Visited with a friend and it was a first visit for both of us. We sat down at the bar and were…read moreimmediately drawn in by the casual but classy vibe. My friend knows much more about wine than I do, so he was the decision maker for our wine choices and we ordered a 1/2 bottle of red which we both found to be very delicious. Of course, we had to try some food too and the small bites menu was perfect with something to satisfy nearly every taste. We opted for the meat charcuterie, and it was beautifully presented with enough for the two of us to share. There is also a cheese charcuterie on the menu, but unfortunately there is not an option for a combined meat and cheese plate. We sat, sipped, and tasted for a while and never felt rushed. The atmosphere was so comfortable and we'll definitely consider going back here again.

I didn't have the best time at Providence Wine Bar…read more This might sound a little haughty, but hear me out: I can drink wine at home. I can browse a liquor store & pick out a bottle that exactly fits my preferences, my mood, & my budget. I can bring it home & uncork the wine, checking the cork for freshness. I can pull out my special glassware & pour myself a glass of wine & enjoy it on my own couch. So why go out to a wine bar, if not for the wine? For me, it's for the ambience & the experience. Both of those things at Providence Wine Bar were lacking. The lights were too bright (overhead & fluorescent) & the music was too loud (& just bad). The employees seemed both bored & nervous, with not much to do to occupy themselves. I was one of the only people in the bar, so I felt like I was under scrutiny - I'm certain this wasn't intentional but it was unfortunately how it came across. I brought a book but couldn't focus because of the lights & the music. I even caught myself with my fingers in my ears, trying to muffle the sounds of 2010s hyper pop. I have nothing against 2010s hyperpop, it's just that there's a time & place for everything, & maybe that isn't at a wine bar at 8 PM on a Wednesday. I just wanted to be done with my glass of wine so that I could leave. All of that being said, I wish them the best. It seems like they need a good manager's touch.

I was early to a dinner reservation, so I walked by this place and ended up stopping in. The staff…read morewas very nice, the music was great and the whole vibe of the place was on point. I had two drinks. The first drink was a spicy. Margarita, it was really good but rather small. The second drink I had was it ginger drink that was phenomenal. Great before dinner spot!

Have been multiple times now and every time I leave having had an excellent drink…read more I love that Lambrusco is making its way on menus and there is no shortage of delicious wine on the menu at Glou. The lighting is dark and intimate, perfect for a drink on a date! While the wine list is what I go for, there's also cocktails, beer, and a variety of non alcoholic options, which was great for meeting friends here during dry January. Can't wait to be back in the summer with the patio!

Can an unpretentious neighborhood restaurant in Pawtucket really be worthy of a 5-star review? In…read morethe case of 579 Benefit Street, absolutely! This used to be the Checker Club, a classic old-school fine dining restaurant that had gotten a bit shabby in its latter years. The renovation/transformation is astounding. The interior is beautiful & immaculate. My dining companion & I went for Restaurant Week, when they offered a 3-course meal (appetizer, entree or pasta & dessert) for $29.95. I've been to many different places for previous Restaurant Weeks & find that usually there aren't an abundance of choices and/or the servings are a bit smaller than usual. Not the case here! The choices are plentiful & the servings are full-sized. I chose the Clams Casino (3) for my appetizer, which were tasty but a bit dry. They definitely would have benefited from a little more butter in the crumb topping, but a squeeze of lemon made them quite delectable. My entree was 1/2 rack of BBQ Baby Back Ribs. Fall-off-the-bone tender with a nice char, there was the perfect amount of heat & sweet in the sauce. The coleslaw was fine & the sweet potato fries were probably the best I've ever had. Super creamy interior with just a hint of exterior crunch & lightly seasoned... yum! And there were plenty of leftovers to bring home. The absolute best part of the meal, though, was dessert. An Espresso Martini was one of their offerings. Full-size & full-strength, I'd expect to pay $15-$18 elsewhere for this drink alone. Delicious & the perfect ending to our excellent meal. Our server was pleasant & attentive. The real rock star, though, was the Manager, Brett. Such fun watching him work the room, comping small glasses of bubbly to the 4-top next to us as someone was celebrating a birthday, snapping photos & cooing at infants. He stopped to chat at each table, something I really appreciate. 579 has many weekly specials including buck-a-shuck, 50¢ wings, half priced apps & the like. You can sign up for email notifications on their website. Their gorgeous bar area off the main dining room was packed for karaoke night. There is a small lot behind the restaurant & side street parking. I'll definitely be back!

