Great service, great ambiance. The layout of the restaurant is great (though a tad cramped by the door) and the selection of drinks and wine is wonderful. Waitstaff is GREAT--friendly, knowledgeable, good-looking too... Food is delicate and delicious. The raw fish are good pure; not overly complex. The cereal desert is fun, but would love some more desert options (esp for someone lactose intolerant). Great place for a glass of wine and small dish. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Providence, pretty sure is the only one serving fresh fish daily. My favorite is the crudo sampler, those mussels with aioli and crispy sweet potato yum! Also the gnocchi is amazing, they always have a good selection of wine and very good prices. Can you open for lunch? Thanks! read more

Been numerous times and every time is amazing and exciting. The atmosphere is approachable and relaxed with a nice streak of sexy. The staff is friendly and very informative. The crudos are always on point, the sake selection is fun, and the potato gnocchi with crab make my heart start to flutter. Can't wait to return for the 5+ time, one of the best restaurants in providence. read more

Such a fantastic experience. Good local food, great wine and exceptional service. They are mostly a seafood and produce place, which was refreshing. All the seafood was impeccable. Really fresh and prepared in a way that preserves the uniqueness of the fish. Highly recommend the gnocchi -- it's pan fried not boiled which gives it an amazing texture -- and the crudos (all of which were amazing). I live in New York and I've haven't had food that was so simple and yet so fresh and tasty in a long time. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Providence, probably the whole of Rhode Island! The food is incredible and unique. It always feels like it was made with love. When dine-in was open, my favorite thing to do was to sit at the chef's counter and just watch the incredible staff work their magic. They have equally not disappointed when it comes to take-out. They have mastered the same quality and exceptional service that I was used to. And the service is always top notch and personal. I can't say enough wonderful things about this place. read more

Nice outside table for two, helpful waiter. Food quite disappointing. Beef tartar "pizza" too hot, potato gnocchi pomodoro was a nice pasta ruined by pepper, roasted carrots were good. Food didn't cut it. Need to temper the spice in favor of flavor! read more

Wow, is all I can say to describe our meal at Oberlin last night. The food was out of this world and one of the best dinner experiences I have had. The chef is a genius for the dishes he comes up with. My husband and I shared a few different plates. I couldn't tell you which was my favorite as they were all amazing but I will say the chefs choice of 3 fish is a must have! Each option was unique and delicious! I enjoyed the time it took between each plate, it made the experience in my mind. It gave us time to be social with each other and enjoy our drinks. Everything was perfect and we will definitely be back! read more

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My Husband and I had an early dinner here last Sunday day. It was our first trip and we will certainly be back many more times. Everything from the food to the ambience to the wait staff was top notch. This is a small sharing plates tapas style restaurant. We tried a variety of different plates: the scup from the raw bar (fantastic and fresh), grilled strawberries (how different it is to eat warm and grilled stawberries), the carbonara (outstanding flavor!), and two of the grilled bread options. I cannot remember the names of those last two dishes but one was served with a rough puree of fish covered in herbs and it was out of this world. Our fabulous waiter had suggested it. Speaking of our waiter, he was thoughtful and extremely knowledgeable about the menu - both the drinks and the food. I knew I wanted a drink to go with dessert but I wasn't sure what to pick. He picked a dessert zinfandel that went perfectly with the strawberries with olive oil cake that we had for dessert. The wine was not too sweet with just a hint of spice. And the dessert was delicious too. Our waiter made our already wonderful experience dining at the Oberlin even more memorable. I wish I could remember his name so that we could put it here (Ethan or Evan maybe?) because I would also recommend asking for our waiter. Thanks to the whole staff for a wonderful evening - - we'll be back! read more

