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Contents
Photography: (L) Melissa Stimpson (R) Tiffany Medrano
FEBRuaRY 2014
a look at how work and home combine in Pawtucket
29
This Month 16 Ready to Mingle Meet the city's most eligible singles
21 Love Your Body Dance, sweat and stretch your way into your
40
Creative cocktails at the Barstow
29 City Style An artist's live/work space at Hope Artiste 30 The Look 32 Get Fit 37 Shop Talk
39 Feast Gourmet fare on Allens Avenue 40 Review 43 In the Kitchen 44 On the Menu 46 In the Drink 49 Behind the Bar 51 Dining Guide
new you this year
57 Get Out
Every Month
The art of local band’s album covers and more 58 Calendar 61 Theatre 62 Music 63 Art
6 Editor’s Note
64 Savor Providence
8 Providence Monthly Online
A little bit of bubbly goes a long way
11 Providence Pulse An Olympic-bound Cranstonian skates into Sochi 12 City 13 Malcontent 15 Scene in PVD
On the Cover:
Anti-gravity yoga instructors Valerie Knopik, Pam Sanmartino and David Picanno at Raffa Yoga in Cranston. Photographed by James Jones.
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
5
Editor’s Note
PROVIDENCE MONTHLY
Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell Publishing Director Jeanette St. Pierre Executive Editor Julie Tremaine Associate Editor Grace Lentini Special Projects Manager John Taraborelli
Love Is In The Air This month, love is everywhere… at least, it’s everywhere every time you walk into a store or turn on the television. But we’re giving Valentine’s Day a rest and talking about another kind of love: the kind you give to yourself. That’s right. We’re talking about loving your body… after you work hard to get it in shape. (Why, what else were you thinking?) Our fitness issue is all about challenging yourself, from trying out a new rigorous workout routine to expanding your mind/body connection. If your 2014 resolution was to get in shape, but you’re still picking the couch over the elliptical, maybe this story will get you motivated to make positive change. In addition to all of the self-love we’ve got going on (I’m just going to keep saying it until you stop making it dirty), we’re also making love connections this month. This issue has our annual list of Providence’s
Digital Manager Samantha Pezza
Most Eligible Singles. Check them out on page 16, then read all about them on our website (providenceonline.com). If you decide you’d like to meet them for yourself, join us at The Whiskey Republic on February 12 for our annual Mix and Mingle party. Whether you’re looking or not, the event is always a good time. See you there? I’d love it.
Art Director Karli Hendrickson Assistant Art Director Meghan H. Follett Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas Graphic Designer Veatsna Sok Account Managers Louann DiMuccioDarwich Ann Gallagher Nicole Greenspun Kristine Mangan
Courtney Melo Elizabeth Riel Dan Schwartz Kimberly Tingle
Illustrators Alison Blackwell
Ashley MacLure
Photographers Amy Amerantes James Jones Mike Braca Tiffany Medrano MIchael Cevoli Melissa Stimpson Corey Grayhorse Dawn Temple Contributing Writers Keith Andrade Sarah Bertness Michael Clark Emily Dietsch Molly Lederer Stephanie Obodda Tony Pacitti
Contributor Bob Curley Writer
Dale J Rappaneau, Jr Cristy Raposo Jenn Salcido Jen Senecal Eric Smith Erin Swanson
Interns Anita Baffoni Elyena de Goguel Elizabeth Lorenz Jasmine Phan
Alexa Pacheco Paige Snyder Stacy Swift
Members Of:
Bob Curley, the resident art columnist for our sister publication SO Rhode Island, is a Rhode
Audited by:
Island-based travel writer who authors the travel guidebook Rhode Island: Off the Beaten Path and is the editor of the About.com Caribbean Travel site. An avid sports enthusiast and fan of the local arts scene, Bob writes local restaurant reviews for Gayot.com and about health and wellness for MeYouHealth.com. Always up for a challenge, especially when it involves fitness, Bob spent a week getting whipped into shape at CORE for our cover story.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER. PAPER CONTAINS 20-25% POST-CONSUMER CONTENT Providence Monthly 1070 Main Street, Suite 302 Pawtucket RI 02860 • Fax: 401-305-3392 www.providenceonline.com providencemonthly@providenceonline.com For advertising rates call: 401-305-3391 We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright ©2014 by Providence Monthly, All rights reserved. Printed by Gannett Offset. Distributed by Special Delivery.
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
@
The PM LIST
Web • Social Media • Promotions • events
At the Bar Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time once again to celebrate with our Most Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes. Join us
MIX + MINGLE
at Whiskey Republic (515 South Water St.) for our annual Mix and Mingle party on Wednesday, February 12 from 6-9pm. This is your chance to meet our sassy singles over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Of course, you don’t need to be single to join the party; even if you’re spoken for, it’s still fun to make new friends. This event is free and open to the public. Be sure to follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/ providenceonline) for more details.
In the Magazine
Senator Olympia Snowe
You’ll find the program guide to the RI Spring Flower & Garden Show inserted into this month’s issue. This is the largest event at the Convention Center every year, drawing approximately 30,000 visitors. We learned a lot about the Flower Show while putting this program together: for instance, did you know that in four days they use enough grass to cover a football field and one million blooms to create the spectacular gardens on the show floor? The event runs February 20-23, and advance tickets are available until February 12 for $13 (one-day ticket). Visit flowershow.com for more details.
Bridging the Divide What hyper-partisanship means for 2014… And how we can fix Washington
NOAH KRIEGER ’93 MEMORIAL LECTURE
Presented by the Taubman Center for Public Policy
February 10, 2014
★
MacMillan Hall 117 167 Thayer Street, Providence www.brown.edu/taubman-center
8
Providence Monthly | February 2014
4:00 p.m.
On the Silver Screen Providence Monthly is proud to once again sponsor the Providence Children’s Film Festival, happening February 13-23. This is the festival’s fifth year, and it’s better than ever, with film screenings, educational activities and other special events. The RISD Museum, the RISD Auditorium and the Cable Car Cinema (all convenient walking distance from each other) will serve as festival venues, and dozens of feature films and shorts will be screened. We would love to say that this partner-
ship is about our deep and abiding investment in children, but if we’re being honest it’s just that we’re excited about Wolf Children, an animated film that will appeal to fans of Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki. What can we say? We just like wolves. We will also be giving away two pairs of free passes to screenings at the RISD Auditorium. Stay tuned to our Facebook page to find out how to win. Visit providencechildrensfilmfestival.org for the full schedule and ticket info.
ZERO COST Free condoms to protect against HIV and STDs are now available throughout Rhode Island. Visit health.ri.gov/safersex for a list of participating sites or call 401-222-5960.
health.ri.gov/safersex
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
Providence Pulse
Photo: Jay Adeff/U.S. Figure Skating
CITY / MALCONTENT / SCENE IN PVD
Skating to Sochi Hailing from her hometown
of Cranston, figure skater Marissa Castelli is set to represent the U.S. in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia this month. Turn the page to read about how this local girl blows away the ice skating competition.
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
11
Pulse |
City
From pg 11
Hometown Pride
A Cranston figure skater goes for the gold Marissa Castelli works as
a pair skater, performing choreographed ice skating routines with her partner, Massachusetts-based Simon Shnapir. The two began performing together in 2006, and have gone on to win the 2013 Four Continents bronze and the 2009 World Junior bronze and twice earned the title of U.S. National Champions (2013, 2014). Their latest competition, the 2014 U.S. Championships, saw the pair perform to Thomas Newman’s “Skyfall,” in which Castelli daringly attempted to pull off a quadruple salchow (four airborne rotations). As both a Rhode Island resident and a student at CCRI, Castelli represents the best of her little state. And we’re rooting for you, Castelli. Give them hell. -Dale J Rappaneau, Jr
Castelli and Shnapir at the 2014 U.S. Championships
PM Experiment
Over at AS220, a group of individuals calling themselves 3D Printing Providence (3DPPVD) are proving that the future is in fact now - and it’s all thanks to burgeoning 3D printer technology, which, according to 3DPPVD, may revolutionize how goods are crafted and distributed. But let’s slow down a minute. What is 3D printing? And why does it matter? In a nutshell, 3D printing is the process of manufacturing a 3-dimensional object from a digital model. Houses, toys, power tools - hell, even this very magazine you’re holding - can all be created via a 3D printer, so long as the printer is technologically capable and the digital model exact. (Which means, yes, you could in fact download a car. So take that, Motion Picture Association.) As for 3DPPVD, these passionate individuals meet twice per month to utilize 3D
12
Providence Monthly | February 2014
printers and learn about this ever-expanding field. “When I first started [four years ago], 3D printing wasn’t a big deal,” says James Rutter, AS220’s lab manager. “You had to work on your own machine, fix your own drives and pulleys. It was a clumsy technology.” As with anything technology-related, though, the industry quickly exploded. Soon the machines were more automated and less intimidating for the average individual. People grew more proficient, and thus printed products grew in popularity. “The club meets the first Tuesday of every month, and it’s informal. What we say is, all members can come down and work, and we’ll have about ten members working on different projects. They’re socializing, just hanging out, no agenda, printing things.” In addition, the club meets the second Wednesday of every month, and these, says, James, are the “formal meetings.” Each one focuses on a specific topic, presentation or invited speaker, and the meetings are intended to teach members about the latest in 3D printing technology. “These meetings will showcase one member (or a company or speaker) that has developed a certain thing that they’re sharing. It’s someone that has something to share with the 3D printer community.” The whole point being, of course, to help spread information about this astonishing piece of equipment. Because let’s be real, the possibilities are ridiculous: Need a new car door handle? Print one. Need a new mouse? Print one. Need a 3D printer? Print one! (No really, you can.) “We print all sorts of things. Our instructor gives the example that when he moved into his house, his water faucet handle was broken. So he moved in, set up a printer and printed out a water faucet handle. I like that, because it’s a practical example.” James encourages individuals interested in the technology to first attend their informal Tuesday meetings, as it allows people to see 3D printing in action without getting bogged down by techno-babble. If still intrigued after that, pop in for their formal Wednesday meetings, to learn more about what 3D printing can do for the community at large. (For the impatient types, head right now to thingiverse.com to see examples of what a 3D printer can create.) 115 Empire St. 831-3663, as220. org. Check online for meeting times and registration info. -Dale J Rappaneau, Jr
Illustration: Alison Blackwell, Photo: Jay Adeff/U.S. Figure Skating
Printing the Future, One Model at a Time
Pulse |
City
Malcontent
Off to the Races Election season is upon us, and more candidates may yet join in the fun By the end of last year, the political landscape of the 2014 elections in Rhode Island was already looking like a pretty crowded field, with high profile candidates announcing early and often. As we gear up for a long election season, there are still a lot of prospective candidates lingering on the margins, playing a “will they or won’t they?” game with the electorate. So, as the depths of winter set in and we have nothing better to pass the time than idle speculation, let’s take a look at who might yet jump into the fray. Buddy Cianci: Mayor of Providence People continue to wonder if the man who still routinely goes by “Mayor” will make one last run at City Hall, and Cianci, ever the showman, seems all too happy to entertain the discussion. What most people don’t realize is that it doesn’t matter whether he chooses to launch an official campaign: a little remembered City ordinance from Buddy’s ‘90s heyday dictates that his name must legally appear on the ballot as a candidate in every mayoral election until 25 years after his death. Chris Young: Mayor of Providence, General Treasurer, Secretary of State, Senior Class President, Secretary General of the Model UN, Wikipedia Administrator, Chancellor of the Galactic Senate Ever the wild card, this perennial candidate has not been shy in the past about throwing his hat into the ring – or even throwing multiple hats into multiple
rings. Young has been quiet thus far into the election cycle, but if recent history proves correct, voters are soon to see him flop-sweating his way through the fringes of a debate, flanked by his inexplicably attractive girlfriend. While the field might be too crowded for him in the Providence mayoral race, GoLocalProv’s Dan Lawlor seems to think he’s got an outside shot at Chancellor of the Galactic Senate. Carolyn Rafaelian: Governor Word on the street is that Cranston’s number one jewelry and lifestyle impresario is currently channeling energy and opening chakras to determine whether she should campaign for the State House, or simply buy it and install a Bangle Bar. Alex and Ani CEO and presumptive campaign manager Giovanni Feroce won’t say for sure whether his business partner will be a candidate, but he was more than willing to raise speculation, declaring, “Someday you’ll sit on an Alex and Ani chair, and it will feel better. Or you’ll eat off of Alex and Ani plates, and the food will taste better. Or you’ll vote for Carolyn Rafaelian and it will count twice.” Curt Schilling: Governor The former video game magnate needs money and a job, so he’s certainly looking for his next move. Sources close to Schilling say that the possibility appeals to him because, while his candidacy may be a long shot, simply entering the race would make him
a shoo-in for Biggest A--hole of All Time. Michelle Kwan: Lieutenant Governor With her husband, Clay Pell, poised to jump into the gubernatorial race, the duo may be looking to establish themselves as a Clinton-esque power couple. Though the former Olympian has thus far demonstrated her usual grace, poise and poetry of movement, she’s had difficulty sticking the landing on policy issues, which may hurt her score with the Ukranian judge. Pell Clay: Governor While the Pell family has established a legacy of public service and honor in Rhode Island extending back generations, their lesser known evil doppelgangers, the Clay family, have brought decades of shame and ignominy to the alternate reality version of Rhode Island on another plane of existence in which they live. Once every four years a small portal between the two dimensions briefly opens, creating a brief window of opportunity for the doppelgangers to pass over into our realm. When that happens later this month, anticipation is high that the rakish Pell Clay (Clay Pell’s evil counterpart) may attempt to make the jump – though political insiders don’t see the logic, as his alternate reality version of Rhode Island has a booming economy and the lowest unemployment rate in the country. –John Taraborelli
Say Goodbye The Credits Roll on Providence’s Last Bastion of Video Store Culture With the closing of Acme Video on Brook Street, our city has lost something truly unique. More than just an actual, factual, brick-and-mortar video store, more than just a portal into film history, Acme was a piece of history itself. It was a living artifact. It was the one place left in the city where everyone could go and engage with movies the way we did before on-demand services. There’s something about being there, looking at and touching physical movie packaging, about the anticipation on the ride back home to watch whatever you’d rented. The first movie I ever rented from Acme Video was Katsuhiro Otomo’s anime masterpiece, Akira. There were lots after that and I remember almost all of them, because going there
was always an experience. Ralph Goudreau, Acme’s owner, was the gatekeeper, and his authority and guidance in navigating the wild, unpredictable world of movies was just as important as the movies themselves. I didn’t asked for his advice nearly enough, and I regret that now. Call it streamer’s remorse. The Redbox blues. Our movie watching options are legion and ever growing, but that physical experience of being there, browsing and interacting with a dude who cares so much about film is really what’s lost. Acme made watching movies at home feel significant. It all made the experience real in a way that an evergrowing Netflix queue never will. -Tony Pacitti
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
13
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Pulse |
Scene in PVD
Spice Up
The Romance!
