241 replies to this topic

[oak]

I went to the soft opening for LJs last night. (It opens to the public tonight.)  It was packed with a diverse crowd.  The atmosphere is non-descript, nothing like the funky previous location.  I think they will do very well.  People were excited to be there.

Derek Wagner (Nick's on Broadway) was there too and he said construction was happening on his new building and he is hoping for a late spring/early summer opening.  The small insurance company will continue to be a tenant in the building.  

Matt from Farmstead was there too and he said the Farmstead cafe/wine bar optimistically will open early May and realistically in June.

[Garris]

oak, on Mar 15 2006, 05:12 PM, said:

I went to the soft opening for LJs last night. (It opens to the public tonight.)  It was packed with a diverse crowd.  The atmosphere is non-descript, nothing like the funky previous location.  I think they will do very well.  People were excited to be there.

Derek Wagner (Nick's on Broadway) was there too and he said construction was happening on his new building and he is hoping for a late spring/early summer opening.  The small insurance company will continue to be a tenant in the building.  

Matt from Farmstead was there too and he said the Farmstead cafe/wine bar optimistically will open early May and realistically in June.

Great update!  Thanks.  I won't ask you how you swung an invitation to that event...  

- Garris

[brick]

I went to LJ's last night for their real opening.

Got there late, about 8:30.  They were out of several things on the menu and seemed a little overwhelmed.  I think they got a bigger crowd for a Wednesday than they were expecting.  My feeling was that they had their opening on a Wednesday to have a practice day or two before the weekend.  Anyway, the place was full the entire time I was there eating.

As for the food, I enjoyed my ribs and pork.  The pork doesn't seem pulled like the menu says but it was tasty nonetheless.  They also have a great selection of beers.

As my companion noted, it is somewhat ironic to have them two doors down from The Garden Grille.  I'm surprised the GG guys didn't protest more as I imagine in the summer their patrons will be subject to bbq smell which I'm sure is a turn-off to many vegans.

[Garris]

brick, on Mar 16 2006, 11:07 AM, said:

They were out of several things on the menu and seemed a little overwhelmed.  I think they got a bigger crowd for a Wednesday than they were expecting.

This was what I was expecting...  I'm not going to go for a week or two to give things (and them) a chance to settle in...  The pent up demand for LJ's amongst people I knew on the East Side was huge!

brick, on Mar 16 2006, 11:07 AM, said:

As my companion noted, it is somewhat ironic to have them two doors down from The Garden Grille.  I'm surprised the GG guys didn't protest more...

I think it's very cool and smacks of diversity to have them right near each other.  Even my sister (who is definitely not a foody and rarely notices such things, and she also likes Ronzio's pizza   ) said the other night in the parking lot there, looking over the new LJ's storefront, Barney's, Garden Grille, and Ronzio's that, "Wow, there's a lot of good restaurants here...  Hey, lets go to Maximillian's!"  

She's right.  Oak Hill has a great little dining scene now.

- Garris

Edited by Garris, 16 March 2006 - 03:40 PM.

[markOne]

I went to LJs in Oak Hill shortly after they opened.  To be fair and take into account their extreme newness, I will only post my impressions from my next visit.

Ah DP Dough… I would buy from them if they were on Thayer.  I spent a lot of money at the one at URI (and Amherst)

Speaking of Amherst, how cool is a place which delivers hot cookies, milk, and Ben and Jerrys? Sugar Jones A sure diet killer.

Regarding pizza:
Pizza Pi-er used to be better but since I moved back to providence (2 years ago after a 6 year absence) they have failed to impress.  I think they are coasting on rep.  I have given them 4-5 tries in the past 2 years and I have always been disappointed, they have become average.

Antonio’s: great place, as Garris said bring a group and everyone gets something they like and the quality control is very good (tastes the same every time).  Maybe not the best place to get a pie but I think they are the best place to get a slice.

No one has mentioned Gourmet, on Hope St. next to Tortilla Flats map.  They are a “take and bake” place.  The pies cook in 7-8 minutes and are quite good.  They are all made fresh when you order and the ingredients are high quality.  The prices are not low (I believe $14 and up) but everyone I have served them to has liked them and they fill you up quickly.  The last time I was in, the owner was discussing his new menu which will have more vegan offerings and, at the other end of the spectrum, a $40 pie with 20oz of fillet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, a few other things I don’t remember, and a port demi-glace on top.  Nice that you can pick them up before your guests arrive and then pop them in the oven whenever you are ready to eat.  If only they were open on Sundays…

Sicilias Pizzaria: I really like their stuffed pizza.  They deliver to my house but I am just far enough away that the pizza suffers from the trip and I suffer from the wait.  I think they are worth a trip to the hill from anywhere in the area.

