Recently went here on a sunday night because in providence, there is not much nice open on a sunday. We made a reservation so we were promptly seated in the small space. Our waiter was a bit awkward but nice and attentive. We started with the corn soup and cold gazpacho, both were the right consistency and full of flavor. Another member of our party had the risotto which she said was one of the better ones she had tried on this side of the atlantic. For mains, we had the duck, bass, and veggie trio. The duck was perfectly cooked and flavorful. The bass also was a definite hit and went great with the fresh sides. The veggie meal was four items, 2 of which were on the menu. Some were hot and some were cold, and although fresh and tasty there was not much cohesion among them given that it was one plate with 4 bowls and not 4 courses. The desserts actually looked liked a let down compared to the food so we only had capuccino. All in all this was one of the best meals we have had in the state in a while and would recommend especially in the summer season. read more

Exquisite. Persimmon is where we go to celebrate something big or romantic... or when someone buys a second 'toy' motorcycle while his or her significant other is out of town and needs to 'soften' the news... Not that that has ever happened. But if that did happen, and I were the one getting the news, with a phobia of bi-wheeled vehicles, it wouldn't seem as bad. Why is this where you should go to share good (or bad) news? Superb menu, wonderful wine list, and the service is out of this world. Owned by a husband and wife team - Champe is innovative and way beyond proficient in the kitchen, and Lisa creates a charming and welcoming atmosphere in the dining room. The entire staff is like a family - they really seem to work together with the shared goal of creating a wonderful experience for their guests. Not too many places where you feel like people really like their job. This is one of the few. read more

I have been dining at Persimmon since they opened. It is truly a great find period. That it is on the East Bay is a blessing. This restaurant features one of the best savory chefs in the northeast. read more

Food: Food is good, but uninspired and lack of spice. Good quality ingredients. The portions are really, really small! $17 for a tiny appetizer is highway robbery. The restaurant is just not on the level to get away with such prices. It would be understandable, if the food would be amazing, but the combination of good, but lackluster food, with the tiny portions and high prices makes this only a 3 star establishment for food. Staff: The bus staff was funny and nice, but our waiter was a strange combination of pushy and condescending, with a lack of focus on details and truly lacking food knowledge. Barely 3 stars for staff. Restaurant: Nice interior, but no tablecloth. Good glassware, Not very cozy, with lack of space between tables. The guests (at least the night we went) appeared very old and stuffy. Not very relaxed feeling, with a certain amount of peer pressure. 2 Stars Improvements: More inspired food combinations, Attention to the more interesting spices. Slightly larger portions. Better waitstaff. read more

Un. Be. Lievable. The usual superlatives just aren't adequate to describe how wonderful the experience is, so I won't even try. It'd been about 5 years since our last visit. My wife and I went there to mark a special occasion and weren't disappointed. We had the seven course tasting menu (which had 3 freebies thrown in for good measure). Each course was fantastic, imaginative, perfectly seasoned, amazing balance and depth of flavor. Wow. read more

Amazing! The food and atmosphere are truly the best. From the moment you walk in, you will realize you are in a special place. Be ready to be further impressed with the food. We have been to Persimmon several times, including New Year's Eve which was truly special. read more

All things considered - the best meal in Bristol. Maybe not the best value - as it can get pricey - but the quality, presentation & flavors are all top notch. Seasonal menu changes often - but some staples remain. The sous vide chicken is amazing (and I almost NEVER order chicken out - preferring to be a bit more adventurous by default.) I notice reviews (skewed negatively) that mention the service - I've never had an issue. In fact, one of the last times we dined there they made room for our newborn in his car seat (one of the first places the boy ever "ate out") even in the middle of a busy night. The place IS small - so expect a bit of crowd noise and some close tables - but trust me, the food is worth it. read more

On two subsequent visits, I did not find Persimmon as good as I did the first time. Food was on the salty side (and I love salt). Service was spotty one of the times, both back of the house and front of the house; there was a long wait between courses, and we ended up stacking the plates and silverware to draw attention to the fact that we were ready to order dessert. But the truly amazing thing on one visit was the stale bread. I wanted to say something, but the friends I was with said a) it was too late, the bad impression had been made and b) it wasn't their job to keep an eye on the freshness of the bread. read more

Good friends of ours were visiting and treated us to a lovely meal at this establishment - what a treat! The bolognese sauce is the best!

