Really enjoyed our time there! I love that you can make a reservation. They do text you quite a few…read morereminders day of. The inside is so cute and cozy. We just relaxed and ate a few courses, were there about 90 minutes and I never felt rushed. Everyone who helped us was kind and the pizza was delicious. My friends loved her steak salad. And the cheese tower we shared was perfect to snack and talk about RHWORI, which literally I heard every group in the place talking about which was fun. Then the 3 cheesecake sampler was a perfect way to close out the night!

This was my second attempt at coming here, hoping I would have a better experience than my first…read morevisit. Unfortunately, this visit was even more disappointing. The first time I came was on a Sunday, and the restaurant was very quiet with only a few people there. The server who took our order completely forgot to ring in our drinks and food--not once, but twice. We waited around 30 minutes before anything arrived, and when it finally did, the drinks were incorrect. What made the situation worse was that the server never apologized or acknowledged the mistake. That being said, the food itself was excellent and honestly a 10/10. I decided to give the restaurant another chance and came back on a Friday, expecting a better experience. Unfortunately, the service was even worse this time. The servers seemed extremely unorganized and unprofessional. We waited about 10 minutes just to receive menus. When we tried to order two different bottles of wine, we were immediately told they didn't have either one, without much explanation or any attempt to offer alternatives. The atmosphere is supposed to be calm and relaxing, but one of the servers was extremely loud, which took away from the overall experience. I also noticed a child behind the bar, who was later driving a scooter around the back parking lot. Whether or not this is typical, it definitely added to the feeling that the restaurant lacked organization and professionalism. To be fair, the food was once again very good, and I have absolutely no complaints about the quality of the food. The biggest issue is the customer service and overall management of the dining experience. There is clearly a lot of potential here, but the service needs significant improvement. It's especially disappointing because I originally heard about this place through an employee who works across the street at their other location. She was incredibly sweet, professional, and had a great personality, which gave me high expectations coming here. Unfortunately, the experience at this location did not come close to matching that level of hospitality. I really hope they take this feedback seriously because the food is genuinely amazing. With better organization, communication, and customer service, this could be a much better dining experience.

You must visit Viola Cucina. This food is among the closest of Italian dinners - like I've grown up…read morewith - that we've ever enjoyed. The pasta e fagioli soup was delicious and tasted as it should. We savoured it. Our salad tasted garden fresh. I asked for a basic spaghetti with meatballs. Delicious. Their meatballs meet my approval. And that is saying a lot because usually no restaurant meatballs measure up. Except for the meatballs my Grandmother, Mother and I have cooked. This is why I'm tentative about eating Italian out since we grew up making it, ourselves. Everything we tried here falls under the "did not disappoint," category which is an A all around. Even the rustic dining style with sentimental interior home furnishings and decorations. All of it speaks to the heart. They are a warm bunch and will talk to those just passing through. When I'm traveling the Eastern seaboard, I will make it a point to dine at Viola Cucina.

Mostly Smoke and mirrors.... At first glance, their website…read morelooks impressive, their menu looks authentic, and their staff promised 'everything' made fresh and to order. But upon tasting their food, it was clear, 'Viola' is just another Americanized Italian restaurant. We started with an a la carte order of: 'House made focaccia, roasted garlic spread, evoo, craft butter' This was fresh and tasty. We then shared the 'Caesar: traditional romaine hearts, foccaccia croutons, shaved pecorino cheese. classic caesar dressing.' This lacked any flavour, the romaine was cut into too small pieces, there was no hint of garlic or anchovy in the dressing. But the most disappointing dishes were the pasta dishes: 'Fettucini bolognese, house made, beef, pork, veal ragu, pecorino, basil, calabrian Chili.' 'Scampi viola, squid ink linguini, shrimp garlic, white wine, julienned vegetables, preserved lemon butter.' Although the pastas were freshly made, their textures were compromised; both pasta dishes were not 'al dente'. In fact the Scampi viola was drenched in a dark gravy and greasy. This is just not a very skilled preparation of pasta. A fresh pasta needs very little sauce, and should be dressed very simply so the 'textures' can be enjoyed. I ordered the: 'Zuppa di vongole: fresh little neck clams, vino biqnco, fresh herbs, crostini.' But this dish was replaced by a fried calamari dish. This was well prepared, actually the only star of the evening. This restaurant may succeed on its 'blandness' but will never attract the discerning diner who wants and appreciates authentic Italian cuisine. ~tiaotse~