Why is it so hard to find NY pizza outside of the greater NY area?

[basachs]

jencoleslaw, on Mar 25 2006, 12:37 PM, said:

might i recommend the butterscotch pudding the next time you're at Trinity? it is easily the best pudding in the known universe.

You are so right about this! Best butterscotch pudding by far! And the whipped cream must benefit from being so clsoe to the pudding, because even that seems unusually good too.

Went to LJ's Friday night. At 6:30pm, my wife and I grabbed the last two chairs at the bar. Our first time there, new and old space, so I have nothing to compare it to.

First and most importantly, the food. I would say this is better than average northeast BBQ. I usually judge a BBQ joint by its brisket. Good BBQ pork and chicken are relatively easy to obtain, compared to brisket. LLJ's was excellent, with a nice smoky flavor, tender and not too fatty. The only quirk is that each piece had grill marks, meaning they prepared it beforehand, then heated t on the grill. Not the way I love it, but once I bit into it, it was easy to  forgive. Mac and cheese was excellent, and the candied yams were soft yet not overcooked, creamy and sweet. Pefrect! Cornbread was typical northeast sweet corn cake, but good for what it was.

They have an extensive burger repetoire, my wife went with that. A mexican burger with jalapenos and shredded jack cheese. Cooked the way she wanted it, her only complaint was that she would have like the cheese to be melted. A good portion of fries that were not salted. A minor faux pas that was easily rectified by her own hand.

Glass of wine for her, margarita for me. I asked for it rocks/salt, got it rocks and some sort of lime sugar. Not what I wanted, or expected but I drank it. I would have liked the bartender to tell me "oh we dont have salt, just sugar. She didn't.

Service was fine, probably because there were two bartenders. They still have some rough service to smooth out, and the kitchen needs to get into its groove, however this place can definitely overcome the rough patches. The place was absolutely mobbed by the time we left.

Edited by basachs, 27 March 2006 - 07:43 AM.

[frymasterspeck]

Recchia, on Mar 13 2006, 12:20 PM, said:

Where's Cup and Saucer by the way?

Cup and Saucer is now closed. Story I heard is that the owner fell down those back steps and died. I saw some people pulling equipment out of it on Monday morning.

Also, any reviews of LJ's? I tried to go for lunch last Friday, but it isn't open for lunch on Friday or any other day.

Finally, anybody know anything about the gas station on East Ave vaguely opposite the Modern Diner? It is clearly going to be some kind of eatery.

[Recchia]

frymasterspeck, on Mar 30 2006, 03:26 PM, said:

Cup and Saucer is now closed. Story I heard is that the owner fell down those back steps and died. I saw some people pulling equipment out of it on Monday morning.

Also, any reviews of LJ's? I tried to go for lunch last Friday, but it isn't open for lunch on Friday or any other day.

Finally, anybody know anything about the gas station on East Ave vaguely opposite the Modern Diner? It is clearly going to be some kind of eatery.

I saw a "closed for illness" sign on the front door a week ago.... damn that sucks they're closing now permanently...never got to go there.

[brick]

frymasterspeck, on Mar 30 2006, 03:26 PM, said:

Finally, anybody know anything about the gas station on East Ave vaguely opposite the Modern Diner? It is clearly going to be some kind of eatery.

They make their progress in leaps.  And then make no progress for months.  About three weeks ago there were 3 or 4 workers there painting, moving things, etc....and then nothing since.

There are a couple of LJ's reviews in the Providence section.  I bet most people don't even know that plaza is actually in Pawtucket!  I went on opening night and the food was good but the service was spotty and they were out of a bunch of stuff.  Since it was opening night and they seemed a little overwhelmed, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.  It would be nice to have a BBQ place to walk to since East Ave Cafe has gone down the tubes

[Cotuit]

brick, on Mar 30 2006, 04:31 PM, said:

There are a couple of LJ's reviews in the Providence section.  I bet most people don't even know that plaza is actually in Pawtucket!