Finally, after months of anticipation I had the opportunity to dine at Oberlin and it did not disappoint. My companion and I arrived around 9:00 on a Friday night and the place was still crazy busy. We took a seat at the bar and enjoyed an excellent gin & tonic while waiting for our table. The space is cozy and intimate - perfect for sharing small plates and getting to know your fellow patrons. What truly blew us away, of course, was the food. Our waiter, David, was extremely patient and knowledgeable as we sorted out the menu. We settled on the raw scallops with sesame and radish and a plate of olives and bread to start. The scallops were perfect - sweet and delicate with the crunchy radish for texture. For my entree, I ordered the sorpresine with sweet corn and tomatillo and my companion ordered the gnocchi with shellfish and chives. My pasta was dressed with a gorgeous blend of summer flavors. If I could, I would eat this dish every day for the rest of my life. We were waving the white flag towards the end of our meal, but couldn't resist ordering dessert when we heard about the blueberry tart with beeswax ice cream. Imagine the most buttery, flaky crust filled with fresh warm blueberries and topped with a rich, honey-tinged ice cream. So freakin' good. Yes, the portions were on the small side but I certainly didn't leave hungry. This is the way food should be: simple, fresh and prepared with care. I'm already making plans to return! read more

We ordered the bread with toasted garlic and olive oil appetizer, and the carbonara and sweet potato ravioli as our main dishes. The bread was underwhelming, but the main dishes were wonderful, especially the ravioli. Paired with wine, the small plates were the perfect after theater dinner. The service was good. read more

Our first time here and did not disappoint. In terms of food quality, top 3 in Providence. We arrived around 8, and could have taken a table right away, but preferred to go around the corner to The Eddy for a cocktail. The host was cool with that and took our name/number in case it started to fill up. We were seated immediately when we returned (it was about 3/4 full around 9:00-9:30). Atmosphere really nice and warm. Service was friendly yet professional. The food was amazing. Mahi mahi and tuna sashimi drizzled in best quality EVOO melted in my mouth. Cheese plate, sourdough bread for next course. Finished up with the gnocchi, Caesar salad with bluefish and flounder. Too much food, but wanted to try everything. Everything was done perfectly and delicious. Priced reasonably, but not cheap by any means. We will be back, a lot. read more

It is a true feat that Oberlin has figured out how to make their excellent food an excellent take-out experience. What makes this even more special is that finding places that do excellent gluten-free is hard: They do excellent GF! We had their combo crudo (perfect fish, perfect cuts, perfect oil & salt, and a perfectly balanced sauce side). The olives are lovely. For those who can eat bread, they do not disappoint. The roasted squash was fantastic (and I was happy I did not have to share). The kohlrabi cesear with it's butter fish and parm was just beautiful. Seriously, thank you. ~ Cathy & Kara, RI Spirits read more

This is my first review ever, on anything. I loved the food, the drinks, the atmosphere so much that I felt compelled to write my first yelp review. This is the freshest and most delicious seafood you will get anywhere in Providence (or dare I say beyond it). Must try if you're in the area . read more

That place was very nice. It was one of the times i had fish instead of Meat and i definitely did not regret it. However their atmosphere was not great. read more

Looking for an open restaurant on Monday night, I stumbled on his place and sat at the bar. I ordered a few small plates. Started with the raw scallops, which was the highlight of my meal, but everything I tasted was incredible. The scallops were sweet, succulent, very cold, coated in a light creamy sesame mayo, garnished with shaved radish and a sprinkle of what I think was chopped dried smoked radish, but I'm not certain. As I watched the plates come out of the kitchen it was obvious they were all super fresh and scratch made by a very talented chef. Tastes of pasta, charred carrots, and more were served to guests around me. Everything smelled and looked wonderful. The bar tender was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable and knew the drink and food menu very well. It was a great experience. Only reason I didn't go back Tuesday is because they are closed Tuesday and Wednesday. read more

So .. 1st timer. Very cool place great service. Small portions nicely priced excellent taste. They encourage sharing.. we did. Wine beer mostly and a few Vodka Gins. Not a bar atmosphere. read more

