Overheard In Providence » restaurants

Cornbread + bacon = unnecessary bacon

eerac — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:54:45 +0000

Au Bon Pain (or “ABP” as we Brown kids call it) now offers a bacon and cheese mini loaf that looks a lot like the southwest cornbread they used to sell. I bought a mini loaf yesterday while hurrying to a class, but about half way through, decided I much prefer my cornbread meat-free. I was able to eat around most of the bigger chunks of bacon, but honestly, sprinkling superflous pork products down Thayer street is no way to live. Should you find yourself at ABP for a snack, I recommend the spinach and cheese (or ham and cheese) filled croissants.

The illusion of choice

eerac — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:22:10 +0000

Spike’s on Thayer Street has two types of napkin dispenser in close proximity. They both dispense the same napkins, but it’s still nice to have options.

Pinkberry Juniper in Providence

eerac — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:20:45 +0000

By possessing this blog, I’ve been permitted to proclaim a passion for Pinkberry through multiple past postings. Alas, Pinkberry’s presence is limited, and this “Providence” blogger’s propensity for public Pinkberry proclamations is possibly inappropriate. I should probably pay tribute to products purchased in Providence. Perhaps that’s why I promptly produced a providencedailydose post on Juniper, Thayer Street’s new Pinkberry substitute.

You heard it here first

eerac — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:09:16 +0000

Oh look, Gothamist is finally reporting on Pinkberry’s rapidly expanding Manhattan presence, even though I sent them a link to my post on the subject (along with a full size photo) like 63 hours ago. What’s more, they don’t even have the address right. The new location is most definitely on 6th avenue between 13th and 14th Street.

Come on Gothamist! I realize the new Pinkberry isn’t actually open yet, but what about all your loyal readers about to sign year long leases starting in September. Surely they require the most up-to-date information regarding where the city’s top notch frozen desserts are located.

New Pinkberry

eerac — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:29:48 +0000

As I mentioned last month, Pinkberry is excellent. So much so that when home in NYC, I’m willing to trek from 16th and 6th all the way to 19th and 8th several times a week in the name of frozen deliciousness. Fortune has smiled upon me though, as a new Pinkberry is opening on the corner of 14th and 6th.

It seems odd that a new Pinkberry would be opening so close to the old one, given that there are only four stores in New York. They appear to be expanding rapidly.

Eric’s restaurant of the week

eerac — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:26:37 +0000

First off, just so we’re clear, I’m not making a commitment to blog about a restaurant every week. Do you hear me internets? I owe you NOTHING!

This week, I’m happy to give Jolie a big thumbs up. It’s a bit dainty by Providence standards, but that’s probably why it’s in Brooklyn (or “Big Providence” as I like to call it). It’s also why my brooklyn-loving girlfriend and I decide to treat ourselves to an impromptu date while walking though her two favorite NYC neighborhoods.

Jolie is a tad on the fancy side, meaning the food is very good, but the portions are such that you’ll want an appetizer and an entree. Fortunately on Thursdays they have a $30 summer special that covers your choice of any appetizer, entree and desert, (saving about $10 – $15 dollars per person). They also have a Wednesday special for half price bottles of wine.

I had a good feeling about Jolie from the moment I tasted the olive paste that came with our bread, and the food that wasn’t free was even better! Out of what we ordered, the vegetable risotto appetizer and swordfish entree were my two favorites. I also found the triple creme brulÃ©e to be extremely photogenic, and the jelly beans with the check a festive way to end a great meal. Even exiting the restaurant was a delight, since we were greeted by two nearly identical Boston Terriers sitting calmly on the street (unleashed even) while their owner had a drink at the bar.

On an unrelated note, today was the first time I was mentioned in another blog. Goooooooo Blogosphere! If you’re bored, google “overheard in providence” and have yourself a little search engine-based game of where’s ~~Waldo~~ EERac.

Update: The dogs may in fact have been pugs.