Most of us know Martha’s Vineyard to be a beautiful island with gorgeous beaches and celebrity guests, but not many know what goes on behind the scenes. The island actually hosts over 42 working farms, 16 oyster cultivators and local artisanal cheese, charcuterie, honey, chocolate, coffee, beer and elixirs of all kinds.
If you’re interested in exploring this unfamiliar side of Martha’s Vineyard, check out the group Farm.Field.Sea, makers of experience that connect sea and soil directly to diners. The group is collaborating with the island’s farmers, food producers and fisherman to inspire people to think differently about the food they eat every day. Take a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard to be a part of Farm.Field.Sea’s Pop-Up conversation and dinner series GATHER, and discuss the island’s unique culinary culture at Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard and Featherstone Center for the Arts. Each dinner has a different theme and provides an intimate space where guests experience an authentic Island feast while learning more about the food on their plate, while benefiting island non-profits.
Be sure to check out the next event on Food and Waste with Doug Rauch, former president of Trader Joe's who helped found Daily Table, on July 27, and the event on Food and Art with Jennifer Rubell, an internationally-renowned artist who creates art using food and drink as the medium, on August 10. More
Cross the state line into Massachusetts and enter a whole new world of luxury. Harwich’s Wequassett Resort and Golf Club is worth a visit in any season, but now that spring has arrived in New England and the weather is warmer every day, it’s time to get in the car and go. The tulips are blooming in their manicured gardens, life is back in the frog pond, and it’s finally warm enough to take a barefoot walk on the beach.
With sweeping views of Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Wequassett was recently awarded the prestigious five star rating in Forbes Travel Guide - one of only six added to the list this year, and the only property on Cape Cod to hold the distinction. It’s not hard to see why. The property is home to a collection of historic buildings that hold 120 luxurious guest rooms and suites, with not just two pools, but two private beaches as well. The four restaurants offer casual and fine dining options for any meal. And the golf at Cape Cod National - an 18 hole championship course - is unmatched.
Twenty-eight Atlantic is the hotel’s signature fine dining restaurant, where Executive Chef James Hackney serves a menu of gourmet twists on iconic New England dishes. Thoreau’s, in the bar area of twenty-eight Atlantic, is a casual and delicious tavern. The Outer Bar and Grille serves impeccable coastal cuisine. Libaytion, a beachfront bar, is a place to relax and enjoy a cocktail in the summer months.
For fun, Wequassett offers boating and sailing lessons, kayak rentals, tennis courts and endless bike paths. The Children’s Center offers innovative and educational programming for toddlers through teenagers, and boasts a pirate ship playground straight out of a storybook. Swimming, sailing and tennis lessons will keep them engaged during the day, and at night there are movies and teen activities. The annual Cape Cod Jazz Festival starts June 30, and offers live music every Tuesday and Wednesday night through … More
I’m just going to be honest here: I did not want to go up Mount Washington on a rickety old train. But given that my options were either driving, which any local will tell you to rent a car to do to avoid the significant wear and tear to your own vehicle, or hiking, which, just, no, a train it was. And so I found myself on a chilly, sunny fall day, standing at the platform, gazing up a cool 6,000 vertical feet.
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is an institution in the White Mountains. It’s been ferrying passengers up the East Coast’s highest peak since 1852. Thankfully, we’d be going up in a biodiesel engine installed in 2008, and not the original coal-burning train.
I wouldn’t say that I’m afraid of heights. I have distinct memories of my 10-year-old self on the Observation Deck of the World Trade Center in New York, pressing my forehead against the windows to get a better perspective on the 110 stories below. I’m just, to put it mildly, an accident waiting to happen. I fall out of chairs when I’m sitting still. I once fell out the front door of a bar that I wasn’t even leaving. So tell me I’m going up a single track up the side of a huge mountain, and all I see is possibilities for my imminent doom.
But, as a great poet once said, “a promise made is a debt unpaid,” and I had been promising my mother that I would ride the Cog Railway with her for juuuuust about two decades. So I got on the train. In the front row. And you know what? I’m really glad I did. The view was gorgeous, and we had the best possible vantage point for photography. It’s just one more time that I conquered my (considerable) fear and came out happier on the other side.