The best foodie spot in Rhode Island. I have been a fan of this chef, Champe Speidel, since I was 12 years old when he was first employed at Gracie's. He has grown into what I believe chefs across the country aspire to be and he keeps getting better. The food is impeccable and he cooks his meats to perfection no matter the dish. The wine selection is fabulous and Kevin behind the bar is going to make your drink to perfection. It is a small restaurant so make a reservation. The noise can be on the quiet side and the ambiance is so lovely for a evening with family or a loved one. This is a 5 star restaurant hiding in little Bristol, RI. Make the trip. read more

Really beautiful, delicious food. Unpretentious and appeared effortless, but everything was perfectly balanced and simply tasted GOOD. We had a wonderful meal. read more

My last night in PVD and we decided to come here. So happy we did! It was beyond my expectations. The wine pairing was on point. I'm not really a wine drinker but that night I was and it felt great. I had the lamb I forget what it's called on the menu but it was so savory that you wanted to lick the plate clean. Just the entire course was great. From the appetizer to the main course and oh my desert was delicious. My first experience here and most definitely won't be my last! read more

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The perfection of Persimmon has come to Providence and now on a grander scale. If you enjoyed the ride down to Bristol to one of Rhode Island's most romantic dining spots then you are going to flip for Persimmon in Providence. With its larger digs Persimmon has successfully kept the feeling of an intimate dining spot while equally able to handle larger parties also. While I have only as of yet been able to join them for brunch I can assure you that the roots of this restaurant run deep and are fed with impeccable service that is on point without ever making you feel like the waiter is a stalker. The Brunch? Bloody Mary with chili vodka was bLoody marvelous. The vegetable beignet were crisp pillows of savory wonder atop an aioli that carried them perfectly. My English muffin with griddled ham and poached egg was perfectly balanced gooey yolk, salty ham and crunchy muffin, every bite was a moment of delight. To round out Brunch we finished it with a warm vanilla donut and a French press. There has never been for me a more perfectly paced, balanced and presented Brunch experience in Providence....not bad for their first day. Dinner? You better believe I'm coming back with my favorite dining companion, the lady who introduced me to Persimmon, my SHG. Eat Well Providence and take time to enjoy the experience of dining out. read more

Came recently for a repeat visit and was really looking forward to dinner here because it was quite good the first time. Service was again very slow, as it had been last time we went but there were far fewer guests this evening. I will accept slow service if the food is good, which it was not at this visit. What was stunning to me was the initial inattention and then hostility that we received from the staff. We waited 45 minutes from the time we sat to receive our first course (more accurately a nibble) which consisted of 2 oysters for me and a salad of about three bites of miniature vegetables for my partner. The taste of the oysters was bad. Caviar made the taste overwhelmingly salty. I enjoy salty foods and this was almost inedible. The salad was good but microscopic. Next was a soup sent out lukewarm and a bouchette which was one note in flavor. We were starving and tired as it was well past 930. The biggest disappointment came next which was truffle pasta - added at 30$ per person, a splurge but one we were excited for. This was a huge disappointment. We took a few bites and both agreed it was not very good, which our waiter (who had been mostly absent) commented on, then explained that it was seasoned correctly - I felt a lot of defensiveness and derision from the staff (explaining that cheese is salty etc). Mind you I had not complained or asked for anything - I had simply not eaten much of the food in front of me. But I was addressed and treated like I was wrong and creating a problem. The main courses were also served lukewarm. Dessert was just ok. At this time I told the waiter I was disappointed in the service and food. We had received the check ($300 for two), and I just wanted to go. I didn't ask to speak to the owner in this case either, but she came over anyway. She asked what my issues were and her body language was dismissive and condescending, at one point even chuckling at my comments, asking for more examples, and explaining them away by essentially stating "we know more than you". We won't be returning. They can make delicious and interesting food and their wine list is great, but are also capable of average or bad dishes - the haughty, bristling response to criticism and quick dismissal of guests will likely be their downfall in the long run. read more