It is Providence restaurant week and on this occasion we decided to go with our daughter to a new…read moreplace where we had not previously been. The restaurant was a bit out of our way but their prefix menu looked good and was well priced for dinner at $30 per head. The place itself was very uninspiring and we entered somewhat with trepidation. The bar area was reasonably full but we opted for the dining area which was much quieter. It was also bland unappealing. Anyway we ordered beers and a Prosecco and studied the menu offerings. For starters we had the 4 shrimp cocktail, the 2 mini tacos and I had the 3 Zippy shrimp - all of which were delicious. The main courses were two of the peachy salmon and with some trepidation the 7oz sirloin steak and we were all pleasantly surprised as to how good they all were. We ended the meal with two mini lava chocolate cakes and the cheesecake. Again, they were very good. With everything the check came to $137, (reasonable for the quality of the meal) for three not including the tip. The young server seemed inexperienced but amicable. The restaurant deserves 4**** for the food but only 2** stars for the decor and ambience. Given its location (for us), its ambience (lacking), and the dull beige interior I am unsure that we will return - a pity since the food was well priced and tasty.

5 Stars for exceptional coffee and food that will bring these RI visitors back before we head back…read moreto FL. The weather was nice, so we chose to sit out back under the lovely umbrellas and look over the water. They also have adirondack chairs set out, so I imagine it would be a lovely spot for a cocktail and a chat with friends! Our server, Lena, was a DREAM and helped us make our choices. I got a seasonal latte while my partner got the medium-roast pourover coffee. Having had a hard time finding really great coffee recently, we were soooo impressed. They clearly take their coffee program seriously (and now I realize the name should have tipped me off!). The food was equally impressive. It legitimately didn't have to be as good as it was (lol). The yogurt bowl on any menu is usually "meh," but we gave it a try since we wanted some non-meat protein and I am SO glad we did. It was the best yogurt bowl I've ever had- no contest. The whole milk yogurt was creamy; the strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries were ripe; the honey and granola added crunch and some floral sweetness; and the best part was the raspberry preserves they pipe on top. I wish I could recreate this at home! We also loved the lemon poppyseed loaf with blueberry preserves and cream. Another quick brunch addition that could have been simple, but had so much thought put into the flavors. Overall, a big fan and I'll be back!

The positive: Gorgeous patio during fair weather. Stopped…read morein for brunch and the brunch menu is a little on the limited side - short menu, no brunch bevs, etc. House made sausage was heavy on the fennel. Biscuits and gravy I'd pass on - biscuit was not very flakey and it was garnished with raw sage which is a fail

Didn't get a picture! But updating to describe the excellent cocktail Bianca made me!…read more I've been getting the espresso martini by default here cause they are quite good...but my drink of choice is usually a citrusy gimlet of sorts. I mentioned this to Bianca when I was ordering and she essentially said "say less"... made me the perfect drink. I was so pleased... it can get quite busy but if you know the general profile of what you're into- Bianca will get the vision and make you the perfect cocktail. It's that personalized touch that'll get me back again and again!

Recently visited for a friend's birthday where she rented out the second room for the evening. She…read morepurchased drink tickets and had food there which was great, but we did have a bit of an odd interaction with a bartender who threw a ticket back at my partner because he ordered a soft drink. Maybe could've been done in a nicer way, especially because I still tipped and covered the drink (and it was not busy in the slightest). Anyway, the space was really nice but I wish they would've let her turn up her music more so we could've danced.

Aurelia is more than a place to have dinner. Its an experience…read more Its a perfectly orchestrated ensemble of food, ambiance, knowledge, and passion. Food. They use only the best seasonal ingredients. Ambiance. What can beat a view of Narragansett Bay watching the sail boats go by? Knowledge. Have a wine tasting with Carl and he will amaze you with the level of knowledge about the ingredients and the wines that are being served. Im pretty sure he spends countless hours studying the wines, the region where it comes from, and how it harmonizes with the food you are about to eat. Carls usually our waiter but everyone here is excellent. Passion. Its the main ingredient that binds everything together. The workers here are passionate about hospitality. They are all there to make sure you have the absolute best experience possible and it shows. From the valet, to the hostess, to the waiters and waitresses they always bring their A game. Its 2026. There's many things I'm not sure in this life. But one thing I am sure of is that when I walk through the doors of Castle Hill (Aurelia) I'm going to have an amazing meal and more importantly an amazing experience. Patron to this amazing establishment for 11 years and counting!

