The competition is hot among developers to bring to market the tastiest and most “believable” plant-based analogs for traditional meat. While such alternatives may not be as popular as the real thing just yet, their popularity is increasing rapidly: Sales of plant-based foods shot up 54% from 2019, reaching $7.4 billion in 2021. That same […]
Food & Drink
Snacks and other food items banned in the US
Few things define a culture quite like its food, and the United States is no different. From regional favorites like collard greens and cornbread to the country’s allegiance to boxed macaroni and cheese, the U.S. is a place of seemingly endless gastronomic choices. However, some foods are practically impossible to find stateside, and that’s because […]
Newport Burger Bender returns Feb. 17. – 26
Bring your enthusiasm and inner food critic – the 6th Annual Newport Burger Bender Contest returns this month. Dozens of chefs across Newport and Bristol counties will prepare delicious burgers, such as “The Bacon Jammie Smash Burger”, “Surf and Turf Burger”, and the “Crunchy Fried Tofu Burger”, for this year’s fierce competition, which is scheduled to land […]
15 cozy places to eat and drink in Newport
When it’s cold in Newport, sometimes you just need to go somewhere cozy. Whether you’re catching up with old friends during a holiday break, enjoying dinner out with visiting family members, or going on a date, you need a place to go with a warm ambiance, comforting food, seasonal drinks, and, preferably, a fireplace. Luckily, Newport has […]
‘Six Picks’ Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend (Feb. 3-5)
According to forecasters, it’s gonna be a chilly weekend, but don’t fret, “the sun will come out tomorrow,” especially at the Providence Performing Arts Center where the classic musical Annie is playing all weekend. That and more, in this week’s “Six Picks Events.” All Weekend: It’s a hard knock life indeed. The uplifting story of […]
Experience romance at Castle Hill Inn’s Valentine’s Day Dinner
Castle Hill Inn will be offering their Valentine’s Day dinner experience for couples to enjoy on February 14th. The property’s culinary team has created a special four-course menu filled with a selection of standout dishes such as “Perfect Partners” made with Native oysters and Siberian caviar, “Lovebirds” made of Squab, foie gras and wheat, Atlantic […]
Region’s workforce shifting away from hospitality
A leading New England economist is suggesting that jobs in the region are shifting from leisure and hospitality to higher-paying industries, while job openings remain at “historic highs.” Boston Federal Reserve Bank Vice President and economist Jeffrey Thompson said he’s concerned about whether the regional workforce can fill the jobs of growing industries. He characterized […]
2023 James Beard Award Semifinalists include New England Chefs and Restaurants
The James Beard Foundation today announced their 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, March 29, and winners will be announced (and celebrated) at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The James Beard Foundation’s […]
Stop & Shop expands Flashfood Program to all Rhode Island locations
Stop & Shop announced today that it has expanded the availability of its Flashfood program to all 21 of its Rhode Island locations. Flashfood is a digital marketplace that significantly reduces food waste at the retail level by connecting consumers with discounted food nearing its best by date. Since partnering with Stop & Shop in […]
Del’s Lemonade franchise, a Middletown deli, a profitable sandwich shop, and other businesses that are currently for sale in Rhode Island
The latest business and commercial listings show all kinds of businesses currently for sale in Rhode Island. Reasons for selling, when provided, typically do not mention economic hardship, but more often involve the owner retiring or not having time to actively run the business. The names and locations are generally left out, but there are […]
Bouchard Restaurant & Inn to rebrand as ‘Chanterelle Restaurant’
Bouchard Restaurant & Inn is welcoming the new year with a new name, but promising to continue to deliver the same great experience. The restaurant shared the following letter today on its website; Bouchard Restaurant & Inn Will Re-Open As Chanterelle RestaurantThe new year will bring the same great experience under a new name It […]
Grocery items that dropped in price the most in December
Grocery prices at large are not going down. But there are some exceptions. Record inflation has severely impacted fuel costs and pricing for virtually all of our everyday necessities, including weekly groceries. Many factors have contributed to the surge in pricing, including producers’ increased cost to package goods and extreme weather conditions that destroyed crops. […]
Hope and Main opens Downtown Makers Marketplace in Providence
A ribbon-cutting ceremony formally opened the Hope and Main Downtown Makers Marketplace at 100 Westminster Street in Providence on Wednesday. The marketplace is a combination eatery/retail outlet featuring food products launched from Hope and Main in Warren, a local food incubator. State and local officials, including Governor McKee and members of the RI Congressional delegation, […]