I soooo wanted to give Persimmon five stars after reading the many rave reviews and wanting to go for quite some time. Perhaps making our first visit during Restaurant Week was a mistake, given that adhering to that menu limited our options and prevented me from trying items that would have pushed me from 4 to 5. Nevertheless, apparently we were lucky to get reservations at all during Restaurant Week, at 5:30 pm on a Saturday evening. We were greeted by a very charming woman and given the choice of several seating options in the intimate dining area, which was a nice touch (and there was only one other couple already seated when we arrived, so I guess if we arrived later, we wouldn't have had a choice). Our server arrived promptly to offer water choices (Pellegrino please); she was on her game all night, attentive without being obsequious. My wife had the halibut carpaccio, the pollock and the rhubarb mousse, while I had the leek and potato soup, the pork two ways, and the confit pineapple with coconut sorbet. They also started us off with a lovely amuse bouche, a dollop of crab salad on some tasty sauce. Overall, the meal was very good. . . but. . . not the over the top fantastic that we were expecting given the reviews. I thought the amuse bouche was the tastiest part of the meal, while my wife did really enjoy her entree. My soup was very nice and the carpaccio's presentation was very pretty. I think what took points off for me was the pork tenderloin in my entree. It was a fist sized tenderloin and I think in an effort not to overcook it, it was a little undercooked in the thickest, innermost portion of it, definitely on the medium-rare-minus side of things. The flavors of my entree were great, but the tenderloin was definitely a bit chewy. Desserts were just okay; they tasted fine, but again, didn't blow us away. I hate to say it, but we would be hard-pressed to make the 45 minute drive (and driving past Providence and say, Gracies) to return here; I guess we are true Rhode Islanders in that we have difficulty driving more than 30 minutes :). I'm sure if we lived in the East Bay, not the West Bay, we'd be more likely to return and try the full menu. read more

As you would expect from a master like Speidel, all the protein preparations were top drawer; and of course he used interesting ingredients throughout the meal like chorizo powder, EVO powder, and dried black olive crumbs. But forget all that because it's just par for the course in a high-end meal. Instead, the uncontested stars of the meal were the extraordinary local vegetable preparations found in nearly every dish. From the amuse bouche crudites, to the shaved carrots and purslane served with the lamb, to the shiso with the tuna crudo, to the bed of vegetable ragout under the halibut, to the corn in the risoto, these delicacies were all given the high level of attention that they deserved. Naturally chefs want the last pre-sorbet course to be one of their strongest dishes so as to leave the diner with a lasting impression of the meal. Chef Speidel clearly knows the power of his vegetable skills because he had the guts, the chutzpah, to present his warm vegetable salad as our last savory course. You wonder how a salad could be the strongest dish on the menu? No joke.This dish is the real deal. It edged out the risoto as my top pick of the meal (L chose the risoto followed by the salad). Vegetarian entrees can be the black sheep of a menu and the joke of the kitchen. Not in Speidel's house. [Note to yelp censors: the web site below is my own blog -- not a commercial site. This link is provided as a service to your readers so that they might read more about my experience at Persimmon.] The rest of the detailed review, including pictures can be found by going to www dot itsthefood dot net slash persimmon. read more

One of the best and most consistent chefs from Boston to new york!!! Everything on menu is great. Great knowledgable waitstaff. Downside-not enough veg and starch for protein. Tiny bar. read more

This place is hands down the best restaurant I've been to in Southeastern New England. It's important to me to try places several times before I give 5 stars for consistency reasons. I'm a foodie, so to me the creativity behind each dish is important. Permissions is the most creative place I've ever dined at. Here's the best example I can give for that: A mussel with an edible shell!! The shell tasted like a Pringle but looked exactly like a shell! We also ate, edible dirt (a mixture of delicious things). I've had many items here, but my most recent favorites are: the carrot soup and veal dinner. Their desserts are good, not amazing, but they're priced perfectly for what they are. One of the other reasons why I love this place is it's not "stuffy". You can wear jeans or a suit and they don't care. It's just a great place with a great staff. Give the tasting menu a try. It's AMAZING. Hopefully the Chef will have their Buffalo Chicken dish that night. It's unbelievable!! read more

NOISY! Tin ceiling, no drapes, no tablecloths, hardwood floor, no acoustic panels on walls, tight table placement....all make for an environment that's perhaps trendy but not pleasant. Had to shout to be heard across the (small) table; had to ask waitress to repeat her offerings/suggestions. We LOVED the restaurant when it was in Bristol. Now that it's been relocated into a larger venue in Providence, its atmosphere is completely different. The food remains superb, excellent, all the great adjectives. HOWEVER, when on a Thursday evening, even with a couple of tables empty, you cannot hear a normal conversation, I'll take my business elsewhere. Okay, I GET that the open-design kitchen and the "small-plates" menu entails more waiters and other staffers, and that their constant frenetic activity is supposed to add to the sense of immediacy and attentiveness. BUT all that hustle and bustle only boosts the volume. Decibels count! Thing is: If the owners would add just a few noise-abatement features---tablecloths, corduroy on the wall, acoustic ceiling panels---we could enjoy the food and great wine selections even more. read more