We wanted somewhere fancy in Newport, and Aurelia seemed promising. They offer a vegetarian tasting…read moremenu. Calling ahead, they confirmed they could accommodate vegan. How we would rate our experience Sommelier & Wine -- 5/5 A true highlight. We started with a half bottle of sparkling, then chose a bottle of white. The sommelier presented the bottle, which is on the prestige wine tasting list. His pairing with the artichoke was superb. Service -- 4/5 Really polished, Michelin-level service. They pushed in our chairs, folded our napkins if we stepped away, changed silverware between courses. Only opportunity was sweeping up crumbs. There was one mix-up when someone who wasn't our server brought out a quail dish. We explained we're vegan, and he immediately took it away, returned and apologized. Otherwise, service was excellent. Ambiance -- 3/5 The water views are beautiful and could make this a 4, but a rowdy terrace party gave more sports-bar vibes, and the door to the bar kept opening. Presentation -- 3.5/5 Visually stunning, with obvious precision and advanced gastronomy techniques. The uniformity of the vegetables and textures was impressive. Some courses were 5/5 showstoppers, while others were one too many strange bowls of foam--2/5. Taste -- 1/5 The food was seriously bland. We observed the vegetarian dishes were similar to the meat and seafood dishes, but with the protein removed. When you remove a salty, savory fish, you also remove everything it contributes. Something needs to be added back to execute the original composition. Price -- 2/5 At $185 per person, the vegetarian tasting menu is not justified at the same meat price. I'm happy to pay for an incredible experience, but this menu should be closer to $99-$125 WITH improved taste and care. Bottom line Aurelia has potential, but I would not currently recommend it to vegetarians or vegans unless they take our feedback seriously. The vegetables felt like supporting players in dishes designed around the meat or seafood, and didn't shine on their own. The service, wine program and technical execution are all there. But the most important part is simple, the food should taste good, especially at thar price.

Gift Horse was out of this world. The scallop roll was the standout. Sweet, smoky scallops in a…read moresoft buttery brioche bun, but somehow still bright and fresh. I could have eaten three of them. We also had the crudo trio, oysters, smoked fish dip and lamb burger and everything was excellent. The lamb burger was rich and flavorful but perfectly balanced by the sweet jam, soft squishy sesame bun and thin, crispy, craggly onion rings. The smoked fish dip came with crisp nori chips that were a little intense on their own for me, but perfect with a big scoop of the creamy, smoky dip. Loved trying the three different crudos and every oyster was delicious. We sat at the bar with a great view of the whole place, great music and attentive service. Too full for dessert unfortunately because everything looked amazing. Still thinking about that scallop roll.

Gift Horse has been on my list to try for a long time and I finally made it. We sat at the bar and…read morecouldn't have been happier with the service. The drinks came out quick and they were unique and delicious. We asked the waitress about the Yellowfin piri piri and found that there were two different sized orders. We opted for the larger portion. The tuna came sliced up on a platter with piri piri sauce and two Portuguese rolls. What a dish! The sauce and the tuna was so good we didn't leave a trace of anything on that silver platter. The Crudo was to die for! Fresh fish was amazing and the olive oil was so good it just brings it to the next level. We were were not hungry after these two dishes, but we had to try a dessert with the experience so far. We opted for the cinnamon bun ice cream sandwich. Although it was good, I expected better. The cinnamon bun was a bit dry. After the quality of the tuna and crudo, I was expecting a super soft bun with the a ton of icing dripping down. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth a visit. I will be back again.

We attended a Maison Ferrand cognac seminar & tasting the other night at Sapphire & it was such a…read morefun & unique experience for us. The staff at Sapphire (Melissa, Marc, & Shiv), as well as the guest bartender (Vannaluck), went above & beyond to make the experience interactive & memorable. We were greeted immediately with a French 75 made with cognac - Did you know that the original French 75 called for cognac, as well as many other classic cocktails? No? Neither did I. The welcome aperitif was a great lil' treat to kick the night off with. We were given a mini charcuterie selection to keep us busy until the main event, which began about 20 minutes after we arrived. Vannaluck talked us through the history & characteristics of cognac. We were given 3 small pours of different cognacs to taste as well as a serendipitous, bonus mini pour at the end. Throughout the night, the kitchen sent out a variety of tapas that UTILIZED COGNAC. Cognac glaze, reduction, brine, etc. Fascinating! I went in knowing next to nothing about cognac & left with a decent understanding of the spirit. I've always wanted to do something like this, & Sapphire made it extremely accessible. It was also amazingly affordable. I'm really looking forward to more events like this one. Sign me up, please.

My husband and I decided to come to Sapphire for a drink...I had really enjoyed the cocktails and…read morethe food during the recent Yelp Elite even, so I told my hubby to check out this place with me. I loved the Jacobean cocktail, so we both got this smooth scotch cocktail...Melissa made the drink with an expertise that few have and while she was making them, we engaged in conversation with Marc, the beverage manager. Both were very engaging and very friendly, making the visit very relaxed and enjoyable....we also got some steakhouse sliders that were outstanding...the meat was just slightly medium, keeping all the moistness and flavor.... Overall a great place for a drink and/or light bites...... The ambiance is inviting and cozy and the patio outside is great for those nice warm Rhode Island evenings....