Grocery items that rose in price the most in December
Ongoing food supply-chain issues kicked off by the COVID-19 pandemic are still affecting the cost of groceries today. The cost of groceries inflated about 0.2% from November to December, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Annually, the price is up about 11.8%. During the initial lockdowns, food producers struggled with a manageable system that […]
Ring in the Year of the Rabbit with a delicious Lunar New Year Lunch at Castle Hill Inn
Castle Hill Inn is celebrating the upcoming Lunar New Year with a special three-course lunch crafted by the newly appointed Executive Chef Andy Taur. The event, which runs from January 27th through February 5th, will feature a menu inspired by Chef Andy’s Chinese heritage and is priced at $35 per person. Guests can expect a […]
Middletown deli, a Providence hookah lounge, and other businesses that are currently for sale in Rhode Island
The latest business and commercial listings show all kinds of businesses currently for sale in Rhode Island. Reasons for selling, when provided, typically do not mention economic hardship, but more often involve the owner retiring or not having time to actively run the business. The names and locations are generally left out, but there are […]
The Vanderbilt partners with Maison Premiere to host dining experience, ‘Upstairs/Downstairs: A Gilded Age Dinner Party’
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection, has partnered with New York City’s acclaimed Maison Premiere to create a first-of-its-kind, collaborative private dining experience called “Upstairs/Downstairs: A Gilded Age Dinner Party.” The bespoke dinner will feature a nine-course menu and a cocktail experience curated by William Elliott, the managing partner and bar director of the James Beard […]
Gary’s Handy Lunch to permanently close on February 12
The end of a long run is coming for Gary’s Handy Lunch. The popular diner announced today that it will permanently close after more than 50 years on February 12, 2023. “With many thoughts and prayers, we have decided it is time for our next chapter. Gary’s Handy Lunch will officially be closing our doors […]
Rhode Island Red Food Tours announces the PVD Valley Neighborhood Victuals Tour
By Andrea McHugh Rhode Island Red Food Tours is excited to announce the launch of the PVD Valley Neighborhood Victuals Tour, kicking off this Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at 11 a.m. The tour will commence each Saturday at 11 a.m. thereafter through April 1st. Focusing on foodpreneurs, makers, brewers and distillers within the inclusive Valley neighborhood in […]
Tiny Kitchen Magic: Goat Liver and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Pink Vodka Sauce
Happy New Year everyone! Before we get to the recipe, I have a disclaimer. This is going to be a very photo-lite column. I made this several years ago before I was in the writing biz, so I wasn’t as photo-happy as I am nowadays. However, I ensure that the quality of this recipe will […]
Providence Restaurant Weeks returning January 8-23
Foodie alert! “Providence Restaurant Weeks” begins Sunday, January 8. The event takes place over a two-week period from January 8-23, and includes dozens of specials on the menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at restaurants around the city. Many popular spots are serving up signature cocktails, family-sized entrees, specialty products, and more. Several new establishments […]
Brewery of the Month: Winter brews at Narragansett
With winter settling back in, and many long nights still to come, it’s time to dig into some winter-ready beers around the region. A good place to start is at the state’s leading brewery, Narragansett, where my party and I enjoyed several selections on a recent evening. The tasting room at the Fox Point […]
RI VegFest returns to WaterFire Arts Center for plant-based celebration
RI VegFest, the Ocean State’s only fully vegan festival, will return to the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence on February 4th and 5th, 2023. The two-day event will feature over 85 local and national vegan and vegan-friendly brands from 10 different states. Attendees will be able to shop for vegan products, eat, drink, and sample […]
The Reef’s January Events: Something for everyone to enjoy
The Reef in Newport is offering an array of delicious events for the month of January. The 3-Course Culinary Experience, featuring a rotating 3-course menu paired with a bottle of wine, is available for $85 for 2 people. The Candlelight Dinner on January 21st promises to be a romantic evening filled with unforgettable flavors and […]
Jay Flanders’ Tiny Kitchen Magic: A Recap of Delicious Dishes in 2022
What’sUpNewp columnist Jay Flanders cooked up a variety of delicious dishes in his Tiny Kitchen Magic series in 2022. On November 7, Flanders braised chicken in beer, creating a flavorful and tender meal. In October, he served up salmon burgers, a healthy and tasty alternative to traditional beef burgers. September’s Tiny Kitchen Magic featured a […]
