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We stumbled on this place mostly by accident. So glad we went in. We ordered the New England cheese plate. A great experience. We also ordered the lamb bruschetta toast. This was a highlight for sure. Finally we polished off a strawberry rhubarb tart. I can't say enough good things about the tart. It was light and airy and served with bees wax ice cream. Would go back for that alone. My husband really liked the lamb bruschetta toast. It was served on a charred sour dough and was just the tiniest bit spicy. Was done so excellently. Great find!
We haven't been back to Oberlin for some time. We had a PPAC performance and were lucky to score a last-minute reservation on a Friday night. The hostess sat us at a table. We were lucky that another patron decided they wanted a table versus the chef's seat at the counter. For us, this is the perfect place to sit because it lets you take in the whole experience. The ambiance was great. I had the same great Negroni as last time, but also had a new take on an Old Fashioned called the Dinner Jacket. Very yummy! Our server was very pleasant and attentive. We ordered the Kohlrabi Caesar and sesame focaccia again. It was as great as the first time. The focaccia is amazing. My wife ordered the Anolini for her entree, and I ordered the fabulous rack of lamb cooked in the wood-fired oven. It was simply amazing. We ended by splitting the warm apple tart. Everything was fabulous...my rating is the same. Go and enjoy yourself.
The last time I came to Oberlin, they were in a smaller building (now Cielito) in the block over. So obviously, they've expanded and the place looks really nice. I loved the cream and gold aesthetics, as well as the cool art on the ceiling. They have a variety of seating areas including tables inside and outside as well as highchairs around the open kitchen and highchairs wrapping around the brick oven which is where we sat. We were warned that it does get very toasty, but it wasn't anything unbearable. My friend comes here often, so he noticed that they've made big changes to their menu. He highly recommended the crudo; it can either be ordered a la carte ($14 per fish serving) or one of each as a platter. I chose to try the black bass and bluefin tuna. We also ordered wood roasted sesame focaccia to eat with the crudo and the cacio and Pepe we ordered. Lastly, we ordered a Kohlrabi Caesar salad which comes with Boston blackened boquerones, croutons, and parmiagano. The food came out at different moments but we ate the salad, bread, and crudo together and saved the pasta for last. The crudo was very fresh and decent serving size. It seemed to only be topped with olive oil and salt, but that was enough to amplify the flavor. The focaccia was soft, easy to tear apart, warm, perfectly crispy/toasted, and every millimeter of the focaccia was covered in sesame seeds. It comes with olive oil to dip in. The salad was unique. I have never had kohlrabi before but it was similar to broccoli stems in its firmness, but not as sweet. It was not drowned in dressing which I was happy about, and has a good amount of parmesan cheese. I could taste the crunchy croutons which added an additional crunch along with the kohlrabi. I have never had boquerones before so I wasn't sure which flavor to look out for. The cacio and Pepe was okay. It was a little bland, but since it was my first time having it, I was not sure what to expect. The spaghetti was cooked a little under al dente and the sauce was a lower viscosity than I imagined. My friend had a drink and all together, our bill was close to $100 which is not too bad. The plates look small (about 6-8" in diameter), but the food is filling. I decided to check out the website for fun and I love the octopus art and that it's easy to navigate. The staff was very friendly and made us feel important and taken care of.
We had gone to Gift Horse the night before and thought that if that experience was great, Oberlin must be too. We were not wrong, but not right. Oberlin is a stellar experience and I must admit that it's the prime example of everything I want in a restaurant. Walking in, the vibe is cool. It's casual but also elevated. The design is chic but also cozy. It's a very comfortable place to be in. The comfort extends to the seating as well, with comfortable seats and nice spacing between tables. I thought our reso was at 6pm but it was at 630, something I found out on my own because the host made it seem like nothing was wrong when checking us in. He couldn't find our reservation at first but then did and didn't say a word, just sat us and engaged in polite conversation. I only realized my mistake when my phone reminded me to head to Oberlin for my 630 reservation. Oops. Our server was amazing. She was engaging and really seemed to care about us. This tells me she enjoys working here and I'm down for that. We got some great recommendations on food and other stuff for while we were visiting Providence. The menu is fun and inventive, using a lot of seasonal and local ingredients. We decided to have 3 of the specials as well as ordering some of the hits off the menu. Kohlrabi Caesar salad isn't something I knew I'd love, but here we are, me craving this salad every other day and wishing I could just head to Oberlin to have it. Everything we ate was amazing and I cannot rave more about how great this experience was. I highly recommend coming in and having an amazing meal.
The place is beautiful and outdoor seating is lovely. Service was very attentive and friendly. There was an accident happened right next to us with a couple, but because I'm not the person experienced it so will not go into details. Food was good but not great. If you like more mild flavor food and cold dishes you'll enjoy it. The cheese cake was good but the other one was unfortunately not. Super sour and super sweet but doesn't go well together, surprisingly. We did try this place before it moved to this new location, and the new location and set up does bring some charm to it. But the food does not match the ambience.
