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3 5 H o p e S t r e e t B r i s t o l , R I 0 2 8 0 9
Sonya DePasquale
Sales Associate
Licensed in RI & MA
401.465.1650
New Season. New Possibilities.
Spring brings a sense of renewal and opportunity. Whether you’re considering a move or just starting to explore, March is the perfect time to get clear on your goals.
With local knowledge and steady guidance, I’ll help you take the next step when the timing feels right.
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Barry Fain
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Elyse Major Elyse@HeyRhody.com
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Nick DelGiudice
Nick@HeyRhody.com
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Taylor Buttie
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Foxling Photography
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Andrea E. McHugh
Read McKendree
Nick Mele
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Britt Machado
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Andrea E. McHugh
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Sonya Depasquale is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.
Nushka Hoo, Weekapaug.
Photo by Read McKendree for Summer by the Sea. Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton by Thomas A. Kligerman. Courtesy of The Monacelli Press.
Photo courtesy of Mimi Arnold
Photo by Nick Mele, courtesy of Flora
Photo courtesy of Rind ON THE COVER: Wainwright Cottage, Jamestown.
Photo by Read McKendree for Summer by the Sea. Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton by Thomas A. Kligerman. Courtesy of The Monacelli Press.
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THE BUZZ
Arts | Jay Leno | Voices of the Bay | Rhody Gem | Calendar
From Passion Project to the Mainstream
New documentary is a labor of love for two local podcasters
By Jonah Major
n the past 15 years, podcasts have gone from an internet subculture to something your aunt might send you. Chronicling it all is Shaun Michael Colón, whose new documentary, Age of Audio , traces the medium’s history and details the present-day podcast environment. “It took seven years of love and grit to capture the pioneers of podcasting,” said Colón. “And we’re beyond proud to finally share it with the world.”
Roman Mars, founder of the Radiotopia podcast collective and host of 99% Invisible
The film will have its Rhode Island premiere on Thursday, April 23, at 7pm at the AS220 Black Box performance space in Providence, followed by a live panel discussion on independent podcasting with Audrey Mardavich, executive director of Radiotopia, a podcast network that is part of PRX Productions. “I am so excited to bring this film to Providence, with many people locally who helped work on the film being from the area,” said Colón. “AS220 has long supported independent creators and musicians, and it feels like the perfect fit for this premiere in the Providence area.”
A pair of talented local podcasters from the Hey Rhody Media family also worked on
the film: longtime contributor, Warren’s own Chuck Staton (known for Funbearable and Chuck and Brad Podcast ) and Chris Revill, our account manager for Providence (host of Let’s Chat! and Hey Rhody Podcast ). “I have been podcasting since 2013, and Rhode Island has one of the best podcast scenes in the country,” said Revill, “Working on a documentary with a friend I met through the medium is truly a full-circle moment.”
Age of Audio functions as survey of modern podcasting, examining the boom in audio storytelling not seen since the days of radio, with interviews ranging from comedian Marc Maron, whose WTF with Marc Maron
Podcast (recently ended after 1,686 episodes and paved the way for other comedians to start podcasting – a societal boon or ill depending on who you ask), to Ira Glass, whose radio show This American Life has found a new audience on podcast feeds.
“Meeting podcast heroes like Ira Glass was incredible,” said Colón, “But following independent creator Ronald Young Jr. was the heart of the film, showing what it truly means to be an independent artist.” Young Jr., an aspiring podcast superstar, serves as the documentary’s protagonist, and the audience surrogate for the world of podcast economics that the film navigates. While podcasting seems bigger than
Award-winning audio showrunner and podcaster creator Nichole Hill, talks with Ellen Horne of Radiolab
This American Life podcaster Ira Glass with filmmaker Shaun Michael Colón
ever, through the eyes of Young Jr., Colón takes audiences on a tour of the realities behind the medium, and what it takes to have your voice heard – literally.
“Sometimes it feels like I’ve shown up at the party a little bit more than fashionably late,” says Young Jr. in the trailer for the film. In a media industry that appears booming from the outside, Colón’s film examines whether podcasting is still a viable career path for newcomers, or if, as Maron would say at the beginning of his podcast, they’ve locked the gates. Learn more at AS220’s website: AS220.org. Follow the film on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: @aoamovie
P hotos courtesy of Shaun Michael Colón
From Hollywood to Ocean Drive
Comedian Jay Leno on the state of comedy and his time in Newport
By Ken Abrams
He’s hardly the first celebrity to call Rhode Island home, but he may be the most visible. Newport’s funniest part-time resident shows no signs of slowing down. More than a decade after stepping away from The Tonight Show , Jay Leno remains as busy as ever. The award-winning comedian still performs more than 100 live shows each year, hosts his popular YouTube series Jay Leno’s Garage , and devotes time to caring for his wife, Mavis.
