Hey Rhody Weddings February 2026

C EREMONY - C OCKTAIL H OUR - R ECEPTION - MC - DJ - D UO - T RIO - F ULL B AND

T AKE I T T O T HE B RIDGE B AND . COM

A smart sale starts long before listing.

If selling is on your radar this year, the best thing you can do right now is prepare. From presentation to pricing, small decisions add up to big results especially as the market gets crowded.

Follow these proven habits of highly effective home sellers to position your home strongly and attract the right buyers.

SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE HOME SELLERS:

1. Hire a trusted agent who knows the local market 2. Declutter and create a welcoming space before listing 3. Bring in a professional cleaner and stager

4.

Show buyers how much you love and care for your home

5. Step out for showings to let buyers imagine themselves living there 6. Review offers objectively and make decisions with confidence 7.

Reach out to me for a market analysis and expert guidance

A book sheds light on overlooked local history

Rhode Island Style

Cultural traditions and favorite foods play starring roles in a couple’s big day

How Sweet It Is

Chocolatiers

News & Culture

14 ARTS: A new museum brings world class art to Westerly

16 RHODY PETS: Three adoptable pets of the month

18 RHODY READS: Six picks from downtown PVD’s bookstore

20 RHODY GEM: A fashion designer sets up shop on Bald Hill Road

22 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s

Home & Style

41 HOME: Color revives a dated Colonial in Exeter

46 SHOP: Rhody-made indulgences to give or receive

48 Now Trending: A romance novel devotee creates community with new business

Food & Drink

67 In The Kitchen: Sea-to-table dishes in Cranston

70 EXPERIENCE: Coastal classics shine at new Wakefield restaurant

76 COCKTAILS: Cupid-approved cocktails from a Newport bartender

78 ROUND-UP: Fireplace dining heats up at these eight places

Hey Rhody Photos

72 A colorful grid from our talented followers via Instagram

A History of Hope

Visit RhodeIsland250.org and find year-round events that honor the past and inspire our future.

CONTRIBUTORS

JANE GOVEDNIK

When we wanted a definitive list of activities for this month’s winter recess, we turned to Jane Govednik, the content creator behind Rhody Family, a platform where she shares familyfriendly activities, local travel, and community happenings across the state. In “Let’s Go!” (page 50), the Bristol-based married mom of three kids and three dogs, shares fun things sure to make the most out of school vacation.

PATTY JEFFREY

Patty Jeffrey AKA Patty J, is a lifelong Rhode Islander –born and raised in Providence – who shares our mission of spotlighting the best of everything the Ocean State has to offer. For this month’s “Savoring Rhody” roundup (page 78), she has assembled a list of eight places – from pubs to mansions – brimming with atmosphere, courtesy of fireplaces, igloos, or both.

BRITT MACHADO

During her relatively short time of living in Providence, Britt Machado is already familiar with so many under-theradar local makers and brands, which she showcases on the Shop page each month. Bucking against V-Day, February’s selections are all about creating comfort; find them on page 46. When she’s not working, find the JohnnyCakes founder/ designer off on an adventure with her little dog Roxie.

JORDYN ZACHARIAS

Jordyn Zacharias puts her knowledge as a third-gen fisherman to good use as the fisheries specialist for the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative, which supports and promotes the local fishing industry. In “Coastal Kitchen” (page 67), she focuses on a former Matunuck Oyster Bar chef who opened his own restaurant and creates specials based on what’s fresh.

Publishers

Barry Fain

Richard Fleischer

John Howell

Editor in Chief

Elyse Major Elyse@HeyRhody.com

Editor Ann Martini

Martini@HeyRhody.com

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Jenna Kaplan

Jenna@HeyRhody.com

Advertising

Design Director

Layheang Meas

Senior Designer

Taylor Gilbert

Account Managers

General Manager & Creative Director Nick DelGiudice Nick@HeyRhody.com

Managing Editor Ken Abrams Ken@HeyRhody.com

Senior Editorial Designer Abigail Brown

Theresa Carrington Theresa@HeyRhody.com

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Ann Gallagher Ann@HeyRhody.com

Chris Revill Chris@HeyRhody.com

Interested in advertising?

Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com

Contributing Photographers

Jacqueline Gundberg

Rachel Hogge

Warren Jagger

Photography Karen Kalunian Grace Lentini

Contributing Writers

Jeremy Bernfeld

Jane Govednik

Andrew Moran Chuck Staton

Patty Jeffrey Karen Kalunian Britt Machado Molly Ogren Jordyn Zacharias

Interested in writing?

Email Editorial@HeyRhody.com

Looking for an internship?

Email Elyse@HeyRhody.com

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NEWS & CULTURE

RI 250 | Art | Rhody Pets | Rhody Reads | Rhody Gem | Calendar

Fighting for Freedom

As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, a little-known local story gets renewed attention

By Ken Abrams

n 1778, as the Revolutionary War raged, the seeds of emancipation were planted in Rhode Island. That February, the Rhode Island General Assembly voted to allow the enlistment of African-American and Indigenous men in the military. The law stated that “every able-bodied negro, mulatto, or Indian man slave” who enlisted and “passed muster before Colonel Christopher Greene would be immediately freed from the service of their enslaver and made absolutely free.”

Freeing the enslaved in exchange for military service was not a new concept – the British introduced the policy earlier in the war, mainly in the Southern colonies, and the Continental Army soon followed. “I think that the greatest motivation for those who were enlisting, who had been slaves, was to earn their freedom,” says historian Robert Geake, who co-authored the book From Slaves to Soldiers: The 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution with Lorén Spears. “They had as much patriotism and courage as any of the white soldiers who served.

Even though it took a long time, this started the road to emancipation in New England.”

The law transformed the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, which had originally been organized in May 1775 as a largely white Continental Army unit. By 1778, facing severe manpower shortages, the colony integrated the regiment, making it one of the first racially integrated military units in American history. Though commonly known as the “Black Regiment,” all of its officers – including Colonel Greene, a cousin of General Nathanael Greene – remained white.

“Rhode Island had the greatest proportion per capita of enslaved people in New England,” notes Geake. “In 1778, they took the people of color from the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment, inserted them into the 1st, and even used some people of European descent who were indentured servants. So, it’s really an amalgamation of people, but the majority were Black, so they called it the Black Regiment.”

Spears, executive director of the Tomaquag Museum, says large numbers of Indigenous Rhode Islanders also served in the regiment. Although exact

From Slaves to Soldiers: The 1st Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution is available in many

numbers are hard to come by, it’s estimated that at least one quarter of the regiment’s soldiers were Native American, representing nations including Narragansett, Wampanoag, and Niantic. “Over time, the regiment gets dubbed the colored regiment or the Black Regiment, which often erases Indigenous people,” Spears says. For many Native men, military service was tied to the defense of ancestral land and community. Others sought survival and stability. “You know, a roof over your head, food in your belly, clothes on your back,” notes Spears. “That mattered.”

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“Part of the reason that the book got dubbed From Slaves to Soldiers is that some, but not all, of the men were fighting for their own individual freedom through service on behalf of sometimes their enslaver, their slave owner,” adds Spears. “Sometimes their slave owner had only one son, so they sent someone else in their stead.” Others joined for pride, protection of family, adventure, or the hope that independence from Britain might bring greater sovereignty and freedom.

Indigenous participation reflected long-standing warrior traditions rooted in diplomacy, advocacy, and community protection – traditions often misunderstood or misrepresented.

The regiment was involved in several campaigns, most notably the Battle of Rhode Island in August 1778, where soldiers fought off repeated attacks by Hessian troops and were widely praised for their courage. They later served in the Battle of Yorktown, contributing

to the decisive victory that ended the war. The battlefield performance of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment helped challenge prevailing racial prejudices and demonstrated the essential contributions of Black and Indigenous soldiers to the Revolutionary cause. Their service stands as an early and powerful chapter in US military history, illustrating how the fight for independence intersected with the struggle for freedom, recognition, and humanity.

First Impressions

A Westerly couple shares their vast collection of art with a new museum on Watch Hill Road

By Ken Abrams

Like the vibrant works of art that adorn its walls, you’ll find the new Westerly Museum of American Impressionism down a winding road along the banks of the scenic Pawcatuck River. On a recent blustery day, a steady stream of visitors filed into the museum, eager to explore the attraction.

The shiny new space opened in October, 2025 in a building that once housed a rehabilitation center, with numerous connecting rooms refitted into 11 viewing galleries featuring over 150 works. Established by art collectors and longtime Westerly residents Cynthia and Thomas Sculco, the 20,000-square-foot attraction is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting works of American Impressionism from the 1880s to the 1920s. The works on display capture the light, color, and beauty of quintessential landscapes and everyday life, evoking the charm of New England and the East Coast.

Whether you’re a serious art-lover or casual museum-goer, these paintings invite you to slow down, as the characteristic brushstrokes of the Impressionist artists flow over you in waves.

You simply can’t rush through these works from celebrated painters Childe Hassam, Lilla Cabot Perry, and John Singer Sargent, as well as lesser-known artists who merit greater recognition.

“It was a busy opening week,” says Museum Director Catherine Shotick, who began planning for the opening when she was hired in May 2023. “The museum was still very much under construction. This is my first directorship and my first time experiencing a museum from the ground up. It’s been fun.” In addition to authoring summary descriptions posted in each gallery, Shotick managed the emerging museum through its pre-opening stages. “I picked the company that designed the collection storage and things like that, things I’ve never had the opportunity to do before, so it’s been incredible.”