I moved a bunch of LJs posts from the Providence thread to here. Scroll back through the thread to see them.

[frymasterspeck]

frymasterspeck, on Mar 30 2006, 02:26 PM, said:

Finally, anybody know anything about the gas station on East Ave vaguely opposite the Modern Diner? It is clearly going to be some kind of eatery.

Banners went up yesterday. This spot is to be a falafel stand. Wraps, smoothies, etc.

[eltron]

frymasterspeck, on Apr 8 2006, 09:01 AM, said:

Banners went up yesterday. This spot is to be a falafel stand. Wraps, smoothies, etc.

Fan-freakin-tastic! Now we're talkin...

[brick]

eltron, on Apr 8 2006, 09:53 AM, said:

Fan-freakin-tastic! Now we're talkin...

I will definitely be a patron.

Now if someone could buy the old cafe zog (purple building next to east side cafe) and get a little food place in there, preferably ethnic.  It would nice if the bucket had a mix of ethnic joints to reflect the population.  Some Cape Verdean, some Colombian, etc..  mmm

[gregw]

frymasterspeck, on Apr 8 2006, 09:01 AM, said:

Banners went up yesterday. This spot is to be a falafel stand. Wraps, smoothies, etc.

That's awesome. I always liked that building --kinda 60s Jetson-style.

[frymasterspeck]

brick, on Apr 8 2006, 08:10 AM, said:

It would nice if the bucket had a mix of ethnic joints to reflect the population.  Some Cape Verdean, some Colombian, etc..  mmm

Cape Verdean: Cantinho -- corner of East Ave/James Street
Colombian: El Paisa -- Dexter St in CF (not technically the bucket)

[Recchia]

How late is Madhouse open?

[SUjunkie]

Recchia, on Apr 9 2006, 10:41 AM, said:

How late is Madhouse open?

The MadHouse Cafe is open:
Monday through Thursday 11am to 9:00pm
Friday and Saturday 11am to 12:30am (menu served til 10:30)
Sunday 11am to 7pm

[Herbs]

frymasterspeck, on Mar 13 2006, 11:19 AM, said:

Better get a time machine to go to Lisboa. It is a thing in the past.
I believe it was in the location on Exchange Street currently housing Tabu strip club.
Ah, The Bucket. How I love thee.

The Tabu is a club that sells some food items.  It is not a restaurant.  Don't believe we have a strip joint in our town.  Nearest is either Providence or Cumberland.   I am glad you love the City.  Herb Weiss, Economic and Cultural Affairs Officer, City of Pawtucket.

Garris, on Mar 16 2006, 03:39 PM, said:

This was what I was expecting...  I'm not going to go for a week or two to give things (and them) a chance to settle in...  The pent up demand for LJ's amongst people I knew on the East Side was huge!
I think it's very cool and smacks of diversity to have them right near each other.  Even my sister (who is definitely not a foody and rarely notices such things, and she also likes Ronzio's pizza   ) said the other night in the parking lot there, looking over the new LJ's storefront, Barney's, Garden Grille, and Ronzio's that, "Wow, there's a lot of good restaurants here...  Hey, lets go to Maximillian's!"  

She's right.  Oak Hill has a great little dining scene now.

- Garris

Glad you noticed.  Just a note.  We are expecting an India restaurant to move into the old Barney's Bagle location. Yes, there is GOOD food and ethnic diversity too in Pawtucket.   Herb Weiss, Economic and Cultural Affairs Officer, City of Pawtucket

[frymasterspeck]

Herbs, on Apr 12 2006, 05:37 PM, said:

We are expecting an India restaurant to move into the old Barney's Bagle location.  Herb Weiss, Economic and Cultural Affairs Officer, City of Pawtucket

I'm pretty sure he means an Indian restaurant, because India already has a restaurant spittin' distance from Barney's.

[brick]

frymasterspeck, on Apr 13 2006, 07:19 PM, said:

I'm pretty sure he means an Indian restaurant, because India already has a restaurant spittin' distance from Barney's.

Which would be pretty strange.  you have India right there, up the street you have Not Just Snacks, then on Thayer you have Kabob and Curry and then Taste of India on Wickenden.  That's a lot of Indian food.  But as long as it's good, I'm all for it.