This little spot was my husband's pick for date night. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this restaurant and we were excited to finally be able to try it out. The parking situation is very difficult because they don't have their own lot. There is metered on-street parking but it can be a nightmare trying to find a close enough spot if you go on a busy night like we did. Keep in mind that it is also a bit out of reach. Scouting it out on foot, we passed it twice before realizing that it is on a side street rather than right on Westminster Street as someone told us, but that is our mistake. The food here is quite incredible, albeit expensive. We ordered a couple of pasta dishes but each portion was about the size of a scoop of pasta out of my stock pot when I cook at home lol. Regardless you get what you pay for because it was excellent pasta, which I believe is house-made. Their raw menu is also some of the best sea food that I have had. The feel of the place is very chic. The waitstaff, while very nice, all seem to be moping about something. That is with the exception the young man waiting on us. He was extremely friendly and attentive. As sweet as he was with us, he reeked like he had been out for a night on the town. But, maybe that's what the rest of this somber waitstaff need to cheer up! Speaking of which, the wine selection on the menu was very interesting with many that I'd never seen or tried before. The bar selection itself is limited to beer, wine and a couple of cocktail choices, much to my husband's dismay. All in all, I could see what the hype and buzz were about for this new spot in downtown Providence. As all new restaurants have kinks to iron out, this one is no exception. I'm sure we will be back to sample new and interesting wines and small plates, but I'm hoping they become slightly more generous in their portion sizes! read more

The menu is creative and unique. The serving sizes are small so the boyfriend and I each got two dishes along with a bread and oil starter and the AMAZING blueberry dessert to share. The pastas are wonderful and the shellfish dishes "will be thought about the next day," says the boyfriend. Friendly staff. Sit at the bar to peak in on the chefs in the kitchen. read more

Oberlin - Delicious pastas. Creative shellfish dishes. - New American Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Late night dinner/snack We had Gnocchi with shellfish, grilled squid with cucumber and spaghetti in a Spicy Pomodoro with basil Food was good, small portions and bar was limited read more

So the wife and I get dressed up, head into Providence, pay $20 for parking, head to Oberlin and put our name in. We were told a 20-30 minute wait, no big deal, figured it would be longer. 45 minutes go by and we notice 2 couples that arrived way after us with no reservation are seated. Then another couple arrives and is immediately given a table. I inquired with the hostess, and she told me that we could share one stool at the bar. I then asked her if we were even on the list as I could see the list without our name. "Oh yes you're on the list something will come up." She then lied to me and said the couple had a reservation, they had just clearly stated that they did not. Finally I find the manager and ask for help, she confirms that we were in fact never put on the list, and generously offers to sell us drinks and we could stand at a table outside in the rain. I've never been this disrespected at any establishment in my life, they blatantly didn't care at all about what had happened. I never knew I could hate a restaurant this much. read more

Great experience overall. Very unique food (ex, we got an inspired cesaer salad with no lettuce, cured blue fin and parm). Great for date night, kind of small/limited seating, but it has a cool vibe. Small plates, meant for sharing, but it wasn't as expensive as I thought it was going to be. Overall, good food, reasonable priced (for a nice place), and friendly service. read more

We went on the second night they were open and we loved it! The setting did not change much since it's transition from its previous occupant (even the chairs and glasses were the same) What I loved most was the reasonable prices, for 3 of us to have 2 drinks each, 2 apps and 3 larger plates came out to $100! The food was phenomenal - I can easily see how it's the same people who run Birch. The fried mushrooms and cod puree to start was perfection. I think the gnocchi with clams was my favorite, it was legit a party in our mouths! The agnolottis were yummy but the broth was a surprisingly spicy and succulent bite. The service was friendly and overall wonderful. I'll be back for after work drinks and a reasonable light dinner soon! read more

Oberlin seems to be greasing the wheels of its success on a disappointing restaurant business model: big prices for (exceedingly) small portions (their margins must be enormous). If you have any interest in feeling reasonably satiated then I would use this place for what it seems designed for: snacks. I wouldn't even categorize this as tapas, unless "tapas" is Spanish for "put your money on the table and watch while we set fire to it." We all left very, very hungry and with the shame of having paid serious dollars for that hunger. The dishes are barely shareable between 2 people let alone 4. By the time I fished out 3 beet chunks from the cavernous bowl in which they served, there were only 2 left (10 bucks for that dish). They have a bread with olive oil and garlic dish; a "dish" that other restaurants give you for free. None of the dishes knocked our socks off; they were fine, but made unsavory by the gulf between the price and portion. The menu--as a concept and its wording--came off as slightly pretentious and intellectualized; however, the space is beautiful and the service was very fantastic. So, if you like great service, beautiful spaces, and are also interested in caloric restriction and feel apathetic towards your money, then this is the place for you. read more