Shotick expects events and education programming to begin soon. “There’s a lot on the agenda. Frankly, the biggest challenge is that we can’t do it all at once. I want to do events and programming, and I want to do an internship program, and collaborate with different cultural institutions in the region.” She says that art education is a big part of the museum’s

mission. “We are planning a lecture series at the museum every year where we invite art historians and curators to come to Westerly and talk about American Impressionism,” she says, along with sharing plans to start a formal internship program. “That was really key for me starting out in the museum world,” says Shotick. “It was an internship that got me interested in working at a museum, and now here I am. I definitely want to support college students in that regard.”

Shotick takes pride in the collection and expects the museum to maintain a dynamic environment, with galleries rotating displays periodically. “Our galleries will not stay static,” she says. “We plan on bringing in loans from either private collectors or other museums and switching out some of the galleries every year. There are 150 paintings on view, but the Sculcos have well over 300 paintings in their collection.”

The museum is a feather in the cap for the Westerly arts community, as Shotick notes. “We have great theater, great music, great restaurants, and this museum is the little missing piece that the town needs to make its cultural world even better. I feel like we’re kind of filling the void.” Learn more at WMAIRI.org

Rhody Pets of the Month

By Karen Kalunian

Looking to welcome a new furry friend into your home? Adopt, don’t shop! Shelters around the state have dogs and cats ready to find their forever homes. Here are three pets ready to meet you, or reach out to the shelters to learn about even more adoptees.

ANGEL

BREED: Lab mix

AGE: 6 years

GENDER: Male

Like so many other pets that end up in a shelter, Angel lost his home when his parents went into a nursing home. While that’s heartbreaking enough, he was given up to the shelter along with his brother, who was later found to have cancer and has since passed. Angel has been through so much, yet still has so much love in his heart. He will need to be your one and only pet in a home with a fenced-in yard, where he can run, play, and bask in the sun.

WARWICK ANIMAL SHELTER

401-468-4377

If you have been thinking of adopting or if you know of an animal in need, please contact Karen Kalunian directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com.

PARKER

BREED: Hound

AGE: 7 years

GENDER: Male

Parker is a loving and loyal middle-aged pooch. He just wants to always be by your side, getting all of your love and attention. He enjoys long walks where he can sniff away to his heart’s content, and yummy treats followed by snuggles. If you’ve been searching for an all-around good boy, then go meet Parker at the Heart of RI. Once you meet him, you will fall in love forever.

HEART OF RI

401-467-3670

MAVERICK

BREED: Domestic Shorthair

AGE: 3.5 years

GENDER: Male

Just like his name, Maverick is full of adventure and intrigue. This handsome young gent loves to be active, so please keep that in mind when considering adoption. Grey with white accents, his good looks are captivating. If you are looking to be entertained by a fun-loving boy, please contact Scruffy Paws to see if you are Maverick’s purr-fect match.

SCRUFFY PAWS contact@scruffypawsanimalrescue.org

Rhody Reads

What’s hot for February at Symposium Books

By Scott McCullough and Anne Marie Keohane

New releases, including one from a local author, are part of this month’s list curated from downtown Providence’s independent bookstore.

Brown University lit professor Karan Mahajan brings us The Complex . Released in early March and available for preorder now, it’s an impressive narrative that transports readers between the US and modern India, following the illicit liaisons, real estate dramas, political ambitions, and mortal betrayals of one prominent Delhi family.

The Age of Magical Overthinking, Notes on Modern Irrationality is the latest offering by New York Times -bestselling author and iHeart Radio Award-winning podcaster, Amanda Montell. Mixing personal narrative and cultural criticism, the novel takes a deep-dive into the power, highlights, and pitfalls of magical thinking.

Life and death, good and evil, corporate greed, and the perils of progress are among the themes in Vigil from George Saunders , which explore the final hours of an oil company CEO as he’s guided to the afterlife. Add two oil-business colleagues from his past with chilling plans for his post-death future, a swarm of birds, a black calf, and other unexpected visitors, and you’ve got yourself a party.

Amity Gaige’s Heartwood is a literary thriller that landed on a host of must-read lists, often described as “unputdownable.” This tightly woven tale centers on a search for a skilled hiker gone missing in the woods of Maine; the mystery inspires larger questions about the myriad ways in which we get lost, and how we are ultimately found.

With the newly released novel Crux , Gabriel Tallent brings us the story of two teenagers in their last year of high school in the southern Mojave Desert. As always, the novelist impresses with his storytelling and appreciation for the healing power of friendship. An adrenaline-filled read about risking everything to change your life.

Another recent release flying off shelves is Is This a Cry for Help by Emily R. Austin. The novel follows the story of a librarian who returns to work after a mental breakdown, only to face book-banning crusaders. Described as a moving portrait of queer life after coming-ofage, it explores questions about sexuality, community, and the importance of libraries.

ABOUT SYMPOSIUM BOOKS

For 22 years, Symposium Books has been downtown Providence’s goto for books, vinyl, fun merch, and conversation. Named after the ancient Greek dialog by Plato, the elegant storefront has built a solid reputation for its stellar selection of new, used, and bargain books across various genres –including independent presses, academic publishers, and art publishers. Shelves are filled with a diverse range of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, which promote differing voices and perspectives.

“Symposium Books is known for fostering a welcoming environment for book lovers in a cozy space,” says Scott McCullough, who co-owns the business with wife Anne Marie Keohane. “Also, check out our highly-curated vinyl section. Plus keep an eye out for our author events, book clubs, silent book clubs, music nights, and other events.” 240 Westminster Street, Providence

AUTHOR EVENT & BOOK SIGNING

February 2, 6:00-7:00pm

Debut novelist Stephen Fishback will visit Symposium Books to read from and discuss his novel Escape , where everyone gets the story arc they deserve. Fishbach is a prize-winning writer, former TV executive, and two-time contestant on TV’s Survivor RSVP at SymposiumBooks.com

T. Ayriyan Fashion

Custom clothing and tailoring

What it is:

The retail space and studio of fashion designer Tatyana Ayriyan.

Where to find it:

Formerly in Newport, T. Ayriyan is now easy to find (and park) on Bald Hill Road in Warwick. Minutes off the highway, it’s in the plaza right before the sign for Warwick Ice Cream.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

Getting fatigued with fast-fashion? Mass-produced clothing made to be trendy… but not made to last? Enter fashion designer Tatyana Ayriyan, who designs and creates clothing, including wedding gowns, and provides alteration and tailoring services, all from her showroom and studio in Warwick. “My work is rooted in creating thoughtfully designed pieces that reflect a woman’s individuality while offering timeless silhouettes and refined tailoring,” says the designer, who specializes in luxury garment alterations – dresses, coats, evening wear – with attention to detail and balance. After operating her first boutique in Newport, she decided to begin a new chapter and relocated the business to Warwick in November. “The space functions as both a showroom for my brand and a full atelier. We offer custom-made clothing, expert tailoring and alterations of any complexity, and in-house fitting services for store purchases. Clients also receive styling guidance to help complete their looks.” As the wedding season approaches, Ayriyan works closely with brides on garments that feel personal, elegant, and beautifully crafted. “From bridal gowns to special occasion looks, each piece is designed with attention to detail, fit, and the individuality of the client.” Watch for an in-store event in March.

T. Ayriyan Fashion

737 Bald Hill Road, Warwick TAyriyan.com; Instagram: tatyanaayriyan 401-327-6605

Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Email marketing@heyrhody.com to suggest yours and we just might feature it!

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The Must List

10 essential events this month

February 1: Folk acts take the Blackstone River Theater stage when acclaimed singersongwriter Ed Sweeney is joined by The Vox Hunters, a local roots duo comprised of Armand Aromin and Benedict Gagliardi. Cumberland, BRTRI.org

February 5: Not Your Founding Father: How a Nonbinary Minister Became America’s Most Radical Revolutionary , the story of Public Universal Friend, AKA Jemima Wilkinson, is the subject of a talk with author Nina Sankovitch. Newport, NewportHistory.org

February 7: South African songstress Nomfusi, brings her “gigantic voice” to the Uptown Theater in this co-presentation with FirstWorks. Her music is described as a fusion of authentic township music, soul, gospel, and Afropop. Providence, FirstWorks.org

February 14-15: The 30th annual WINEterfest features two days of grape-stomping and stein-hoisting competitions, wine and beer tastings, food specials, and music with Funkademic on Saturday and Real Weird on Sunday. Middletown, NewportVineyards.com

February 8-22: Take the kids to see Gwendolyn Goes Hollywood , a delightful ballet starring two dancing pigs, based on David Ira Rottenberg’s picture book. Performances are held at the Black Box Theatre on Hope Street. Providence, BalletRI.org

February 18- March 22: William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale , a freewheeling blend of comedy and tragedy directed by Brown/ Trinity Rep alum Ben Steinfeld, will run in a rotating repertory with The Roommate by Jen Silverman. Providence, TrinityRep.org

February 20-28: The Rhode Island Stage Ensemble presents Six Degrees of Separation , a play based on the true story of a young Black man who gained access to upper-class New Yorkers’ homes by pretending to be the son of Sidney Poitier. Woonsocket, RIStage.org

February 21: Widely known for their stint on America’s Got Talent , New England drumming group Recycled Percussion brings a highenergy, family-friendly show that’s become one of the most successful acts on the Las Vegas Strip. Cranston, TheParkRI.com