The newly renovated Arcade played host for our annual 10 to Watch party on January 14. Guests had the chance to interact with our “10 to Watch for 2014,” sample food, sip cocktails, offer their ideas for improving the city in our “Think Tank” video installation and enjoy music. The party raised $6,500 for Project Night Vision. Photography by Mike Braca.
Reserve Your Table Now for Valentine’s Day
Experience Regional India 27 Culinary Regions, Hundreds Of Local Cuisines
Guests enjoying the newly renovated Arcade
149 Main Street East Greenwich 398-2822 rasarestaurantri.com
Jackson Morley, Jenny Young Xaykham Khamsyvoravong, Jorge Elorza
261 Thayer Street, Providence 273-8844 • kabobandcurry.com
727 East Avenue, Pawtucket 728-5500 • rasoi-restaurant.com
Alexa Pacheco, Anita Baffoni Maria Tortolani, Liza Baptista
Our 10 to Watch with Mayor Taveras, Robin Dionne of the Arcade, Kobi Dennis of Project Night Vision and our own Larisa Kupris, Wayne Considine
John Taraborelli
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
15
Ready to Mingle
Meet Providence’s most eligible singles Written by Julie Tremaine | Photography by James Jones | Photographed at The Dorrance
Harrison grigsby, 31
Molly Magdalena, 43
Javid Moghaddasnia, 27
ashley erling, 30
College Advisor and Grad Student A musician who loves great music and food, who’s already started his own business, and graduates in May. “I really appreciate an open mind. Just be yourself. If you’re able to have a smart conversation but not take life so seriously, you’re cool in my book.”
Owner of Ocean State Bikram Yoga Has lived all over the country, loves the NBA and has a secret passion for sci-fi. “When I meet someone new it’s important that we click as friends, especially when it comes to our sense of humor. I appreciate an optimistic attitude and an easy laugh.”
Retail Business Manager A Renaissance man (and former professional dancer) who loves the arts, style, cooking and staying active. “I’ve learned that taking risks and exploring have their rewards. When I meet someone, I don’t want to feel like I’m on an interview. I find joy in the journey.”
Executive Producer, The Rhode Show Fashion blogger, mentor for Year Up Providence and volunteer for the Providence Preservation Society. “I love talking to new people. A lot of people are surprised by my layers. I’m a bubbly girly-girl on the surface, but there’s actually a lot more depth to my personality.”
Michael davis, 47
Falashia Mccants, 36
Army National Guard Recruiter Father of three girls (and possibly Elvis’s biggest fan) who has served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and had his band’s songs played on MTV. “I love to spend time with my close friends. I usually hate the idea of going out, but always have the best time once I do. There is almost nothing I won’t do to make people laugh.”
Administrative Assistant at the Providence Public Schools Mother of two who loves football, basketball, travel and Friday nights with her sisters and girls. “I love to have fun. I’m always smiling. I’m looking for someone who’s honest and caring, who will respect my feelings, who’s ready to be spontaneous.”
Want to know more? Read full profiles at providenceonline.com. Want to reach out to the singles? Email us at cupid@providenceonline.com. Want to meet them yourself? Join the most eligibles at our Mix and Mingle at The Whiskey Republic (515 South Water Street) on February 12 from 6-9pm.
ann M. little, 26
Brandon Ward, 40
deidre Fraser, 25
Vanessa Ryan, 38
District Scheduler for U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin A sports enthusiast who loves karaoke and telling corny jokes, and who always puts her close-knit family first. “When it comes to dating, I’m a bit old-fashioned. Decorum does make a difference. I’m looking for someone who will first prove to be a good friend.”
Makeup artist A fun-loving and genuine guy who’s an Air Force veteran, always up for a laugh and isn’t afraid to belt out a karaoke song after a cocktail or two. “The quickest way to my heart is to make me laugh and then buy me a drink (not necessarily in that order). It’s a pretty simple equation.”
Project Manager for Alex and Ani A Jamaican native who’s learning to survive the snow, and who loves exercise, being outdoors (in other seasons), cooking and dancing. “Someone who can hold a captivating conversation and can have a good laugh gets an A+. I like someone who is comfortable being who they are. Smile, be genuine.”
Professor of English at Brown Fun-loving intellectual who loves staying active and soaking up Providence’s culture. “There’s no hiding that I’m the intellectual type: it’s all about books and ideas for me. I like creative, curious, charismatic people. A great sense of humor and someone who can tell a good story is always a plus.”
You’re So Sweet
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LOVE YOUR
BODY Our fitness issue takes workouts to new heights
It’s February. You’ve finally recovered from the holidays… but you’re officially a month behind on your New Year’s resolution of getting into shape. We sent three writers to try out three disciplines of fitness. Kick your gym routine into high gear with these workouts. After all, love is in the air this month, but you’ve got to love yourself (and your newly defined abs) first.
Written by SArAh BertNeSS, BoB CurleY & JulIe tremAINe
Photographed by JAmeS JoNeS February 2014 | Providence Monthly
21
Challenge your body and mind at the Center of Real Energy (CORE) in Providence
SWEat It OUt a week of vigorous workouts to kick off 2014 My week of trying
out fun new fitness classes at the Center of Real Energy (CORE) Fitness in Wayland Square got off to a pretty shaky start in early January: I was battling the same nasty cold that everyone seems to have caught this year, hobbled by a knee injury suffered in a hockey game and spent the Sunday before the first class stranded overnight at the airport in Baltimore. Not to mention that the previous three weeks had been nothing more than a long span of holiday indulgences and profound inactivity. Still, I dutifully showed up Monday night for my first class, CORE S.W.E.A.T., led by owner Denise Chakoian-Olney and very accurately described as a “heart-pounding, fat burning” workout. For an hour, Denise shouted enthusiastic instructions through her wireless headset as she led the group through a warmup (which felt suspiciously like a workout to me), then about 20 or so challenging exercises using your own body weight, light and heavy weights, resistance bands and the BOSU ball. The fast pace – about a minute on each exercise – helped you avoid the biggest curse of the gym, boredom, but also made you realize just how difficult it can be to do a single motion nonstop for even just
a minute. Dynamic combinations like burpees with a 180-degree jump and v-squat jumps with upright rows using light weights are as tough as they sound: this class will get you moving, working and, as promised, sweating throughout. My sister-in-law is a professional dancer, and I am aware of how strenuous ballet can be, despite its frou-frou image. So, I wasn’t taking the next day’s Body Barre class – which mixes balletbarre exercises with some core and upper-body routines – too lightly. And good thing: while not quite as tough as S.W.E.A.T., Body Barre challenges you in different ways. Consider, for example, that a good portion of the class involves standing on your toes. If you’ve ever watched ballet, you know that the dance is all about precise, controlled movements. The barre class is the same: good form is the key to all the exercises, but to maintain it requires both concentration and strength. Ballet terms like “arabesque” sound elegant, for example, but in practice holding one leg behind you in midair for more than a few seconds is pretty difficult from both a balance and exertion perspective, especially when Denise tells you to start pulsing up and down on the leg on the floor. Squats performed in ballet’s turnout position –
heels together, toes pointed out – take on a whole new dimension, working the adductors and other muscles around the hips and groin. The idea that the class is more about shaping your muscles than bulking up doesn’t make the exercises any easier, but looking around the room you can see the results in the shape of flat abs, toned shoulders and sculpted calves. Wednesday was Hump Day – a much needed day of rest. (Woo hoo!) My body appreciated the break, and a couple of Pilates classes slated seemed like a mellower way to finish off the week. As I checked the schedule, however, my sore legs began sending me signals of silent rage as I noticed the word “Jumpboard” appended to the name of my Thursday Pilates class. At this point, the idea of jumping off of anything higher than a matchbox sounded like agony, but CORE Pilates instructor Melody Gamba assured me that while I would get a good workout, Thursday’s work on the Pilates Reformer machine would be relatively low-impact. The Pilates most of us are used to is actually just a subset of the exercises developed by fitness guru Joseph Pilates, known as “Pilates mat.” Pilates also designed several pieces of equipment to enhance his workouts,
notably the Pilates Reformer, which resembles a long wooden bed equipped with spring-loaded resistance bands and bars. The Reformer makes an awesome alternative to CORE’s intense S.W.E.A.T. or Navy SEALs classes: it’s not nearly as hardcore and allows for a full range of motion, so you’re getting a great stretch as well as toning your muscles. Plus, it works on the body’s secondary muscules rather than the abs, glutes and biceps targeted by typical workouts. As for the Jumpboard, it’s actually a flat wooden board set perpendicular to the Reformer platform, which allows you to push off with your toes for small jumps while laying flat (the Reformer bed slides back and forth, while springs return you to the landing position). In fact, most of the Reformer exercises take place in a prone or seated position, making it a great option for people who want to get a vigorous workout but are limited by injury or chronic illnesses like arthritis. Like ballet, Pilates requires precise movements and concentration, and both are mandatory for several of the exercises in my final workout, a private 60-minute session with Melody where we concentrate mainly on the upper-body with the Pilates Cadillac – a large apparatus that resembles the hospital beds that first inspired Joseph Pilates – the Pilates
Chair and TRX Suspension Training. The Chair is deceptively simple looking: it’s not much more than a seat and some spring-loaded handbars, but it allows you to raise and lower your body with controlled resistance and is impossible to muscle through: you have to engage your core to do the exercise or it simply won’t work. We finished up with the TRX bands, which hang from the ceiling and enable you to angle your body and do exercises like suspended pushups using your own body weight as resistance. By the end of the week, my legs were sore but my knee felt great, the cold was history and at least some of the holiday pie and gravy had been sweated off. Unless you’ve been working out regularly I wouldn’t recommend doing four classes in five days, but with its broad range of classes CORE is pretty accessible whether you are a fitness newbie or looking to shake up your usual gym routine. There are no membership fees, and drop-in rates range from $15 for classes like S.W.E.A.T., Navy SEALs, yoga and spin to $28 for small group Pilates Reformer classes. Private instruction ranges from $65-75 per hour with discount packages available. Fitness classes are held at 469 Angell Street; Pilates classes are at 208 Governor Street. 273-2673, corefitprov.com - Bob Curley
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SWEat? Rigorous workouts to amp up your fitness routine
Method Fitness instructor Brandon Dupont leads a weekly boxing and conditioning class that includes the fundamentals of the “sweet science,” including punching, footwork and body mechanics. The calorie-burning class includes work on the heavy bag, pads and shadow boxing. 755 Westminster Street. 274-6384, methodfit.com Gold’s Gym offers Group Kick classes inspired by mixed martial arts (MMA), including high-energy routines
incorporating boxing, kicking and karate. 550 Pawtucket Avenue, Pawtucket. 722-6600, goldsgym.com SynRGy Health & Fitness features interval-training based INSANITy classes plus boot camp and circuit training Revolution sessions. 3 Davol Square. 519-6555, synrgyfit.com The Body Complete Fitness Center for Women offers Booty Barre, Sculpt Barre and a variety of TRX-based training classes designed for women. 1375 Park Avenue, Cranston. 946-0378, bodycompletefitness.com American Health Fitness Center has plyometric classes utilizing the mini trampoline as well as TRX, kickboxing and boot camp sessions. 555 Quaker Lane, West Warwick. 828-3458, americanhealthfitnesscenter.com
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February 2014 | Providence Monthly
23
Dance to your favorite tunes while you get a full body workout at Body Rock in Lincoln
DancE, DancE REVOLUtIOn the new wave of fitness is all about music I tend to have
two kinds of nights during my week: gig nights and gym nights. On a gig night you’ll inevitably find me front row, center having a onewoman dance party to whatever band’s rocking out. Gym nights I’m all business: elliptical, stairs, weights, sit-ups, push-ups, squats. My routine has been the same for years and I’m a solitary gym creature. Once the headphones are in, I’m tuned out and ready to put the work in workout. The idea of combining the two and bringing my (often erratic) dance moves and secret passion for pop music to the gym with me certainly had me intrigued, so I headed to Body Rock to see what all the rock and roll, pop and lock and sultry salsa turned cardio dance-infused workout hype was about. First up was Body Rock’s “Dance your A$$ Off” class, an hour long dance-athon that gets your feet moving and your heart racing, and keeps your cardio constantly changing with choreography that works everything from your arms to your abs. I admit, most of the time I kind of looked like that kid in the dance recital always going in the opposite direction of everyone else, but Nicky, the instructor and Body Rock co-founder, kept me pumped and