I expected the hour up to be difficult, but considering that the conductor sat outside the train on the front platform, I probably could have guessed that the trip would be easy and painless. We waved at hikers heading up to the … More
Newport's Vanderbilt Hotel hosted a special VIP screening of Wes Anderson's new The Grand Budapest Hotel on its rooftop. I may have attended this event in a completely backwards fashion. I had never before been to hotel, and I had only seen brief snippets of The Life Aquatic. Apparently, I’m a terrible Newporter and I usually just tuned out of conversations involving Wes Anderson. Who were they talking about again? Wes Craven? Wesley Snipes?
I am now fairly certain that The Vanderbilt Grace has one of the best rooftop views in Newport, and come warmer weather... Oops. Don't want to give away this best-kept secret right before the tourists come stampeding in... Um, I mean, “supposedly” there is an outdoor bar up there, open air seating, a panoramic view of Newport Harbor, and something about movie screenings with truffled popcorn during the summer. No reason to venture up from Thames Street, really.
I’m also fairly certain that if your local cinema both supports and encourages drinking Prosecco through a straw, then you should in turn support them. Cheers, Jane Pickens.
Oh, and I think I need a second opinion on this one, but if Tim Burton and Quentin Tarantino had a one night stand in Paris, would Wes Anderson be their lovechild?
As the credits rolled down the screen, it became clear that the pairing of these two venues, The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Vanderbilt Grace, made perfect sense for the event. There are some striking correlations between this fictional place and the boutique hotel. For instance, one might expect a stuffy, snooty, no Maxxinistas allowed type of atmosphere with any establishment rhyming with the word Shmanderbilt. However, upon walking through the door, it’s immediately noticed that every staff member of the The Vanderbilt Grace is incredibly friendly... like your dental hygienist on lithium friendly. I could only imagine that would be the standard of hospitality expected by Gustave H., concierge, … More
Now that it’s safe to put the shovel and snowmelt into storage, fill up your gas tank and hit the road for a day trip. Check out this infographic for our top picks of nearby attractions.
Summer is a great time to enjoy a vacation in Napa Valley. The Savory Grape, East Greenwich’s go-to wine shop, is offering a five-night (August 1-6) guided “insider’s” tour of this beautiful tract of wine country. Jessica Granatiero, proprietor of the Savory Grape will be your guide. Tour participants will stay at the Andaz, a luxury boutique hotel in downtown Napa. The hotel is within walking distance of many restaurants and shops and is a great home base for your tour. The tour includes breakfast and lunch daily, as well as two group dinners. While in Napa, you will enjoy insider visits at six wineries (Hemdry, Barlow, Dunn, Spence, Voelker and Eisele) and a cooking demonstration and tour at the Culinary Institute of America. The cost of the trip is $2,550 per person and does not include airfare. To book a space on this fabulous tour, e-mail Annie’s Escapes Custom Travel Planning at annp@AnniesEscapes.com. The tour is limited to 12 participants and will surely fill up quickly. 1000 Division Road Unit 120, East Greenwich. 886-9463.
Westerly’s Perks and Corks is a one-stop shop for all of the good things in life. It’s part coffee house, part martini bar, part live music venue and part gourmet grilled cheese shop. The popularity of this local mainstay has allowed it to expand into the adjoining space to offer more people the ability to enjoy its inviting atmosphere. You should try one of their house martinis – the chai martini (the shop’s most popular) is made with vanilla vodka and a secret combination of chai teas; the espresso martini is made with vodka, espresso liquor, fresh brewed espresso with a lemon twist. Their grilled cheese menu is creative and offers something for everyone. Dig into the Hendrix: Italian bread, gouda, pesto, turkey and bacon. If sweet is more your thing, try the Winehouse: marshmallow, Nutella, peanut butter and crumbled graham cracker. 62 High Street, Westerly, 596-1260.
Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but The Breachway Grill in Charlestown offers a Date Night special on Tuesdays. For $35, you get a bottle of Chardonnay or Merlot, two salads, two entrées and a dessert to share. Recent entrée selections included seared scallops over risotto, Mediterranean salmon, NY strip steak and chicken marsala. Breachway Grill owner Craig Marr says Tuesday Night Date Night “is about being there for our loyal customer.” With prices this good, Marr must really love his customers.