February 22: Join bestselling author and Hey Rhody contributor Deborah Goodrich Royce , in conversation with Robin Kall, for a talk and signing of her latest novel, Best Boy , two days before the official publication date. Westerly, UnitedTheatre.org

February 27: One of the best Amy Winehouse tribute bands anywhere, Rhode Island’s Winehouse Project , behind the soulful vocals of Lisa Kaye, brings the late singer’s hits such as “Rehab,” “Back to Black,” and “Valerie” to life. Woonsocket, ChansEggRollsJazz.com

WINTER & SPRING

SCAN FOR TICKETS

MADE ON HOPE FEB. 7-20, 2026

GWENDOLYN GOES HOLLYWOOD FEB. 8-22, 2026

PURE DANCE MAR. 20-29 & APR. 25-26, 2026

MACHINAL: A DANCE OF DEFIANCE MAY 7-17, 2026

Tell Me You Had a Rhody Wedding Without Telling Me You Had a Rhody Wedding

OLocal delicacies were front-and-center at nuptials of Camilla Akbas & Nikolaus Tedesco

Local delicacies were front-and-center at the nuptials of Camilla Akbas & Nikolaus Tedesco

By

Jenna Kaplan

By Jenna Kaplan

n an early October afternoon, guests leaned into the aisle with their phones raised, not to film the ceremony, but to capture one quick photo or selfie with the couple before putting devices away. The moment was planned, playful, and brief, a builtin pause before the unplugged ceremony officially began. “It allowed us to really look around and take in the incredible people surrounding us,” says bride Camilla Akbas. Later, guests sent those photos to the couple, creating what she calls “a perfect mix of memories in the moment and keepsakes to cherish.” That focus on presence carried through Camilla and Nikolaus Tedesco’s entire wedding weekend, which blended high-energy fun with deeply personal meaning and unmistakable Southern New England flair.

Head Over Heels

Their story started quietly. Akbas and Tedesco first met at a mutual friend’s Halloween party and exchanged a quick hello that went nowhere. A year later, during the early days of the COVID shutdown, that same friend invited Akbas to join in on a round of the multiplayer online game, Among Us . “Our origin story is a mix of love, a little fate, and a game,” says Akbas. “As soon as I logged in, there was Nikolaus, and we instantly clicked. Ironically, we bonded over a game all about ‘eliminating’ other players!” The online connection soon moved offline. The two met in real life and never looked back. “We went for a walk, talked for hours, and the rest, as they say, is history,” says Akbas.

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Calm, cool, and collected on the big day

The Right Venue

As planning began, Five Bridge Inn in nearby Rehoboth, MA quickly rose to the top of the list. “We were drawn to the location because it offered a fully immersive, all-in-one experience,” Akbas says. The couple hosted their ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and getting-ready moments all on site, with each part unfolding in a different area of the property. The layout allowed the day to flow naturally, and the peaceful setting helped set the tone. A family homestead-turned-event venue and bed-and-breakfast, Five Bridge Inn boasts an 18th century farmhouse, a newly constructed farmhouse, a barn, and landscaped grounds. “Being able to feed the ducks and goats in the morning was an unforgettable little bonus!” says Akbas. The rehearsal dinner held two nights before the wedding, was at the atmospheric Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park, where the bride-to-be wore her mother’s wedding dress and surprised her mom with a birthday cake.

Vendor Valentine

Some of the many businesses that helped the Tedescos assemble the wedding of their dreams.

Attire & Accessories

• THE BRIDAL GARDEN BridalGardenRI.net

• LINKED LLC

Instagram: @linked_llc

• PROVIDENCE DIAMOND ProvidenceDiamond.com

Beauty & Grooming

• BEAUTY BY KIM FALSO

Instagram: @beautybykimfalso

• GLAM DONE WRIGHT GlamDoneWright.com

• THE LASH LOUNGE TheLashLounge.com

• RADIANT GLOW RI RadiantGlowRI.com

• THE SKIN CONSULTANT

Instagram: @theskin_consultant

• PURE WHITE RI PureWhiteRI.com

Coordination & Ceremony

• ONYX MEDIA STUDIOS

Instagram: @onyxmediastudios

• SOIRÉES BY SONYA

Entertainment & Music

• DJ INFINITE

Instagram: @DJINFINITE

• FOGGY FIRST DANCE

Instagram: @FOGGYFIRSTDANCE

Flowers & Decor

• FABULOSITY DESIGNS

RentFabulosityDesigns.com

• ITS LIT RI

ItsLitRI.com

• KAELIN’S FLORALS KaelinsFlorals.com

Food & Beverages

• ARTISAN BITES RI ArtisanBitesRI.com

• CRUMBL CrumblCookies.com

• DANIELLE THE BAKER Instagram: @daniellethebaker

• IGGY’S IggysRI.com

• IN THE PINK RI InThePinkRI.com

• LATTE LOVE COFFEEHOUSE LatteLoveRI.com

• ONLY THE FINEST ITALIAN COOKIES OnlyTheFinestItalianCookies.com

• PIANTA VEGAN RESTAURANT PiantaVeganRestaurant.com

• RED’S KITCHEN & CATERING RedsRI.com

• WRIGHT’S DAIRY FARM & BAKERY WrightsRI.com

Invitations & Stationery

• DAKOTA AND DUKE DESIGNS Instagram: @dakotaanddukedesigns__

• SOULY CO SoulyCo.com

Photography, Video & Memories

• COLEY PAINTS WEDDINGS ColeySheldon.com

• EARTH AND SUN CO EarthAndSun.co

• ELLA’S MEMORY BOOTH Instagram: @ellasmemorybooth_

• JACQUELINE GUNDBERG PHOTOGRAPHY JGundbergPhotography.com

• THE SOCIAL FRM TheSocialFrm.com

Family Matters

For the big day, the couple centered their decisions around what mattered most to them. Tedesco’s father had passed away a few years earlier, and honoring him was essential. The couple reserved a seat for him along the aisle during the ceremony and saved a place for him at a dinner table so his presence could be felt throughout the evening. Akbas also wanted to honor her mother alongside her father. “Mothers don’t always receive the attention or recognition they deserve during weddings,” she says. She walked down the aisle with both parents and shared a special dance with her mom in addition to the traditional father-daughter dance. Throughout the reception, hanging vinyl displays invited guests to learn about the couple individually and together, sparking conversation and connection. Another fun touch was having friends walk down the aisle to the theme song of the TV show Friends , of which Akbas says, “This was the most millennial thing that I could ever do, and I have zero regrets!”

an elegant way to keep loved ones present

Soundtrack dialed in. Energy on point. Party handled. Our DJs craft a personalized experience that keeps the vibes high and the dance floor full all night long. #nochickendance ArpeggioWeddings.com

Funfotos2go specializes in photo booths and has a large selection of styles and friendly, entertaining and interactive staff to help your guests through the experience. FunFotos2Go.com

Seamless Planning | Trusted Professionals | Industry Leaders

Founded in 2008, Rhode Island Wedding Group is an association of established wedding professionals devoted to connecting couples with high quality service providers in Southern New England.

ANEVER LASTINGMEMORY

Rev. Deborah A. Hoch

Clergy/Justice of the Peace A Ceremony thats Speaks to your Heart & Soul. AnEverLastingMemory.com

A downtown Providence dining destination for intimate gatherings, seasonal cuisine, and curated wine experiences, creating unforgettable micro weddings & milestone events. GraciesProv.com

Vehicles to match your style and service beyond your expectations, book with us and fuel your inner ROCKSTAR! RockstarLimo.net

Award Winning Professional Wedding & Portrait Photographer with a European touch. Capturing Joyous Moments since 2002 in New England. www.SabrinaScolariPhotography.com

Cose Bella Events creates bespoke, personalized, luxury weddings and celebrations with thoughtful planning, refined design, and seamless execution. CoseBellaEvents.com

Celebrate your love at Harbor Lights overlooking Greenwich Bay – where waterfront views, elegant spaces, and impeccable service create unforgettable memories. HarborLightsRI.com

Wannamoisett CC is one of RI’s top wedding venues, featuring a beautiful ballroom, spacious dance floor, stunning views, and awardwinning food for up to 200 guests. Wannamoisett.com

Parisian-inspired neighborhood eatery offering intimate wedding celebrations, customizable brunch catering, thoughtful hospitality, and beautifully crafted desserts for meaningful celebrations. ElliesProv.com

Luke Renchan Entertainment boasts a wide variety of entertainment services, like DJ, photo booth, special effects, lawn games, lighting and more. LukesEnt.com

We've been Making Your Honeymoons Special and Unforgettable for over four Decades. WorldWiseTravel.com

Personal Style

Akbas tried on more than 43 dresses before finding her ceremony gown at The Bridal Garden in East Greenwich. “I wanted my ceremony-look to feel timeless,” she says. Later she changed into a fitted sheath dress for the reception and a playful mini dress for late-night dancing. Each look had its own hairstyle by Ashley Silvano, with makeup by Erica Wright of Glam Done Wright. Seven bridesmaids and one bridesman selected their own looks within an autumn-inspired palette; the mix of shades and silhouettes allowed individual style while keeping the group cohesive.

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Local Love

Supporting local businesses was a non-negotiable.