I love this place. The service was great. I loved the slow pacing of the meal. The mussels and the fluke on the raw menu were the best part of the meal. read more

This place is seriously delish. The quality and creativity of the food is experiential and memorable. Oberlin is a good date spot or friends night out. The caesar salad and olives to start with the cheese plate on the side and puttanesca and shells for the main. A tasty combo that really showcases the flavors of the season and the talents of the chefs. And the entire staff is just lovely. Overall, a fab night out. read more

Phenomenal meal - best I've had in a very long time. It was a little chilly sitting at the main bar with the door to my back but David, the bartender had a great personality so I was able to put the chill aside. Yummy selection of sakis of which David was able to recommend a delicious choice. Started with olives then eye-balled my neighbors meals and had to get the Caesar salad- not your ordinary and very delicious. Then ordered the shell fish gnocchi which was divine. Pillows in mouth. The lobster rollatini (sp?) just topped it all off. I recommend everything. I will definitely be back to try all items on the menu! read more

Great wait staff. Food took forever to come out. By far the worst gnocchi I have ever had in my life. I ate what was brought thinking there would be a morsel of gnocchi that would have some type of consistency or texture of gnocchi. We also ordered other dishes but can't even remember what else we ordered that even stood out. I must say the wait service was good. Unfortunately I could not recommend to a friend. Super pricey for the amount of food served. I don't know what is this restaurants specialty is? read more

Solid 3.5 star establishment. I love the adventurous small plate approach to the menu and the crudo offerings are much appreciated. The service is attentive and knowledgeable. The location and layout are pleasing. But what Oberlin lacks is a head chef that tastes the food. Tasting it as it comes to the table would be great, but what I mean is tasting the raw ingredients as they arrive at the restaurant. If the raw Connecticut shrimp are bitter then you just can't serve them. If the fish is one day passed its prime, it should be held back. If the heirloom tomatoes are not bursting with flavor as they should, then find another supplier. Yes, I'm being critical. But given the price and the smugness of the establishment, it's not without justification. Many people will love this place. But truly, for what it claims to offer, it's hit or miss. read more

Delicious fresh salmon and seasonal dishes! The blueberry tart was mouth watering too. Staff was very friendly and the environment was relax and inviting. read more

Had the apple tart on New Years with drinks, so dang delicious! Perfect blend of sweet, salt, and tang. I watched the food come to a table nearby and am became dedicated to the idea to drive up from CT to explore the menu in the near future. read more

Went here for dinner last Saturday. The employees were pleasant and very helpful. The food was amazing and I was happily surprised to have Proclamation's Derivative in a can! Love local food and local brew together. Too many good dishes to list. The monkfish was amazing! read more

The highlight of our eating frenzy in Providence!! Def go. Can't say enough about all the great items we had, but the true high kits are their brandade (not sure that's spelled right) dish, a salted cod and potato dish that is amazing! We went back again to try more and all was great, but husbands mushroom ravioli with an xo sauce was outstanding. The sauce was nothing I've heard before and it was the most unique, delicious thing ever. Go now! Bartenders were great also. read more

Great creative preparation of local foods. Must try scallops, fluke, butterfish, ravioli and carrots. Friendly service. Good wine pairing.

This rating is a combined rating from our last two visits: the first about a month ago was positive so we recommended to friends from out of town. The second meal with these friends was a facsimile of the first; I can only imagine that the chef from the first dinner was away. The food was oversauced and tired. There were several items that turned out (after ordering) not to be available. The replacements were a joke: instead of a whole fish for two we were offered a fish head for $56. (We had just gone deep sea fishing and left the fish heads for the seagulls. Now while it is admirable to consume fish heads....it is not an equivalent for the whole thing! To top it off, a man was immediately behind us (we were dining outside) jumping off benches and garbage cans while throwing a skateboard, a garbage can and concrete bollard into the street in the direction of the diners. We asked the wait staff if they could call the police who then declined stating that they wouldn't because "the police might hurt him." While I applaud their sensitivity and empathy, I wouldn't want to dine there again with my back to large heavy flying objects. Oberlin gets a 5 for their environmental and social justice concerns this evening and a 0 for their ability to create a good meal in a relaxed setting. Oh well. read more

