Visited with a friend and it was a first visit for both of us. We sat down at the bar and were…read moreimmediately drawn in by the casual but classy vibe. My friend knows much more about wine than I do, so he was the decision maker for our wine choices and we ordered a 1/2 bottle of red which we both found to be very delicious. Of course, we had to try some food too and the small bites menu was perfect with something to satisfy nearly every taste. We opted for the meat charcuterie, and it was beautifully presented with enough for the two of us to share. There is also a cheese charcuterie on the menu, but unfortunately there is not an option for a combined meat and cheese plate. We sat, sipped, and tasted for a while and never felt rushed. The atmosphere was so comfortable and we'll definitely consider going back here again.

I didn't have the best time at Providence Wine Bar…read more This might sound a little haughty, but hear me out: I can drink wine at home. I can browse a liquor store & pick out a bottle that exactly fits my preferences, my mood, & my budget. I can bring it home & uncork the wine, checking the cork for freshness. I can pull out my special glassware & pour myself a glass of wine & enjoy it on my own couch. So why go out to a wine bar, if not for the wine? For me, it's for the ambience & the experience. Both of those things at Providence Wine Bar were lacking. The lights were too bright (overhead & fluorescent) & the music was too loud (& just bad). The employees seemed both bored & nervous, with not much to do to occupy themselves. I was one of the only people in the bar, so I felt like I was under scrutiny - I'm certain this wasn't intentional but it was unfortunately how it came across. I brought a book but couldn't focus because of the lights & the music. I even caught myself with my fingers in my ears, trying to muffle the sounds of 2010s hyper pop. I have nothing against 2010s hyperpop, it's just that there's a time & place for everything, & maybe that isn't at a wine bar at 8 PM on a Wednesday. I just wanted to be done with my glass of wine so that I could leave. All of that being said, I wish them the best. It seems like they need a good manager's touch.

Ordered: Green Thumb Cocktail (~$13): Lustau Fino Sherry,…read moreRhum JM White Rhum, Cucumber, Lemon, Lavender, Thai Basil, Sea Salt Strawberry El Diablo Cocktail (~$13): Rejon Reposado Tequila, Strawberry Cordial, Lime, Fever Tree Ginger Beer Wood-Roasted Sesame Focaccia (~$12): with Ligurian Olive Oil Raw Scallops (~$22): with cherry blossom mayo, sesame, radish Red Shrimp Quasi Crudo (~$26): lightly roasted with Sardinian olive oil and lemon Carrot & Mascarpone Anolini (~$26): yogurt, sugar kelp, fresh bay leaf, parmigiano Wood-Roasted Basque-Style Cheesecake (~$16): with blueberries & Tuscan olive oil Aya's take: Oberlin was hands down my favorite dining experience on my first trip to Providence! Chef Ben Sukle has received many accolades including being a James Beard Finalist so I knew we were in for a treat. Everything we ordered was so fresh, had a farm-to-table vibe, and felt very intentional. 3 different dishes had 3 different types of olive oil - that's impressive! I was blown away by the Red Shrimp Quasi Crudo. They were slightly sweet, perfectly cooked with a delicate snap, and I still got some of the roasted/grilled flavor. The Raw Scallops were so simple yet so exquisite. This is a must order along with anything on their crudo menu! The Carrot & Mascarpone Anolini was such a unique pasta and was perfectly balanced and delicious. And definitely leave room for dessert because you can't leave here without trying the Wood-Roasted Basque-Style Cheesecake. It's so creamy, borderline custardy, with a beautiful char on top and the delicate blueberries and olive oil that paired so well together. They are really using their wood-fire oven to the max and I'm here for it. What an exceptional meal; highly recommend.