When he’s not on the road, Leno enjoys life at Seafair, the oceanside estate he purchased in 2017, marking a return to his New England roots. Around Newport, he’s become a familiar face – performing at the Newport Playhouse, helping raise funds for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, and regularly hosting the Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week. He’s even filmed segments of Jay Leno’s Garage around the city. Leno, who grew up in Andover, Massachusetts, still thrives on stage. His comedy style remains refreshingly old-school – broadly relatable, deliberately avoiding the political edge that often dominates modern stand-up. And he makes no apologies for it. “It’s stand-up comedy,” says Leno. “I’ve kind of taken politics out and just try to do comedy. You’re not going to change anybody’s opinion. Rodney Dangerfield and I were close friends for 40 years, and I have no idea if he was a Republican or a Democrat. When we got together, it was just funny – that’s what we did. We’d just throw jokes back and forth. When people come to a comedy
show, they want to get away from everything.”
This spring, Leno is hitting the road co-headlining a tour with fellow late-night legend Arsenio Hall, including a stop at Foxwoods Resort Casino. The pairing brings together two comics who were once framed as rivals during the 1990s. Leno chuckles at the memory. “Arsenio and I have been friends for a long time,” he says. “It was funny when they called it the ‘late-night wars.’ There really was no war.”
The two comedians now enjoy touring together, swapping stories and testing new material on the road. Hall is publishing a memoir, which Leno says includes plenty of shared history. “Arsenio’s got a really good book coming out about his life,” he says. “There are a lot of stories about the two of us in there. It’s fun being on the road together. We try stuff out on each other. The idea that comedians are battling each other isn’t really true. The only people who truly understand what you do is another comedian.”
Leno’s reputation as a regular guy is more evident offstage. Around Newport, he’s known for chatting with locals at events and car shows – often about engines rather than entertainment. “I play the exact same person on TV that I am in real
life, so it’s easy,” he says. “When people come up and say, ‘Hey Jay, can I ask you about my ’65 Mustang?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, sure,’ because that’s what I like to talk about. Even when I was doing The Tonight Show , I could observe show business without being immersed in it. I could be around all the craziness without paying any price for it.”
He also says he’s particularly fond of what he calls the “New England compliment.” “There’s nothing funnier to me,” Leno says with a grin. “I was in Rhode Island recently, and a guy comes up and says, ‘Jay, my friend met you in California. He said you’re not an a******.’ I said, ‘Oh, thanks.’ And he goes, ‘No, really, he said that.’” For Leno, that kind of blunt honesty is part of what makes returning to New England feel like home.
For Leno, the conversation always pivots back around to cars. “When you’re in California, you meet half a dozen guys who each have 100 cars,” he says. “In New England, you meet a guy who has one car, and he’s had it since high school, and he’s going to restore it when his kids go off of college.”
That difference, Leno says, captures something essential about the region. “It’s that kind of thing that’s hard to define, but it’s real.” Follow Jay Leno’s Garage on YouTube @jaylenosgarage. P
hoto courtesy of Jay Leno
Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno is a part-time Newporter
Shop smart & buy with confidence.
In a fast-moving market, the smartest buyers focus on what matters most. By preparing early and following a strategy, you can evaluate your options thoroughly and make the right decision when the time comes.
Follow these seven habits to guide you through the process so you can buy wisely, without regrets.
1.
Get pre-qualified with a local lender
2. Differentiate your needs and wants
3. Be persistent and open-minded
5. Keep your emotions in check
6. Visualize the potential of a property
Alicia Reynolds Sales Associate
Licensed in RI, MA, & CT
401.835.2605
areynolds@residentialproperties.com
7. Hire me as your buyer represenative
Want more details on effective real estate habits?
Follow @aliciareynoldsrealtor on Instagram!
Still Exploring Your Options?
Stratford Arms Riverside, Rhode Island
If you’re considering buying but prefer to keep things flexible for now, ‘Stratford Arms’ provides a well-appointed rental alternative. Enjoy modern conveniences, including garage parking and a pool, all set on a beautifully landscaped wooded lot on the Barrington–East Providence line. Reach out to Alicia Reynolds for up-to-date leasing information.
