Another of favorite eating haunts, Tini's, wedged between Gracie's and the Bravo Brasserie on Washington Street in downtown Providence requires a certain suspension of your ideas about what a restaurant should and shouldn't be. The sign above the door says "Food Bar" and indeed that's exactly what it is: a bar that serves food. U-shaped the bartenders are also foodtenders and they do an incredible job of both. The long and short of it is the superb service is outdone only by the incredible food served up by Chef Darius Salko.
Wednesday nights dining out in downtown Providence are often a quiet affair and Tini's was no exception last evening. We started out with a glass of cava for Susie and I had an Ipanema cocktail (Brazilian rum, lemon juice, simple syrup and cranberry juice), both perfectly suited for toasting Susie's late brother, her incredible mother and the future of the French Tarte.
For starters Susie had the bruschetta special and I had Brussels sprouts, followed by short ribs ravioli for Susie and the steak and fries for me. The steak was prepared nearly sushi-grade (think tuna) but tender, sweet and matched in flavor by Tini's succulent fries -- the best I've found in the city so far. All washed down with a light Bardalino -- a bit light for the steak but nice nonetheless. Susie rounded her meal off with the lemon gelato. Wonderful!
Two suggestions: comfortable stools would be nice touch; the ones there now are like sitting on a plank of wood (which it is) and they're difficult to move in and out. This is a bar after all. . . And maybe a couple of nice full-bodied reds available by the glass?
Tini
200 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02909
tel. 401-383-2400
online: www.thetini.com
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