convinced I would catch on. The class switches up the same songs each week, so after a few weeks your body knows where just to move with the beat. I was surprised how quickly I could feel the workout, and because we were constantly moving and mixing it up the hour flew by. A soundtrack of some of my favorite pop music guilty pleasures only sweetened the deal. The workout was a huge shift from my norm, and it was refreshing to be getting exercise in a room full of people having fun rather than just pumping iron. The dances each had targeted moves that definitely delivered body-sculpting results, from an entire chorus of squats, corestrengthening hip action and a whole new toned arm approach to “put your hand up in the air.” I left singing along to Beyoncé and thinking if dancing gives her those gams, I’d better book my next class and be on the way to buff (and maybe even more coordinated). Loosened up and finally feeling like I was in my dance groove, I pulled a double session along with most of the class for “Fight Night,” a circuit-style boxinginspired class. Pulling on my very own pink pair of Everlast gloves, I had no idea just how much my body was about to be rocked. From spurts of sprinting, sit-ups
with punches thrown in between and a mixture of sparring and strength band muscle-building moves, the workout was fast paced from start to finish. Since Body Rock keeps their classes small, it really felt like I was in a personal training session with a few extra cheerleaders sweating it out by my side. The music blasted in the background; when Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” came on, my overplay frustration translated to a nice little improvement in my one, two, right hook. There’s certainly a satisfying sound when the gloves connect with the boxing bag, and the class left me utterly exhausted and satisfied. I think I even invented box-dancing moves and one point. One thing’s for sure: the tunes and the trainer kept me hyper motivated, and my muscles certainly noticed the difference. Body Rock’s atmosphere made me feel like I was part of a fitness family, and it wasn’t only interesting to switch things up, it was inspiring. The high-energy, pop-rock infused classes put a whole new spin on dragging myself to the gym, and while it may be a while until I’m stage or ring ready, I’m certainly ready to get my dance moves and boxing on more often. 85 Industrial Circle, Lincoln. 699-3409, bodyrockri.com - Sarah Bertness
BODY Dance-inspired workouts to get you moving
Get a worldly workout with one of the international-inspired dance classes at The Rhody Center for World Music and Dance. From Belly Dancing, African Dancing and Bollywood Dancing classes, you’ll add some multicultural kick to your exercise routine. 172 Exchange Street, Unit 201, Pawtucket. 475-5955, therhodycenter.org If you march to the beat of your own drum, The Movement Exchange’s contemporary classes might be just your style. From live music accompanying their improvisational dancing classes, breakdancing sessions with the Project 401 crew, modern dance that explores the link between movement, memory and meditation and options for all ages and even couples, the classes all celebrate creativity and individual expression. 545 Pawtucket Avenue, Pawtucket. themovementexchangeri.com
Are you a fan of the stage? Tapper, flapper and founder of Providence’s own Chifferobe cabaret, Kristen Minsky’s Theatrical Dance class at AS220 will not only bring out your inner star, it will bring your skinny jeans back out too. Minsky’s Tuesday night classes run the gamut of decades and dance styles, keeping each week fresh and fun. 95 Empire Street. 8319327, as220.org If you fancy yourself more of a ballerina, but want to reap the benefits of dancefitness fusion, Barre classes may be your best bet, mixing arm toning moves with ballet inspired legwork and core strengthening. At Momentum Fitness you’ll be in good hands as co-owner, trainer and dancer Michelle Struckholz shows you the steps to a dancer’s physique. 222 South Water Street. 2728900, momentumri.com
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What do you get when you add some serious cardio kick to your salsa moves? you’ll be on the stopwatch at Krissy’s Dance and Fitness Studio’s special Zumba classes, mixed with spurts of circuit training. The Latin American inspired dance class will keep your heart rate up and your hips moving while the circuits target and tone key areas. 834 Admiral Street. 369-9092, kdfstudio.com
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Fly away at anti-gravity yoga at Raffa Yoga in Cranston
PRactIcE MaKES PERfEct Stretching for the truth at yoga yoga is a tough thing to break into. It has its own language, even beyond all of the Sanskrit names you hear thrown around like they’re totally understandable to the layperson. Despite the fact that you do most of it lying down, yoga can be really rigorous, and leave you as sore as if you had thrown around kettlebells instead of warrior poses. If you don’t already know the language of yoga, it isn’t so easy to decode. Because there are so many different kinds of yoga – bikram, vinyasa, hatha – and each appeals to a specific need (like relaxation and meditation, or, on the other end of the spectrum, power and strength training), picking your first class can be a tricky thing. If you’re looking to om it out and get some peace of mind, a 90degree room full of people doing crow pose – where you lift your entire body off the ground using only your hands – probably isn’t right for you. The thing is, and this sounds trite, there really is a class for everyone. you can use yoga to clear your mind without breaking a sweat, or in place of circuit training. I stumbled into the right class for me a year ago, fell in love with the practice and haven’t looked back. But still, every studio has its own language. No two kinds of class are the same. So, I
set out to explore the offerings at Raffa yoga, a huge yoga haven in Cranston. I had been to Raffa before, and loved the Urban Sweat facility (which is a series of wet and dry sauna rooms designed to have specific health effects, and which is a fabulous way to spend the day. I still dream about that eucalyptus steam room.) But I hadn’t taken a lot of classes there. I strolled into beginner Power yoga thinking that I could roll with the best of them. Remember how I said it’s hard to tell what you’re going to get before you get to a yoga class? I found 50 people ready to rock at 9am on a Saturday morning, led by the human equivalent of a ball of energy, Christine Raffa. The class was 90 minutes of constant movement, taking us through the more achievable poses for beginners (like warrior one, warrior two and sideangle bends), but at a fast cardio pace. The practice used downward facing dog – a challenge pose in other classes – as its rest pose. Needless to say, it was a challenge, but the kind that feels great afterwards. My hamstrings were sore for two days, but it was good pain. yoga, for me, is about clearing my mind. I love a class that’s nice and slow, and lets me empty all the stress and clutter from the day. That’s exactly what my
next class was: yoga Stretch. The minute I walked into class, Stefany explained what we could expect: a class that would leave you stretched out and blissed out, but without breaking a sweat. yoga Stretch is more like in yoga, which focuses on quality of stretch over quantity, holding poses for several minutes to retrain the muscles to be leaner, more flexible, more ready to stretch out. I loved it. Stefany explained that it’s a great practice for novices, but also for athletes who are looking for increased flexibility. It was the perfect intermediate choice between Power yoga and what was next, which would literally have me flying through the air. Anti-Gravity yoga is tough. I’m going to say that right off the bat. It requires a level of upper body strength that you can generally get away with not having in other yoga classes. But it’s so much fun. There are two of these classes at Raffa: beginner, and all-levels. There are a lot of differences, but no matter how good you are at yoga, you should start with the beginner. Each student gets a hammock that’s hanging from the ceiling: in the beginner class, it’s about a foot off the ground; for all-levels, it’s about three feet up. Valerie, my instructor for both, was incredibly inspiring,
both because of the explicit way she went through each pose, and the grace with which she did it. In the beginner level class, the hammock was a tool to enable better stretching, especially when it came to spinal stretches. In the all-levels, it was a way to hang like a bat, suspend yourself inside a womb, swing through the air like a kid. I may have been sore after, but I had more fun exercising than I ever have in my life. And I’m not exactly a person who goes to the gym for fun. My last class was Mindful yoga, taught
by Sherry late on a Sunday afternoon. This class, Christine explained to me, was a blend of the meditative and physical aspects of yoga. While those 90 minutes (at 90-degrees) were challenging, especially the killer series of sun salutation asana towards the end, there was plenty of time to om out during the class. Usually a class is either/or for me: mindful, or intensely physical. This was both. I loved the blend. It was a perfect way to close out a weekend, and a yoga adventure. 19 Sharpe Drive, Cranston. 463-3335, raffayoga.com - Julie Tremaine
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More yoga classes to expand your mind and body Looking to get in a quickie at lunch? Eyes of the World offers a 45-minute Short Form Vinyasa class on Wednesdays at 12:15pm. All of a sudden the rest of the workday won’t look so daunting after some grounding in tree pose. 1 Park Row. 499-4942, innerhappiness.com There is no shortcut to enlightenment, but Transformation yoga at Breathing
1347 Hartford Avenue, Johnston F 861-1080 F 861-7643 F mansolillodental.com Time yoga will start you on the way. This class focuses on calming the nervous system and teaching yourself to be more mindful through stretch. Various classes throughout the week. 541 Pawtucket Avenue, Pawtucket. 4219876, breathingtimeyoga.com
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When a hot yoga studio promises you’re going to SWEAT, you’d better believe them. now yoga and Fitness offers this class for devotees of heated yoga who are looking for more of a challenge. 286 Thayer Street. 273-3100, nowyoga.net The Heart Spot offers Rainbow Vinyasa Shanti yoga, a challenging practice meant to detoxify the body and relieve stress… probably through sweat. Check it out every Wednesday. 700 Greenville Avenue, Johnston. 231-0081, theheartspot.com
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City Style
AT HOME / SHOP TALK / THE LOOK / BEAUTY / GET FIT About the Homeowner Brian Trahan lives at Hope Artiste Village in a space dedicated to both his work at the Center for Phenomenological Leadership and his personal life. Because he does what he loves, there is no need to “get away.”
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Photography: Melissa Stimpson
The Think Tank 1. Because of the work I do with personal narrative, story-based selling and leadership programs, the environment selection was always a prime consideration. Even though we do on-site work at some of our clients’ offices, it is always preferable to get people out of their corporate space to one which is more conducive to conversation, teamwork and collaboration, I think we have accomplished that with this space. 2. The book under the sign is On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis. One of my favorite quotes by Bennis is, “becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It’s precisely that simple and it’s also that difficult.” 3. Phenomenology is a science and the sign was designed to remind us those relationships, be they business or personal, are
promoted by dialogue based around our own personal stories. It is not something that is turned on at work and turned off when you leave; it is a way of connecting with people that will make a difference. 4. The bamboo plant was a gift from a friend, when we first started the business. It is symbolic in many cultures. For me, it reminds me to be open and find wisdom in emptiness. Bamboo’s hollow insides remind us to empty our minds of prejudices, pride and fear. 5. In my world, a moose is a conversation starter that leads to a deeper understanding of an individual, so this metal moose is a reminder of just that. The Mardi Gras beads around the moose’s neck to remind us of the need to enjoy and celebrate along the way.
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
How do you pick accessories? I love accessories and always have; I think it is the easiest way to change your wardrobe. I am a lover of a scarf, whether it is a big chunky printed one I acquired on my travels or a silk vintage one that I grabbed from The Vault. The only time I think there are too many accessories is when you do big earrings and a big statement necklace, only then it should be one or the other, then layer with rings, bangles and an awesome bag. An outfit should always have accessories – that is the outfit. What inspires your style? I am a visionary person with a creative spirit so most of my outfits are inspired by what I have seen and experienced within my travels, my career in NYC fashion and the people I have met. I am inspired by a feeling. Sometimes I am vintage, sometimes I am bohemian and sometimes I am New York. How do you build a stylish wardrobe? Push yourself, even if it’s just a little. Buy something that is a touch out of your comfort zone and add it into your own wardrobe and wear it. It will allow you to explore fashion’s endless possibilities. And yes, always have the classics a black dress, a denim shirt, a cashmere sweater - but be willing to add print and liven up your essentials.