“It was crucial to me as a native Rhode Islander,” Akbas says. The couple worked with nearly 50 local vendors, many of whom Akbas already knew through years of highlighting Rhode Island businesses online through her Shut Up Camilla platform on social media. “Those whom I’ve established friendships with at this point,” she says. Rather than singling out one standout, Akbas credits the entire team for understanding her vision. Providence-based Kaelin’s Florals created arrangements inspired by the beginning of fall, using bright oranges, yellows, and sangria tones. Fabulosity Designs and Rentals in North Providence layered pink goblets, gold chargers, fresh citrus elements, a floral wall, and a showstopping dessert display. Soirées by Sonya coordinated every detail, including a massive kissing booth and a giant custom Guess Who? board featuring the bridal party. To document everything from the rehearsal dinner to the final moments on the dance floor, Akbas enlisted Jacqueline Gundberg Photography, videographers Earth and Sun Co, and The Social FRM content creation studio.

The moment I slurped down an oyster, my husband and I looked at each other and immediately thought, yup, this is so us, says Akbas

Familiar Foods

Personalized donuts from Dunkin’ are a true New England treat

“The moment I slurped down an oyster, my husband and I looked at each other and immediately thought, yup, this is so us,” says Akbas, of a menu that included quintessential Rhode Island eats like a raw bar, hot lobster rolls, clam cakes and chowder from Red’s Kitchen, plus donuts and munchkins from Dunkin’, milk from Wright’s Dairy Farm in North Smithfield, and doughboys from Iggy’s in Warwick. Only the Finest Italian Cookies rolled a roaming cannoli cart onto the dance floor, Pianta provided plant-based offerings like mini skillet cookies and chocolate lava cakes, and the wedding cake, baked by Danielle the Baker, featured chai spice with hints of orange and two tiny Polaroids from the wedding day.

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Akbas surprised her father by performing a Kurdish folk song on the saz

Meaningful Music

Music set the mood from start to finish. Tedesco’s uncle, an opera singer, performed “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls (“I just want you to know who I am”) during the ceremony. DJ Infinite delivered a millennial-coded soundtrack and a first-dance mashup featuring Ed Sheeran, NSYNC, and LFO. As a tribute to the bride’s heritage, Kurdish music brought guests onto the dance floor, and a Persian knife dance during the cake cutting introduced friends and family to a meaningful cultural tradition. One moment stood out above the rest. During the father-daughter dance, Akbas stopped the music, picked up a saz – a long-necked stringed lute instrument – and performed a song she had secretly learned over the course of a year. “It was such a meaningful surprise for my dad,” she says. “A moment I will treasure forever.”

Rhody Resources

Even more vendors to consider:

• Arpreggio Wedding Entertainment

• Back2Back Consignment

• Keane’s Woodfire Catering

Looking Back

“There is not one single thing I would change at all. It was our best day ever,” says Akbas, with her signature bright smile. Her advice to couples planning a 2026 Rhode Island wedding is simple. “Don’t get caught up in trends.” She encourages couples to include what feels meaningful, support local vendors, and build in moments to pause. In the end, the couple created more than a wedding. They created a personal celebration rooted in love, culture, and the Rhode Island community that helped bring it all to life.

HOME & STYLE

Rustic Refresh

From dated to dynamic: a rural home gets a colorful makeover

By Elyse Major

Sometimes, even a house that’s the age of your typical college student can appear dated inside. This was the case for a three-bedroom, four-bath Colonial set on five acres in Arcadia, the rural village in Exeter. “My client’s house was stuck in a ‘90s time warp,” explains Michelle Parenteau, the Johnston-based interior designer/artist tasked with bringing this home into the present. “It lacked color, comfort, and functionality,” she explains. Parenteau cites things like oak cabinetry in a high-gloss finish and brass hardware, once trendy, but now making spaces seem antiquated.

Out went the brass ceiling fans with their frosted floral glass shades and in came a series of more streamlined switches, like the striking blue glass pendant that hangs over the kitchen pass-through window. Not one to be matchymatchy, Parenteau employed a range of coordinating oceanic tones in accents like cobalt glass tile for the kitchen backsplash, and via art, tableware, linens, and furnishings in related hues to connect zones. Says Parenteau, “I help my clients embrace color and not to fear it.”

Connecting much of the open floor plan is a colorway of blue in a variety of shades that harken the sea, which appeals to the scuba-enthusiasts in the family. To resolve the comfort and functionality issues, the kitchen countertop was extended to provide room for two stools. In the living room, the beige fireplace got a facelift with mosaic tiles in a wavy pattern. To accommodate the homeowner’s live-in parents, the downstairs bathroom was completely gutted for their use. Thoughtful additions included heated

flooring – perfect for cold winter mornings, a double vanity, and a large walk-in shower with seating. Parenteau was also in charge of choosing new furniture and brought in a dining table “big enough for entertaining,” along with other pieces, adding, “new lighting was installed in every space of the house.”

The family is thrilled with the updates. “It’s upbeat and fun,” begins the homeowner. And what makes them happiest about their home? “The colors and art; they are peaceful and homey.”

Settings of pottery are too pretty to keep in cabinets

Get Rhody Style

Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.

Explore Arcadia

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you are likely familiar with the small secluded village of Arcadia, known for the Arcadia Management Area, the largest recreational area in the state. Another point of interest is the Tomaquag Museum. Located on the Exeter side, the museum, whose mission is to educate and promote thoughtful dialogue regarding Indigenous history, culture, arts, and connect to Native issues of today. Learn more at RIParks.com; TomaquagMuseum.org.

Remodel Local

“I always stress the importance of using the highest quality materials. I feel it’s so important to support local vendors,” says Parenteau, who lists the following businesses for this project: The Blind King, Providence; Cardi’s Furniture & Mattresses, West Warwick; Jason Thomas Construction; John Camara, painter; East Coast Countertops, Cranston; J and K Lighting, Johnston; Lubrano Electric LLC, Rehoboth, MA; Rhode Island Tile, Cranston; Supply New England, Warwick; and Town Glass, Smithfield. Learn more about Michelle Parenteau at MichelleLeeDesigns.com.

10 Steps to a Successful Remodel February 7 | 10–11am

We’ll walk you through the remodeling process— from setting a realistic budget and understanding the three levels of remodeling to selecting cabinets, countertops, appliances, and more.

March 7 | 10 –11AM

Our designers will share the latest trends, products, & insights from The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show.

HOME & STYLE

Be Your Own Valentine

Rhody-made picks for that special someone: you

By Britt Machado

February is that quirky rollercoaster of a month that can be marked by romance, heartbreak, or both. Even more reason to give yourself some little treats and embrace a regimen of self-care. This can be as gentle as burning all-natural nofuss incense papers – just fold, light, blow, and let burn as the vapor fills the space. Revive winter-worn skin with soothing antioxidant-rich hydration, add nutritious cold-pressed juices to your diet, or perhaps book a color consult to help refresh your living space. During the coldest part of winter, maybe some heat therapy in the form of a rustic mobile sauna delivered to you is the indulgence you require. No matter what, to thine own self be true.

BEARD BALM: MAGNOLIA SOAP & BATH CO. East Greenwich | MyMagnoliaSoap.com

BELCOURT WHITE WINE: SAKONNET VINEYARD Little Compton | SakonnetWine.com

COLD-PRESSED ORGANIC JUICE: THE POWER OF JUICE

Middletown | ThePowerOfJuice

INCENSE PAPER: CHAMONIX HOUSE North Scituate | ChamonixHouse.com

INTERIOR COLOR CONSULT: JOHNNYCAKES DESIGN & VINTAGE Providence | JohnnyCakesDesign.com

MOBILE SAUNA: BRING ME SAUNA Westerly | BringMeSauna.com

ROSE OIL: SOULITA

Providence | Soulita.com

Novel Approach

New shop is a brick-and-mortar love letter to fans of the romance genre

By Jenna Kaplan

In a world filled with uncertainty, it’s comforting to not only get lost in the pages of a book but to enjoy a HEA (happily ever after) or even a HFN (happy for now) tale. These are terms used to describe romance novels, a genre which is decidedly having a moment. Lifelong bookworm Erin Masse is a fan – so much so that she opened a shop dedicated to these particular tomes.

“I wanted to create a space that’s joyful, inclusive, and fun, a place where romance readers can feel seen and celebrated,” says Masse. “There’s something special about walking into a shop that’s full of love stories. It’s an instant mood boost.” Located between Fox Point and the Jewelry District at 103 Wickenden Street, this cheerful storefront infuses a pop of color and plenty of heart to Corliss Landing, and joins a growing wave of independent bookstores across the country that are giving romance novels the spotlight they deserve.

Inside, Masse has filled shelves with a mix of new and pre-loved romance novels that capture every kind of love story. Readers will find everything from slow-burn historicals and swoony contemporaries to queer rom-coms and delightfully spicy page-turners. Masse notes that customers are always looking for comforting yarns, and a current standout is the Heated Rivalry series by Rachel Reid. “It’s seen a huge surge in popularity thanks to the Canadian sports MM romance television adaptation introducing a whole new audience to the books,” says Masse. “Between romantasy favorites always being popular, seasonal romances, and buzzed-about series like Heated Rivalry , customers are building their TBR lists that feel both escapist and perfect for winter reading!”

