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652 Union St., Brooklyn NY; 718.636.6311; www.palosanto.us/
It’s been a while since I’ve written a restaurant review, so I want to quickly tout this noteworthy dinner spot. Located in the beautiful neighborhood of Park Slope, Brooklyn, Palo Santo is literally steps from the Union St. stop on the R line. The first time I came upon this restaurant I actually thought it was an especially extravagant home. I say this because Palo Santo is the first floor of a brownstone on a completely residential street. Two small wrought iron garden tables sit innocently on the cobblestone front, and an inconspicuous sign hangs above windows to the dimly lit interior.
I’m trying to keep my posts more brief, so let me get straight to the heart of this entry, which is that the food is very, very, good. It’s South American inspired, and the menu changes daily. Ingredients are fresh, local and organic when possible, and chef Jacques Gautier is not afraid of spice and flavor.
I recommend going for the fish, which is always done right, and not as heavy as the meats tend to be (though for people that love big flavor, they’ll be more than pleased). Ask for a wine pairing recommendation and take advantage of the selection; I learned that the chef often visits Argentina and Chile to hand pick the wines that appear on his menu. The servers understand the matches well, and if you are like me, and like to pair seafood with red wine, their advice may keep you from making an unsavory choice.
Similarly, Chef Gautier understands who supplies his food in addition to his wine, and makes regular visits to his meat suppliers and to local farmers markets. One of my favorite memories of Palo Santo is a visit I made there with my mother, and as we were about to step into the restaurant Chef and one of his line cooks intercepted us while carrying a whole goat, which they were going to dress and serve for dinner that night.
I also love eating outside on their front patio (they have one in the back as well) and pretending that I’m enjoying a home cooked meal, outside of my apartment, watching the passerbys who may assume that is precisely the case!
I am getting tired of mentioning a “clam cake” to non-Rhode Islanders and watch them bob their heads in false understanding: “it’s like a crab cake, right?”
Yikes! (I say) No way. Imagine a clam being smashed into a different shape? Icky. They’re already ugly. Clame Cakes are, in fact, a much more appetizing vision of food stuff. They are chopped and rolled in batter, then deep fried so they become a hot, fluffy, chewy ball. Usually served by the half dozen, they’re best eaten with New England Clam Chowder.
You can find this treat at sea-side dives such as Iggy’s or Aunt Carry’s in Narragansett, or at nearby restaurant Charlie O’s Tavern.
121 Washington Street, Providence RI, 401.274.2121
I’ve dined here three times and all I can think is, it’s just so gosh darn pretty! I mean really, I couldn’t get over it. I sat in the bar both twice, and would consistently sneak into the dining room so I could admire the the historic feel. With some investigating I learned that Local 121 is inside the former Dreyfus Hotel (built circa 1890′s), and is under ownership by AS220, a Providence non-profit arts organization.
In keeping with the liberal, sustainable AS220 tradition, you can expect local, organic, seasonal food. Oh, and I should probably add delicious. I ate in the bar both times, and would consistently sneak into the dining room so I could admire the design and decor. Overall, the restaurant is dark, with a lot of wood paneling and plush furniture, perfect for a romantic dinner, or a swanky night cap.
Which brings me to my next point, the bartenders know their stuff, they create their own drinks, using both years of experience and magic wands. So please, don’t come here and order a Jack and Coke, or a Bud. My recommendation is the Lime and Basil Gimlet. I am not a gin fan, but this is possibly one of my all time favorite drinks, and it is sweet, sour, subtle, and has a kick. I know it doesn’t sound possible, but like I said, magic wands.
UPDATE:
The last time I went there was some great music being DJ’d and despite the small dance floor, the place was being shook up by some YP’s with quite the post-work dance moves!
234 Thayer Street, Providence RI, 401.331.6200
Paragon is one of those places that I saw all the time while growing up, but never actually went inside. I always heard it was good, and I finally went this year and everyone was right. It is good!
This is what you’ll get: very attractive servers, very mod/european interior, nice big windows, a yummy menu, and mostly tourists and out-of-towners as your co-patrons.
I think it fits in fairly well with the other places on that side of Thayer St. You have Andreas which is basically the Greek version of Paragon (also quite good) and Kartabar, another European/mod food and drink hub. So, all three of these places sort of blend together for me, but Paragon is worth the visit.
Also, Paragon has two bars, and I think it is great to stop by at night for drinks. One bar tends to be much more crowded than the other, so you can drift in between the two depending on your mood.
Great for a sunny outdoor lunch, a sexy dinner, or a night on the town.
318 Broadway, Providence RI, 401.861.1770
Julian’s is like a little punk rock motor that keeps my heart beating. I take my visiting friends there and am proud to show them just what Providence is about. For those unaccustomed to the more artistic, wild side of Providence, come to Julian’s; for those who want to go where the locals go, come to Julian’s! The food ranges from burgers to vegan pancakes, and the patrons are wildly varied in age, race, and bodily decor. Prices are reasonable, but not cheap.
My dad works right down the street from this place, and I have been meeting him for lunches here for years. The service is slower than a Kentucky hour, but I think it is fine for anyone looking to have a few drinks and enjoy the day.
This is what I like: the french toast and the omelets are both amazing. The mango lemonade is very refreshing. The other foods on the menu, while super yummy, tend to reflect the atmosphere by being a little over the top. Lots of flavor, my friends. Lots and lots of tattoos and flavor.
My all time favorite thing to order is the stuffie and the dark and stormy. The stuffy, for those of you who don’t know, is a Rhode Island specialty, a quahog that is chopped and put in a bread stuffing with peppers and spices and then baked in the shell it came from. Julian’s makes these fresh and they are the best stuffies I’ve had in the state. They are also very spicy, and are served seasonally.
At the bar they serve a mean dark and stormy (dark rum and ginger beer, do as the fisherman do) and there is a tv in the bathroom that usually plays cartoons…not that you should stay in there too long.
250 Westminster St, Providence RI, (401) 421- 3300
Tazza is a great nighttime stopping point for those in down town Providence. The atmosphere is sleek and youthful, and I have been there for some very fun, live music that got everyone in the place up and dancing. It’s a good crowd.
In the summer months Tazza shows a film on the side of the next door building which is windowless and painted white. You can watch the movie from the outdoor seating (that way you can still booze it up) or hop on over to the empty lot and snuggle up to a friend for a good flick. They show on third Thursdays, which is also Gallery night, and the movies tend to be 70s hits. It’s fun and free.