Arts & Entertainment Food For Thought Homeward Bound Just Business Road Trip This & That

ARCHIVES

YOUR TABLE IS READY
McCormick & Schmick’s
Providence Biltmore Hotel
11 Dorrance Street
Providence, RI
by Bob Mariani
05-29-2006

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Napa Valley Grille
Providence Place Mall
Providence, RI
by Bob Mariani
05-11-2006

YOUR TABLE IS READY
La Luna
272 Thayer Street
Providence, RI
by Bob Mariani
04-30-2006

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Gracie’s
194 Washington Street
Providence, RI
by Bob Mariani
04-13-2006

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Blue Plate Diner
665 West Main Road
Middletown, RI
by Bob Mariani
03-23-2006

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Lobster Pot
119 Hope Street
Bristol, RI
by Rob Mariani
01-6--2006

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Most Memorable Dishes of the Year
by Bob Mariani
12-5--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Bella Vista
One Finance Way
Providence, RI
by Bob Mariani
12-24-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
A Very Good Year
by Bob Mariani
11-24-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Hi-Hat
3 Davol Square
Providence, RI
by Bob Mariani
11-17-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Salvation Café
140 Broadway
Newport, RI
by Bob Mariani
10-6--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Red Stripe
465 Angell Street
Providence
by Bob Mariani
10-28-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Blaze
776 Hope Street
Providence, RI
by Bob Mariani
10-20-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Lot 401
44 Hospital Street
Providence Jewelry District
by Bob Mariani
10-13-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Audrey’s at the Johnson & Wales Inn
213 Taunton Avenue
Seekonk, MA
by Bob Mariani
09-29-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Twist
336 Baldhill Road
Warwick, RI
by Bob Mariani
09-22-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
McCormick & Schmic
by Bob Mariani
09-13-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Jacky’s Galaxie & Sushi B
by Bob Mariani
08-5--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Longhorn Steakhouse
400 Bald Hill Road
Warwick Mall, Warwick
by Bob Mariani
08-26-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Grille On Ma
by Bob Mariani
08-13-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Bella Vis
by Bob Mariani
07-8--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Shogun Steak & Seafood Hou
by Bob Mariani
07-29-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Downstairs Bist
by Bob Mariani
07-22-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Raphael Bar Ris
by Bob Mariani
07-15-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Gatehouse Restaura
by Bob Mariani
07-1--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
DeWolf Tave
by Bob Mariani
06-3--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Oak Restaurant and B
by Bob Mariani
06-24-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Persimmon Restaura
by Bob Mariani
06-20-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Lot 4
by Bob Mariani
06-10-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Pane E Vi
by Bob Mariani
05-6--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Nat. Porter I
by Bob Mariani
05-27-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Hi-H
by Bob Mariani
05-20-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
French Regional Wine Class/Tasti
by Bob Mariani
05-13-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
L’Epicureo at The Hotel Providen
by Bob Mariani
04-8--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Zooma Bar Ristoran
by Bob Mariani
04-29-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Glass Oni
by Bob Mariani
04-22-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Cherryston
by Bob Mariani
04-15-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Napa Valley Gril
by Bob Mariani
04-1--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Mooring Restaura
by Bob Mariani
03-4--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Mediterran
by Bob Mariani
03-25-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Geppetto
by Bob Mariani
03-18-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Caffe Dolce Vi
by Bob Mariani
03-11-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Table
by Bob Mariani
02-4--2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Brick Alley P
by Bob Mariani
02-25-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
The Ivy Tave
by Bob Mariani
02-18-2005

YOUR TABLE IS READY
Viola
by Bob Mariani
02-11-2005

TABLE FOR TWO
The Sakonnet Fish C
by Bob Mariani
01-7--2005

TABLE FOR TWO
Lei’s Bar & Grill (formerly The Catfish Gril
by Bob Mariani
01-28-2005