Best pastas in providence. Also the seafood is amazing. Awesome concept and execution. Have been here many times. Great addition to the neighborhood. read more

One of THE BEST small plate, meticulously prepared, fresh seafood/pasta/dessert restaurants you can find. The flavors are fantastic. I recommend that you sit at the "chef's prep bar" and watch the care and preparation that goes into each and every plate and how it is inspected by the head chef before it is sent to your table. Amazing..... read more

Excellent food, tapas style delicious dishes, good drinks, hip crowd all round. Definitely recommend it. Central location. Very crowded! Great ambiance. read more

Oberlin's been on my radar to try, and this week we had a colleague visiting from France. Perfect timing. Except....this week is when the shit hit the fan. They were named to the Top Ten New Restaurants in the US list by Bon Appetit magazine. And they don't take reservations. We'll never get in. Except we did! We walked in at 5:00, five of us, and were seated immediately. One member of our party had to be somewhere for 7:00, so the early start was necessary, and worked out perfectly. I have a couple of complaints, and I'll get those out of the way immediately. it was HOT in there. Broiling hot. No AC, and for some reason they didn't open the giant windows at the front, and set up a fan or two, until people were ordering food and fanning themselves. Also, the service could be a bit more polished, although it was friendly and attentive. You'll notice that those minor quibbles weren't enough for me to take any stars off, the food was that good. We shared a bunch of small plates. The standouts for me were the raw scallops with sesame & radish, and the potato gnocchi with shellfish & chives (this might have been the favorite of the table, the sauce was incredible and we didn't let them take the dish until we had sopped up every bit with some bread). Two veg dishes were fantastic as well, the slow roasted carrots with creme fraiche & dill, and the tomatoes with ricotta & pine nuts. The flavors were unique and perfectly balanced, everything was beautifully plated as well - something I always say I don't care about, until it's in front of me. We also had a plate of Cato Corner cheeses that were excellent. The desserts go in a different direction, they are homey & fruity, like something your Grandma would make (if she was an excellent cook), we tried the blueberry tart with beeswax ice cream and the olive oil cake with berries. read more

Oberlin is quickly coming the hottest new new talk of the town, especially as it was listed as the #7th restaurant per Bon Appetit. Fortunately, the food is more than the hype and the publicity. Situated just across from the outdoor cinema, Oberlin is unassuming with bar seats, a few 4+ tables, and no-reservation craziness (my personal pet peeve). But, once you sample its wide variety of tapas, you'll know why people are all clammering to dine at the sister restaurant to Birch. Personally, I love tapas and hate the cost, but even I'd have to admit I really liked the raw fish selection, the toasted carrots, the garlic bread (the garlic literally melted into butter when I scooped it out with a knife). Unfortunately, I came here with a budget, so I did not order some of the larger seafood dishes and we were too tired to try out the desserts. The pace of the restaurant is a little bit on the laid-back side, so expect to let the small portions of food settle before each course. Word of warning, street parking is tough and I would come on an off day, like weekday (when it's open), but you will not be disappointed. Food; 4 stars Ambiance: 4 stars Price: 3 stars Service: 4 stars read more

I really enjoyed Oberlin. Important: I LOVE birch. Probably my favorite restaurant in Providence. The food at Oberlin is overall less cerebral (or less "tweezered," some might say), which is good for a more casual dinner--just don't expect the same level of complexity. There's a bit more of a comfort food vibe here. And I think the prices are totally great for the type of food/experience available here. Everything we had was delicious. The cacio e pepe was a standout; the gnocchi with shellfish was beautifully pillowy. Scallop crudo, check. Tuna and fennel, check. Kohlrabi caesar, yum! Really good. But I wish the pasta dishes were, well, bigger. Maybe small and large orders could be available? Everything else on the menu is fairly small, light, and meant to share, so I was really hoping to fill up with my pasta. However, it's a very small portion. And it's so delicious, I wanted a lot more of it! Service was a little...inconsistent. Didn't get some things we ordered, got some things we didn't, etc. I'm sure the team will adjust in time. I look forward to coming back and seeing how the menu and experience evolves! read more