The good parts: the ambiance is nice, and the food was quite tasty. My partner had the pork ($40)…read morewhich was a whole tenderloin and which he thought was delicious and good quality. My pieces were tasty but a bit fatty (hard to chew). I had the eggplant ravioli which was very rich and tasty ($28) - but so heavily sauced it was hard to tell what was what. The less good parts: the cheap wood chairs are too uncomfortable to sit on very long (I moved to the banquette next to my partner). The food is overpriced. It really needed something with it - bread, potatoes, vegetables, anything. The pork came with a few bitter leaves of a salad. I have a small appetite in general - I usually take home half my food anywhere I go. I looked at the food and said "we are going to have to go to IHOP later" because it was a light snack. The only bread available cost $12. Maybe it's amazing but I just couldn't bring myself to pay $12 for bread on principle. The food took awhile to arrive. Long enough for the server to tell us she was leaving for the night and to get up and order two drinks directly from the bar myself. The servers were nice in a way that felt somewhat forced. We are finding someplace else for dessert. I really liked my espresso martini, and that was within the price range I would expect ($13).

We attended a Maison Ferrand cognac seminar & tasting the other night at Sapphire & it was such a…read morefun & unique experience for us. The staff at Sapphire (Melissa, Marc, & Shiv), as well as the guest bartender (Vannaluck), went above & beyond to make the experience interactive & memorable. We were greeted immediately with a French 75 made with cognac - Did you know that the original French 75 called for cognac, as well as many other classic cocktails? No? Neither did I. The welcome aperitif was a great lil' treat to kick the night off with. We were given a mini charcuterie selection to keep us busy until the main event, which began about 20 minutes after we arrived. Vannaluck talked us through the history & characteristics of cognac. We were given 3 small pours of different cognacs to taste as well as a serendipitous, bonus mini pour at the end. Throughout the night, the kitchen sent out a variety of tapas that UTILIZED COGNAC. Cognac glaze, reduction, brine, etc. Fascinating! I went in knowing next to nothing about cognac & left with a decent understanding of the spirit. I've always wanted to do something like this, & Sapphire made it extremely accessible. It was also amazingly affordable. I'm really looking forward to more events like this one. Sign me up, please.

My husband and I decided to come to Sapphire for a drink...I had really enjoyed the cocktails and…read morethe food during the recent Yelp Elite even, so I told my hubby to check out this place with me. I loved the Jacobean cocktail, so we both got this smooth scotch cocktail...Melissa made the drink with an expertise that few have and while she was making them, we engaged in conversation with Marc, the beverage manager. Both were very engaging and very friendly, making the visit very relaxed and enjoyable....we also got some steakhouse sliders that were outstanding...the meat was just slightly medium, keeping all the moistness and flavor.... Overall a great place for a drink and/or light bites...... The ambiance is inviting and cozy and the patio outside is great for those nice warm Rhode Island evenings....

Didn't get a picture! But updating to describe the excellent cocktail Bianca made me!…read more I've been getting the espresso martini by default here cause they are quite good...but my drink of choice is usually a citrusy gimlet of sorts. I mentioned this to Bianca when I was ordering and she essentially said "say less"... made me the perfect drink. I was so pleased... it can get quite busy but if you know the general profile of what you're into- Bianca will get the vision and make you the perfect cocktail. It's that personalized touch that'll get me back again and again!

Recently visited for a friend's birthday where she rented out the second room for the evening. She…read morepurchased drink tickets and had food there which was great, but we did have a bit of an odd interaction with a bartender who threw a ticket back at my partner because he ordered a soft drink. Maybe could've been done in a nicer way, especially because I still tipped and covered the drink (and it was not busy in the slightest). Anyway, the space was really nice but I wish they would've let her turn up her music more so we could've danced.

Gift Horse was out of this world. The scallop roll was the standout. Sweet, smoky scallops in a…read moresoft buttery brioche bun, but somehow still bright and fresh. I could have eaten three of them. We also had the crudo trio, oysters, smoked fish dip and lamb burger and everything was excellent. The lamb burger was rich and flavorful but perfectly balanced by the sweet jam, soft squishy sesame bun and thin, crispy, craggly onion rings. The smoked fish dip came with crisp nori chips that were a little intense on their own for me, but perfect with a big scoop of the creamy, smoky dip. Loved trying the three different crudos and every oyster was delicious. We sat at the bar with a great view of the whole place, great music and attentive service. Too full for dessert unfortunately because everything looked amazing. Still thinking about that scallop roll.

