About a year ago, I started following the Instagram of a Providence, Rhode Island based restaurant New Rivers. It’s not a new restaurant, but a friend who lives in the city told me it was one of her favorites. I haven’t explored the Providence dining scene too extensively so I became bound and determined to give the place a try. The photos they posted on their social media account were always really appealing!
Housed in a former mill building that was once home to the original Providence icon, Al Forno, New Rivers was established in 1990 and named for the “river rerouting project that jumpstarted Providence’s renaissance” according to the restaurant’s website. The restaurant’s current owners, husband and wife team, Beau and Elizabeth Vestel met while both working at New Rivers and purchased it for themselves in 2012. Beau was and continues to be the Executive Chef and Elizabeth is the general manager and host. Side bar – the couple announced the very recent arrival of twins on the menu we were given when we visited! Congratulations!
New Rivers cuisine is straight forward, yet thoughtfully prepared using as many local ingredients as possible. Chef Vestel works with local farms and purveyors to source the highest quality products to use in the creation of his menu which features local seafood, charcuterie and cheeses, small plates and main courses.
I had my opportunity to finally visit New Rivers last week with a few of my friends. It was a relatively easy ride from our summer community and a beautiful night to enjoy some delicious food and company. Let me tell you about it…
Under the Vestel’s ownership, the restaurant has been renovated and expanded to include more seating but it still remains a small and intimate spot. The restaurant is divided into two rooms on its first floor. The main room has an ample bar that seats 8 to 10 and several tables for two and four diners. A newer room where we were seated can hold an additional 20 or so diners. There is also a lovely private dining room on the second floor which would be wonderful for small celebrations and has a beautiful view (as did our table) of the very first, First Baptist Church of America established in 1638.
Overall, our experience at New Rivers was very positive as you will see. Service unfortunately did not keep pace with the quality of the food which we partly attributed to the recent arrival of the twins and the owners not being on site during our visit. Our server could have been more attentive and focused. However, it didn’t discourage us from wanting to return in the future to this bustling restaurant. And it should be noted that with very few exceptions, the food didn’t really skip a beat so again, overall a very positive experience.
Because it was restaurant week in Providence, we decided to take advantage of New River’s offer of a three-course meal for $30. We were told by our server that we could also mix and match some of the special dishes prepared for the restaurant week menu with a la carte items as well. Some of our menu selections did have an additional charge to them.
We decided to begin the night with a few of the restaurant’s unique cocktail offerings. I did not get pictures of these, but among us we enjoyed a Fields Forever (tequila, berry shrub, rhubarb bitters) and Lavender Lemonades (Lavender Syrup, Lemon, Soda, Vodka or Gin). All were very tasty and refreshing.
We intentionally ordered different selections from the first and second course menus so we could sample as much of the menu as possible.
For the first course, I ordered the artisan cheese board that was served with sweet and salty nuts, grapes, fresh figs and crispy bread. While everything was delicious, particularly the nuts, I was disappointed an explanation of the cheeses did not accompany the service by staff. When I had an opportunity to ask our server what the cheeses were, she didn’t seem 100% confident but told me the two selections were a Simply Sheep from New York (on the right, resembling a brie in texture) and a Tarentaise raw cow’s milk from Vermont. Both were delicious…
Tenney ordered the menu’s salad that was summer lettuces and herbs, pickled tomatoes, crispy quinoa and a warm goat cheese toast that was dressed with a white balsamic. Tenney thought it was light and refreshing and had good flavor but was a little heavy on the greens and light on the other ingredients…
Nancy ordered the smoked bluefish pate that was served on grilled bread with preserved lemon and fresh horseradish. At first glance, it looked like a small plate, but Nancy found it to be just the right sized portion. She felt the flavors were not overpowering as sometimes smoked fishes can be and overall a delightful dish. I also tasted the dish and thought the fish was just perfect. The preserved lemon and horseradish help to cut through the heavy flavors…
And Marte ordered the barbequed corn from Four Town Farm in Seekonk, Massachusetts that was enhanced with Korean chili, sesame, cilantro and lime. While a little messy to eat, Marte thought it was delicious and just wished there was more of it! She is hoping to make a version of it at home…
The second course menu had lots of delicious offerings including options for vegetarians.
First up for Tenney was a confit chicken leg and thigh that was served with grilled peaches, a cauliflower puree and a shaved green bean salad…
Nancy ordered the Rhode Island milled polenta that was mixed with slow roasted plum tomatoes, charred corn, garlic chives and parmesan. This dish had the option of adding pork sausage or smoked pork belly as well…
Marte selected the roasted Rhode Island bluefish that was served on top of freekah mixed with fava bean and mint. The dish was finished with some blistered tomatoes and a tomato vinaigrette. Look at the colors of these dishes! Just spectacular…
Lastly, I chose the roasted sea scallops that were served with roasted squashes, blistered tomatoes, crispy potato chips and a lemon vinaigrette. The picture doesn’t do justice to the presentation but it was a beautiful dish…
So, here’s a picture of what we thought of the food…
How is that for a quick summary?!!!
As for dessert, we chose 3 of the selections, including this peaches and cream panna cotta that was served with shortbread crumbles and mint granita. We wanted the dish to work, but the panna cotta wasn’t firm as we had expected and so this option fell a little short…
Next up was homemade blueberry ice cream that was served with a blueberry sauce and a nice hint of cassis. It was very tasty…
Perhaps the best dessert was the four town farm berries that were served with lemon creme and an almond biscotti…
Overall, my friends and I had a wonderful evening enjoying a lovely meal in historic Providence, Rhode Island. If you are in the area, or just want to take a road trip, I would definitely recommend New Rivers as a dining option! If you want to go soon, they are hosting a “Fried Chicken and Rose Wine Dinner” on August 17th. Four courses for $75. Sounds fun. Call for reservations!
Until next week…
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