The Breachway Grill is open for dinner seven nights a week starting at 5pm and open for lunch on the weekends from 11:30am-4:00pm. The restaurant is known for its grilled fish tacos, Oysters Rockefeller, ½ pound Dunn’s Corner Market burgers and thin New York-style pizzas. They have built up a loyal following and have many regular customers. Marr calls it Charlestown’s version of Cheers and treats everyone like family. On Monday nights, they offer half-priced pizzas (takeout or dine-in); Thursday is BBQ night with baby back ribs, BBQ half chicken, cornbread, baked beans, cole slaw and $3 craft beer drafts. On Friday and Saturday nights, Marr brings in local live music, and the kitchen is cooking up prime rib. With all the off-season specials the Breachway Grill is offering, make sure you stop in soon to give it a try. Summer will be here before you know it, and you will be fighting the tourists for a table. 1 Charlestown Beach Road, Charlestown. 213-6615.
As winter comes to its blustery and bitter end, South County has two more reasons to celebrate. Narragansett and North Kingstown have announced their Restaurant Weeks, which are a great opportunity for you to try a new restaurant or order a three-course meal at one you already know and love. During this typically slow season in the restaurant business, Restaurant Weeks offer a way for customers to support their local restaurants at affordable prices. Narragansett’s Restaurant Week is from February 28-March 9, and some of the featured restaurants include the ever popular Arturo Joe’s, Crazy Burger (my personal favorite) and the classic Spain. North Kingstown’s first ever Restaurant Week will be held March 2-8.
Originally built in 1901, the Westerly Armory itself is an evolving piece of Rhode Island’s history. Previously it housed the Westerly Rifles, the 243rd Coast Artillery, the 705th Anti-Aircraft Artillery and the 169th Military Police Company of the Rhode Island Army National Guard – but now, turning from being a part of history to preserving it, the Armory houses both community and local military memorabilia. And it needs your help to do it.
On March 28, the Armory welcomes guests to Rhody Night, a fundraiser so steeped in Rhode Island culture that it begs to be experienced. Hosted by the infamous Cardi brothers (Ni-Ro-Pe), the event features a “pure Rhode Island” meal of clam chowder, grinders, cabinets, Del’s Lemonade and more. After the Ocean State foodstuffs, the event turns its attention to Rhode Island-based trivia and raffles.
In true Rhody spirit, the fundraiser seeks to bring together Rhode Islanders to help enhance the state: “The event raises funds to renovate the lower level of the Armory for additional space for museum exhibits, the Westerly Band, a community room, museum workshop and more.” Tickets are $25 in advance ($23 for Westerly Armory members) and available online. 41 Railroad Ave, Westerly. 596-8554.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a Penn State professor, a famous standup comedian and a bunch of URI students walk into Swan Hall… On Saturday, March 22, URI’s Harrington School of Communication and Media hosts Open Mic, Open Minds: An Exploration of Social Issues Through Standup. This full-day humor symposium will not only celebrate comedy, but also critique and study it, exploring it as a mechanism for addressing social issues. Participants will attend workshops hosted by performers and communications professionals, explore the history of standup with keynote speaker Dr. Jerry Zolten from Penn State Altoona, work in groups to put together a comedy piece around a social issue of their choice and, as the grand finale, be treated to a closing set from comedian Patton Oswalt, a true master of comedy-as-social-critique. $20 for students, $30 for non-students. 60 Upper College Road, Kingston.
All middle school and high school students are invited to the Project Unify Plunge
on March 1 in Goddard Park in East Greenwich. The plunge is being held for Rhode
Island students, teachers and administrators who have the shared goal of supporting Project Unify! Project Unify and Special Olympics RI helps afford those with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to compete on a sports team. Over 40 schools in Rhode Island participate in this program to support unity, acceptance and respect for all students. Registration begins at 10 am in the carousel; plunge is at noon. There is a $50 minimum donation to plunge. There will be an after party, which students can join for a $15 donation. For more information, call Tracy or Lauren at 349-4900 or email Lauren@specialolympicsri.org
The Easter Seals Rhode Island presents All in Good Taste. On March 1 this inaugural
auction will feature food, wine and beer pairings from restaurants and caterers
around southern Rhode Island. Come relax and enjoy a fine selection of wines and brews while enjoying the acoustic sounds of James Danna. Top off the evening by bidding on a variety of auction items sure to please everyone. 100% of the proceeds benefit Easter Seals RI Early Intervention and Pediatric Outpatient programs. Easter Seals is a non-profit organization that provides services to help children and adults with disabilities or special needs as well as provides support to their families. $50 per person. 6-9pm. The Haversham. 336 Post Road, Westerly. Contact Jenifer 284-3738.