Photography: Corey Grayhorse
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Your outfit is lovely. Tell us more. This is a typical me outfit: the white dress is from my last travels to Italy; the blazer is an old style that we used to have at Shoppe Pioneer; the shoes I just traded with a friend; and the bag is from our secondary vintage store The Vault. My necklaces: A chunky tribal one is from Israel and the layering one is a random I had. There are lots of key pieces that make this outfit.
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February 2014 | Providence Monthly
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City Style |
Get Fit
By Jen Senecal
Overcoming Obstacles, One Bruise at a Time Functional training for the fierce at heart
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
a spin instructor, personal trainer and then to join him with Spartan Group X.” Janine, who also runs her own graphic design firm and handles Unleashed’s branding, and Kevin, who manages the trainers and also hosts workshops covering gear, technique and nutritional preparedness, created Unleashed about a year ago, to provide a facility for both trainers to train their clients functionally and for participants to have a place to train for races, too. With similar determination and coaching styles, it was a perfect fit. I grabbed a multi-class punch card and set off to check out Kevin’s Obstacle Course Fit class. Upon entering, it was like I was a kid who walked into a candy shop – there were all kinds of goodies around me. I spotted various types of walls, hanging ropes, cargo nets, weighted pulleys, a monkey bar cage, a rope traverse, prowlers (which are fitness sleds you add weight to and push across a turf), large tires and more. I silently wished to myself that I had eaten a bit more before I left, but I pushed that thought into the back of my head and geared up for the workout. We began with some stretching exercises and runs around the perimeter of the building. From there, it was straight into 30 timed burpees. (A burpee is full body exercise that is common among OCR events. Also known as “the thing that will kick your ass.”) After we completed our burpees, we were handed a weighted plate for overhead carries around the perimeter of the gym. Needless to say, we were warmed up. Kevin assigned ten obstacle stations and each of us staggered our starting points and had exactly two minutes to work with that obstacle. Just as I prayed that I didn’t get the walls first, I heard, “Jen, you’re on the walls.” Staring at the six-foot structure in front of me, I’ll admit that I panicked slightly. I had scaled plenty of walls in the races before, but I either had a teammate or wooden peg giving me a head start. This time, it was just the wall and me.
Push yourself at the Unleashed indoors obstacle course in Warwick
I ran, threw one foot against that wall and hauled myself to the top. I grabbed the top ledge in the first try, but soon realized that my triceps were not going to get me over. Instead, my legs were. Swinging one leg over the ledge, I hoisted myself to the other side of that wall and back down. I did it. Before I could even revel in this fact, I looked ahead at the eight foot one in front of me and fear set in all over again. There is something about a perpendicularly pitched high wall staring you in the face that makes you think you’ll either break a vital body part as you throw yourself against it or that you’ll break a vital body part as you throw yourself against it. So, I threw myself against it. Mimicking the same flailing motions that I did on the wall before, I managed to get myself up over this sucker. However, I could only do it once. Every afterward attempt resulted in a failed jump and bruised ego. But that’s what this place is for. To seek out your weaknesses and transform them into strengths. Continuing on through the remaining nine obstacles, I soon learned that I was great at some while not so great
at others. Give me a rope to climb and I can hold my own, but give me that rope against a 12-foot straight wall and I’m looking for my happy place (which might involve tequila). At the end of the circuit, we finished with another 30 timed burpees and some final stretching. My entire body was fatigued. My triceps were on fire. And I was pretty convinced I could go home and eat every piece of food in my refrigerator. I couldn’t wait to do it again. Unleashed is an amazing, one-of-akind training center that offers a variety of workouts to kick your fitness level into high gear. It’s not only for racers, but also for anyone who craves an intense, driven and incredibly supportive gym atmosphere and has now become a weekly staple to my fitness routine.
Unleashed
Indoor Obstacle Fitness and Functional Training Center 5 Soule Street, Warwick 487-6125 unleashedusa.com
Photography: Amy Amerantes
I’ll never forget the first time I participated in an obstacle course race (OCR). It was the Tough Mudder and it was last May on Gunstock Mountain in New Hampshire. A longtime friend had convinced me that scaling ten-foot walls, running up gigantic half pipes, traversing across ropes and beams and hiking endless miles of black diamond trails was something I needed in my life. He was right. Having only ever competed in road races, obstacle course racing was something entirely new. It challenged every physical fiber of my body. Once I recovered from the first, I quickly became hooked and entered another one – the Spartan Beast at Killington Mountain in Vermont last September. After a grueling nine and a half hours braving 38 obstacles through an unforgiving terrain with my team, I realized that I not only wanted to continue with these races into this year, but I wanted to get better at them. I needed help. (The kind that doesn’t come from tequila.) When I learned about Unleashed Indoor Obstacle Fitness and Functional Training Center in Warwick, I was ecstatic to try it out. Unleashed is the largest indoor obstacle fitness and training center in New England. With over 6,000 square feet of expansive functional equipment, the training center offers a wide variety of classes, from OCR training to TRX to boot camp and conditioning classes to Spartan Group X classes, plus more. Founders Kevin Roy and Janine Calise met many years ago and came together after Janine had been training with Kevin for some time. “I loved the creativity Kevin brought to fitness,” Janine tells me. “He has many years of fitness knowledge behind him and he was one of the first trainers in the world to become certified in Spartan Group X. He and I have not only been running natural trails and obstacles since before the start of the OCR events, but he encouraged me to become certified as
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City Style |
Shop Talk
By Erin Swanson
Dressed to Impress A glamorous, fun and timeless boutique in Cranston
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Photography: Dawn Temple
Fashion is fun at Sonya’s in Cranston
It’s Valentine’s Day. Your honey-bunny-pooky-schnookums suprises you with theatre tickets and reservations to your favorite restaurant! You jump for joy, realizing that this is a monumental occasion – after all, the ol’ Prince Charming hasn’t been this proactive since 2004. But then, a wave of terror floods your very soul. What, oh what, will you ever wear? Head to Sonya’s in Cranston where owner Sonya Gasparian-Janigian will happily help you pick out just the right ensemble to leave you looking and feeling your very best. The boutique recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, which means she’s definitely doing something right. “We love the idea of wearing festive reds and pinks during Valentine’s week,” Gasparian-Janigian says. “On Valentine’s Day, slip into a fun and flirty dress for a dinner date or night out on the town. Lace is always a very feminine and classic look.” She suggests that those who don’t want to show their legs can opt for a skinny black pant with heels and a chiffon blouse. Comfort is key for couples that choose to stay in. And although you’re aiming to be comfortable, GasparianJanigian reminds you to remember that you are still on a date. “Put enough effort into your appearance to make yourself feel absolutely beautiful.” Gasparian-Janigian is sure to have just what you’re looking for – whatever that may be. She carries clothing, swimsuits and accessories that are unique, of good quality and offered at an affordable price. Sonya’s offers sportswear items that start at just $58 and stunning cocktail dresses and gowns
that typically begin around $298 and can reach into the thousands. “We try to touch upon every woman’s fashion need, whether casual or formal,” she says. “We have merchandise for high school girls going to proms, for nights out or formals for young adults, and, of course, everyday clothing for us baby boomers. We stock over 2,000 dresses and gowns in season and we represent nearly 80 lines.” Gasparian-Janigian describes her boutique as glamorous, fun and timeless, inspired in part by her own personal style. “While traveling in my younger years, the European street style really inspired me. I loved the eclectic pieces and prints I would see and wanted to bring a taste of that back to the States.” I stopped into Sonya’s recently searching for a pair of Spanx that would suck me in, cover my legs and work with my open-toe booties. With the package in my hand, I headed to the register. Gasparian-Janigian looked me up and down. “You don’t want those,” she told me. “You have a cute figure. All the girls your age wear bare legs.” With that, I quickly returned the tights to the rack. Not only did Gasparian-Janigian talk me out of my purchase (losing a sale in the process), she built up my confidence and gained a loyal customer. “Fashion should be fun,” GasparianJanigian says, “and so should shopping.”
Sonya’s 766 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston 946-2388 sonyasclothing.com
Rebecca Mayer & David Hasslinger 401.447.8040
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Seeking a unique Valentine's Day gift? Join us on Saturday February 15 for a couples custom perfume event. Create signature scents with your partner (or best friend) while enjoying refreshments. $75 per couple
Space is limited. Call 455-2325 to reserve your spot.
301 Wickenden Street, Providence 455-2325 • WWW.ProvidencePerfume.com February 2014 | Providence Monthly
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Feast
Photography: Tiffany Medrano
IN THE KITCHEN / oN THE mENu / bEHINd THE bar / rEvIEw / IN THE drINK
Reasonably Refined Grilled Cornish Hen with saffron jasmine rice, chorizo and creme fraiche
The Barstow brings a sense of elegance to Allens Avenue while still remaining approachable. Turn the page to read how well the new restaurant’s thoughtful food is received.
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
39
Feast |
review By Stephanie Obodda
Raising the Bar
Quality meets affordability on allens ave November on Allens Avenue, converting the former Cactus Grille space into an airy haven for finer dining. The restaurant’s catchy name comes from an 1800s stove manufacturer, once less than two miles away in Providence’s Jewelry District. The Barstow’s cocktail list is creative and seasonal. I started with the eponymous The Barstow ($8), a light and approachable mixture of applejack, fennel and bubbly. My husband had the Winter’s Edge ($8), made with mezcal, muddled bing cherries and hellfire bitters. It evoked winter without the usual heaviness of a cold-weather cocktail, the mezcal contributing smokiness without the heft of a darker spirit. To accompany our cocktails, we ordered a few selections from the Snacks menu. The snacks are reasonably priced, almost all in the $2 to $3 range, and most are easy to share. We chose the Crispy Onions & Crème Fraîche ($3), the Stuffed Pepper, String Cheese, Fennel ($3) and Fried Smelts & Remoulade ($4). Both the smelts and the onions were perfectly fried, light and
crispy. These were both appropriate for sharing. We knew splitting the stuffed pepper would be more difficult, but the flavor combination was too good to pass up. On a previous visit, the Seared Feta & Cornmeal Crackers ($3) was a huge hit at our table. Our server, Malcolm, gave us a warm welcome and a thorough tour of the menu. The varied plate sizes, from snacks to larger entées, allow diners the opportunity to have a traditional dinner or an informal tapas-style experience. For this reason, it’s especially important to have knowledgeable staff who can make recommendations on the size and “sharability” of the dishes, which aren’t always obvious from menu descriptions. About half of the dinner menu’s dishes are under $10, and currently all are below $20, affordable for food of this quality and attention to detail. We decided to order four smaller dishes. Of these, our favorite was the Stuffed RI Squid ($8). The squid’s mantle (the large, oblong part of the body) was stuffed with chorizo and grilled, then
a collection of small plates: (from left) Pickeled Fall vegetables; Stuffed Pepper, String Cheese, Fennel; House-made flat bread with chili oil and maldon salt
Sweet Potato and Parsnip Latkes
served with a mustard cream and garnished with shards of fried leek. The Parmesan Beet Tart ($8.50) was one of several creative vegetarian options. A rectangular polenta cake was topped with slices of red and golden beets
and topped with the same fried crispy onions we enjoyed with our cocktails. The RI Lamb Stew ($8) had a dark, rich broth, white beans, lamb and tiny cubes of root vegetables. One of the night’s specials piqued our interest – a salad with smoked roasted parsnips and apples ($8). We found that it was less like a salad and more of a satisfying vegetable entrée. The meatiness of the smoked parsnips contrasted with the soft cooked apples, and a plating with spiced golden raisin and lentil purée, chili oil and large-grained mustard added to the diverse textures of this vegetable tapestry. We chose from the well-curated rotating beer list, savoring a Duchesse de Bourgogne ($9) and Scaldis Noël, both from Belgium, as well as a Pretty Things’ Jack D’Or ($6). Reasonable portion sizes left just enough room for dessert. The Chocolate Cake ($7) was a small cake filled with cardamom cream and topped with meringue. This adorable “mushroom” was surrounded by a pool of green tea and pieces of candied citrus. It was a visually appealing
ONE MORE BITE: The Barstow’s brunch features intriguing choices like Shakshuka ($10), a North African dish of poached eggs over a spiced tomato sauce, as well as classic options such as benedicts and French toast. 40
Providence Monthly | February 2014
Photography: Tiffany Medrano
The Barstow opened in
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dessert but probably the weakest part of a good meal; we found it difficult to deconstruct and though the tastes were intriguing – the “chocolate cake” moniker created expectations of a classic instead of eclectic dessert. The Chocolate Cherry Sorbet ($2.50) was fantastic, a hefty scoop of homemade sorbet with an exceptional texture and flavor. The Barstow’s space has an advantage over many other Providence-area restaurants. Its relatively large size, dedicated lot and abundant street parking make it a good place to meet for cocktails or a meal, even with larger groups. The bar seating is supplemented with several high tables, including a larger communal bar table. The dining area has smaller tables and booths, and a back function room can be reserved for events. An outdoor
patio will be a welcome addition in warmer months. Chef Michael McHugh was most recently at Julian’s on the West Side after lending his talent to several other Providence restaurants. This new venture will give McHugh’s proven creativity a chance to blossom even more. The Barstow and its neighbor What Cheer Tavern, which opened a year earlier, also have the potential to turn this little strip of Allens Avenue into a haven for those of us south of downtown who enjoy good food and drink.