This place is absolutely stunning, both in terms of vibes and food. We started off with some oysters - never had them raw at a warm temperature before, which brings out a more buttery flavor. The paté was good but a bit salty. The gnocchi with lamb ragu was amazing. The cheesecake with cranberries was to die for. I highly recommend checking this place out!
Came in and sat at the counter. Food and drinks were good. Had a great N/A cocktail (Evenglow) and a regular cocktail (Clandastino). The Carrot and Mascarpone anolini was our favorite. I wouldn't get the Spaghetti Spezzatin again however we did love the lentil ragu portion. It was the mussels that we didnt love. The desert was great. Sadly forget the name.
The patio area was perfect for group drinks and some apps. The focaccia is delicious. As it got closer to dinner time it got very busy so keep that in mind but this was perfect for us to grab afternoon drinks. Service was quick. Nothing to write home about but I wouldn't mind going again. The entrees smelled and looked amazing. The only weird thing is that the bathrooms are shared with the other restaurants that are connected and there was quite a line.
This trendy Providence restaurant offers a mixed experience that may appeal to some diners more than others. The establishment presents several noteworthy features alongside some areas for improvement. Our third visit. The ambiance deserves recognition - it's vibrant and fashionable, with particularly impressive décor including distinctive unisex bathroom design. The service staff maintains professional standards, though the pacing between courses could use refinement. The concise menu, while admirable in concept, may prove limiting. If a menu has 50 - 100 items: no chef can stock all those ingredients fresh nor he/she and his/her team nail each dish. Look at the menu - you may not find an appetizer that works for you. It focuses heavily on pasta dishes for entrees, with a single market-price whole fish as the non-pasta entrée. Appetizers: Marinated olives with bread - good (hopefully they bake their bread?). Cheese plate - should be priced at $15 or less; $20 is a bit much for 3 mini pieces of cheese. And I assume the preserves were not made in-house (the server did not say so which is the standard spiel when you are hawking what you do well)? The cacio e pepe stands out as exceptional, though portion sizes trend small. Appetizer options are selective - no oysters but featuring crudo and some unconventional choices like "raw RI lamb." Practical considerations include mandatory lot parking ($20) due to scarce street parking, and a somewhat chaotic coat check system. Enjoy the treasure hunt after your meal in finding your coat among 50 other dark winter coats - there is no way the hostess can remember what you wore and then find it. Finally, we were seated at a table right in the traffic flow of servers from kitchen to tables. The table could have been flipped 90 degrees and eliminated us being a "bottleneck." Our meal for two, including three cocktails and gratuity, totaled $155. While the restaurant shows promise in several areas, particularly in atmosphere and certain dishes, there are other Providence establishments, including New Rivers and various local taquerias, that may offer a more compelling value for our 40-minute drive. I'm sure my so-so review will not slow down this place's popularity.
3 years ago
This place has now become one of my absolute favorite restraints in all of Providence! It is a quiet, intimate restaurant with a refined appearance. The staff is courteous, efficient and does a great job of explaining the dishes. However, the best part of Oberlin is the amazing, unique selection of dishes. The focaccia was perfectly crunchy and it paired very well with the olive oil. The agnolotti with apple and cauliflower sauce were also to die for! My one critique of the dish is that I wish there was more of it! The portion size wasn't very large, and left me wanting more! This just means I will have to come back again next time! ;) read more
2 years ago
My girlfriend and I had a fantastic night here for our anniversary. For starters, we went with the Halibut crudo, which was phenomenal. Freshness and texture was unmatched. We accompanied this with the house special Razor Clams and the Tempura Skate Cheeks. All of them were phenomenal. Our only criticism would be of the Skate Cheeks, while they were light and tender, they lacked salt and acid. For our main courses, we went with the whole wood fired fish (Fluke) and the Roasted Duck soup. Both were excellent, without complaint! We decided to finish off with their cheesecake, which we took home and demolished. Service was more than exceptional, our waiter Steven, who went above and beyond to make our night special. 10/10 experience, will be back! read more
2 years ago
We went for brunch on our overnight escape to Providence. Excellent food, ambience, and staff. Highly recommend read more
I've heard such good things about this restaurant, and unfortunately it didn't live up to the hype. I'm hoping it was just what I ordered. I will be back to give it another try. I had the pappardelle pasta, which I didn't think was good. My friend got the lasagna and said it was the best lasagna he ever had. We both really liked the bread. We sat in the outdoor area and they had the heaters on, which were very warm and our server was very knowledgeable and nice. read more