4.
Be available, flexible and willing to compromise
Alicia Reynolds is a licensed real estate sales associate and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.
Voices of the Bay: Michael O’Loughlin of Bristol
An award-winning journalist and author takes the helm at national Catholic newspaper
By Nina Murphy
In January, Michael O’Loughlin was named executive editor of National Catholic Reporter (NCR), whose mission is to connect Catholics to church, faith, and the common good through independent news, analysis, and spiritual reflection. The independent news source, founded in 1964, is published biweekly in print and daily online, with approximately 1.5 million readers monthly.
As the first openly gay person in the role at NCR, O’Loughlin hopes others in the LGBTQ community will see the appointment as an opportunity to participate in leadership roles within Catholicism. The Bristol resident holds a Master’s Degree in religion from Yale Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology from St. Anselm College.
EARLY INFLUENCE: I grew up Catholic, and I was always interested in journalism. In my final year at Yale, I interned at America: The Jesuit Review . I discovered religion and journalism fused my interests, and I pursued that.
SHINING A LIGHT: I think if it [my appointment] helps other LGBTQ Catholics feel like they can envision themselves in leadership roles in Catholic organizations, that’s great. To me, it doesn’t affect my journalism. In my previous job, running outreach, I worked with a specific LGBT ministry, so that was my primary focus. In this role, my primary focus is doing good journalism and helping the team do good journalism. NCR is fiercely independent, so even though we cover the church, I don’t think it was an issue for them to hire me. The Jesuits’ decision to hire and appoint me to that role was not without controversy, and I give them credit for that.
LEAVE OR STAY: In my book Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear , I write quite a bit of my own struggles and wanting to leave [the Catholic church], but then sort of finding my way back in and just deciding that I would stay. With Pope Francis, there was a sense that we could talk about these things honestly, and there seemed to be some willingness among some priests to find ways to help people make their faith work with whatever’s going on in their lives. It also depends on where you are geographically in the church, too. I think there are some bishops and priests who are more open to that kind of faith than there are in other places. I’ve had a great experience. Other people have not.
MEMORABLE AUDIENCE: Meeting Pope Francis and presenting him a copy of my first book, The Tweetable Pope , was an inspiring and unforgettable experience. We spoke, through an interpreter, about his efforts to build peace, make the church more welcoming, and the church in the United States. A few years later, I was honored to receive a letter from him, praising my book Hidden Mercy . I’m grateful for his leadership and was honored to have these interactions with him.
POPE LEO XIV: I’m optimistic. Early indicators suggest he’s someone very much in the style of Pope Francis. The couple of times he’s weighed in on US politics, he seems to want to kind of move beyond the culture wars. He seems very pro-immigrant. The kind of bishops he’s appointing suggests that he wants the church to be more in the Pope Francis style.
AMERICAN ROOTS: Pope Leo understands the United States. I think there was a segment of the Catholic church, particularly conservative Catholics, who tried to dismiss Pope Francis by saying he didn’t really understand the US. They won’t be able to anymore. I think he will be very careful about when he weighs in, but he does seem to want to leave his mark.
EASTER TRADITION: For me, the resurrection story of good triumphing over evil is important, especially as there’s so much bad news. I want to remain hopeful that good triumphs. My husband and I host our family in Bristol for Easter Sunday. We have two young nephews, so it’s a lot of fun and has become a nice tradition.
P hoto courtesy of Michael O’Loughlin
Michael O’Loughlin
Rind Cheese Shop
Gourmet cheese and charcuterie
What it is:
A small-but-mighty family-owned artisanal cheese and gourmet foods shop.
Where to find it:
On Bosworth Street, the road that’s adjacent to Shaw’s plaza, where County and Rumstick roads merge, look for Rind inside a small shopping plaza.
What makes it a Rhody Gem?
You’ll find a delicious assortment of thoughtfully curated cheeses, charcuterie, and pantry goods from Europe and the US, complemented by a variety of in-house treats such as pimento cheese, hummus, and mac and cheese. “Our goal is to offer great food without making it feel intimidating,” says co-owner Ashley LaPlante, who, with her co-owner husband Tim Fichers, has more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.
“We love helping people discover new favorites – whether that’s a classic cheese, something a little more adventurous, or the perfect pairing for a gathering,” she says. The couple has a practical, yet philosophical, approach to their offerings.