Gift Horse has been on my list to try for a long time and I finally made it. We sat at the bar and…read morecouldn't have been happier with the service. The drinks came out quick and they were unique and delicious. We asked the waitress about the Yellowfin piri piri and found that there were two different sized orders. We opted for the larger portion. The tuna came sliced up on a platter with piri piri sauce and two Portuguese rolls. What a dish! The sauce and the tuna was so good we didn't leave a trace of anything on that silver platter. The Crudo was to die for! Fresh fish was amazing and the olive oil was so good it just brings it to the next level. We were were not hungry after these two dishes, but we had to try a dessert with the experience so far. We opted for the cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich. Although it was good, I expected better. The cinnamon bun was a bit dry. After the quality of the tuna and crudo, I was expecting a super soft bun with the a ton of icing dripping down. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth a visit. I will be back again.

Unable to get a reservation at the legendary Al Forno, this nearby Italian restaurant was alright…read more Wood-Grilled Crispy Baby Octopus: Apparently their signature dish. The octopus body was grilled to a tender tenderness, though the tentacles were slightly charred and bitter, which is normal, but the sauce was far superior. The kale was cooked until smooth and thick, with a distinct sweetness that completely eliminated any strange vegetable taste; the white beans were also soft and creamy, adding thickness and aroma to the sauce. This sauce paired perfectly with the bread served before the meal. Pizza with Sweet Corn & Spicy Oil: In Providence, you absolutely must try grilled pizza. The waiter recommended this one, saying it was his favorite. It was the first time I'd ever had a pizza like this. The crust was thin and light, with noticeable charring, and a slightly crispy texture, which inexplicably reminded me of the Indian roti that I always had at Cantonese restaurants when I was a child. The tomatoes and corn were in season, and a touch of chili oil brought out a lively blend of sour and sweet flavors. Delicious. Bacaro's "Farmer's Salad": This was the first time I'd had a salad with snow peas, and it had a raw taste. I also tasted a hint of minty, refreshing herbal flavor, which was interesting. I searched for the ingredients but couldn't find the source, and the waiter couldn't explain it either.

I can't believe this is my first time coming to Bacaro! I was very impressed with the experience as…read morea whole. We were a party of three, but it could have been a party of six with all the food we ordered. We had the first reservation at 5 PM. We parked on the street, but you can park in the lot and they will validate your parking for you. The service was a 5/5 and the ambiance can be casual or fine dining. The lighting is perfect for a romantic night out and the view of the Providence River right over your shoulder. We made our own board: Umbriaco di Raboso "Drunken Cow" - amazing cheese, very high quality, sharp, not over powering. Definitely get it! Provolone - sharp very good quality provolone cheese Proscuitto di San Daniele - sliced very thin, soft and flavorful. I was very pleased with the portion size and the flavor. A must have! Spicy Olives - assorted olives with a spicy olive oil. All of the olives were fantastic and there definitely was a good kick from the spice. They threw in the pickles, jams, nuts and honey, all were fantastic. I really liked the blueberry jam. The warm tapas came out at all different times. Fried Bolognese olives - Although these were unique and delicious, I would skip these next time. The Bolognese is just a pinch on the inside of the olive. It would be a game changer if there was a side of Bolognese sauce to dip them in instead. Eggplant - Definitely a must order. Super simple sauce packed with flavor and the buffalo mozzarella is to die for. The pork belly is also a must order. Tons of flavor and not a lot of fat, which surprised me. It was a good sized portion too. Now of the the pizza...we ordered Pizza Salumi. Very thin dough, wood fired for the flavor and the crisp. There is a good amount of sauce, which can make the crust floppy, but it's so worth it! The flavor of the sauce is so good. All fresh and top quality ingredients. The soppressata was perfect, taking this pizza to the next the level. It was cut super thin, as it should, and gave the pizza the flavor a margarita is missing. It would be tough not to order this next time. So just as we should have been walking out of the door because we were so full, we had the duck and the wood fired NY strip to split among the three of us. The duck - The duck dish came with the two legs so it was the dark meat with crispy skin. The duck was flavorful, moist, tender, and had some sort of apple based sauce to accompany it. The mashed potatoes were great and the Gorgonzola chunks were a treat, especially while sipping the sangiovese/cab red wine blend that we ordered for the table. The NY Strip was my favorite. The steak was tender and came with the flavor from that wood fired grill. The sauce was so good that I dipped every piece in it, trying to reserve some for the mashed potatoes. I ordered the steak medium rare + and it came out just how I wanted it. We ordered the lemon tart for my mom's birthday dessert. I would skip the dessert next time, but I always skip dessert. My mother loved it...very fresh and vibrant. I would have to say that Bacaro is my favorite RI restaurant, especially for a special night out. It is also a perfect spot to go and grab a snack or two with friends after work with a drink. It is affordable as you want and can find high end alternatives as well. The bottle of wine was $48 and you couldn't have asked for a better pairing with all of the food. We also ordered an after dinner cocktail, called the Call to Italy...very refreshing for a digestive type cocktail.