TABLE FOR TWO
The Lobster P
by Bob Mariani
01-21-2005

TABLE FOR TWO
Lucky Gard
by Bob Mariani
01-14-2005

TABLE FOR TWO
Best of 2004
by Bob Mariani
12-30-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Best of ’04 Best New Restaurant
DeWolf Tave
by Bob Mariani
12-3--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Best of 2004
by Bob Mariani
12-23-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Best of 2004
by Bob Mariani
12-17-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Best of 2004
by Bob Mariani
12-10-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
XO Steak Hou
by Bob Mariani
11-5--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
DeWolf Tave
by Bob Mariani
11-28-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
10 Steak & Sus
by Bob Mariani
11-19-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Chiazza Trattori
by Bob Mariani
11-12-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Big Fi
by Bob Mariani
10-22-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Downstairs Bistro at Second Story Theat
by Bob Mariani
10-15-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Kabob & Cur
by Bob Mariani
10-1--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Ind
by Bob Mariani
09-3--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Mc Fadden
by Bob Mariani
09-24-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Longhorn Steakhou
by Bob Mariani
09-10-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Cheeky Monkey Ca
by Bob Mariani
08-6--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Café de V
by Bob Mariani
08-31-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Sushi-Go, we hope they stay!
by Alica London
08-27-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Mo
by Bob Mariani
08-20-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Oyster Bar & Gri
by Bob Mariani
08-13-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Summer Round-up
by Bob Mariani
07-9--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Pakara
by Bob Mariani
07-30-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Feast or Fami
by Bob Mariani
07-23-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
McCormick & Schmick
by Bob Mariani
07-2--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Renaissan
by Bob Mariani
07-15-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Chez Pasc
by Bob Mariani
06-4--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Ind
by Bob Mariani
06-25-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Sideb
by Bob Mariani
06-18-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Trattoria Simpati
by Bob Mariani
06-11-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Upcoming Events
by Bob Mariani
05-7--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The King’s Fea
by Bob Mariani
05-28-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Blue Fin Gril
by Bob Mariani
05-21-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Lot 4
by Bob Mariani
05-14-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Caffe It
by Bob Mariani
04-9--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Downstairs Bist
by Bob Mariani
04-30-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Providence Pri
by Bob Mariani
04-23-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Le Bistro Newpo
by Bob Mariani
04-2--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Kartab
by Bob Mariani
04-16-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Canfield Hou
by Bob Mariani
03-5--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Redlefsen’s Rotisserie & Gri
By Bob Mariani
03-26-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Jack’s Family Restaura
by Bob Mariani
03-19-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Providence Oyster B
By Bob Mariani
03-12-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Capital Gril
by Bob Mariani
02-6--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Haruki Ea
by Bob Mariani
02-27-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Café Nuo
by Bob Mariani
02-20-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Portabel
by Bob Mariani
02-13-2004

TABLE FOR TWO
Kabob and Cur
by Bob Mariani
01-9--2004

TABLE FOR TWO
The Lobster Pot, 119-121 Hope Street, Bristol
by Bob Mariani
01-16-2004

Table for Two
Best of 2004
by Bob Mariani

Best Dinner with a Show
The Downstairs Bistro at Second Story Theater
28 Market Street
Warren

You don’t have to buy tickets to the show upstairs at Ed Shea’s always rewarding 2^nd Story Theater to enjoy a meal at Chef John Michael’s Downstairs Bistro. It’s fine if you just drop in for dinner. They’re open on show nights, (Wednesdays through Sundays) from 6pm to midnight.

The place, along a slightly rundown neighborhood hangout, now has handsome new copper-topped tables and a warm, knotty pine ambiance. Chef John Michael’s menu is always an eclectic mingling of American Southern with Asian cuisine with lots of spontaneity in his choices.

Starters include things like a spinach-artichoke dip and the chicken satay with Indonesian peanut sauce; or a simply delicious pear salad made with ripe sautéed pears, drizzled with a sweet pear juice infusion and sprinkled with salty bleu cheese.

The portions here are always more than ample, and in many cases one dish will feed a couple. One of my favorite entrees is the pork tenderloin medallions sauced with a marvelously sweet/tart lingenberry-port reduction sauce. The tenderloins are accompanied by some perky, garden fresh sugar maple snap peas, and a heavenly dollop of fluffy sweet potatoes seasoned with autumn-y ginger.

Other entrées include things like a simple but very satisfying mesquite smoked burger; grilled chicken with pineapple-teriyaki glaze; and BBQ mixed grill that will please any carnivore. Entrée prices range form $9 to $22.

Desserts are all house-made. One of the specials in this category that I fell in love with the night I was there was a delicately balanced lemon polenta cake. The cake itself had that wonderful chewy-ness of polenta and the lemon sauce balanced sweet and sour flavors in a way that kept your eyes rolling with pleasure with every bite.

Prices at the Second Story Theater Downstairs Bistro are as user-friendly as the food and the atmosphere, with starters ranging from $7 to $12; salads from $8 to $17. For reservations call 247-4200 or visit the website.

Bob Mariani is a Southeastern New England freelance author. Besides his "Table for Two" restaurant reviews found here, he also writes jazz articles on allaboutjazz.com.