One of my friends favorite restaurant in downtown Providence. This time she was able to take me to try their food. Make reservations as it gets busy. We sat outside on a beautiful night. We started with some raw fish to try. We got tuna and a white fish (forgot the name) and they put a really good olive oil and some salt for flavoring. Very fresh and delicious. We also got the scallops, came with some radish. Fresh scallops. Other items, shishito peppers and their kohlrabi Caesar salad. We all agreed that we would skip the kohlrabi Caesar. It was more of a radish tasting dish, and it was just weird. Not a fan. There wasn't a lot of meat on the menu, we only saw the lamb tartare and we got it. It was good and not gamey. Our main course was the whole tautog fish (with the teeth). It was delicious, enough to feed 4! Huge. Nicely steamed and seasoned. Menu changes for the season. Overall good date night restaurant with fresh ingredients. read more
2 years ago
My order took over an hour to receive, and when I got it, it was burnt to a point that I could not enjoy it. The waiter was kind enough to replace it with pancakes but even that was not eatable enough due to the burnt parts. Unfortunately I can not say I will be eating here again. read more
4 months ago
Had a reservation at 9:30 on a Thursday. We weren't super hungry so we got the mussels, scallops, Caesar salad and duck pasta. The mussels and scallops complemented each other nicely and were a great deal.. a lot more seafood than I expected. Caesar salad was super unique with it being kohlrabi. Duck pasta was delicious. We wanted to get dessert but were so full and said there was sorbet as well that wasn't on the menu. It was the perfect end to the meal! read more
Dinner for 8 in PVD before a comedy show at the PPAC. We got there a little early for a 5 o'clock reservation and waited for them to unlock the doors. Nice location only a few minutes walk from our hotel and the PPAC. the staff were great and took the time to go over the menu which, although small, it is a bit to go through. For starters we shared the bread and olives, cheese plate, fried calamari these were all fresh and delicious - and surprisingly the raw fish (black bass) was fantastic we probably should have ordered more. My wife and I split the whole roasted fish which tonight was a black bass. It was fabulous with some potatoes and a great sauce. I also tried the cacio Pepe which has a thicker spaghetti noodle and a great cheesy sauce. The broccoli stuffed pasta was a big hit as was the pappardelle with chicken. I tried to take fotos of everything. We also had one of each of the desserts. The cheese cake and apple tart were very good and the frozen coffee thing was a nice treat. read more
While I've been to Oberlin a few times, I went to their new location for the first time and had a dish this morning that made me finally write the 5-star review this place has earned every single time. My first time at Oberlin was when they were still across the street at their original location. I liked the tight candlelit intimacy for dinner dates, but the new location is brilliant for all purposes. Natural wood tones, a cool mission-style meets art deco vibe to the bar, Futurama on the projector, a chef's table bartop so you can see all of the prep and ingredients going into the day's dishes, an outdoor patio with heated seating that I'm excited to return to, and just generally a lot more seating inside that makes me feel much more confident about getting a walk-in or securing a short-notice reservation. I can really see this space transforming nicely as the sun goes down - good aux definitely supports that impression. Every time I go to Oberlin I expect to know about 20% of the words on the menu, but I just trust it and it has always led to one of the best dishes I've ever had. Today was no different. Since it's a rotating menu based on seasonal ingredients, I always defer to the staff for recommendations. I was served by Anya who recommended the oysters foche, cotechino Sausage, sauce choron and to add poached eggs, which, left me speechless after my first bite. Literally to die for. Add a little bit of their house made peri peri and you'll be knocked into a food coma you don't want to wake up from. My girlfriend likes lighter food and got the mortadella on focaccia which she loved. Even their coffee was done with attention to detail and a little flair with orange peel that really made it excellent. Loved this place, and continue to love this place in its new space. Great service and even better food. Makes me proud of Providence in a weird way that Oberlin can go toe to toe with the best. I'd give 6 stars for the value if I could. read more
10 months ago
3 years ago
We love Oberlin! We usually come during dinner but ended up deciding to do a saturday brunch here. We sat at the bar as we didnt have a reservation, though the communal table was available (we have sat here before and had just as good a time!) my friend has been to brunch here before and recommended the rye pancakes and we decided on the oysters foches as well to share (add the poached eggs!) The food was great! The bartender was amazing, he took my friends preferences and crafted a subtly spicy coffee mezcal martini, and I had a reposado tequila manhattan with a coffee liqueur, amazing! All in all we had a grest time and defintely will be back, again! read more
3 years ago
Very delicious food at Oberlin, and really friendly staff! Rating 4 stars because service was pretty slow- we were there for the full 2 hours after ordering an appetizer that took ~30 minutes and then two entrees that took ~45 minutes after the appetizer. Wine/drinks were great and basque cheesecake (delicious) came out very quickly after our entrees. Would go back knowing that you will be sitting for a while. read more