I was early to a dinner reservation, so I walked by this place and ended up stopping in. The staff…read morewas very nice, the music was great and the whole vibe of the place was on point. I had two drinks. The first drink was a spicy. Margarita, it was really good but rather small. The second drink I had was it ginger drink that was phenomenal. Great before dinner spot!

Have been multiple times now and every time I leave having had an excellent drink…read more I love that Lambrusco is making its way on menus and there is no shortage of delicious wine on the menu at Glou. The lighting is dark and intimate, perfect for a drink on a date! While the wine list is what I go for, there's also cocktails, beer, and a variety of non alcoholic options, which was great for meeting friends here during dry January. Can't wait to be back in the summer with the patio!

TLDR: Ambience: 10/10…read moreFood: 7.5/10 --OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE! DRINK: 10/10 Friend and I needed a place to go after a community event. A lovely woman in the restroom overheard my friend and I unsure on where to venture, and she suggested this place! Moody and welcoming. Absolutely loved it. We went in ~10:45 on a Wednesday pm. Apparently they do live jazz weekly as well, but we'd come too late. A handful of bar patrons, a couple making out in the back of the dining room at their cute table, a lovely bartender, me& my bff. We really hit the jackpot for ambiance last night. Decor in there is so cute. I wish I took a picture of the table lamp on the bar. It was embellished with beads hanging on the rim of the shade. Our drinks were top notch. Mine was a citrus vanilla profile and hers was a savory martini. The sandwich, I had one bite of it was yummy. I don't like imitation lunch meats though. CATFISH was breaded and fried fabulously. Not oily. Crispy and crunchy. So happy to have discovered this place! The bartender told us they just celebrated 6 years of business!

This is a great atmospheric bar with a variety of comfortable seats. There's a food window with New…read moreOrleans inspired fair and there's a great menu of custom cocktails. I went on a Wednesday night to hear jazz and it was a really nice place. The prices seem very reasonable.

Absolutely outstanding upscale Mexican restaurant…read more We started with the tamales, which came like wonderful corn ravioli, with a crema sauce. Then the enchiladas (pictured). All was made with very fresh ingredients and real care. Server kindly helped us navigate (one of us is celiac), and didn't hesitate with the deets on the terrific cocktail they have (mariposa margarita). This place deserves a Michelin mention, at least. [Update: best flan we've ever had. Truly outstanding. ]

Came in about 6P without a reservation. I walked into a big group hanging at the bar and was almost…read moredeterred for a minute. Snagged the last bar seat and I'm glad I did. Wanted tacos and the bartender recommended one carne asada, one tinga, and one al pastor. Surprised the pastor came with fresh pineapple. It was really tasty though. The tinga also was something to write home about. Tried both salsas - the red was decently hot and the green was tangy. Rice was a little more bland than I expect but the frijoles de olla were good. Solid option if you're looking for some good tacos. Desserts looked good walking past but I got too full to try any. Would go back to check those out another time.

Place has made me feel comfortable since day one. Love it…read morehere! Bartender is great!!

Who doesn't love a good dive bar? If you like strong drinks, year-round Halloween decor, Ronald…read moreMcDonald (go find out what I'm talking about) and pinball Deadbeats is your spot. They also have a great jukebox. Bartenders are friendly and quick. There's usually some kind of punch available with a name like Ecto-cooler which is a weird color but completely delicious if you're into that sort of thing. They sometimes have pop-ups there, one time they had fancy grilled cheese sandwiches. Definitely a fun spot! It's pretty small inside so just know that and don't roll in with a huge crew...