The Hive RI has kicked off a new Lunch and Learn Series. The one-hour weekly events are a perfect way to connect with members of the community and presenters as they speak about various topics on business development. Each week the lectures begin at noon, allowing enough time to network and grab a bite to eat. Following each presentation there will be an interactive question and answer section as well as a chance for networking. The Hive RI is a community-based coworking facility that offers shared working environments for groups around the state. Located in the Lafayette Mills complex in North Kingstown, the Hive RI provides a collaborative work environment for groups large and small. 650 Ten Road, North Kingstown. 295-5941
This recipe is for six servings
Ingredients:
3lb Beef chuck roast, cut into one inch cubes and patted dry
½ Lb Thick cut bacon, ¼” sliced
2 Tablespoon olive oil
3 Carrots (1 lb) cut into large chunks
1 Lb Baby portobello (Crimini) mushrooms, stems trimmed and cut in half
2 Large onions , rough chopped
3 Cloves garlic, chopped
3 Sprigs fresh thyme
1 Sprig fresh rosemary
1 Bottle good quality dry red wine (French Burgundy or Cotes du Rhone)
2-3 cups Beef stock
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
3 Tablespoons flour
2 Tablespoons butter
Preheat oven to 250
1. Cook bacon over medium heat in olive oil in a large Dutch oven (or similar pot w/ tight fitting lid) until crisp.
2. Remove bacon, add onions, carrots and garlic to bacon fat, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook for three to four minutes, then remove to a plate.
3. Add mushrooms and cook for five minutes. Remove mushrooms and raise heat to medium high.
4. Sprinkle beef cubes with salt and pepper and brown on all sides (four to five minutes). Remove to a plate.
5. Reduce heat to medium, melt butter and whisk in flour, stirring constantly for two minutes.
6. Add wine and tomato paste and whisk until lumps are gone. Add herbs, reserved vegetables, beef and bacon.
7. Add stock to almost cover. Bring to a simmer, cover and bake for approximately one and a half hours.
8. Check for doneness; beef should be fork tender. Add mushrooms and simmer on the stove for eight minutes. More
South Kingstown’s Sons of Liberty is serious about producing fine spirits. Their single-malt Uprising is already a local favorite. Now they have released their newest single-malt offering called Battle Cry, which is distilled from a Belgian-style beer. It uses 100% malted grains incorporating both rye malt (for spiciness) and honey malt (for sweetness). It is fermented with a Trappist-style yeast and aged in charred oak barrels, which gives it the unique flavors of dark fruit, anise and black licorice. Sons of Liberty can be found at liquor stores throughout Southern Rhode Island, and to find the spot closest to you, click here.
Here’s a great recipe the Sons of Liberty have prepared using Battle Cry. It’s sure to warm up your remaining winter nights.
Battle for Manhattan
2 oz. Battle Cry American Single Malt Whiskey
3/4 oz. Carpano Antica Vermouth
1/2 oz Cherry Heering
Dash of Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters
1. Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir well.
3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
The Charlestown Rathskeller reopened this fall and is bringing back some of the good times this tavern was once known for. In the late 1920s, the Rathskeller was a speakeasy, and people flocked to the tavern for its home-brewed beer. Cars lined the road, and patrons waited an hour or more to get their fill of illegal booze, burgers, steaks, fish & chips and their specialty, fresh-cut fries. The tavern also offered saunas, steam baths and horseshoes for its patrons to enjoy.
Fast forward to 2014, and the tavern is once again thriving under the management of Ryan Pincince who says running the tavern is “the best job [he] ever had.” Executive Chef Wayne (Butch) Bush has taken the reins in the kitchen and has never looked back. He grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, cut his teeth in the Key West restaurant scene and relocated to Rhode Island in 2004. Specializing in comfort food, his Ribeye Steak (all 22 ounces of it) is a thing to behold. It’s broiled at a very high temperature to give it a caramelized crust that seals in all the juices. The hand-cut fries are still a highlight at the Rathskeller and are cut from local potatoes. All of the seafood the restaurant uses comes right from Pt. Judith, so you know it’s fresh.