Had breakfast here one Sunday! Food was delicious (my friend and I both had coffee, mimosas and…read moreLorraine omelets), and the service was attentive and polite. Will definitely dine again! Highly recommend Avenue N in Rumford.

My partner and I recently visited Avenue N in Rumford, which has become our go-to spot for elevated…read morebrunch in the area. When we're craving something a little more thoughtful than the standard eggs-and-toast routine, this is where we land. The menu is creative without being over the top, the flavors are usually dialed in, and it consistently feels like brunch with intention. This last visit, however, turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag. We sat at the bar around 1pm, which is our usual move. The service was great. We were welcomed right away and had drinks in front of us in no time. I ordered a draft Blue Moon and my partner went with a glass of wine. Both were cold, fresh, and exactly what they should be. We started with the lemon ricotta donuts. These were delightful. The texture was spot on, tender and light thanks to the ricotta, with that perfect sugar coating. I would have loved a slightly more assertive lemon flavor in the dough itself, but they smartly included thinly sliced lemon rind on top so you could dial it up yourself. A thoughtful touch and a really nice way to begin the meal. My partner ordered the avocado toast for her main and it was as beautiful as it was flavorful. The sourdough had a great chew and structure, the avocado was well seasoned, and the sprinkle of cotija brought just the right salty pop. Bright tomatoes, pickled onions, microgreens, everything worked together. This dish absolutely delivered. I went with the Eggs Benedict Florentine, which I've had before and really enjoyed. Unfortunately, this time it missed the mark in a few areas. First, the poached eggs. The whites were a bit loose in spots and the yolks were slightly overdone. I know poaching can be tricky, it took me a while to master at home, but it was surprising to see the interior more cooked than expected while parts of the white still lacked structure. It was manageable, just not what I've come to expect here. Next was the mustard hollandaise. I was really looking forward to that punch of mustard, especially since I've had it shine before, but this time it felt muted. It was also looser than I prefer in a hollandaise. I love a good hollandaise, even better a béarnaise, and this one just didn't have the richness or body I was hoping for. Then there was the tomato. I understand we're not in peak tomato season, but even so, I can usually find more flavorful options at local markets and grocery stores. It appeared to be a standard beefsteak, and it just didn't bring much to the plate. A Campari or another variety with more natural sweetness and acidity would have elevated the dish and complemented the nicely cooked, flavorful spinach far better. On a positive note, the bolo was excellent. Such a great choice over the traditional English muffin and a perfect fit for a local spot like this. It had great texture and the slight sweetness usually balances the mustard hollandaise perfectly. Overall, Avenue N remains a place we truly enjoy. This visit just didn't quite live up to what we know they're capable of. I'm confident it was an off day, and we'll absolutely be back.

Higher end Italian restaurant that offers the full wine and dine experience. There's plenty of…read moreparking and it's close to shopping plazas on route 44. It gets very busy on the weekends and reservations are highly recommended. The staff is friendly and the food was very flavorful. I always love coming here to enjoy the beautiful decor and ambience.

We had a lovely dinner here recently. We came in at 5pm without a reservation and were able to be…read moreseated quickly, even though it was already pretty crowded. I was a little nervous coming with two young kids, but they were very accommodating and brought out our daughter's food quickly after we ordered it. Our dinners were very delicious. The Brussels sprout special was also exceptionally good! The restaurant itself was large and not too loud given the number of people there. We would definitely like to come back and try some more dishes

Good food. Great small Italian place comfortable and very welcoming atmosphere to enjoy that dining…read moreexperience with that special someone.