The shop also carries note cards, tote bags, and accessories, making it easy to find something for every bibliophile in your life. Masse plans an agenda of events each month, including the free and recurring Bubble Bunch on Sunday afternoons, which she describes as a relaxed, low-pressure hang. “Bring a book, a crochet

project, a journal, or just yourself, and settle in surrounded by fellow bookish creatives,” says Masse. February’s lineup includes a Book Bedazzle Night, a ticketed make-and-take where attendees buy or bring a book to decorate with craft supplies. On February 14, there’s

a book signing with the local author of Fragmented , Bay Sinclair, a bouquet bar popup with Third Space Floral Studio for Galentine’s Day, and a pre-order signing with local author C.W. Farnsworth. Learn more at TheLittleBubblegumBookshop.com

ERIN EXPLAINS IT ALL

Buzzy terms and more to help you find what you’re looking for

• BOOKTOK: A social media community where readers share recommendations and reviews.

• DARK: Explores morally complex, intense, or taboo themes; stories often include heavy content.

• EROTIC: Romance where explicit sexual content is central to the story. It can focus on consensual power exchange, kink, and trust between partners; also called BDSM.

• FANTASY: Stories set in magical or imagined worlds that often feature fae, magic systems, and mythical creatures; also called romantasy.

• FF (FEMALE/FEMALE): Romance between two women; also called sapphic or women-loving-women (WLW).

• HEA (HAPPILY EVER AFTER): The main couple ends up together.

• HEAT LEVEL: A rating of how explicit the content is, ranging from low to spicy. See also CW (Content Warning).

• HFN (HAPPY FOR NOW): Ends with a less-than-certain conclusion.

• LGBTQIA+: Stories across any genre that center queer identities beyond FF or MM, including nonbinary, trans, bisexual, and pansexual leads.

• MM (MALE/MALE): Also called gay romance, but includes a wide range of identities.

• TBR (TO BE READ): A list of books you want to enjoy.

• THIRD ACT BREAKUP: The couple separates late in the story before their reconciliation.

• TROPES: Popular recurring themes such as enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, age gap, second-chance romance, fake dating, one bed, marriage of convenience, slow burn, and others.

• YA (YOUNG ADULT): Romance written for teenagers and typically featuring younger protagonists, first loves, and emotional growth. The heat level is usually low.

Dr. Rachel Timmons joined Atlantic Audiology in November after nearly a decade of practicing in an ENT setting. She made the decision to transition into a private practice setting, where she could expand upon her passion for individualized, patient-centered audiological care.

Dr. Timmons especially enjoys diagnostic audiology, hearing aid fittings, and patient education. She strives to build a longterm professional relationship with her patients to help them reconnect with the people and moments that matter most.

Let’s Go!

Fill February vacation with memory-making family fun

By Jane Govednik

February vacation is one of those weeks where kids have energy, parents need options, and cabin fever is very real. Before you start scrambling for last-minute plans, check out these family-approved spots across the state offering hands-on fun, indoor adventures, and special vacation-week programming.

AUDUBON SOCIETY OF RHODE ISLAND

Audubon’s Bristol campus has vacation-week programs with nature walks and themed activities designed especially for kids – everything from turtle races to coastal touch tanks to live animal presentations. It’s a great option for families who want to get outdoors (or at least feel outdoorsy) while still having structured programming. All activities are free with admission. Bristol

BIOMES MARINE BIOLOGY CENTER

This interactive aquarium and marine education center is home to one of the largest collections of New England marine life in the world, giving kids the chance to explore exhibits with sharks, turtles, and seahorses while learning about local

and global ecosystems. During vacation week, daily feedings and demonstrations add to the experience, making it a perfect educational outing that doesn’t feel like school. North Kingstown

THE LUXE LEMON AND SLIME BAR

At this slime bar, kids can create custom slime, mix textures, and walk out with jars of their own creations. It’s colorful, creative, and surprisingly calming. What really sets this studio apart is how sensory-specific the experience can be. Whether your child prefers soft, soothing textures or messy, sparkly play, the activity can be adjusted to meet their individual needs. East Greenwich

MYSTERY SOUP ESCAPE ROOM

Escape rooms are a great option when you want something different and collaborative for a group of all ages. Mystery Soup Escape Rooms offers Kids’ Side Quests designed specifically for kids ages six to 10 that can be added onto their escape room experiences. It’s a fun introduction to problem-solving and teamwork without being too intense, and it strikes a nice balance between being challenging and fun. Pawtucket

NEWPORT SAILING MUSEUM

Interactive exhibits and sailing simulators make the Newport Sailing Museum well worth a visit. Wearing bracelets with QR codes, kids can track their progress as they complete challenges and learn about sailing. They can even design a boat avatar and earn virtual rewards, turning the experience into a bit of a game. Best of all, kids under 10 are free, making this a fun, low-pressure stop even for non-sailors. Newport

NEWPORT WINTER FESTIVAL

Newport Winter Festival is packed with kid-friendly events throughout vacation week, from reptile and magic shows to character encounters and live entertainment. It’s one of those rare festivals that truly prioritizes families, with events spread out across the city so you can make a full day (or a few days!) of it. Newport

OLD MOUNTAIN LANES

When in doubt, bowling is always a classic indoor family activity that keeps everyone happy. Old Mountain Lanes is a 24-lane bowling center

that has been part of southern Rhode Island for decades, but has kept up with the times. Along with bowling, there’s an arcade, a coffee shop, and a full diner on site, so it’s easy to grab a bite before or after you bowl and stretch the outing into a full afternoon. Wakefield

PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL

This festival is such a hidden gem. With thoughtfully curated films made for kids and teens, plus workshops and interactive events, it’s perfect for families looking for something a little different. It’s a great way to introduce kids to storytelling and film in a way that feels fun and accessible. Providence

ROCK SPOT CLIMBING

MORE COOL IDEAS

• The Artists’ Exchange, Cranston

• Providence Children’s Museum

• Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence

• Seabee Museum, North Kingstown

• Taste Buds Kitchen, East Greenwich

• Thomas Dambo Trolls, Charlestown, East Providence, North Kingstown, Richmond

Whether you’re scaling a wall for the first time or looking to sharpen your skills, Rock Spot allows you to challenge yourself in a safe, supportive space. There are climbing routes designed for all ages and abilities. Pro tip: Students with a Feinstein Jr. Scholar card receive one free day pass with gear at any Rock Spot location, no advance reservation required. Providence, Lincoln, South Kingstown

UNITED SKATES OF AMERICA

Roller skating is one of those activities that feels nostalgic for parents and brand new for

kids. United Skates offers open skate sessions in an upbeat atmosphere. Beyond the rink, enjoy arcade games, laser tag, and even a climbing wall, making it an easy place to spend a few hours and keep everyone entertained. East Providence

URBAN AIR ADVENTURE PARK

This indoor space is a reliable go-to, especially for families with kids of mixed ages. Attractions range from trampolines, climbing walls, and obstacle courses to laser tag, bumper cars, and an indoor zipline. Younger kids aren’t left out either, thanks to a playground designed specifically for children under 52 inches tall. Warwick

FEATURE

by Jenna Kaplan

How Sweet It Is!

Rhode Island’s talented chocolate makers and chocolatiers whip up magic year-round

By Ann Martini

e have the Mayans and Aztecs to thank for being the first to link chocolate and love, by serving a bitter chocolate drink at weddings. The world-wide romance with all things cacao is stronger than ever, and Rhody has no shortage of talented chocolate makers – those who transform raw cacao beans into finished chocolate through roasting, grinding, and refining, and chocolatiers – those who work with high-quality couverture chocolate, creating beautiful, indulgent confections such as truffles and bonbons.

Aura’s Chocolate Bar

A CELEBRATION OF HERITAGE

Aura Fajardo grew up in Venezuela with a family that loved to cook and gather around a table with authentic, homemade food. “I spent most of my early years eating, not cooking,” she recalls. But as an adult, her passion for cake decorating opened a door to storytelling through chocolate.

Founded in 2017 inside Warren’s culinary incubator Hope & Main, Aura’s Chocolate Bar is a sweet success story rooted in passion, perseverance, and exceptional cacao. Fajardo trained in baking and pastry arts at Johnson & Wales and was inspired by a formative internship at century-old Hebert’s Candy Mansion in Shrews bury, MA. “I wanted to bring exciting flavors along with very beautiful versions of the classic chocolate of my home country,” she explains. Fa jardo infuses her creations with a sense of place, blending prized Venezuelan cacao – among the best in the world – with premium beans from the Dominican Republic and Ecuador, and pairing them with thoughtfully sourced New England ingredients.

After a winding journey through several pro duction spaces, Fajardo found her forever home in Cranston, where she opened Aura’s Choco late Bar just in time for Easter 2021. It’s a place to shop, gather, learn, and, of course, taste. “I want people to feel something special when they’re enjoying a chocolate bar, to challenge their senses. Ultimately, I want them to taste

something that makes them do a happy dance.”

Fajardo’s bars and filled chocolates are anything but ordinary. Signature lines include sommelier-inspired flavors influenced by wine and spirits, bold spicy and salty combinations featuring unique salts from Hawaii to Massachusetts, and a carefully developed vegan collection made with almond milk chocolate. Each bar is designed to tell a story – layered, expressive, and memorable. Aura’s Chocolate Bar is both a celebration of heritage and a delicious opportunity to learn firsthand about Fajardo and her home country. 250 East

Gansett Craft Chocolate

FIRST BEAN-TO-BAR MAKERS IN RHODE ISLAND

It might not make sense to you that one of the best chocolate makers in the region is a fulltime, board-certified OB-GYN. So let us introduce you to Steven Schneider, who, with his daughter Ella, runs Gansett Craft Chocolate. Steven and Ella first fell down the chocolate rabbit hole after touring a bean-to-bar factory in 2013, when Ella was nine. Years later, while the rest of us were spending the pandemic learning to make sourdough, Steven began intensely researching the chocolate-making

process. He sourced cacao beans from around the world and roasted them in the oven. He bought a small melanger – a machine used to grind and refine chocolate ingredients – and began making chocolate at home, all by hand.