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the new Persimmon in Providence after enjoying them for years in Bristol. In a simple word: FLAWLESS! I should also add magnificent. I sat at the Chef's bar and could observe the kitchen and the care in which all of the plates were prepped and delivered. The food I received was beautifully presented and a real treat to consume. The service was impeccable with several people seeing to all our needs. The ambiance created by Champe and Lisa is elegant and relaxing, from their choice of colors to the artworks chosen. I can only say that everyone should experience Persimmon first hand to really enjoy themselves. In all my travels near and far, it's great to have one of the best restaurants in the world so easily accessible. Thank you Champe & Lisa for all that you do! Stephan Brigidi (most people know how fussy I am) read more

Pretentious is the one word for this place. We ordered many dishes and drinks. Atmosphere good, decent lighting and good service - our main waiter was trying to be too cute, talked too much, put his hand on some of our shoulders which was weird and uncalled for. The fresh home made non alcoholic drinks were really good ! The Frois Gras was the best dish - if you are going there (which I do not recommend) this is the dish you would want to order . The lamb plate had 4 or 5 variations of lamb. One was crazy good, one was ok, the rest not good. The soup was ok. The salad with only green leaves was great. The fish had lots of garlic and onion . . The radish salad was all over the place -ok The boneless chicken wings too cute - ok Ordered 3 desserts : Dark chocolate -too cute - looks like lots of different left overs- nothing real dark - ok The berries ice cream - again too cute - not great. The peach cake ok -nothing to write home about. Too expensive -value not there -dishes really small. read more

Newfound American Master Chef! Every plate that is prepared here at Persimmon is an art piece that has superb amount attention, care, ingenuity and creativity put into it. It is not only visually beautiful and inspiring, but also tastefully adventurous and pleasing. I commend Chef Champe Speidel for creating this amazing dining experience for foodies like myself. The attention to details was exceptional. I truly enjoyed every moment of every plate served. read more

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Originally came to Persimmon for providence restaurant week, but only 1 person in our group got the special menu because all of the options just sounded so good! Everything from the drinks, to the small plates, and desserts were very creatively prepared and definitely didn't disappoint on the flavors either. The space was very cute and not at all overcrowded, which definitely added to the overall dining experience. read more

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So, I have been to old location... so why not try NEW?! The food and service....was fabulous...ordered chefs menu.....didn't want to drink to much seeing we live so far away! But our server was able to pair a tasting for the more substantial courses!! Such a great experience. Can't wait to come back for summer menu! Ps Fox point great spot... parking was the only struggle.....fortunate to have arrived an hour early. read more

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Our first visit to Persimmon. Food was delicious. Our waiter Christopher was outstanding. Great wine suggestions. We will definitely go back! read more

THIS SHIT IS DELICIOUS. so expensive but went for a celebratory dinner with a friend and really enjoyed. the black spaghetti was so good as were the croquettes and simply everything was incredible read more

The plates are small but when you think about it it's the appropriate amount of food...and the food is AMAZING!!! Can't wait to go back. I loved all the little details that go into the food and the atmosphere is great as well. read more

This is hands down my Favorite Chef in Rhode Island. I became a huge fan of Chef Champe Speidel when he was the Chef of Gracie's on Federal Hill. When he opened his own place in Bristol I was even more excited. Champe and his wife Lisa have created more than a restaurant, it's an experience! His menu changes with the season like many other great restaurants, and he utilizes the freshest local ingredients. One of my favorite dishes on this Fall/Winters menu is the Crispy skin Long Island duck breast with Tarbais bean cassoulet, bacon lardon, glazed carrot, turnip and radish; rich duck sauce with rosemary. The portion was very large, a sliced duck breast over a whole duck leg, and it's not about how big a dish is but how the dish comes together. Everything in this dish worked, the richness of the duck, the earthy veggies, and the bite of the rosemary, pure perfection. Flawless service, from the second you enter to the end of your meal. The waitstaff are extremely friendly and make the whole experience even better. At no point did we ever feel rushed, other restaurant owners should take notes! I wish I could convince Yelp to give Persimmon 6 stars! read more

Easily one of the best meals I have ever had. I started with the white asparagus and fried oysters. I would have licked the plate if it was acceptable. It was delicious. Their menu changes daily. The presentation is beautiful and the food decadent. It's small so make a reservation. But it's just do cozy and lovely. I highly recommend it! read more

