Toro = Bull, Not Tuna

I'm sure yall have noticed by now, but weekends are for brunch in my life. And brunch is one of the few mealtimes that you can actually reserve at Toro. So here we are. And luckily it's way less crowded than the last time I was here.

Escalivada Catalana - really good. It's a spread of eggplant, peppers, tomatoes

Close up of the Escalivada Catalana

Side of cornbread with date butter - a bit dry

Side of eggs - this was all BB

Crudo - good

Brava bomb - so good. Potatoes with poached eggs and iberico ham. Def a great brunch dish.













Overall, brunch was great. I still struggle with the space and vibe of Toro though. Industrial but pretentious and cramped.

A Day in PVD

So. I know I've said this a bunch, but Hamilton is amazing. Really. I feel like everyone should watch it. It is just so impactful and moving and clever.

After seeing it last fall in Boston, Dannhi really wanted to see it again. So, when we found out it was coming to Providence this summer, we made sure to keep our eyes out for ticket sales. I woke up on a Saturday at 7am, yall, to get these tickets.

Our first stop after the drive was Seven Stars Bakery. This place has great croissants, and cider (seasonal).

Matcha latte














Then it was time for the show! At Providence Performing Arts Center. It's a good location - loads of parking lots in the area. Within walking distance to a good number of food options as well.

After the show was a late lunch/early dinner at Mokban. 

Spicy edamame

Soy ginger dumplings

Crispy chicken - I love that they do sides here for each person. The chicken was really good, I would've liked more veggies.

Close-up of the chicken














After dinner, we stopped by Pastiche to pick up desserts. As it had been a long day, and we were still stuffed, we just go them to bring home.

I do sometimes wish I got to see more of Providence (perhaps during the day) while working there. But it was nice to be there on a Saturday and not associating it with the office/project. Maybe I'll make my way down again sometime soon-ish.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Friday night and we meet Alex and Joyce for dinner at Chickadee. It's on an end of Seaport that I never go to, but thankfully there's parking.

The vibe is chic industrial, the servers are great, the drinks are interesting.

Dr Crane

Chickpea panisse fries - these were good. I was expecting smaller and crispier, but I liked these as well.

Crudo - delicious

Fried cauliflower - also delicious

Asparagus carbonara - this was strange. I think the texture of the asparagus threw me off. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't get this again.

Semolina gnocchi - this was good, but I could not eat a lot of it

Squid ink fusilli - so good. Get this. Very different and interesting, not as chewy as a squid ink spaghetti usually is. And the olive bread crumb provided great contrast of texture.

Spiced duck breast - I am overall not a huge duck fan. This wasn't bad, but not for me

Bass - with a lobster couscous? Really good. I liked this a lot.

More drinks

Chocolate semifreddo - really interesting. Rich but good













I liked Chickadee a lot. I wouldn't go back right away though, maybe in six months or so.

Foxy Lady

No, I didn't go to the infamous Providence strip club. I managed to score reservations at Fox & the Knife, headed by Karen Akunowicz of Top Chef fame.

The space has held a long line of restaurants, but I do like what they've done here.

Bread

Bietola & burrata - so good and very light

Zafferano spaghetti con vongole - rich, and the clams were delicious

Tagliatelle bolognese - light for a pasta, and for a bolognese, for that matter

Complimentary shortbread

Our view














Overall, I had a good meal and a very pleasant experience. Service was spot on. I wasn't blown away though, but food was definitely solid. Great addition to the neighborhood.

Summertime Madness

It's been crazy. I can't even keep up with the all the food I'm eating. So here's a bit of a compilation:

Giant dosa from Bheemas 

Banchan from Kaju Kenmore

Mandu from Kaju Kenmore

Soondubu with ham and sausage from Kaju Kenmore - side note, Kaju in Kenmore is so much better than the Allston one

Seafood clay pot from Kaju Kenmore

Falafel sandwich from The Halal Guys

Spicy lamb sandwich from The Halal Guys

Xinjiang stir fried hand pulled noodles from Mala

Cucumber with special sauce from Mala

Fried fish from Mala

Dry stir fried chicken with spicy capsicum from Mala

 We also did a water lantern festival, which was pretty, but not well organized.