Ella, then in high school, would give the homespun confections away to classmates; Steven shared it with coworkers. The response was unanimous: this was something special. Ella and Steven became the state’s first bean-to-bar chocolate makers when they

opened their Wakefield shop in December 2024, offering bars, specialty creations, and treats such as chocolate mousse and European hot chocolate, using rare cacao beans from Peru. Steven continues to practice medicine as well, while Ella, 21, tends to the daily routines at the shop and will graduate with a degree in entrepreneurship from the University of Rhode Island this spring.

Along the way, the Schneider team has collected six international chocolate awards. “It’s been amazing,” says Ella, whose favorite part of the job is educating people about what makes good chocolate. Customers can sample

different types as they sip their hot chocolate. “We really focus on the flavors,” she says.

A standout favorite among those flavors? A handcrafted take on Rhode Island’s beloved coffee milk – a white chocolate bar infused with coffee from Seaworthy Coffee Roasters in West Kingston, a 70 percent dark chocolate infused with Newport Sea Salt Co., and a brown butter sage, among others. At any given time, they offer 10 bars, two of which are seasonal. Ella considers her education perfect training for growing the business. “I can’t wait to see where this takes us!” 227 Robinson Street, Wakefield | GansettCraftChocolate.com

HAWT Chocolate

STUNNING CANDIES MEANT TO BE SAVORED, NOT SAVED

“My best memories always involve food,” says Miguel Allis, the founder of HAWT Chocolate, based at Hope & Main in Warren. Allis, 37, is from Mexico City, where, he says, “family dinners, cooking with mom and grandma, and hosting friends proved some of the most joyous times.” After earning a degree in gastronomy in Mexico’s capital, he traveled the world, and uses those global influences to create chocolates that feel both sophisticated and playful. Every bonbon and bar is made by

hand, with careful attention to balance, texture, and flavor. “Chocolate should feel like a moment – not just a flavor,” Allis says. That philosophy is evident the second you open a HAWT box. The chocolates are visually striking yet refreshingly unpretentious, designed to be savored rather than saved. There are bright fruity centers – think passionfruit or cranberry, customer favorites such as PB&J, coffee milk, and mole, the latter paying homage to the traditional, painstakingly

crafted spicy/sweet Mexican sauce. There are clean, cocoa-forward bars accented with toasted nuts or subtle spices. At this time of year, his “message boxes” are most popular – a Love Box and a Forbidden Box, each featuring eight bonbons and eight notes, romantic or naughty in tone, depending on which version you choose. “They’re made to turn any moment into a celebration,” he says.

Allis wasn’t always chocolate-focused. When he moved to New England, he worked

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A few more of our favorite places to buy stellar chocolate confections

Anchor Toffee

Newport, Providence AnchorToffee.com

Andre’z Dipped & Drizzled North Providence AndrezDippedAndDrizzled.com

Chocolate Delicacy

Warwick ChocolateDelicacy.com

Hauser Chocolates

Westerly HauserChocolates.com

Jennifer’s Chocolates

Wakefield JensChocolates.com

Newport Sweet Shoppe

Newport NewportSweetShoppe.com

Seacoast Sweets

Cranston SeacoastSweets.com

Tamp Espresso Chocolate

Bristol

Instagram: @tampbristol

at Flour Bakery in Boston, led by James Beard Award-winning chef Joanne Chang. “I knew I wanted to do something on my own, maybe a restaurant, to express my creativity.” When he discovered the Hope & Main food incubator, he focused on chocolate “because most people love it, and it’s practical,” he explains. He doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar yet; his chocolates ship from his Warren kitchen space, and can also be found at Stock on Hope Street and the Hope & Main Marketplace, both in Providence.

HAWT stands for “Having a Wonderful Time,” and clearly, Allis is. “Food brings people together, and that’s exactly why I do what I do.” HAWTChocolatePVD.com

Your Special Occasions Venue SWEET ON RHODY

Sweenor’s Chocolates

LEGACY BRAND CONTINUES TO BE A FRESH FAVORITE

If you believe you can’t please all of the people all of the time, well, you’re wrong. For more than seven decades, Sweenor’s Chocolates has been the go-to destination for locals and visitors who revel in their handcrafted confections with classic New England charm.

What began in 1955 as a basement candy-making project by schoolteacher Walter Sweenor – a World War II side hustle inspired by his father’s confectionery skills – has

blossomed into one of Rhode Island’s most beloved family institutions, now owned and operated by third- and fourth-generation Sweenors. The family uses time-honored recipes with the finest ingredients – pure milk and dark chocolate, honey, butter, and cream – with no preservatives allowed anywhere near their famed truffles, caramels, pecan clusters, and sea-salt toffee. Beyond traditional boxed chocolates, Sweenor’s dazzles with inventive seasonal and themed treats

like chocolate quahogs and lobsters for weddings, nautical shapes that revel in Rhode Island’s coastal roots, and festive novelties that make every holiday sweeter. Though the company now produces chocolate in impressive volumes, much of the work remains deliberately hands-on, crafted using proprietary chocolate blends developed exclusively for the brand. How sweet is that? 21 Charles Street, Wakefield; 43 Hillside Road (Garden City), Cranston | SweenorsChocolates.com

by Savannah Barkley

DEFINING FINANCES

Strategies for making, saving, and investing money in Rhode Island

By the Editors

TO SUCCEED IN PROVIDING OR OBTAINING

Now is the perfect time to review the withholding on your paycheck. Withholding is the amount withheld by an employer that goes directly to the government as a partial payment of income tax. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), most employees are over-withheld on their taxes, meaning that more taxes than they owe are withheld from their paychecks and that’s how you get a refund. Taxpayers who have children under age 17 may see their refunds increase as a result of the new tax law. The Tax Withholding Estimator tool can provide the info you need to make any adjustments, and then check with your employer on next steps. IRS.gov

The president’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill can have a significant effect on federal taxes, credits and deductions. Find the latest information on tax law provisions, such as no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on car loan interest, and the new deduction for seniors and other provisions, to determine how those changes could impact tax return filing. IRS.gov

TO PUT ASIDE AS A STORE OR RESERVE

The Section 529 education savings plan offered by the Office of the General Treasurer of Rhode Island is designed to help individuals and families save for higher education in a taxadvantaged way. Valuable advantages include tax-deferred growth, contribution limits, investment options, and professional investment management. Enrollment is easy and is estimated to take 10 minutes. There are no investment minimums, and more than one person can contribute to the same account until total market value reaches $520,000. CollegeBound Saver has no commissions, loads, or sales charges. CollegeBoundSaver.com

TO DIMINISH IN SIZE IN NUMBER

Are heating bills giving you the chills? Energy.RI.gov is a great resource for things like the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps income-eligible households reduce heating bills by providing whole-house energy efficiency services. Also find information on heating assistance, sales tax exemptions, and more. To determine how much energy you’re actually using and what to do about it, schedule a no-cost home energy assessment where an energy auditor will complete an attic-tobasement evaluation and provide a custom home energy report outlining recommended energy efficiency improvements. They will even install a few no-cost energy-saving products which may include ENERGY STAR-certified LED light bulbs, sevenday programmable thermostats, faucet aerators, or low-flow showerheads. Based on your assessment, you may be eligible for rebates, a zero percent interest HEAT loan, and thousands in savings toward a new insulation installation. Energy.RI.gov

RETIREMENT (noun)

WITHDRAWAL FROM ONE’S POSITION OR OCCUPATION OR FROM ACTIVE WORKING LIFE

RISavers is a new retirement program sponsored by the Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer, that offers participants their own Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA). A Roth IRA earns money based on the performance of the investments you choose, and those earnings are automatically added to your contributions. When you retire and start taking money out of your Roth IRA, there are no taxes when you withdraw contributions or earnings. You can choose to change your savings rate and investment choices to meet your unique goals, as well as designate beneficiaries. Only a small administrative fee is charged annually to cover program costs. Learn more RISavers.gov

EQUITY (noun) UNCLAIMED (adjective)

THE VALUE OF A PROPERTY OR OF AN INTEREST IN A PROPERTY AFTER ANY DEBTS THAT REMAIN TO BE PAID FOR IT HAVE BEEN SUBTRACTED

Homeownership is one of the most straightforward paths to building wealth. The key component is growing your equity, which gradually shifts your debt into an asset. Home equity is the current market value of your home, minus what you owe. Any gain comes from paying down the principal balance on your loan, or an increase in market value over time – this comes from appreciation when property values grow, as well as from improvements that you make to the home. In December of 2025, Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa announced the launch of RI AnchorHome, a pilot affordable homeownership program that expands access to affordable, sustainable mortgage options. Key benefits of the program include: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, starting interest rate of 3.99 percent subject to market conditions, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), support for down payment and closing cost assistance, and mandatory homeownership counseling to promote long-term financial success. Under the program, when a first-time homebuyer is approved for a qualifying mortgage through a participating lender, the State of RI deposits matching funds into an account at that same financial institution. This structure helps unlock more affordable loan products without the state acting as the lender. Learn more at Treasury.RI.gov