I absolutely love this restaurant. Everything about it from the food to the decor hits it out of the park. It is without a doubt in my top three favorite restaurants, and is perhaps number one. The food is top-notch. Every morsel on your plate will be savored. Though the menu changes frequently to reflect what is in season, the same players are usually present. Duck, lamb, some type of fish. It is always hard to decide, but I have ended up ordering the duck several times and it is consistently fantastic. The cocktails and wine selection are also out of this world. The service is also impeccable. They really have it down here. You are always greeted immediately and with warmth, and are never left in your seat waiting for your server. The ambiance is also excellent. The seating is comfortable and the decor is inviting and chic. If you're lucky, you'll get one of the cozy, private corner tables. All in all, dining at Persimmon is a delightful experience from start to finish. Make sure to make reservations well ahead of time, though, as the space is tiny and fills up fast! read more

If money is no object, then you'll probably love the service and food. Can't add much to this about the creative, fresh, and delicious food with special attention to presentation that others have not already stated . Service fantastic. Yes, really small portions and pricey. There are several small plate restaurants in Providence that deliver great food at half the price of this place. That said, Persimmon is a slight notch above the places I've been. Is it worth the price? Like I said, if you don't care about dropping a couple hunge for some really delicious morsels, then go. I probably won't return as I'd rather put my money in something almost as good and keeping the extra 100 bucks. read more

My fiance and I were brought here by our friends to celebrate our recent engagement. The entire experience was amazing! This was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had...ever! Do not miss out on a chance to try this place if you are in the area. read more

What a great experience. The food was creative and delicious. Make sure you come hungry because I left unable to eat any dessert. read more

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Best meal I've had in Providence this year. Persimmon was incredible from start to finish. The service was prompt and friendly. The food was creative, delicious, and presented beautifully. If you're looking for a date night spot or just a phenomenal meal, I highly recommend Persimmon. Can't wait to come back! read more

I would give Persimmon 6 stars if that were an option. This is my fiancé and my favorite restaurant ever, bar none, and we are fortunate to have many opportunities to dine at fine restaurants around the country. We tell everyone that will listen about the beautiful, expertly prepared food, and every guest who has ever accompanied us for dinner, from the picky eater to the gourmand, has been truly impressed. My personal favorite items in multiple visits have been the gnocchi, which melt in your mouth like clouds, the seared lamb breast, which almost caused me to have an inappropriate When Harry Met Sally type moment, and an apple dessert soup with cinnamon ice cream that almost cannot be described. Even a simple BBQ-style sauce or sorbet tasting is elevated to a different level with complex favors and stunning presentation. Persimmon's food is the standard against which I compare all other food. It seems diners that are unimpressed with portion sizes may not be familiar with fine dining. I always order my own appetizer and entree and never leave hungry, and I have a very hearty appetite. If I stay for a tasting, I leave absolutely stuffed. It is only a matter of time before the chef receives a James Beard award. So make the drive to Bristol, order a creative cocktail, and treat yourself to a wonderful meal in a cozy atmosphere before this place is booking up 6 weeks in advance. Don't forget the foie gras. read more

Went there for the first time at their new Providence location for Valentine's Day.. it was quite lovely! It was a set menu and we chose different things- their Steak was to DIE for- worth the extra cost. And they also had this rock shrimp with gochujang mayo that just melted in your mouth. I'm excited to stop by again to check out their regular menu! read more

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This is truly one of my favorite restaurants. The food never disappoints and the service is amazing! I always recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone who is making a trip down to Rhode Island. Can't wait for my next visit! read more

Definitely a really fancy place with an eclectic menu... I never thought I would enjoy boiled beetroots so much :) Do ask for vegetarian pasta options they do offer items that are off the menu, mine was AMAZING read more

This restaurant is incredible. We visited for the second time tonight and wow! It is clear that much time and thought goes into these dishes and drinks-- you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. And not only are the food and drinks delicious but the staff is kind and attentive. They go above and beyond to make sure your experience is perfect. We can't wait to try their monthly brunch sometime soon! read more

It was our first visit and we were not disappointed. I splurged for the chefs tasting menu and was taken on a culinary journey. From little surprise tastings such as the chefs take on chicken and waffles (crispy chicken skin) to succulent duck, beef and bass, flavors and presentation was pristine. We did not make reservations and were seated at the at the bar. Service was attentive and helpful. Next time we will plan ahead an ensure to put in for reservations. read more