Chef Bush offers the rustic French classic Beef Bourguignon as the basis for his beef stew at the Rathskeller. He says “it’s great served with roasted parsnips, egg noodles, mashed potatoes or nice crusty bread.” Check out our website for the recipe. 489A Old Coach Road, Charlestown. 792-1000.
Get the recipe for Chef Bush's Beef Bourguignon here.
During February vacation week be sure to visit the Biomes Marine Biology Center to meet Jasper, the Narragansett Bay octopus who has recently learned to unscrew the lid of a glass jar with its tentacles! We hear there might also be a princess or two making an appearance at Rhode Island’s only aquarium. Check their website for details. February 17-21. Noon-4pm. 6640 Post Road, North Kingstown. 295-4690.
It’s back, and it’s better than ever. SO Rhode Island and the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce are hosting our annual Great Tastes of Narragansett, the kickoff party to Narragansett’s Restaurant Week. The evening of food and fun is happening this year on February 27 at the Narragansett Towers. This year, expect tastings from delicious restaurants like Arturo Joe’s, Crazy Burger, Breachway Grill, George’s of Galilee, Maharaja, Mariner Grille, Oceanside at the Pier, T’s and Trio. Sample Absolut Tune, the vodka-sparkling wine hybrid, and enjoy live entertainment, all while supporting a good cause. If you’ve been to the event before, you know that tickets sell out far in advance, and that you don’t want to miss it. Contact the Chamber for tickets, or buy them online. 783-7121.
On February 7 the 9th Annual Misquamicut Beach Luau is being held at the Venice Restaurant Ballroom, to fundraise for the yearly family-friendly events held by Misquamicut Business Association. Listen to a live performance by The Driftwoods, the top Beach Boys tribute band in the Northeast, while enjoying great food, a silent auction and raffle and an ocean view. Reserve a table or purchase a ticket in advance, and all food will be included. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. 165 Shore Road, Westerly. 322-1026.
The Calabrese Club is hosting a Pasta Night for the Friends of Westerly Animal Shelter to raise money for animal welfare and care at the Westerly Animal Control on February 9. A delicious menu is planned for the night including pasta, sausage and potatoes, pizza, salad, desserts and more. The Friends of Westerly Animal Shelter is a volunteer-based group that fundraises to support the shelter’s animals in need. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Westerly Animal Shelter or at the door. $8-10. 28 Pleasant Street, Westerly. 596-9186.
If you’re looking for the party of the season, be sure to attend The Ocean House’s Black and White Masquerade Ball on February 22. Designed to mirror Truman Capote’s 1966 Black and White Masquerade that was known as the party of the 20th century, this gala will be raising money for the Westerly Hospital. Features of the night include fine black and white cuisine, cocktails and live music. All proceeds from the tickets and the evening’s live and silent auctions will be donated to the Westerly Hospital, tickets can be purchased on their website. $125. 7-11pm. The Ocean House, 1 Bluff Avenue, Watch Hill. 596-7761.
Uber, the uber-popular car service app, will be offering up to three free rides, at a maximum of $20 per ride, to any and everyone in Rhode Island between now and 6pm on Saturday. Yes, you read that right. Free rides. For everyone.
The company recently expanded into Rhode Island, and it's been known for making a big splash when it enters a new market. They once offered free rides to all of Brooklyn for the weekend. For those who aren't familiar, the service uses a mobile app to connect people in need of a ride with Uber drivers in their area. You can request a ride anytime from anywhere, and you don't need any cash – you pay for the ride through your Uber account. Needless to say it's become very popular very quickly with young urban dwellers and professionals.
Now the #RILOVESUBER promotion is on. Just sign up for Uber or download the app, request a ride, and the rest is on them. Of course, they expect high demand, so if you already know what you're doing this weekend you might want to start booking your rides now. And if you need somewhere to go with your free ride, your Uber receipt will get you discounts and bonuses at over a dozen Providence bars and restaurants, including The Avery, The Eddy, Hot Club, Vanity and even StyleWeek.
Find more info here, and get your free ride. More