INVEST (verb)

TO COMMIT (MONEY) IN ORDER TO EARN A FINANCIAL RETURN

The main categories of investment products are stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (EFTs), and insurance products like variable annuities. Unlike banking, where deposits are guaranteed by federal deposit insurance, the value of stocks, bonds, and other securities fluctuates with market conditions. No one can guarantee that you’ll make money from your investments, and they may actually lose value. Before diving in, it’s important to do lots of research, know what risks you can handle, understand what you are buying, and turn to a trusted pro. Investment apps can be convenient tools to make and to monitor investments. It’s important to be aware that some apps may “gamify” the investment process and nudge you to trade more than your comfort level. Stay true to your investment strategy. Beyond traditional stocks and bonds, there are myriad assets that investors can amass, depending on someone’s goals, situation, and risk tolerance. If the idea piques your interest, begin by assessing what appeals to you and what seems doable. For example, while some may be ready to collect fine art, baseball cards may be more your speed. Collectibles, like coins, stamps, toys, and records, are popular. There’s also collecting fine art, wine, cars, real estate, land, and commodities like gold and precious metals, and digital assets, like cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

NOT CALLED FOR BY AN OWNER OR CONSIGNEE

Each year, Treasurer James A. Diossa’s office recovers unclaimed cash and assets from businesses, banks, landlords, safe deposit boxes, and utility companies. More than 300,000 Rhode Islanders have property waiting to be returned to them, and many don’t even realize it; property is kept safe until it can be returned to its rightful owner. Search the database and find out if there is anything with your name on it. FindRIMoney.gov

EXPERT (noun)

ONE WITH THE SPECIAL SKILL OR KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTING MASTERY OF A PARTICULAR SUBJECT

“The best advice I can give to anyone looking for sustainable financial health is to listen to your ‘wise mind.’ By that, I mean the intersection of what’s rational around your money-making decisions and what’s emotional. Too often, I see my clients living in extremes. They are either hyperresponsible with their finances to the point where sometimes it can feel like self-neglect or they make their money decisions based on passion. Sustainable financial well-being comes when we learn to be emotionally connected to our finances and fiscally responsible, not one or the other.”

– NIKOLAI BLINOW, OMPOWERMENT PSYCHOTHERAPY, CRANSTON

“The sooner you start saving, the better. Time and compounding are your friends. Budgeting is about making your spending habits a conscious choice and not something that just happens. An employer’s willingness to match your retirement savings is basically free money. Who doesn’t like free money? Your personal cash flow is critical to your budget and financial plan.”

– RHODEWAY FINANCIAL, PROVIDENCE

“Helping people overcome challenges and improve their lives has always been my passion. When people understand their finances, they gain the power to make decisions that align with their goals and values.”

– MICHELLE CORTES-HARKINS, HARKINS WEALTH MANAGEMENT, PROVIDENCE

RhodeWay Financial’s mission is to empower individuals and families with financial planning services at no cost. Founded by Kevin and Cameron Connaughton, this non-profit, grantfunded organization provides free financial planning services to lowto-moderate income individuals and families, members of the military, and justice-involved individuals.

RhodeWay is committed to providing education, guidance, and resources that help underserved communities navigate their financial journeys, build lasting wealth, and make informed decisions. We

help clients set realistic financial goals and then work together to determine the best way to reach them.

RhodeWay helps people by providing expert knowledge and making financial topics easy to understand. We’re there to support our clients through every step. Whether it is getting our clients in touch with an estate attorney to provide them with a free simple estate plan, creating a budget, or an entire financial plan, RhodeWay is in constant communication throughout the entire process.

RhodeWay Financial will be partnering with the Community Action Partnership of Providence for its upcoming Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (Vita) Program, beginning February 3. It will be the second year RhodeWay has supported this program.

Please visit RhodeWay.com to learn more.

MOST TRUSTED, LOCAL ROOFER

PEACE OF MIND, NOT PRESSURE

FOOD & DRINK

In the Kitchen | Experience | Cocktails | Round Up

Coastal Kitchen

Fresh-off-the-boat flavors shine in a chef-helmed Cranston eatery

By Molly Ogren & Jordyn Zacharias

When you are craving fresh seafood, Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston might not be the first location that comes to mind, but perhaps it should. It’s where you’ll find makmak, an eatery founded by Chef Mike Kudzma (formerly of Matunuck Oyster Bar) and his wife Crystal. While the restaurant’s name might sound like some exotic dish, it’s actually derived from the initials of the Kudzma’s two sons. Since opening their doors in May of 2024, the couple have made it their mission to create a space that feels like home, starting by being greeted at the door by Crystal, smiling as she leads patrons to the perfect table.

FOOD & DRINK

Mike grew up in the kitchen with his mom and grandmother, creating meals and building a love of cooking. Before opening his own business, he learned the ins and outs of culinary techniques and the skills needed to operate a restaurant at other establishments. Seafood has always been part of his repertoire, and as a proud partner of the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative and RI Seafood, he supports local fishermen and sources ingredients from trusted suppliers like Narragansett Bay Lobsters and Twin Shellfish in Warwick. Each week, Mike features rotating specials that

showcase seasonal Rhode Island catches. While he loves working with all types of local seafood, he has a special fondness for littlenecks. “Their versatility makes them a staple in his kitchen, and you’ll find them in a variety of specials,” he notes. Still, Mike never passes up the chance to work with crab, and his menu is packed with items like crab tots, a twist on loaded tater tots featuring succulent Jonah crab meat, Idaho potatoes, and panko bread crumbs, served on a circle of poblano aioli; the delicate crab meat also finds its way into the gumbo, tempering the savory bite of the andouille sausage.

HOW TO FIND LOCAL SEAFOOD

If you are wondering where to find fresh, local seafood year-round, the RI Seafood Finder makes it easy. Search for more than 160 partner seafood markets, restaurants, and direct sellers across the Ocean State — and look for the RI Seafood logo wherever you shop or dine to ensure your seafood is truly local. Learn more at Seafood.RI.gov and follow on Facebook and Instagram at @RISeafood and @RI.Seafood.

by

Rotating menus fit what seafood is landed locally

Creating his own menu allows Mike to showcase his creativity and serve people dishes that he is proud of plating. Diners will find house items like the makmak and cheese, with charred pepper bechamel over radiatori pasta (add lobster and you’re in for a decadent treat), or the makmak biscuit, found on the brunch menu – a farmer-style hand-held. Posts on Instagram (@makmakeatery) give status updates on limited-quantity dishes like the RI-caught black seabass.

Mike and Crystal say that by owning their own space, they can directly shape the experiences of each guest who comes through the door. Each person who dines at makmak is welcomed into the dining room and treated like family. For Mike, the real joy of being a chef and restaurant owner is creating experiences and seeing his guests light up over a meal they’ll never forget. “We are determined to make this restaurant a place that people come to for excellent food, drink, and experience, every single visit,” says Mike. “Come see what we’re about.” 650 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston; MakMakEatery.com

In Their Prime

A legendary partnership reunites to create a buzzy celebration of the finer plates in life

By Ann Martini

Lennon and McCartney. Woodward and Bernstein. Brady and Gronkowski. Elkhay and Ramos. You know, those talented twosomes who have collaborated to create something greater – more emotional, impactful, exciting – than they could have alone.

To wit: On a recent visit to the new 10 Prime Seafood in Providence, an appetizer called Lobster Acting Like Escargot is delivered to our table. I love a snazzily-named menu item. It heightens curiosity and builds expectations. In another chef’s hands, this dish might disappoint – too overworked, excessive accoutrements. But tender lobster, bathed in sweet, fatty butter, sprinkled with sea salt, and topped with puff pastry, served in a stoneware escargot plate… well, this works marvelously

on both visual and palatable levels.

This dish, and all the others on this well-balanced, intriguing menu, is credited to Jules Ramos. He, along with partner/owner John Elkhay, are a pair of renown veterans – together on and off since 1987 – of the Providence restaurant scene. Under the moniker of the Chow Fun Food Group, Elkhay’s properties include 10 Prime Steak and Sushi, Harry’s Bar and Burger, Xaco Taco, and now, 10 Prime Seafood. Ramos has led brigades at Café Nuovo, Mill’s Tavern, and XO Café, among others. They are a complementary team in the purest form. Ramos brings his cooking chops while Elkhay brings the sexy and the whimsy to this new venture, opened last November in the space formerly known as Res, and Bravo before that.

Tom D’Amore

Drawing Life’s Special Moments

Tom D’Amore is an artist known for creating incredibly detailed illustrations and live art for high profile artists at record speeds. All artwork is hand drawn with absolutely no artificial intelligence.

You can see Tom draw performers like Alex Edelman, Dan Soder, Hannah Berner, Joe Derosa, Jonathan Van Ness, Josh Johnson, Leslie Jones, Matt Rife, Natasha Leggero, Sal Vulcano, Patrick Warburton, and many more in theaters across the world.