A lovely restaurant, classy & approachable with a lively atmosphere & fun vibe. Great, tasty…read moreSpanish tapas, we usually go during a birthday or celebration. Food is adventurous & bold; memorable meals over the years: Fried Goat cheese with charcuterie meats, manchego cheese & french bread, have to do The Bocado Experience for 2 or 4, Jamon Iberico, Pato (duck pastrami w sherry glaze), tuna poke, atun de bocado (seared yellowfin saku tuna), braised pork belly, Spanish octopus, mussels in cream sc, twin mini Kobe style beef burgers, venison, fried calamari, lollipop lamb chops, seared beef tenderloin, classic paella & Paella de Mariscos, & baked flan for dessert. Just so fascinating - their chefs can put out such tasty small plates so quickly, each packed with such fresh & exciting flavors, always cooked to perfection (never over or under cooked). Get the sangria pitchers, bar is always packed & hopping. Dining room just got a refresh, but was beautiful even before with a great atmosphere also. Our least favorite was the rabbit (way too many small bones to pick out).

Okay, well. DO NOT EXPECT TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR FOOD & HAVE YOUR CAMERA EAT FIRST here (this also…read moreincludes the cocktails). The food presentation just aint it.....there is none. I would suggest to them using smaller appetizer platters so the food doesn't look like it got slapped on them straight outta the pan with literally no care & respect for the ingredients. The Gambas Al Ajillo deserved more than 2 pieces (NOT SLICES) of croutons, The pork belly & polenta dish was unbalanced & there was hardly any polenta to be evenly shaped between a party of 4, It was the saddest looking octopus dish I've ever seen next to a pile of spices potatoes. Just because it is a tapas wine bar, doesn't mean they're given a pass to ignore how appealing it looks to guests. Hit or miss for the mai tais (the bartenders need to work on their ratios). Bcuz why am I can just order a screwdriver with the amount of orange juice we were given. HOWEVER, everything is edible & incredibly delicious. The authentic Spanish flavors absolutely shine thru!

Ordered: Green Thumb Cocktail (~$13): Lustau Fino Sherry,…read moreRhum JM White Rhum, Cucumber, Lemon, Lavender, Thai Basil, Sea Salt Strawberry El Diablo Cocktail (~$13): Rejon Reposado Tequila, Strawberry Cordial, Lime, Fever Tree Ginger Beer Wood-Roasted Sesame Focaccia (~$12): with Ligurian Olive Oil Raw Scallops (~$22): with cherry blossom mayo, sesame, radish Red Shrimp Quasi Crudo (~$26): lightly roasted with Sardinian olive oil and lemon Carrot & Mascarpone Anolini (~$26): yogurt, sugar kelp, fresh bay leaf, parmigiano Wood-Roasted Basque-Style Cheesecake (~$16): with blueberries & Tuscan olive oil Aya's take: Oberlin was hands down my favorite dining experience on my first trip to Providence! Chef Ben Sukle has received many accolades including being a James Beard Finalist so I knew we were in for a treat. Everything we ordered was so fresh, had a farm-to-table vibe, and felt very intentional. 3 different dishes had 3 different types of olive oil - that's impressive! I was blown away by the Red Shrimp Quasi Crudo. They were slightly sweet, perfectly cooked with a delicate snap, and I still got some of the roasted/grilled flavor. The Raw Scallops were so simple yet so exquisite. This is a must order along with anything on their crudo menu! The Carrot & Mascarpone Anolini was such a unique pasta and was perfectly balanced and delicious. And definitely leave room for dessert because you can't leave here without trying the Wood-Roasted Basque-Style Cheesecake. It's so creamy, borderline custardy, with a beautiful char on top and the delicate blueberries and olive oil that paired so well together. They are really using their wood-fire oven to the max and I'm here for it. What an exceptional meal; highly recommend.

The good parts: the ambiance is nice, and the food was quite tasty. My partner had the pork ($40)…read morewhich was a whole tenderloin and which he thought was delicious and good quality. My pieces were tasty but a bit fatty (hard to chew). I had the eggplant ravioli which was very rich and tasty ($28) - but so heavily sauced it was hard to tell what was what. The less good parts: the cheap wood chairs are too uncomfortable to sit on very long (I moved to the banquette next to my partner). The food is overpriced. It really needed something with it - bread, potatoes, vegetables, anything. The pork came with a few bitter leaves of a salad. I have a small appetite in general - I usually take home half my food anywhere I go. I looked at the food and said "we are going to have to go to IHOP later" because it was a light snack. The only bread available cost $12. Maybe it's amazing but I just couldn't bring myself to pay $12 for bread on principle. The food took awhile to arrive. Long enough for the server to tell us she was leaving for the night and to get up and order two drinks directly from the bar myself. The servers were nice in a way that felt somewhat forced. We are finding someplace else for dessert. I really liked my espresso martini, and that was within the price range I would expect ($13).