Send a comment


		searchRI
	Arts & Entertainment Food For Thought Homeward Bound Just Business Road Trip This & That
ARCHIVES YOUR TABLE IS READY McCormick & Schmick’s Providence Biltmore Hotel 11 Dorrance Street Providence, RI by Bob Mariani 05-29-2006 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Napa Valley Grille Providence Place Mall Providence, RI by Bob Mariani 05-11-2006 YOUR TABLE IS READY La Luna 272 Thayer Street Providence, RI by Bob Mariani 04-30-2006 YOUR TABLE IS READY Gracie’s 194 Washington Street Providence, RI by Bob Mariani 04-13-2006 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Blue Plate Diner 665 West Main Road Middletown, RI by Bob Mariani 03-23-2006 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Lobster Pot 119 Hope Street Bristol, RI by Rob Mariani 01-6--2006 YOUR TABLE IS READY Most Memorable Dishes of the Year by Bob Mariani 12-5--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Bella Vista One Finance Way Providence, RI by Bob Mariani 12-24-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY A Very Good Year by Bob Mariani 11-24-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Hi-Hat 3 Davol Square Providence, RI by Bob Mariani 11-17-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Salvation Café 140 Broadway Newport, RI by Bob Mariani 10-6--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Red Stripe 465 Angell Street Providence by Bob Mariani 10-28-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Blaze 776 Hope Street Providence, RI by Bob Mariani 10-20-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Lot 401 44 Hospital Street Providence Jewelry District by Bob Mariani 10-13-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Audrey’s at the Johnson & Wales Inn 213 Taunton Avenue Seekonk, MA by Bob Mariani 09-29-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Twist 336 Baldhill Road Warwick, RI by Bob Mariani 09-22-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY McCormick & Schmic by Bob Mariani 09-13-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Jacky’s Galaxie & Sushi B by Bob Mariani 08-5--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Longhorn Steakhouse 400 Bald Hill Road Warwick Mall, Warwick by Bob Mariani 08-26-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Grille On Ma by Bob Mariani 08-13-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Bella Vis by Bob Mariani 07-8--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Shogun Steak & Seafood Hou by Bob Mariani 07-29-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Downstairs Bist by Bob Mariani 07-22-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Raphael Bar Ris by Bob Mariani 07-15-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Gatehouse Restaura by Bob Mariani 07-1--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY DeWolf Tave by Bob Mariani 06-3--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Oak Restaurant and B by Bob Mariani 06-24-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Persimmon Restaura by Bob Mariani 06-20-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Lot 4 by Bob Mariani 06-10-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Pane E Vi by Bob Mariani 05-6--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Nat. Porter I by Bob Mariani 05-27-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Hi-H by Bob Mariani 05-20-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY French Regional Wine Class/Tasti by Bob Mariani 05-13-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY L’Epicureo at The Hotel Providen by Bob Mariani 04-8--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Zooma Bar Ristoran by Bob Mariani 04-29-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Glass Oni by Bob Mariani 04-22-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Cherryston by Bob Mariani 04-15-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Napa Valley Gril by Bob Mariani 04-1--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Mooring Restaura by Bob Mariani 03-4--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Mediterran by Bob Mariani 03-25-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Geppetto by Bob Mariani 03-18-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Caffe Dolce Vi by Bob Mariani 03-11-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Table by Bob Mariani 02-4--2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Brick Alley P by Bob Mariani 02-25-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY The Ivy Tave by Bob Mariani 02-18-2005 YOUR TABLE IS READY Viola by Bob Mariani 02-11-2005 TABLE FOR TWO The Sakonnet Fish C by Bob Mariani 01-7--2005 TABLE FOR TWO Lei’s Bar & Grill (formerly The Catfish Gril by Bob Mariani 01-28-2005 TABLE FOR TWO The Lobster P by Bob Mariani 01-21-2005 TABLE FOR TWO Lucky Gard by Bob Mariani 01-14-2005 TABLE FOR TWO Best of 2004 by Bob Mariani 12-30-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Best of ’04 Best New Restaurant DeWolf Tave by Bob Mariani 12-3--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Best of 2004 by Bob Mariani 12-23-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Best of 2004 by Bob Mariani 12-17-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Best of 2004 by Bob Mariani 12-10-2004 TABLE FOR TWO XO Steak Hou by Bob Mariani 11-5--2004 TABLE FOR TWO DeWolf Tave by Bob Mariani 11-28-2004 TABLE FOR TWO 10 Steak & Sus by Bob Mariani 11-19-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Chiazza Trattori by Bob Mariani 11-12-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Big Fi by Bob Mariani 10-22-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Downstairs Bistro at Second Story Theat by Bob Mariani 