Somehow my first time dining at their "new" location. As expected it was pure perfection. The atmosphere is clean and bright, though a lot of hard surfaces do make for a noisier atmosphere as the space fills up. The atmosphere though is beautiful, and well designed with many unexpected touches including a hidden mural on the ceiling. If you haven't already heard, the food is outstanding and if you're a pasta fan looking for something far from the ordinary then this should be your next stop! That's far from all they offer though, which makes it a great spot for mixed groups. Lucy was lovely as our server, answering every question with a smile. We went for restaurant week and all three courses were absolutely fabulous! I won't go into too much detail as the menu changes but just know it's always delicious! From raw fish, to fresh bread, pasta and delicious desserts, the entire menu is not to be missed. Oh and before I go I should mention, come warmer months they have a FABULOUS outdoor space with its own bar! read more
2 years ago
I came here for my birthday with a friend a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time in the new space, and I was pleasantly surprised by the environment and overall vibes for lack of a better word. I felt completely transported, as if I had entered a worm hole when stepping through the front doors and had now found myself suddenly standing amidst the liveliness of some effortlessly chic restaurant in Brooklyn. The food was heart-achingly delicious and I could not get over this cute metal "piercing" / toothpick in my cuc read more
5 years ago
My husband and I came here on a Friday night and it was busy, but we were able to sit at a high top table. The waitress was very friendly and offered suggestions. We started with the Heirloom Polenta Focaccia, Olive Oil. This was a great start with the warm bread. For entrees, my husband had the RI Rabbit & Prosciutto Tortellini, Stracciatella, Walnut and I had the Chitarra Cacio e Pepe. Both were very good and portions were a good size. For dessert, we had the Basque-Style Cheesecake, Preserved Golden Raspberries, Tuscan Olive Oil. This didn't taste like your usual cheesecake and had a hint of savory. It was definitely interesting. The price of the meal was kinda steep, especially since we did not order alcohol, but it was a nice dinner before seeing a show at the PPAC. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
First time visiting Oberlin and we weren't disappointed. DuMol wine dinner was fantastic. All the dishes were beautifully presented, very innovative with wonderful flavors. We especially enjoyed the sea bass and apple crudo paired with a light and fruity Chardonnay. Also loved the pork cheeks with polenta, the gnocchi, clams and scallops in brown butter sauce, and the whipped Castelmango cheese desert with walnuts, honey and toasted brioche. Quite the experience. The wait staff was professional, attentive and friendly - and the pace of plates was perfect. We weren't rushed at all. Special thanks to Bethany for the wonderful wine pairings. Oberlin compares to some of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants we've visited. Highly recommended. read more
1 year ago
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3 years ago
Many consider this to be the best restaurant in Providence and it has garnered national attention. It certainly lived up to all the expectations! The decor is lovely, from the tile floor to the art deco design and gold accents. Drinks are strong and creative. We ordered all seafood inspired dishes and they were all perfect. Taste, plating, creativity, all a 10/10. Service was fantastic. Price was pretty reasonable and portions were on the larger size for a restaurant of this kind. Can't wait to go back! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
We've been here several times before and every time we're in Providence we just love to enjoy a dinner here. The food is always outstanding as is the service and the brand new restaurant is just beautiful too. It's truly an experience and some of the best food I've ever had. The Crudo is to die for & the agnolotti I had tonight just melted in my mouth and was some of the best pasta I've ever had. Highlyrecommended read more
2 years ago
From another college town called Oberlin, so I had to try out this restaurant while I was visiting Providence, Rhode Island! Very cool vibe, excellent staff, delicious food. read more
3 years ago
Recently got to eat at Oberlin for brunch. First of all, the new location and interior architecture is truly flawless. The ceiling has the most incredible mural. Staff are so helpful and friendly, and super accommodating of allergies. We shared several dishes that were incredible, with highlights being the warm tapioca pudding and oyster toast. This is my new favorite splurge brunch in Prov read more
1 year ago
We've eaten here several times & I can honestly say this is definitely one of our favorites in Providence & beyond. Fabulous culinary delights as well as excellent service make for an exceptional experience. The crudo is definitely one of my personal favorites read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
In my book, this is by far the best restaurant in Providence. My first time visiting this place left me wanting more. The vibes are amazing as service is super friendly and very accommodating. The dining area has an open kitchen concept so when we ordered the whole fish, we saw the process from start to finish which was stunning! Not to mention the ingredients are so fresh and pair together perfectly. The scallops are absolutely to die for... they are super fresh and are paired deliciously with a house made mayo and finely sliced radishes (I had to order 2). We also ordered the mussels which are soooo good and pair well with the sweet potato chip. They also have a nice selection of alcohol. For what it is the price is AMAZING. If they haven't already been, I recommend this place to everyone I know in Providence. read more
More info about Oberlin
266 Westminster St
Providence, RI 02903
DownCity
Directions
(401) 588-8755
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https://oberlinrestaurant.com
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