2512 replies to this topic

[Garris]

According to news on Chowhound, Restaurant Oak on Hope Street near Hope Village has been sold to the owners of the Florentine Grill.  As my experiences at Oak have always been mixed (some good dinners, terrible brunches, poor service around the clock, and generally not living up the potential of its great dining space and location) I hope things will improve.  Early reports suggest that it has.

[FjmArch]

Jenkins, on Jul 29 2008, 09:03 AM, said:

My wife is a big fan of the India on Hope Street, but mostly because they do a healthier version of the dishes (less cream and ghee). I think they have done a very good job with the design of the place, both indoor and out, have very good service, but I really miss traditional Indian food whenever I eat there.

For the best traditional Indian you just need to travel further down Hope Street to Not Just Snacks. It is very authentic to the point that they serve your meal on thaali.
Thanks now I know where I am going for lunch today.

[runawayjim]

FjmArch, on Jul 30 2008, 10:27 AM, said:

For the best traditional Indian you just need to travel further down Hope Street to Not Just Snacks. It is very authentic to the point that they serve your meal on thaali.
Thanks now I know where I am going for lunch today.

haven't tried that one yet, but bombay club is phenomenal.

[Garris]

runawayjim, on Jul 30 2008, 10:33 AM, said:

haven't tried that one yet, but bombay club is phenomenal.

I consider India "learner's" Indian...  Essentially Indian themed American food.  I love their space, but I've had some not-so-good meals there.  The baddness wasn't the lack of authenticity, it was just poor cooking (ex: plating too hot food, and then the steam forms a puddle of water on the bottom of the plate).  The place that does what India aspires to do is Kabob and Curry, which hits a homerun with mainstream Indian for American palates.

I'd put Bombay Club in the same strata as Not Just Snacks.  Both excellent and full-on authentic Indian.  

Taste of India on Wickenden occupies a position between Bombay Club/NJS and India...  Authentic but just slightly toned down.

Overall, though, we're lucky to have outright excellent Indian food in Providence at all levels of authenticity...

Edited by Garris, 30 July 2008 - 03:56 PM.

[jencoleslaw]

I had some of the best meals in Providence (north, actually) at Florentine Grille. I hope they turn Oak around. Is it the same chef as FG? Nick somethingorother?

[smcbride11]

FjmArch, on Jul 30 2008, 10:27 AM, said:

For the best traditional Indian you just need to travel further down Hope Street to Not Just Snacks. It is very authentic to the point that they serve your meal on thaali.
Thanks now I know where I am going for lunch today.

Agreed.  Great food, always very polite, attentive service; and they're BYO - they've always happily provided glasses to my groups free of charge (I'm not 100% sure since we always drink beer, but I believe I've seen them offer other parties wine glasses as well).

[Frankie811]

Olneyville offers rich blend of dining institutions and ethnic flavors.

For the Ank

Olneyville has been a food destination for me ever since I found La Lupita Tacos Mexicanos in the heart of the square.

[Frankie811]

Downtown Providence dining spot in receivership

The majority owner of Bravo Brasserie last week pushed the business into state receivership, hoping to find a buyer willing to assume the restaurant’s debt's.

[whatstepheats]

Cotuit, on Jul 30 2008, 09:42 AM, said:

Their flatbread sandwiches are gross, I wish they would give it up and stop trying to get me to eat them.

Yeah, curiosity got the better of me and I let it cloud my better judgement.  They taste like cardboard.

[Garris]

Frankie811, on Aug 3 2008, 06:26 AM, said:

Downtown Providence dining spot in receivership

The majority owner of Bravo Brasserie last week pushed the business into state receivership, hoping to find a buyer willing to assume the restaurant’s debt's.

  I like Bravo...

Edited by Garris, 03 August 2008 - 11:23 AM.

[jencoleslaw]

I am starting to think that spot is cursed, or something.

[brick]

Isn't the Bravo news more related to the shenanigans of the owners than it is to the viability of the restaurant itself?

[Pseudo_Work]

brick, on Aug 3 2008, 04:09 PM, said:

Isn't the Bravo news more related to the shenanigans of the owners than it is to the viability of the restaurant itself?

Yeah, I would tend to think so.  It seems like it's always busy there, sounds more like ineptitude on the part of the owner.

[runawayjim]

I'm very surprised by the Bravo news.  The food is good, the service could be better, but I've never had a bad experience there.  And it always seems to be doing a pretty good business.

[Garris]

runawayjim, on Aug 3 2008, 10:17 PM, said:

I'm very surprised by the Bravo news.  The food is good, the service could be better, but I've never had a bad experience there.  And it always seems to be doing a pretty good business.

If I were in the restaurant business, I'd want to take a hard look at the financials of that place.  It's well liked, fairly high quality already, and every time I'm there it's jam packed.  I have to think someone can make the bottom line work, especially if picked up for a good price.

[brick]

Garris, on Aug 4 2008, 08:50 AM, said:

If I were in the restaurant business, I'd want to take a hard look at the financials of that place.  It's well liked, fairly high quality already, and every time I'm there it's jam packed.  I have to think someone can make the bottom line work, especially if picked up for a good price.

The problem with the receivership is that you also have to take the debt.

[eltron]

brick, on Aug 4 2008, 01:13 PM, said:

The problem with the receivership is that you also have to take the debt.

Not entirely true - the state appointed receiver is charged with finding the best deals for the debt holders- often times quite a short sale. At least on the real estate side.

[Cotuit]

I was in Bravo on Thursday evening (lovely croque madame) and spoke with the new manager (the ever so hot Kyle). The old manager and co-owner is out, they've brought someone in from Barnsiders (forgot what they said his function was). Kyle said they are focused on maintaining quality and service and are looking to better monetize the upstairs space. I suspect we'll see that as overflow dining on theatre nights in addition to being a function space. Our waitress said it was crazy there for a while, but she is very happy with the new management. They are looking to become solvent again and continuing to be there and serving Providence.

Oh, and service was indeed excellent, we were outside and it started raining, and they quickly seated us inside and got us all settled. One touch, that I really loved, we were sitting down at a new table, and the person helped us noticed it was wobbly and he fixed it with such finesse that my boyfriend didn't even notice.

[TheAnk]

Isn't Bravo the place with the incredible amount of arrogance served up by the host staff? Or was that Local 121 or whatever..

[Cotuit]

TheAnk, on Aug 7 2008, 04:58 PM, said:

Isn't Bravo the place with the incredible amount of arrogance served up by the host staff?

I've heard people say that the former manager of Bravo was not friendly to them, but I've never had an issue with the waitstaff.