10-15-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Kabob & Cur by Bob Mariani 10-1--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Ind by Bob Mariani 09-3--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Mc Fadden by Bob Mariani 09-24-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Longhorn Steakhou by Bob Mariani 09-10-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Cheeky Monkey Ca by Bob Mariani 08-6--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Café de V by Bob Mariani 08-31-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Sushi-Go, we hope they stay! by Alica London 08-27-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Mo by Bob Mariani 08-20-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Oyster Bar & Gri by Bob Mariani 08-13-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Summer Round-up by Bob Mariani 07-9--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Pakara by Bob Mariani 07-30-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Feast or Fami by Bob Mariani 07-23-2004 TABLE FOR TWO McCormick & Schmick by Bob Mariani 07-2--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Renaissan by Bob Mariani 07-15-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Chez Pasc by Bob Mariani 06-4--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Ind by Bob Mariani 06-25-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Sideb by Bob Mariani 06-18-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Trattoria Simpati by Bob Mariani 06-11-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Upcoming Events by Bob Mariani 05-7--2004 TABLE FOR TWO The King’s Fea by Bob Mariani 05-28-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Blue Fin Gril by Bob Mariani 05-21-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Lot 4 by Bob Mariani 05-14-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Caffe It by Bob Mariani 04-9--2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Downstairs Bist by Bob Mariani 04-30-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Providence Pri by Bob Mariani 04-23-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Le Bistro Newpo by Bob Mariani 04-2--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Kartab by Bob Mariani 04-16-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Canfield Hou by Bob Mariani 03-5--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Redlefsen’s Rotisserie & Gri By Bob Mariani 03-26-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Jack’s Family Restaura by Bob Mariani 03-19-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Providence Oyster B By Bob Mariani 03-12-2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Capital Gril by Bob Mariani 02-6--2004 TABLE FOR TWO Haruki Ea by Bob Mariani 02-27-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Café Nuo by Bob Mariani 02-20-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Portabel by Bob Mariani 02-13-2004 TABLE FOR TWO Kabob and Cur by Bob Mariani 01-9--2004 TABLE FOR TWO The Lobster Pot, 119-121 Hope Street, Bristol by Bob Mariani 01-16-2004 FIND A HOME FIND A MOVIE MY COMMUNITY LOCAL EVENTS ONLINE TRAVEL TABLE OF CONTENTS	Table for Two Best of 2004 by Bob Mariani Best Dinner with a Show The Downstairs Bistro at Second Story Theater 28 Market Street Warren You don’t have to buy tickets to the show upstairs at Ed Shea’s always rewarding 2^nd Story Theater to enjoy a meal at Chef John Michael’s Downstairs Bistro. It’s fine if you just drop in for dinner. They’re open on show nights, (Wednesdays through Sundays) from 6pm to midnight. The place, along a slightly rundown neighborhood hangout, now has handsome new copper-topped tables and a warm, knotty pine ambiance. Chef John Michael’s menu is always an eclectic mingling of American Southern with Asian cuisine with lots of spontaneity in his choices. Starters include things like a spinach-artichoke dip and the chicken satay with Indonesian peanut sauce; or a simply delicious pear salad made with ripe sautéed pears, drizzled with a sweet pear juice infusion and sprinkled with salty bleu cheese. The portions here are always more than ample, and in many cases one dish will feed a couple. One of my favorite entrees is the pork tenderloin medallions sauced with a marvelously sweet/tart lingenberry-port reduction sauce. The tenderloins are accompanied by some perky, garden fresh sugar maple snap peas, and a heavenly dollop of fluffy sweet potatoes seasoned with autumn-y ginger. Other entrées include things like a simple but very satisfying mesquite smoked burger; grilled chicken with pineapple-teriyaki glaze; and BBQ mixed grill that will please any carnivore. Entrée prices range form $9 to $22. Desserts are all house-made. One of the specials in this category that I fell in love with the night I was there was a delicately balanced lemon polenta cake. The cake itself had that wonderful chewy-ness of polenta and the lemon sauce balanced sweet and sour flavors in a way that kept your eyes rolling with pleasure with every bite. Prices at the Second Story Theater Downstairs Bistro are as user-friendly as the food and the atmosphere, with starters ranging from $7 to $12; salads from $8 to $17. For reservations call 247-4200 or visit the website. Bob Mariani is a Southeastern New England freelance author. Besides his "Table for Two" restaurant reviews found here, he also writes jazz articles on allaboutjazz.com. Send a comment		Advanced Voice Communications, Inc. The Travel Connection Cool Air Creations Cardi's Furniture Super Stores Mardi Gras Norwood Motor Group Providence Performing Arts Center RI Living Rhode Island Lottery Station Family Fund Strategic Point Trinity Repertory Theatre Toray Plastics Warwick Mall