I attended Dolce & Salato's Coffee Day Party on May 24th. This is the incomparable chef and…read morerestauranteur Armando Bisceglia's latest venture and it hit all the right notes. The Biscotti flavored iced coffee was excellent. I was also introduced to Cornetto pastry (thank you, Lupe Aguilar). It was my first time trying the cream filled croissant and it was insanely delicious. I had the pistachio but many different flavors are available. It's located in the totally revamped Brooklyn Coffee Tea House on Douglas Avenue in Providence. I'm excited to return to this cozy cafe to try their full menu. Everything looks wonderful!

Really loved checking out Ciao Ciao. I went in on a Tuesday and every seat was taken, so definitely…read moremake a reservation. When we went it happened to be restaurant week so we took advantage of that. I could eat that chop salad everyday! It was SO tangy and delicious, the meatballs and polenta fries was also a top notch appetizer. For my main I got the short rib and shared the Lumache Rigate-- delicious! Generally if something has nduja I'm going to order it. For dessert I sampled both the olive oil cake and the tiramisu. I'd get both again, but the tiramisu was a touch too soggy for me. Our server was also wonderful. I look forward to heading back again soon!

5 Stars for fresh-made pasta, a fantastic bar program, and excellent service in a picture-perfect…read morelocation. In the week I spent nearby I went to Ciao Ciao twice. It was THAT good. A few things that can't be missed: Drinks: - Any of their Espresso cocktails. They pull espresso shots for each one to order. I hate when places use cold brew instead, so this was a BIG plus! - The Al Italia cocktail: Gin, Elderflower, Vermentino White Wine, Club Soda, lemon peel. Need I say more? Well, let me tell you this is a beautifully crafted, balanced sipper! - A classic gin martini (ask for blue cheese stuffed olives, OR their other special ones). They stuff the olives in-house (none of this bottled junk) and they feel like a meal on their own! Food: - Polpetta ala Nona: Meatballs with polenta fries. The meatballs were ROBUST and tasted like they were made with love (and time). And always love a polenta fry. - Melanzane Al Sugo - Ovals of fried sweet Japanese eggplant with tomato sugo, parmesan, and basil. I wish I could get eggplant crispy at home, but wow do they get it right. Worth sharing this small dish. - Carpaccio di Manzo- Thin-sliced raw filet of beef, arugula greens shaved ricotta salata, capers, lemon aioli, shallots, cold pressed olive oil, sea salt, focaccia crisps. This could definitely feed multiple people for a light app, OR you could go all out and make this your main. Its massive and truly a highlight of our visit! - ANY of their house-made pastas. I tried at least 4 of them and there were no misses. It turns out making your own fresh pasta in-house is a game changer. Truly exceptional texture as well as sauces that carried a deep flavor. - Roasted Carrots with Salsa Verde: This side is worth a try. It's savory and the texture on the carrots is just right. We appreciated all of the staff including Matt, Andrew, and Ariana who all served us at the bar, as well as the owner who came by for each visit to check on us. 10/10 service, food, ambiance!

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.

To start out, out waitress Francesca was awesome! We went for a family's anniversary and just wow!…read moreVery traditional Italian. Loved the strict "hats off" rule. Proper dress, etc. The place is gorgeous, very clean, crystal chandeliers. Now the food, No inflated prices here. 44$ For a humongous veal parm, also the best tasting I've had in my career thus far. The eggplant mozzarella appetizer was tremendous, as was their wine recommendations. (Ask about their blends) I usually despise them but this one was divine. I do highly recommend this place, love that they have their own parking, makes it easy and well loved by the older folks!

My wife and I ate there this past Saturday. We both felt ill within an hour of finishing our meal…read more We are both vegetarian and I reached out to the owner to see if there was any meat in the Pomodoro Sauce served with the eggplant. His one sentence response was "It is not a meat based sauce !!!!" The only other item we shared was Tiramisu. Definitely won't be back unless i feel like spending the night running to the bathroom.