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7 : 3 0 P. M . | T H E A U D I TO R I U M I N RO B E RT S H A L L
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
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Jack Paschke moved to Providence from Maryland eight years ago to pursue a degree in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management at Johnson & Wales. Once a hash slinger, Jack moved up the ranks at the Federal Reserve (now The Dorrance) and Pot au Feu. At first he prepared desserts and apps, then became the sous chef and is now the executive chef at this classic French restaurant. What do you love about French cuisine? I like that they utilize everything. To a certain extent every culture does that, but the French, especially, do. They figured out how to make it all delicious. It’s called culinary art because there is a lot of art involved. It’s not just creating something good to look at. It’s got to look good, taste good, feel good, sound good. To achieve that you need to know a lot of chemistry, timing, just how high that burner goes compared to the one next to it. That’s why I love this [one-man] kitchen: it’s tiny, it’s easy to get in to. To a certain extent it does become a part of you. Tell me about some of the major ingredients you use. A good stock. Bones. One of the things I love about this job is watching water boil. It’s my favorite thing because that’s the beginning of it all. [A] good stock means a good sauce means a good plate. A marginal stock makes an even less marginal sauce and ultimately the whole plate isn’t where it could have been, as far as quality. And everything is done in layers. Start at the bottom and be proficient through the whole process to make the level and quality of product you are trying to achieve. As for a single ingredient: butter. Nothing beats it.
Photography: Mike Braca
What do you love to make? I don’t have to make it anymore, because I don’t make the desserts, but I used to love making the vanilla mousse – because it’s difficult. And you like the fact that it is difficult? Yes. You have to be technically proficient; you have to know what you’re doing. It’s a cold soufflé. There are a lot of pieces; a lot of it is temperature. When I make it in the middle of summer and everything is 90 degrees,
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I don’t make it in the kitchen, I make it in the walk-in because if I don’t my meringue will melt or my heavy cream will split. Make it in the middle of winter, maybe I’ll go in the salon because it is a couple of degrees warmer and it will hold a little better. I like doing it because there’s a way to make it great and then there’s a way to just make it. There are different markers that let you know you’ve done well: how well it sits in a glass, how many portions you’ve got, how loose or viscous it is. For someone who’s never had French food, what would you recommend they try the first time? Try the Beef Bourguignon. It’s delicious. To an extent it’s comfort food. It’s meat and potatoes and wine. Or [try] the French Onion Soup. They’re both super classic. Then they would have to have the Crème Brûlée. What about a dish for those of us who love this type of cuisine? [Try] the Pot au Feu. We make our own whole, on-the-bone marinated chicken; we put our own corned beef in it (we marinate that for a week); carrots, leeks potatoes, onions, celery, all kinds of stuff goes in it. Why do you think people can’t get enough of these classic dishes? Simplicity is certainly a road to greatness. We have the following we have because people like that. It is nostalgic. People emote when they eat. A lot of the food we do here is traditional. It is important to have that connection to
create that better experience for your diner. I’ve had French people come up to me and say that this is some of the best French food I’ve ever had, and I was in France yesterday. Talk to me about the seasonality of the menu. We have the same standard menu, but there are seasonal components within that change. So, for example, our Chicken Farci (Poulet Farci du Jour), the stuffing changes; in the crêpes the filling changes. The chicken is the same chicken but what goes in it every week is different. This week it’s dates, cream cheese, lemon zest and mint. Last week it was brie, pears, croissants and almonds. And the week before last it was goat cheese, asparagus and roasted red peppers. Why do you think Pot au Feu continues to be successful after over 40 years? Because it’s good. Why is it good? For 40 years people have been expecting something and 40 years later they are still getting what they expect. And it’s still good. It doesn’t have to be off the wall food, it’s just good. There’s a couple that’s been coming here for dinner once a week for years, and they keep coming back because it’s good.
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6:17
Think Spring...
Feast |
on the menu
By Dale J. Rappaneau Jr.
Keeping it Local
Two new eateries enhance Pvd’s restau-sphere
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
Subhead 3
a taste of the newly opened Flatbread Company on Cushing Street
and Flatbread’s delivery services go through Dash. “We really try to hire people from the community and put people back to work,” says Harrison, adding that “whatever this restaurant will be, it’s up to the people of Providence and Rhode Island.” 161 Cushing St. 2732737, flatbreadcompany.com. Over the river and through downtown, within the renovated Arcade now lies the recently opened Rogue Island Local Kitchen & Bar, a cleverly named restaurant that specializes in what Executive Chef Bobby Will calls “hyper local” dishes. Unlike the traditional model of localized food, the hyper local concept, as Will describes, is a company or restaurant that sources primarily within the confines of its home state. “We want to provide guests with the freshest, most local produce possible,” says Will. “Instead of stressing something in season elsewhere, we want to buy local products and use them.” As the most obvious evolutionary step in the farm-to-fork movement, hyper local is a pursuit of passion that comes with inherent issues - all of which Rogue Island tackles with panache. For example: Rhode Island’s limited seasonal selection creates menu instability. Solution: “With hyper seasonal, the menu changes a lot,” says Will, adding that Rogue Island will be “offering a
highly seasonal menu based on what’s available from farmers.” And Will sees the instability as an opportunity to keep customers interested, because “it will change so frequently that people won’t get bored.” Next: Buying local means higher menu costs. Solution: “People keep referring to us as a cross between Farmstead and Gracie’s, in style,” says Will, in reference to his commitment to balancing ingredient quality with affordability. “Breakfast and lunch are more casual and reasonably priced, while dinner is upscale.” Lastly: Rhode Island farmers cannot produce everything a hyper local restaurants needs to operate. Solution: “Certain things like salt and olive oil, you can’t find around here. But we’ve estimated that about 80% [of the menu] is coming from RI. We’re reflecting a lot of this into our cocktails and beer, too.” What Will absolutely cannot find in Rhode Island, though, he will find elsewhere. But that’s a last resort. Rogue Island currently has its sights set on future developments to support their hyper local model, including a Rogue Island farm dedicated to the restaurant’s needs. Only time will tell if their model allows for such developments. 65 Weybosset St. 831-3733, facebook.com/ RogueIslandLocalKitchenBar
Photography: Katie Poor
New Arrivals Daily!
new restaurant business model is making waves within the community, with the arrival of the Flatbread Company. Rather than focus so heavily on local food sources, this new age pizza place focuses on financially enhancing its community through charitable donations. “We’re constantly looking for people who have non-profits,” says owner Jim Harrison. “They can get an application online or in the restaurant. [Currently] we’ve got them booked up into March. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is coming in, and the Providence Library, and the Rhode Island Bike Coalition.” After the application process, Flatbread Company assigns the non-profit to an upcoming Tuesday, when the company will donate to them $3.50 of every large pizza sold from 5-9pm. This lets the company benefit approximately four non-profits per month, depending on that month’s number of Tuesdays. “The money that people spend, we put it back into the community. We do the benefit nights and an awful lot of donations. Sometimes people come in and ask for 50 pizzas for a blood drive. We do it. It’s genuine. It’s a good concept and works.” Besides serving up donations, Flatbread Company offers a plethora of pizza choices, many of which are made with local ingredients. One of Harrison’s favorites is the Punctuated Equilibrium, featuring Kalamata olives, organic rosemary, red onions, garlic oil, goat cheese, mozzarella and fireroasted red pepper, all on the company’s flagship flatbread crust. “The pizzas are built in these giant clay ovens and cooked at 800 degrees, and we use as local and organic ingredients as we can get.” Which actually results in some interesting scenarios, such as Harrison’s current lack of local goat cheese because “[the goats are] in the process of having babies, so they don’t have the milk right now. We’re waiting.” But Harrison’s love of local has its benefits, too: of the 20 beers on draft, 16 are from the Providence area
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
Feast |
In the drink
By Emily Dietsch
The Prodigal Beer
dogfish Head returns to the ocean State Once upon a time, the great Spanish scribe Cervantes said, “I drink when I have occasion – and sometimes, when I have no occasion.” When it comes to hooch, an occasion to partake is always happier than no occasion, and lately beer-philic Rhode Islanders have special cause to toss back glasses. Friends, fellow barflies, it’s true: Dogfish Head has returned to our little corner of New England. For those few, unfortunate souls who are unfamiliar with the Delaware-based beer company, Dogfish Head is a loose-collared but clever craft brewery that inspires a cultish devotion among its fans. And, partially because of that zealous fandom, the company decided in 2011 that it needed to halt sales in few states because it couldn’t keep up with customers’ thirsty demands. “We just couldn’t brew enough beer,” the company’s founder and President, Sam Calagione, said at the time. “We were left with a choice: leave shelves empty and frustrate beer enthusiasts everywhere, or stay true to our off-centered roots, and pull back.” Sadly, Rhode Island was among the shunned states. (Wisconsin, Indiana and Tennessee rounded out the reject roster.) When the company announced its decision to pull up stakes here, beerhounds exploded with blue charm – or something like charm – on Twitter. “Have you ever looked at a f*cking map?” read one tweet. “You have to drive through Rhode Island on the way to Massachusetts.” As anyone who marginally passed third-grade geography knows, Rhode Island is, indeed, sandwiched between other states that didn’t have their supply line cruelly cut. More than a few Dogfish devotees took advantage of that proximity via out-of-state liquor runs to keep a steady-ish home stock, but others got strategic. Crafty, even. Liam Maloney, Bottles’ Manager and Beer Director, says that his store’s machinations to lure Dogfish back began almost immediately.
“They made their announcement on a Friday afternoon. People kind of freaked out overnight, stockpiling whatever they had in cases and on draught,” he says. “Then, this past summer Dogfish posted a video thanking people for their patience, and promising to come back by year’s end. We thought it was a great opportunity to poke some fun, build a relationship
and help them launch back locally.” What followed was a series of mild send-up videos that feature both Maloney and Calagione – say that three times fast – and which are worth a Google search to watch. “They’ve been really, really good sports,” Maloney adds. Once those videos helped break the news about an impending end to the drought, local beer fans rejoiced. But, like Samuel Clemens’s death, rumors of the company’s demise within state
lines were a touch exaggerated. When Dogfish first made its announcement, some bars exercised creative stockpiling and never said die. Julian’s on the West Side was one such place. “We have a big bash at the end of every year called the Longest Night of the Year party – a solstice thing – with live music, a killer buffet and an epic tap list,” General Manager Brian Oakley explains. “That’s one place we featured Dogfish on draft since they left, as well as doing an entire Dogfish Head beer dinner a year after they left and of course stuck some beers on draught here and there randomly.” And at Beervana, the craft beer festival that Oakley co-organizes, Dogfish always made an appearance. Thanks to Dan Becker of the Duck and Bunny, the East Side wasn’t left dry, either. “I hoarded a few kegs,” he tells me. “I waited about six months before tapping the final keg, and invited all the people I knew who were loyalists. Some folks showed up an hour early. They wanted to sit as close to the tap as possible. “Honestly,” he adds, “I’ve never encountered loyalty for a beer like the one for this brand. Before coming to Rhode Island from New York, I hadn’t even heard of it. Now, as we’re working to open a new place on the West Side, it’s inconceivable to not have both the 60 and 90 on tap permanently.” For the uninitiated, Becker’s reference is to Dogfish Head’s signature 60-minute and 90-minute IPAs, which have become mainstays in the discerning beer-lover’s pantheon. This past December, Dogfish Head made its official return. Or, as one company rep commented, “Yep, we’ve looked at a f*cking map.” Lucky for them, we’re historically friendly to prodigal sons around these parts. That, and smoothed over by a good pint.
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
Feast |
behind the bar
This Year, Spend the Winter With Us...
By Cristy Raposo
Niche Drinking
Socialize over scotch at Providence’s newest piano bar
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88 Piano Lounge offers classic cocktails with a side of tunes
Artist and art teacher Joshua Baptista will school you on scotch and a proper bartender’s handshake. See him for a taste of sunshine or a classic Old Fashioned every Thursday night. What’s happening at the 88 Lounge? You never really know what you’re going to get next here. We don’t have an identity other than that we play piano music. We have regulars, walk-ins and food service industry employees. When people in the industry come, you know you have a good product. There might only be six people in here, but they’re all socializing together. It’s not a stuffy bar. People interact with the piano player, bartender and each other.
