Tini's closed

One of our favorite places in Providence over the past several years has been Tini's, a "food bar" with monitors subbing for menus, and  a U-shaped table where one shared food and ideas, or not, as the moment moved you.

Designed and built by George Germon and Johanne Killeen of Al Forno's fame, and run by the incredibly talented Darius Salko, Tini's was always a place to feel at home. With smooth cocktails, luscious wines (nicely priced I might add) and scrumptious food (homemade gnocchi with rabbit) it oozed warm conversation.

The good news is that Darius is alive and well living right across the state line in Massachusetts, readying himself for the next phase of his culinary career: becoming a farmer of ingredients he will then turn into product and who knows? maybe into a restaurant down in the wilds of Dartmouth.

We can't wait.

Saturday night at New Rivers

Susie (aka the French Tarte) and I paid a long-overdue return visit to one of our favorite eateries in a city that loves its food: New Rivers. Located in the shadow of the very first Baptist Church in the United States, in a building that has seen it's share of ups and downs in the past couple of centuries, you couldn't find better food or a warmer place to hang your hat for a couple of hours or so.

We both settled into a pair of Pilgrim '21 cocktails (Prosecco, gin, cranberry juice and Canton).

For starters Susie chose a simple (and simply delicious) Romaine salad and I tucked into Narragansett Bay scallops with Beau Vestal's own smokey bacon -- needless to say the evening was off to a great start.

I couldn't resist the steak with a root vegetable barley and incredibly scrumptious fresh mushrooms, while Susie settled on the Rhode Island fluke with fingerling potatoes and pickled peppers, which she thought tassty in the extreme (and Susie hates anything pickled).

yep, those are homemade onion rings

We closed out the evening relaxing over a 20-year Tawny for me and Marie Brizzard over ice for the French Tarte.

Before we scooted out we stuck our heads in the kitchen to say hi and thanks to Beau and asked about their plans for New Year's -- last year we spent a delightful evening at New Rivers, savoring a multi-course special menu along with Dick and Dorothy and we wondering what they had in store for this year. The word we got from Elizabeth and Beau is that it will be even more of a special evening this year.

We can't wait. . .

Nick's on Broadway for Brunch

Comfort food for brunch -- and it's only four blocks away. . .

The French Tarte is open for business - 10 November

ready to go!

"sugar buns" (rather like the Breton specialty kouign amann)

chausson aux pommes (apple turnovers)

croissant amandes (almond croissants)

pear ginger financier (almond cakes)

pain au chocolat

the shortbread bar is open!

Mama Kim's Korean BBQ food truck

Every Tuesday in the summer a small, select group of food trucks park at the corner of Ship and Richmond streets, catty corner from the Brown Medical School and just a few short blocks form where I work. I had to try the Korean BBQ -- and it was superb!

sweet potato fries

Stinky cheese party on the East Side of Providence

After a fantastic opening day at the 2012 Winter Farmers Market, the French Tarte and I joined Magali and her friend Jane for their first annual stinky cheese party. (Magali's daughter Melodie was on hand as well to help coordinate things.)

The idea, simple in concept and wonderful in execution, was for each person to bring a cheese they deemed stinky but tasty, and a bottle of wine. Greens were provided and there was also pate, soup and various other goodies as well. Susie brought a lemon tart and a selection of financier (almond-based cakes) to wrap it all up.

The cheeses were delightful -- my favorite was the Epoisses, rich like smooth, whipped butter but with a bite that reminded you this is an incredible cheese. The wines were spot on -- French, Italian and California; the company was amiable and warm, and the conversation lively and pleasant all around. We couldn't have imagined a warmer group or a smarter idea.

Truffle tremor

Fourme d'Ambert

Gorgonzola

Perstelle du Beaujolais

Epoisses

Dorset

Saga and Roquefort

Goat cheese balls swirling in olive oil and herbs

Cabrales

French Tarte at the Winter Farms Market in Pawtucket

Caramel mascarpone creme filled profiteroles with kiwi and strawberries

Apple feuilltee

The French Tarte preps for the opening day of the Winter Farmers Market

Chocolate ganache tart, large

Caramel nut tart, mini

Chocolate ganache tart, mini

Pumpkin cranberry financier (almond cakes)

Caramel nut tart, large version

Broadway Bistro

olive oil with spices and herbs

ribs n' grits

ribs n' grits

salmon with white bean puree

salmon closeup

bluefish with fingerling potatoes

chocolate truffles

The French Tarte

Just a a few of the latest mouth-watering pastries for recent customers from the hands of the French Tarte. . .

Pain au chocolat



A mixed medley -



Lime sponge cake with mascarpone and mousseline cream and strawberry



Palmiers -



And a beautful fraisier -