Tom loves drawing life’s special moments, It was only natural for him to start drawing weddings. During each event Tom sets up a large easel for an 18 x 24 drawing. He welcomes guests to come up to him and view his process as he draws! Full color illustrations, prints, and digital file options are available. You can see his artwork and contact him on his website TomDamoreArt.com

FOOD & DRINK

Must-Try Items

RHODE ISLAND OYSTERS with mignonette pearls, bloody mary cocktail sauce: $3.50 ea LOBSTER ACTING LIKE ESCARGOT $25

FILET MIGNON with cacio e pepe tortelloni, served on Versace: $55

SALMON CRISPY RICE with avocado, fresno, coconut aminos: $15

DAY BOAT SCALLOPS with haricots verts almondine, chimichurri: $39

Cuisine: Top-notch local shellfish, seafood, and steaks

Atmosphere: Upscale but comfortable with a whimsical nautical design aesthetic

“It’s a reunion, a true full-circle moment for me in my career,” says Elkhay, who is also working with several members of his family at the new 10. The space is provocative but comfortable. Large windows framing the long bar look out on Empire Street, and in the dining room, Trinity Rep. The interior features alluring details: a mermaid, perched in the corner, watches guests’ every move; jellyfish-like lighting fixtures hang unassumingly from the ceiling; an octopus mural occupies a whole wall. But the most important and pleasing art is on the table. “Every ingredient, every menu item, every spoon, fork, apron, and

glass matters. There is no aspect of 10 Prime Seafood that does not have my full attention and focus,” Elkhay says.

As a guest, you feel that. First-course options are impressive but not intimidating – a key theme on all Elkhay’s menus – encouraging exploration. Alongside shellfish selections (which are mostly local), there’s a traditional caviar service with potato chips and crème fraiche, but there’s also a tongue-in-cheek version served with chicken nuggets. In addition to the lobster, we order the salmon crispy rice with avocado, Fresno peppers, and

coconut aminos. I’m not one who welcomes the idea of raw anything, but I trust the kitchen, and this is a game changer. The salmon is so fresh and tender I imagine it was plucked from the waters hours ago. The peppers, avocado, and coconut seasoning add a little brightness and sweetness.

We order cocktails and when asked about vodka preference, our waiter, Johnny Tarrats, who’s worked for Elkhay for some 20 years, tells us 10 has its own corn-based, gluten-free vodka, crafted nearby by ISCO Spirits. The wine and spirits list is manageably sized and offers a balanced selection of reds, whites, and sparkling wines that are reasonably priced. There’s a nice selection of zero-proof cocktails as well.

For entrees, we choose local dayboat scallops with haricots verts almondine and a tarragon-heavy chimichurri that gives the dish depth and savoriness in a way that, say, a lemony sauce couldn’t achieve. The scallops – six of them – are plump and perfectly cooked, the dish easily big enough for two. For a side dish, the Oh Those Potatoes beckon – a neat rectangular stack of thinly sliced potatoes, pressed and fried and topped with a creamy brie fondue and freshly chopped herbs. Oh, those potatoes! We also choose the filet mignon topped with a cacio e pepe tortelloni. It comes exactly as ordered, a perfect, tender

FOOD & DRINK

medium-rare. The tortellini is three bites of creamy richness. The menu notes this dish is “served on Versace.” Does a medium-rare filet taste better when served on a $400 turquoise and gold Italian designer plate? Of course not. But I appreciate the beauty of it, and it creates a memory. That’s typical Elkhay modus operandi.

We move to the festive bar for a final cocktail and are presented with a dessert tray – five house-made, single servings such as a raspberry

custard tart, crème brûlée, and an apple pie that is Elkhay’s mother’s recipe. We’re joined briefly by Ramos, who seems content and comfortable in this space, not frantic like so many chefs, in the middle of service, can be. He’s happy to be back in this partnership and is proud to “offer guests beautiful, authentic food prepared the way it should be, and in an elevated, showstopping environment.” He can definitely check that box. We skip dessert, too full from dinner. But that apple pie is on my

list for next time. It would look fabulous on an Hermès dessert plate. Just saying. Some legendary twosomes only last a short time. Others thrive, continuing to make magic wherever their talents bring them. Let’s hope the rolling stones who are Elkhay and Ramos continue to gather no moss.

Ten Prime Seafood

123 Empire Street

TenPrimeSeafood.com

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Love on the Rocks

A seasoned bartender shares cupid-ready cocktails

By Ann Martini

Kerri Ayers-Kelleher says she’s been making craft cocktails at bars and restaurants in Rhode Island “long enough that I’ll make your drink right the first time.” Currently the banquet bar captain at the Newport Harbor Island Resort, she calls bartending hospitality in its purest form: “You’re creating something delicious, but you’re also paying attention to flavors, mood, and energy, so the drink feels like it’s made just for you.”

What are you serving this month?

We’ve created two drinks here that will melt that February chill and help you celebrate love, romance, friendship, and more. Our His & Hers Valentine Cocktails – a Black Cherry Manhattan and a Sparkling Strawberry – are made to be sipped and savored by the fireplace.

What do you like about these drinks?

These cocktails are built around balance. The Black Cherry Manhattan is a twist on the classic Manhattan, invented in a New York social club in the late 1800s. This recipe replaces sweet vermouth with Averna Amaro for a deeper complexity. The Luxardo cherry adds dark fruit notes without overpowering the rye. On the other hand, the Sparkling Strawberry takes the opposite approach with fresh fruit puree, citrus, and floral St. Germain, making it bright and balanced – and any drink with prosecco is a mini celebration!

What’s a snack you would recommend with this drink?

These cocktails pair well with the hot pretzel from our Torpedo Bar and Lounge. The giant pretzel is perfectly salted, and the accompanying beer cheese and Whalers IPA mustard make it delicious with both drinks.

When you go out for drinks in RI, what are your local haunts and why?

I don’t get out nearly enough, but when I do have a drink these days, it’s usually at High Motor Bar and Grille in Pawtucket. I’ll order either a perfect pint of Guinness or a new whiskey I haven’t tried yet. It’s a great spot to watch a game and learn about whiskeys and tequilas you might not otherwise discover.

@KerriAtTheBar

@NewportHarborIsland

BLACK CHERRY

MANHATTAN

2 oz Knob Creek Rye

¾ oz Averna Amaro

¼ oz Luxardo Cherry Liqueur

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, stir for 20-30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a Luxardo cherry wrapped in an expressed orange peel.

1 ½ oz Tito’s Vodka

1 oz fresh muddled strawberry

½ oz St. Germain

½ oz fresh lemon juice

¼ oz simple syrup

Top with La Marca Prosecco

Muddle fresh strawberries with simple syrup in a shaker, add vodka, St. Germain, and lemon juice.

Shake briefly to combine and strain into a flute.

Top with Prosecco and garnish with a lemon twist.

Savoring Rhody

Dine by the fire at these eight cozy spots

By Patty J

If the February chill has you down, how does a round-up of some of the coziest restaurants with fireplaces around Rhode Island sound? Lunch or dinner at any of these is so much more appealing than staying home huddled under the electric blanket. Pro-tip: plan ahead and make reservations so that you don’t get left in the cold.

Aidan’s Pub

This spirited pub is perfect for a casual meal or fun evening out (with scheduled weekly events). Warm up from the windy waterfront by the fire, enjoying hearty fare like fish and chips or bangers and mash, and wash it all down with a Guinness or two. It’s the next best thing to booking an actual trip to the Emerald Isle. Bristol

The Chanler at Cliff Walk

This mansion-turned-luxury hotel with dining options is a sensational spot to seek out. Perched above Easton’s Beach, enjoy a fabulous din-din by the fire at Remy’s Loose, or a menu of light bites and drinks in the plush Living Room bar. Mocktail enthusiasts rave over the Candy Store, a spirit-free confection of blueberry, mint, citrus puree, and housemade candy. Newport

Coast Guard House

40 Ocean Road isn’t just for summer meals and al fresco drinks. During the winter months, this oceanfront eatery (co-owned by the late Judge Frank Caprio) brings the relaxing and restful vibes with dishes like their lobster ravioli and clam chowder (also multiple port wine options), and their dining igloos – each outfitted with a heater, fireplace, and Bluetooth speaker. Narragansett

The Haversham

Whether you’re a history buff or not, dinner by the fire at this quaint 19th century tavern (owned since September 2025 by John Bellone), is a must-visit this winter. Grab a seat near the fireplace and enjoy one of their Manhattans. Later, you can dig into hearty eats like their famous prime rib, patty melt burger, or French onion soup. Westerly

Main Street Coffee

This EG classic, owned by Steve Cinquegrana, is wonderful on so many levels. It’s a coffee house by day – and as if it couldn’t get any better – a cocktail and dessert spot by night (their espresso martinis and sweets are legendary).

On top of all that, they also have a fireplace in the back seating area. East Greenwich

Mare Rooftop

This modern Mediterranean oasis helmed by David Crosetti, looks out on Wayland Square and the entire city of Providence, boasting fabulous views all four seasons, but come winter it’s peak cozy-aesthetic. Luxuriate over mouth-watering food (steak frites, for one) and creative cocktails against a flickering fireplace backdrop. Providence

The Red Dory

Chef and owner Aaron DeRego is known for sourcing the freshest ingredients from

local fishermen and farms for his Mediterranean-inspired menu. Regulars go wild for their clam chowder, fried oysters, scallops, and roast chicken. Throw in scenic views of the Sakonnet River and a crackling fire in the dining room and you have a perfect February night out. Tiverton

Terrazza

Open since 2015, co-owners and brothers Eddy and Tony Imad have made this Mediterranean-fusion bistro a northern Rhody foodie destination. Feel worlds away as you tuck into dishes like marsala (chicken or shrimp), panseared swordfish, or filet mignon by the fire in the recently remodeled dining room. Smithfield

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