Photography: Mike Braca
What’s your signature cocktail? I have infusions that I make myself. I made a vodka infusion with hot peppers, onions, garlic and peppercorn. It’s great for a Bloody Mary or a Hot & Dirty – a take on a dirty martini. I’ve also done a bourbon infused with fig and almonds served straight on the rocks. If you like bourbon, you’ll love this. What’s the best cocktail to order here? Classic Old Fashioned. Pick your poison – bourbon or switch it up. I’d also recommend our signature drink – the 88 Negroni made with Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Luxardo Cherry Liquer, Yellow Chartreause and Fernet. It tastes like sunshine. The Seelbach is my favorite – and it’s also a classic. It’s made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Cointreau, Bitters and champagne. The combination
of ingredients doesn’t seem like it goes together, but it works amazingly well.
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What are you selling that most bars aren’t? Here, you can purchase a bottle of Fernet for $55, put your name on it and enjoy a shot from it whenever you come in. Referred to as the “bartender’s handshake,” Fernet is an Italian digestif; it’s popular in the food service industry. It tastes like Jagermeister, but without the sugar.
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What stands out here? Our extensive and high end selection of scotches and bourbon. Phil, the owner, loves scotches. We’ll serve your scotch in a snifter alongside a carafe of water and a rocks glass with ice. Add a little bit of ice and water as you go. These elements will change the profile flavor of the scotch; different notes will come out. What’s your favorite scotch? Jura - it’s more of a bourbon, but really smooth. A lot of scotches on the higher end taste smokier. We offer tastings so you can figure out what type of scotch you like.
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Hill, this Indian restaurant features dinner everyday and a buffet lunch on weekends. Try the specialty Bombay Mix Grill with an assortment of kebobs on a sizzling plate. LD $$-$$$ BRICKWAY ON WICKENDEN 234 Wickenden St; 751-2477, brickwayonwickenden.com. Brickway will delight your eyes as well as your taste buds with its vibrant mural and 15+ choices of highly acclaimed and creativelynamed omelets. Just as mouthwatering are its Cajun chicken wrap and veggie rollup. BBRL $ CAFÉ PARAGON Opened in 1994, this European-style bistro/café is a one-stop shop. Start the night with the Lobster Mac & Cheese and end it with one their stellar martinis at Viva, their comfortable lounge and weeknight club. 234 Thayer Street; 331-6200. www.paragonandviva. com BrLD $-$$
Public Kitchen & bar 120 Francis St.; 919-5050, publickitchenprovidence.com. Public maintains its historic architecture while embodying an atmosphere fit for hipsters and Senators alike. With mature cocktails and creative American cuisine, come for the food, stay for the ambience BLD $-$$$
Providence
Photography: Tiffany Medrano
10 PRIME STEAK & SUSHI 55 Pine St.; 453-2333, tenprimesteakandsushi.com. Located downtown, 10 offers a sophisticated yet lively atmosphere, complemented by aged prime steaks, a full sushi menu and creative cocktails. LD $$-$$$
com. Aspire offers an exquisite fine dining experience with a number of delicious small and large plates, numerous fine wines and a full bar – with an emphasis on local ingredients. BBrLD $-$$$ BAKER STREET RUE 75 Baker St.; 490-5025, therue.com. The Rue De L’Espoir empire expands with this comfortable neighborhood café serving “upscale diner food” with an emphasis on local ingredients. BBrL $
ANDREAS 268 Thayer St.; 3317879, andreasri.com. For a taste of Greece, head to Andreas. Their menu includes souvlaki, moussaka and a variety of kabobs, along with specialties like Lemon Oregano Lamb Chops and Spanakopita, an appetizer of spinach and feta in flaky phyllo dough. BrLD $-$$
BLUE COTTAGE 748 Hope St.; 3837307. Enjoy a bed and breakfast style morning meal or deli sandwich at this cozy diner. It’s a good breakfast at a fair price in a family friendly setting. Daily specials. BBR $
ASPIRE RESTAURANT 311 Westminster St.; 521-333, aspirerestaurant-
BOMBAY CLUB 145 Dean St.; 273-6363, bombayclubri.com. Located on Federal
CASERTA’S PIZZERIA 121 Spruce St.; 621-3618, casertapizzeria.com. This Rhode Island tradition serves big pizzas with generous toppings and thick, rich tomato sauce. Their famous Wimpy Skippy, a spinach pie with cheese and pepperoni, is not to be missed. LD $-$$ CAV 14 Imperial Pl.; 751-9164, cavrestaurant.com. The New York Times’ choice as one of Providence’s five best restaurants, CAV’s contemporary award-winning cuisine is available for lunch and dinner daily. They also feature Saturday/Sunday brunch. BrLD $$-$$$ DON JOSE TEQUILAS 351 Atwells Ave.; 454-8951, donjosetequilas.com. Don Jose’s digs a little deeper than your average Mexican restaurant, with all the basics you love alongside more artfully composed entrées and a wonderful selection of house-made tequilas. LD $$ THE DORRANCE 60 Dorrance St.; 5216000, thedorrance.com. The Dorrance, a 2012 James Beard Foundation award semi-finalist (best new restaurant and chef), is known for its impressive architecture, hand-crafted cocktails and delicious modern American cuisine. LD $$-$$$
THE FLATBREAD COMPANY If noshing on pizza cooked at 800 degrees from a from-scratch built oven doesn’t get your stomach growling, than perhaps knowing that some of the proceeds from said pizza goes towards local charities will do. While you’re at it raise your seasonally-inspired cocktail and toast to this new pizza joint. 161 Cushing Street; 273-2737. www.flatbreadcompany.com. LD $-$$ GOURMET HEAVEN 173 Weybossett St.& 205 Meeting St; 536-9000, gourmetheaven.com. Whether in need of a quick bite, a couple of items to fill the pantry or a thoughtfully made meal, Gourmet Heaven has it all. Choices abound from their always fresh hot/cold buffet, deli counter and well-stocked shelves. BLD $-$$ HARRY’S BURGER & BAR 121 North Main St.; 228-7437, harrysbarburger. com. Harry’s features only freshly ground beef, Nathan’s hot dogs, a long list of craft beers and new twists on cocktails. A perfect quick bite or night out. LD $-$$ HARUKI EAST 172 Wayland Ave.; 223-0332, harukisushi.com. For authentic Japanese dining, try Haruki’s large variety of sushi, sashimi, bento boxes, soba noodles and delicious specialty entrées. Enjoy the chic atmosphere and the freshest sushi around. LD $-$$$ KARTABAR 284 Thayer St.; 3318111, kartabar.com. This European-style restaurant and lounge offers a full menu of unique dishes with Mediterranean flair and eclectic flavors. They also offer a top-notch wine list and martini menu. LD $-$$ KITCHEN BAR 771 Hope Street; 3314100, kitchenbarri.com. Offering contemporary comfort cuisine in an elegant setting, Kitchen Bar features daily specials and take-out. Try their Roasted Butternut Squash Soup or Braised Beef Short Rib or have the kids order from the kids’ menu. LD $-$$ LIM’S 18 Angell St.; 383-8340, limsri. com. Dive into the unique combination of Lim’s fine Thai cuisine and sushi
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bYob
outdoor Seating
B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+ Late-night dining Parking lot valet Parking Family Friendly Find a review on providenceonline.com
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
51
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CRANE’S NEST - JAMESTOWN served in an intimate and modern setting. LD $$ LUXE BURGER BAR 5 Memorial Blvd.; 621-5893, luxeburgerbar.com. Luxe brings the classic burger to a new level. Their build-your-own burger list, which includes Kobe and Gold Labeled beef, never ends, with countless possible combinations. LD $-$$ MCBRIDE’S PUB 161 Wayland Ave.; 7513000, mcbrides-pub.com. McBride’s is a traditional Irish pub serving all the classics from Fish ‘n Chips to Corned Beef and Cabbage. They offer live entertainment on Tuesdays and Saturdays. LD $-$$ MILLS TAVERN 101 North Main St., 272-3331, millstavernrestaurant.com. The only restaurant in RI to receive The Mobile Four Star Award for five consecutive years, Mills Tavern provides traditional American cuisine in a warm, friendly setting. D $$-$$$ MUMU CUISINE 220 Atwells Ave; 3697040, mumucuisine.com. This upscale Providence restaurant features authentic Chinese food in a modern, relaxing atmosphere. Try some of the bestrated dishes, such as the savory (and grease-free) Scallion Pancakes or Ambrosial Tea-Smoked Duck in a chic redand-black themed setting. LD $$ PARKSIDE 76 South Main St.; 3310003, parksideprovidence.com. Chef/ owner Steven Davenport offers innovative and classic foods with eclectic flare. The menu also includes creative pasta dishes and, of course, the signature rotisserie meats for which Parkside is famous. LD $-$$ PHO HORN’S 50 Ann Mary St.; 3656278, phohorns.com. Pho Horn’s offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine, including traditional dishes like the popular Pho (noodle soup) and Rice Chowder with Pulled Pork. It’s a delicious choice for anyone looking for something different. LD $-$$ PROVIDENCE OYSTER BAR 283 Atwells Ave.; 272-8866, providenceoysterbar.com. Visit this unique
Key
restaurant for a taste of the sea, featuring “Today’s Catch” and specialty Shrimp and Fish Tacos. “Appy Hour” from 4-6:30pm features a sushi and raw oyster bar. LD $-$$ PROVIDENCE PRIME 279 Atwells Ave.; 454-8881, providenceprime.com. At this finest USDA steakhouse, the atmosphere is fresh and sophisticated. With award-winning steak, fresh seafood and a collection of over 300 bottles of wine, it’s the best in its class. LD $-$$$ RED STRIPE 465 Angell St.; 4376950, redstriperestaurants.com. It’s classic comfort food with French influences. From their Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup to ten styles of Moules & Frites, Red Stripe’s menu is reasonably priced and made with passion. LD $-$$$ RICK’S ROADHOUSE 370 Richmond St.; 272-7675, ricksroadhouseri.com. With hand-cut, fire-kissed steaks, gut-busting burgers and fall-off-thebone ribs, Rick’s brings the best slowcooked cuisine to the Ocean State. LD $-$$ RUE BIS 95 South St.; 490-9966, therue.com. This intimate eatery provides breakfast and lunch in a cozy, neighborhood bistro atmosphere – all with the gourmet pedigree of Hope Street dining staple Rue De L’Espoir behind it. BBrL $ RUE DE L’ESPOIR 99 Hope St.; 7518890, therue.com. In business for over 30 years, the Rue has only gotten better. Beautifully prepared with the freshest ingredients, the innovative, constantly changing menu keeps diners on their toes. BBrLD $$ THREE SISTERS 1074 Hope Street; 273-7230, threesistersri.com. This highly acclaimed creamery features traditional Vanilla Bean along with new award-winning flavors such as Kulfi (cardamom, cinnamon, pistachio). Don’t miss its well-crafted breakfast omelets and lunchtime paninis. BBRL $ SIENA 238 Atwells Ave.; 521-3311,
B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+ bYob outdoor Seating Late-night dining Parking lot valet Parking Family Friendly Find a review on providenceonline.com
Light filled home sited on a private, well-landscaped 2 acres. Lots of windows maximize views of lovely gardens and the E. Passage of Narragansett Bay. Walk-out basement. Deeded access to Cranston Cove. Priced at $665,000 4 Ferry Wharf, Jamestown ~ IslandRealtyRI.com ~ 401.423.2200
Delicious Food • Craft Beers Creative Cocktails • Sports • Friends
Come get LUCKY! Hanley’s is Throwing the Wildest St. Paddy’s Day Celebration
Green Beer • Lucky Libations • A Taste of Ireland Prizes & Some Serious Irish Toasts
Live mUSiC ALL DAY & Night Come Meet The Leprechauns, Where On St. Paddy’s Day, Everyone is Irish!
Doors open at 6am VISIT NEXT DOOR FOR FINE SPIRTS AND PREMIUM CIGARS 52 Pine Street, Providence • 401.861.0001 • www.hanleysalehouse.com
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
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Live in Wayland Square!
