberty will be there with their award-winning spirits, whiskey and Chair 2 Light Beer. Gooseneck Vineyards returns with their wines. Narragansett Beer will be pouring again. Taproot Brewery and Newport Vineyards will bring their beer and wine from Middletown.
New to this edition of Critic's Choice are Newport Chowder Company, Cranston’s All Favorites Cafe, Aura's Chocolate Bar, The Perfect Empanada and East Providence winery Anchor & Hope. All are so wonderful, and delicious.
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Moniker Brewery in Providence will pour for the first time. Saladworks will be there to introduce themselves (they opened spots in Providence and Warwick during the pandemic) as will Foglia, the brand new plant-based restaurant in Bristol, and Res Bistro of Providence which opened last year across from Trinity Repertory Theater.
Vesta Bakery from Westerly and Carina e Dolce Cakes and Cookies from Cranston will be with us again as will the beers from The Guild which is now in both Pawtucket and Warren. The Backyard Food Company will be there as well as Tricycle Ice Cream, no doubt with their adorable cart.
Our pals from Twin Oaks and CAV will be there, as will old friends from Angelo’s Civita Farnese, Basta from Edgewood and Vanda Cucina from Warwick. Hometown Poke of Providence will be there.
It wouldn't be a night without Jaswell's Farm and their apple cider doughnuts and cider.
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The new Crow’s Nest is new on the list as is Newport’s Wally’s Wieners, which serves wonderful Saugys, and Graze on Main, the wonderful charcuterie establishment in East Greenwich.
Ragged Island Brewing is coming from their farm brewery in Portsmouth and McGrath Clambakes from Newport.
Taunton Avenue Bakery will again wow us with their stunning display of Portuguese treats.
There's Matunuck Oyster Bar in Wakefield returning along with Chapel Grille of Cranston, The Sweet Spot ice cream shop in Galilee and Snookers Sports, Billiards, Bar & Grill in Providence. Narragansett Creamery will be there with their artisan cheeses.
New restaurants include three in Providence: Bellini in the Beatrice hotel, OTRA, the Spanish tapas restaurant from the owners of Bacaro, and Durk's BBQ, which has a new downtown location and menu.
Two new distilleries have signed on - Rhodium by Rhode Island Spirits of Pawtucket and The Industrious Spirit Company of Providence. Town Farm Tonics will be bring their drinks for the first time. Edgewood Cheese Shop of Cranston will be there for the first time.
I just heard that Iggy's Boardwalk is coming, as is Feast & Fettle, Granny Squibb's, New Harvest and Black Leaf Tea.
You can find the whole list here on the Critic's Choice website and it will be updated as more are added.
Tickets cost $65. You can get $5 off using the promo code FLAVOR. For all the details and to purchase tickets, click here.
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As our charitable partner, you can also designate a donation that will go directly to Amos House while purchasing tickets. I'm hoping many will open their hearts to help this organization that not only feeds the hungry but helps train them as well.
The ticket price goes up to $75 on Nov. 1 so don't delay if you plan to attend.
What better way to welcome the holiday season than with this party. Hope & Main will bring a dozen of their young food artisans to sell their products to help you get started on holiday shopping.
We are still working on some other surprises. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event runs until 8:30 p.m.
I can't wait to see you all there.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal Critic's Choice restaurant list