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sienari.com. Federal Hill’s Siena features authentic Tuscan cuisine in a warm and lively atmosphere. The extensive menu includes wood-grilled veal, steak and seafood entrées along with signature pasta and sauté dishes. D $$-$$$ TRATTORIA ZOOMA 245 Atwells Ave.; 383-2002, trattoriazooma.com. Located on historic Federal Hill, Zooma offers award winning Neapolitan cuisine in a beautiful, upscale setting, specializing in house made pasta, local fish, meats, vegetables and authentic wood fired pizza. LD $$-$$$
VANITY RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 566 South Main St.; 649-4667, vanityri. com. Seeped in the “speakeasy” style of the 1920s; Vanity is nothing to keep quiet about. Featuring a mobsterthemed menu with Americana favorites and seafood like the Joe Pesce: a medley of clams, shrimp, calamari and fish in a spicy pomodoro sauce and finished with a veggie risotto. D $-$$$
WHISKEY REPUBLIC 515 South Water St.; 588-5158, thewhiskeyrepublic.com. From an extensive whiskey selection to rock star live entertainment, there’s always something to whet your appetite. Come by to watch a game and choose from classic pub fare to seafood entrées and flatbread pizzas. LD $-$$ XO CAFÉ 125 North Main St.; 273-9090, xocafe.com. XO Café celebrates fine food, wine and funky art. It features a seductive atmosphere, outmatched by playfully composed dishes inspired by natural/local ingredients. BrD $$-$$$
North
book, music & lyrics by
Lionel Bart
directed & choreographed by Richard & Sharon Jenkins Feb. 20 – march 30
supporting sponsor
with support from
season sponsors
trinity repertory company THE STATE THEATER OF RHODE ISLAND
54
Providence Monthly | February 2014
BLACKIE’S BULL DOG TAVERN 181 George Washington Highway, Smithfield; 231-4777, blackiesbulldogtavern.com. This tavern specializes in comfort food and features a large selection of beer. Skilled bartenders, drink concoctions and live
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music make this the perfect happy hour spot. LD $-$$ ROCCO’S PUB AND GRUB 55 Douglas Pike, Smithfield; 349-2250, roccospubandgrub.com. Far from your average bar food, the menu includes fresh calamari or “atomic chips” appetizers (to name a few), as well as a wide array of fresh salads, burgers and flatbreads. LD $$
South County ELEVEN FORTY NINE RESTAURANT 1149 Division St. (Warwick/East Greenwich line); 884-1149, elevenfortynine.com. 965 Fall River Ave., Seekonk; 508-336-1149. Metropolitan chic comes to the suburbs at this super stylish restaurant with a raw bar, outstanding menu and some of the best cocktails around. LD $$-$$$
RASA 149 Main St.; East Greenwich; 398-2822, indianrestaurantsri.com/ rasa. The owner of Kabob and Curry and Rasoi restaurants has brought his classic flavors of India to South County. Enjoy the many nan varieties to the Chicken Tikka Masala.
SIENA CUCINA 5600 Post Rd., East Greenwich; 885-8850, sienari.com. Siena features authentic Tuscan cuisine in a warm and lively atmosphere, plus over 20 wines by the glass and an Italian “tapas” menu. D $$-$$$
west bay CHAPEL GRILLE 3000 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston; 944-4900, chapelgrilleri.com. Chapel Grille’s menu features their own take on traditional Mediterranean items accompanied by artisanal ingredients and dishes made from scratch. Whether it’s in their stunning dining hall or their Cathedral Bar, what the Chapel serves up is sure to be heavenly. BrD $-$$$
B breakfast Br brunch L lunch D dinner $ under 10 $$ 10–20 $$$ 20+ bYob outdoor Seating Late-night dining Parking lot valet Parking Family Friendly Find a review on providenceonline.com
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Garden City • 942.2720 | Wakefield • 783.4433 www.sweenorschocolates.com February 2014 | Providence Monthly
55
Celebrate
Valentine's Day 2014
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Get Out
EVENTS / ART / MUSIC / THEATRE
Warm up your winter with a safe and fun beer sampling at the RI Brew Fest on February 1.
A Welcomed Frosty Brew 1.
February 1: Spice up wintertime imbibing by attending the second annual Rhode Island Brew Fest winter event where the best beers produced in the Ocean State are highlighted. Overall, 40 breweries will present 125 beers to sample. So, all you really have to decide is which session you prefer (daytime versus nighttime “sampling”) and which cab company to call afterwards. Or, if you happen to be a designated driver, you get admission at a reduced price. $15-$95. Session A, 1-4pm; Session B, 5-8pm. 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 318-2991, ribrewfest.com.
2.
February 9: Eat scrambled eggs while you listen to the sax. Enjoy your hash with a side of horn. The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society invites you to a Sunday Jazz Brunch at The Omni Providence Hotel with music provided by the Pat Gaulin Trio. $29. 9:30-11:30am. One West Exchange Street. 421-0606, ribhs.org.
3.
February 3-24: Trinity Rep and the Providence Public Library join forces to present TRPPL Play!, a drama and writing program for high school students looking to explore theatre performance and playwriting. Runs Mondays through June 2. $250. 6-7:30pm. 150 Empire Street. 5211100 x114, provlib.org.
4.
February 1-28: See more than 150 Polaroid and blackand-white photographs of iconic American Pop in Andy Warhol’s Photographs at the RISD Museum of Art, many which served as the basis for his later silkscreen paintings, drawings and prints. Works on Paper Gallery, 224 Benefit Street. 454-6500, risdmuseum.org.
5.
February 14: Want to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a little less mush and a lot more action? Root for the Providence Bruins as they take on St. John’s Icecaps at the Dunk. Who needs Hallmark when you've got body checking? $21.25-$31.25. 7:05pm. 1 LaSalle Square. 273-5000, providencebruins.com.
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
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Get Out |
Calendar
By Erin Swanson
This Month February 1: WBRU presents Ocean Avenue Acoustic – The Tour with Yellowcard and What’s Eating Gilbert featuring Chad from New Found Glory. $20 advance; $25 day of; $75 VIP. 6pm doors; 7pm show. 79 Washington Street. 331-5876, lupos.com. February 1-9: Eight actors portray multiple characters in The Big Meal, a play about an ordinary family over five generations. $38. 2pm, 7pm & 8pm. Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. 723-4266, gammtheatre.org. February 1-14: Two shows run concurrently this month at the Providence Art Club. Enjoy Something to Remind You in the Maxwell Mays Gallery and Person Place or Thing in the Dodge House Gallery. 11 Thomas Street. 3311114, providenceartclub.org. February 1-16: Ocean State Theatre Company presents Laughter on the 23rd Floor, the Broadway hit about a 1950s comedy-variety series The Max Prince Show. $34-$49. 2 & 7:30pm show times. 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick. 921-6800, oceanstatetheatre.org. February 1-22: Stop into ENO Fine Wines and Spirits for a Wine Tasting every Friday and Saturday. Free. 4:30-6:30pm Friday; 3-5pm Saturday. 225 Westminster Street, Providence. 521-2000, enofinewines.com. February 1-28: Don’t miss Intimate Apparel at Trinity Rep. This unique show by Lynn Nottage makes its Rhode Island Premiere and will run through March 2. $44-$68. 2pm & 7:30pm show times. 201 Washington Street. 3514242, trinityrep.com. February 2: On the first Sunday of each month, from now ‘til forever, head downtown to AS220 for its Empire Revue, a night of sketch comedy and more. $8. 8pm-12am. 115 Empire Street. 831-9327, as220.org. February 2: The RISD Museum of Art will host the Annual
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE 58
For
Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading in its Metcalf Auditorium. Enjoy a post-event reception. Free. 1-3pm. 20 North Main Street. 454-6500, risdmuseum.org. February 4-25: Take a look at the night sky every Tuesday night at the Ladd’s weekly Telescope Observing Night, weather permitting. Free. 7-9pm. 210 Doyle Avenue. 8632323, brown.edu/Departments/Physics/Ladd/. February 6: Hasn’t your mother always told you to make sure to eat your greens? Make mom happy by heading to Fête for Lettuce with DJ Kraz. $20$40. 8pm doors; 9pm show. 103 Dike Street. 383-1112, fetemusic.com. February 7: Stop by Wheeler’s Chazan Gallery for the Opening Reception of the exhibit by Jane Masters and Jacqueline Ott, which will run through February 27. Free. 5-7pm. 228 Angell Street. 421-9230, chazangallery.org. February 7-9 & 14-16: The Angell Blackfriars Theater Smith Center for the Arts presents These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich. $5-$13. 8pm Friday & Saturday; 2pm Sunday. One Cunningham Square. 865-1000. providence.edu/theatre. February 8: Buy your tickets now for the 31st Annual Heritage Ball at the Omni Providence Hotel. This fabulous event is put on by The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. $100. 7pm. One West Exchange Street. 421-0606, ribhs.org. February 8: Because there’s no place on Earth you’d rather be than at the Park Theatre listening to Michael Bolton sing his heart out. $55-$65. 7:30pm. 848 Park Avenue, Cranston. 467-7275, parktheatreri.com. February 8: In celebration of its 93rd year, the Junior League of Rhode Island invites the public to attend the 2nd Annual
Windstorm
February 13-23: See the world at this year’s Providence Children’s Film Festival with shorts, features, workshops and film talks for kids ages 3-18. Venues include Metcalf Auditorium, Cable Car Cinema and RISD Auditorium. Go online for details. $6 children; $8 adults. pcffri.org.
Winter Sparkle, a festive fundraiser featuring food, wine and a spirits tasting. All proceeds will support the League in its current focus to empower the lives of young adults aging out of the foster care system. $55 or $80 VIP. 7-9pm. 199 Hope Street. 331-9302, jlri.org. February 11: Visit The Met for Winter Blackout 2014 featuring The Expendables with Stick Figure and Seedless. All ages. $15 advance; $17 day of. Doors 7pm. Show 8pm. 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. 729-1005, themetri.com. February 11-25: In the market to learn new computer design skills? AS220 offers Introduction to Adobe Illustrator CS6, a series of three Tuesday classes where you’ll learn to create graphics and images. $120. 6-9pm. 131 Washington Street. 831-9327, as220.org. February 13: It’s worth the drive to Mohegan Sun for a concert by Marc Anthony. His soulful music will warm you from the inside on a cold winter night. $76-$126. 8pm. 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT. 888-226-7711, mohegansun.com. February 14: Who needs a boyfriend
when you can spend Valentine’s Day with a handsome singer? Head to Foxwoods for A Valentine’s with Trey Songz. $75 & $95. 8pm. 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, CT. 800-200-2882, foxwoods.com. February 14-16: The Manton Avenue Project stages its next performance this month at The Met School. Be My Ally is a full-length play written collaboratively by nine local 5th grade playwrights. Tickets are pay-whatyou-can. 7pm Friday; 3pm Saturday & Sunday. 325 Public Street. 331-7007, mantonavenueproject.org. February 15: The intimate Columbus Theatre is the perfect spot to see singer songwriter Robert Ellis with Ian O’Neil of Deer Tick and Smith&Weeden. All ages. $10. 8pm doors; 10pm show time. 270 Broadway. 621-9660, columbustheatre.com. February 17-21: Need a fun and engaging activity during February vacation? Let Save the Bay lead the way during their February Vacation Camp for grades 3-5. Kids will learn to use scientific instruments, interact with the bay’s inhabitants and go out on a
an up-to-date statewide calendar and to submit your own listings visit providenceonline.com
Providence Monthly | February 2014
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Calendar
research vessel. $250 members; $275 non-members. 100 Save the Bay Drive. 272-3540 x139, savebay.org. February 18: People love cuddly kittens and adorable koala bears. But what about the ugly, stinky animals? Meet The Unhuggables and learn about their importance to the ecosystems. $4-$6. 11am-12:30pm. 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield. 949-5454, asri.org. February 18: Hit up the Dunkin’ Donuts Center for a Providence College Men’s Basketball game. Root for the home team as they take on Villanova. $5-$248. 7pm. 1 La Salle Square. 8654672, friars.com. February 18: Take advantage of school vacation week with Audubon’s Amazing Amphibians program. Kids can meet hopping frogs, shiny salamanders and more. $4-$6. 2-3:30pm. 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield. 9495454, asri.org. February 20-23: Is your thumb more black than green? Head to the Convention Center for the Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden Show and learn from the pros. $7-$19. 10am-8pm ThursdaySaturday; 10am-6pm Sunday. 1 Sabin Street. 458-6000, theflowershow.com February 20-28: Trinity Rep presents
By Erin Swanson
the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! Directed by Six Feet Under actor Richard Jenkins and his wife Sharon, this work will wow you. $15-$60. 2pm & 7:30pm show times. 201 Washington Street. 351-4242, trinityrep.com. February 21-23: Three days of familyfriendly fun are in store as the popular Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam makes its return to the Dunk. $12.50$55. 2pm & 7:30pm show times. 1 LaSalle Square. 331-6700, dunkindonutscenter.com. February 22: Class up your act. The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra presents Mozart & Mahler at the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. $15 and up. 8pm. 1 Avenue of the Arts. 2211467, vmari.com. February 27: The Comedy Connection presents Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning comedian Tracy Morgan of 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live fame. 18+. $50. 8pm. 39 Warren Avenue, East Providence. 438-8383, ricomedyconnection.com. February 28: For a wicked good time head to Twin River for an Amish Outlaws show. Men in full Amish garb surprise the audience with songs from Jay Z to Neil Diamond. 8:30pm. 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln. 723-3200, twinriver.com.
Food Network star Alton Brown
February 21: Quirky humor and culinary science antics define the Alton Brown Live! Edible Inevitable Tour. The two-hour show is filled with stand up comedy, food experimentation, multimedia lecture, live music and more. $35-$150. 220 Weybosset Street. 421-2787, ppacri.org.
February 2014 | Providence Monthly
59
Every Member Of Your Family Deserves
thE bEst!
WE CARRY All OF YOuR NAtuRAl & HOlistiC PEt FOOD PRODuCts
East ProvidEncE 865 Warren Ave • 401-434-8545
WarWick 1000 Bald Hill Rd • 401-828-9100
smithfiEld 445 Putnam Pike • 401-232-7122
north attlEboro
Entelco Foundation
facebook.com/
40 Cumberland Plaza • 508-399-5050 The Gordon School • Butterfield • Moran Shipping Agencies Providence Children’s Museum • Campus Fine Wines • Kreatelier
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
PCFF would like to thank The Providence Tourism Council and the City of Providence for their support and encouragement
Get Out |
Theatre
By Jenn Salcido
All of Providence is a Stage The Manton Avenue Project finds a new home Home is where the
heart is, allegedly. We all know the warm-n-fuzzy truism that’s meant to help us feel comfortable even when the comforts of home aren’t readily available to us. No one knows this better than the members of the Manton Avenue Project (MAP), who have been finding a home for their nonprofit wherever they can – in the living rooms of board members and collaborators, in the shared spaces where local colleagues can squeeze them in, and so on. But last February, when the collective was able to make a more permanent home for itself in the very community it serves, finally getting to align its heart with its hearth felt nothing short of momentous. “It’s really changed our entire life as an organization in a huge way,” says Executive Artistic Director Meg Sullivan, who herself set up a new home in Providence when she moved here from Austin, Texas to take over from MAP founder Jenny Peek in 2011. It was a grant obtained from Housing and Urban Development by the Olneyville Housing Corporation that allowed the group to move into its new home – affectionately called the Clubhouse – rent-free for the next five years. Meg says that as part of the lease agreement, MAP has taken on the responsibility of making sure that the once boarded-up building becomes and remains a vibrant community space. “With our clubhouse, we can have kids here more often. We’ve added programming. We’ve started a free Friday, which means that the MAP kids can come in and hang out after school – use the computers, eat healthy snacks and play books and games. We also bring in guest artists in all different areas of theater to come and lead workshops with the kids,” she says. The 900-square foot Clubhouse has allowed MAP to expand its full-time staffing on the order of two Americorps VISTAs, in addition to giving them on-site storage for props in the basement of the building. For Meg and the other dedicated members of MAP, having the organization centrally located in the community means that the group could finally immerse itself with the families and students that they serve. As the mission of MAP is to serve
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Subhead 3 Young playwrights stage their own productions in the Manton Avenue Project
a small group of students – ten per year – through their playwriting and theater programs, its small size and neighborhood location has been essential to creating what can only be described as a rooted, familial bond. “There’s been an eagerness on the part of parents and families to get involved since we’ve opened our doors,” she says. The city’s Olneyville neighborhood is a tight-knit community of families, but the burden of poverty facing the region is undeniable. MAP aims to use its programming not only to expose its students to the theater arts, but to teach critical and creative thinking skills. Meg explains that this goes a long way in promoting alternative solutions to violence, in particular. “I also feel like the stage is a really powerful place for giving underserved kids a position of power where they can say what they need to say. It’s a transformative practice,” Meg continues. This sense of empowerment is undoubtedly present in the group’s next performance, Be My Ally: The Upstander Play, running at the Media and Arts Center at the Met School in Providence from February 14-16. The play is the culmination of a six-week playwriting class at the Clubhouse, where nine 5th grade playwrights came together to write a full-length play promoting kindness and action in the face of bullying – “turning bystanders into upstanders,” according to a press release from the group. Directed by David Rabinow, a company of local adult theater artists will present the work for audiences while the young
playwrights sit on stage, as is typical with MAP productions. David says that although he’s been volunteering with MAP since its first show back in 2004, the young scribes never fail to surprise him with their unique take on whatever theme they choose to tackle. “We also get some really amazing people to work on these things,” says David. “And it’s wonderful as a director and actor to collaborate with these kids and actors.” In particular, the issue of bullying remains a hot button one these days. David points out that the kids who wrote this production are “right at the age” where they are “on the front lines” for many of these incidents, giving them a unique – and powerful – perspective. “I hope the audience will gain an understanding of what these kids are dealing with, and how they’re dealing with it creatively through this play. I hope that people come away with the understanding that there are resources for people going through this. The unspoken lesson is how interesting it is to turn a negative thing into a positive one through creativity,” he says.
Be My Ally: The Upstander Play February 14-16 325 Public Street, Providence
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61
Get Out |
Music
By Tony Pacitti
Freaky Thursdays Getting weird at the Church of Providence
Rappers Milez Grimez and Swan Notty
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
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“Rather than assuming that people don’t want to see it because they’re homophobic or closed-minded we just assume they’d probably really like this if they got the opportunity to see it,” says Madge. “Queer performers are some of the most outrageous, entertaining and dope performers that there are in New England. We wanted to be able to bring those kinds of people together and make something that was bigger than just rap or just drag.” “When you put them together and you get a small piece of everything, they balance each other out,” says Dolan. As a celebration of all things weird, sexy and hip hop, Church is, according to Dolan, “keeping up the tradition of underground art in Providence.” Strange Famous Records, one of the show’s sponsors along with Revival Brewing Company, has a history of blending hip hop and performance art. Likewise fans of Beyond Wrestling – the local league that provides the ring and combatants – have come to expect a certain level of bone breaking theatricality. Weird is gospel. Routine is heresy. To call it The Church of Providence is perverse but Madge and Dolan wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Church of Providence Last Thursday of every month Fête Ballroom 103 Dike Street, Olneyville 383-1112 fetemusic.com
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On the last Thursday of every month Fête kind of looks like 8 Mile, if it had been directed by John Waters. This amazing spectacle, The Church of Providence, is vulgar and campy, a rainbow-scaled hydra of a variety show whose lucha libre-adorned heads spit dope rhymes, unfiltered sexuality and Pokémon-inspired slam poetry into the face of its audience. Its hosts, indie rapper B. Dolan and burlesque performer Madge of Honor, lord over their congregation like a couple of variety show hosts gone bonkers. It’s a show where anything goes. “A band plays for 25 minutes on stage. Then there’s a wrestling match. Then there’s a burlesque performer. Then there’s a rap battle in the ring,” explains Dolan. “We keep the programming back and forth and it becomes a really good, chaotic thing that builds throughout the night.” “We’re trying to build an audience that wants more from an experience than just a concert,” says Madge. “We’re hoping that we can get people to recognize Church as [a show where] something wild is going to happen.” Church has had no shortage of wild and each month seems to up the ante. The envelope isn’t just pushed, its blindfolded and asked to stick a velcro tail to Madge’s butt with its mouth. That requires a certain amount of faith in the audience to show up open minded and hungry for whatever Madge and Dolan can throw at them. That trust is crucial, particularly when it comes to the seemingly disparate worlds of hip hop and drag, but both hosts hold their audience to a high standard of acceptance.
Get Out |
Art
Introducing
By Sarah Bertness
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a gentleman’s barber shop 91 Hope street Providence, RI 02906 (401) 400-5500
Photography: Michael Cevoli
Most nights you can
find artist, musician and perpetual thinker William Schaff bantering over a backgammon board at Jack’s Bar in Warren. A visit to his studio across the street is akin to stepping inside a surrealist cabinet of curiosities, with flowers and vines trying to overgrow the ceiling, shelves of taxidermy and trinkets, walls covered in artwork and album covers, his dog Dinner greeting guests and a soundtrack of musical poetics constantly filling the room. Schaff’s collection of masks and Pez figurines peer out from the loft, and the skull-covered faces of his artwork watch from the walls. It is a space full of open-ended conversations, always ready to pick up where one left off. Schaff’s aesthetic is bold and questioning. He describes his work as a process of discovery, “thinking on a question with each pen stroke” and “getting closer to an answer or more likely another question.” What sorts of questions? Big ones: life, death and resilience, often seen through satire-tinted lenses. Schaff’s work re-frames questions that artists and thinkers alike have been asking for centuries in black ink and wite out, paper cuts and scratchboards. Two recurrent trademarks come to mind when visualizing Schaff’s work: black and white penned pieces that evoke Picasso’s Guernica reimagined by famed gothic illustrationist Edward Gorey, and his skull-faced, quotationbubbled paintings and reappropriated photographs. I ask about the latter and Schaff pulls out an old Life magazine. He flips to an iconic image of President Lyndon Johnson in conversation with an unemployed man and his two young sons. “Which would you put a skull on?” Schaff asks. I choose one of the boys and he gets to work with the wite-out pen. Thirty seconds later the message of the photograph has morphed. “Context matters with each piece,” Schaff tells me. My pick has refocused the already somber image. The story is no longer about a father trying to feed his family, but his son facing his own mortality and imminent tragedy. In context, Schaff’s work is a reminder of the silent strife facing the person in line in front of you at the corner store, and raises the thought whether art should imitate life or life should imitate art.
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Whether designing the most recent album covers for friends and neighbors, music duo Brown Bird, penning a map of his East Bay home base as an artisan swap with fellow craftsman Todd Moen of Sweettrade leatherworks, customizing envelopes for his mail art of the month club, or collaborating on tattoo commissions; Schaff’s art is about connection and exchanging perspectives. His studio, Fort Foreclosure, frequently plays host to intimate acoustic shows, visiting artists and friends. The door is always open. While I’m visiting, some folks stop by, and Schaff sends them each away with a pack of playing cards. The cards came about from a discussion Schaff had with fellow What Cheer? Brigade (WCB) member, Greg, who plays tuba in the band and works in merchandising (Schaff is WCB’s drummer). He designed a card a day, and the result is a pack that is as frameable as it is playable, and serves as a handheld
catalogue of Schaff’s work, with each suit thinking on a theme: spades are skulls, hearts are band art, diamonds are portraits and clubs look at militarization and abuses of power. The deck’s box reads prodotto di qualità, recalling Schaff’s childhood memories visiting his grandparents in Italy and bridging the language gap over a game of cards. It’s art that brings people around the table together, and creates context for more creating, which is what really sets Schaff apart as an artist and a person. In his own understated way he plays an intricate part in catalyzing art, life, music and movement in whatever company he keeps, which is exactly what keeps the questions coming.
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63
Savor Providence
By Elyena de Goguel
Bubbles for Everyone
Fancy, Shmancy and Delicious
Smooth and Sassy
If you are seeking a more, shall we say, “sophisticated,” sparkling rose, then Conti Ducco Franciacorta Brut Rose de Noirs, from Gasbarro’s Wines, is the answer to your champagnesoaked wish. This alternative to Veuve Cliquot or Moet is an Italian sparkler, but not a prosecco, that delivers a superior drinking experience with light, floral notes, a smooth, slightly tart finish and an elegant marriage of delicate flavors. Pop a bottle for the fanciest of occasions. 361 Atwells Avenue, 421-4170. gasbarros.com.
Craving a more traditional bottle of bubbly? Head over to Bottles for their Gruet Brut Rosé, a true rose champagne produced in France. Celebrate your triumphs (or drown your sorrows) with this super smooth, yet bright, crisp wine. One whiff tickles the nose with hints of citrus and pear, and a tart - but not overpowering - finish imparts a little sass on the senses. Perfect to pair with a special dinner or a casual brunch. 141 Pitman Street, 372-2030. bottlesfinewine.com.
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Cheap and Cheerful
Notes of yeast, cheese and brioche characterize the scrumptious sparkling rose that is Domaine de Martinolles Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé, from ENO Fine Wines in Downtown PVD. This medium bodied wine is fruit-forward and has sweetness, yet is still considered dry, and a citrusy, almost bitter finish leaves the tongue lusting for more. This wine would couple well with a rich dessert, like chocolate cake or custard. 225 Westminster Street, 521-2000. enofinewines.com.
Yellowtail, aka the wine with the kangaroo on the label, produces a fine sparkling rose that is both enjoyable and affordable. This particular bottle of Pink Bubbles, from Madeira Liquors, offers notes of bright, red fruits – mainly strawberry – and has a light, soft finish. This bottle would be a great finish to a hearty meal or alone as a delicious sparkling cocktail. Be warned: too much of this gluggable wine may leave you feeling all soft and light too. 174 Ives Street, 272-5911.
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Providence Monthly | February 2014
Photography: Grace Lentini
Valentine’s Day is creeping up like a one-date clinger, but sparkling rosé is not just for lovers; it’s very much an equal opportunity alcohol. Whether you are looking for a certain bottle to set the mood, or seeking some pink bubbles to pair with your Sunday brunch eggs benny, take a sip from a few selections that are sure to make you see the world through rose-colored glasses.
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