“Cheese has a rind to protect it from the elements, but it also imparts its own unique characteristics,” LaPlante says. “And that can make all the difference to how your guests enjoy it. At Rind, it’s all about that uniqueness… a pretty perfect name for a cheese shop.”
Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool, unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com to suggest yours, and we just might feature it!
P hoto courtesy of Rind Cheese Shop
A Fresh Approach to the Spring Market
guide you.
The Must List
10 essential events this month
April 15: Join Hey Rhody Media Co. at the Medici Lounge in Providence as we celebrate the Who to Watch honorees showcased in our January issue. The evening includes food, drinks, a live DJ, and more. Providence, HeyRhody.com
April 3-4: Create lasting family memories on the Read-Along with the Easter Bunny Cruise on the Coastal Queen , a 60-minute cruise departing from Bowen’s Wharf with gentle winds, Easter treats, and story-time with the bunny. Newport, CruiseRI.com
April 4: The Barn Sessions concert series at Ragged Island Brewery has award-winning Rhode Island band, the David Tessier All Star Stars , for a night of choice covers from the 1960’s- present, plus originals from the band. Portsmouth, RaggedIslandBrewing.com
April 7-26: Michele Riml’s Sexy Laundry is a moving comedy about a long-married couple’s weekend getaway where they reignite intimacy, confront insecurities, and face the challenges of aging and connection. Newport, NewportPlayhouse.com
Through April 10: When in the Course of Human Events… is an exhibition featuring works from over 60 artists from across the nation, with a special spotlight on Rhode Island artist Susan Hardy-Twaddell. Bristol, BristolArtMuseum.org
April 10-11: Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway will be the focus of discussion at the Bristol Bookfest , an annual event that promotes lifelong learning and brings together local readers and literature enthusiasts. Bristol, BristolBookfest.com
April 15-19: Filmmakers and artists of color have the opportunity to showcase their visions of creativity at the Rhode Island Black Film Festival , which takes place at venues in Newport, Providence, and Kingston. RIBFF.org
April 16: Jefferson, The Declaration, and American Freedom , a talk with historian Fred Zilian, will examine the extraordinary mind and accomplished life of our third president, and the author of our country’s founding document. Newport, LindenPlace.org
April 18: Newport Folk Festival veterans Snacktime , a band that gained a following playing free outdoor shows in their native Philadelphia during the pandemic, return with a high-energy blend of funk, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and jazz. Newport, JanePickens.com
April 22: A triple bill of innovative, yet hard-to-define singer-songwriters play Myrtle when acclaimed Hudson Valley, NY singer Noah Harley is joined by fellow New Yorker Will Lawrence and Bristol’s own Allysen Callery East Providence, GiveMyrtle.com
Photography by Nick DelGiudice
Hey Rhody’s Who to Watch in 2026
South County
Rhode Island
This Spring in South County, RI...
Hike or bike miles of trails through lush forests and wildlife preserves and discover the Thomas Dambo trolls—two new additions in South County: Iver Mudslider in North Kingstown and Young Boulder in Arcadia, plus the originals Erik Rock and Greta Granit in Ninigret Park. Ninigret will also burst into color with beautiful daffodils—perfect for photos. After a day of exploring, unwind at one of our luxury spas or head to the dunes and enjoy any of our 20 public beaches. Learn more at SouthCountyRI.com.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE
( a Rhode Island)
HOME
New book is a love letter to the Ocean State’s unique coastal architecture
BY ANDREA E. MCHUGH
WINDOWS AND SCREEN DOORS IN THE SUNROOM PROVIDE THE BAREST OF SEPARATION FROM THE SURROUNDING WORLD OF GRASS, TREES, STONE WALL, AND BAY. THE COTTAGE, SAUNDERSTOWN
CEILING FANS AND OPEN SPACE ABOVE THE BEDROOM PARTITIONS ALLOW FOR NIGHTTIME AIR MOVEMENT.
WAINWRIGHT COTTAGE, JAMESTOWN
P hotos by Read McKendree, courtesy of The Monacelli Press
A DINING SET OF SLATTED WOOD SIGNALS BATHING SUITS ARE WELCOME HERE.
MUSCOVY RIDGE, WATCH HILL
A MIRROR IS USED TO BRING LIGHT AND MOVEMENT TO THE SPACE.
MUSCOVY RIDGE, WATCH HILL
Despite growing up in more than half a dozen places from Connecticut and New Mexico to across the world, it’s Weekapaug’s crisp ocean air, golden-hour light, and summertime simplicity that left an indelible mark on Thomas Kligerman’s childhood, inspiring his fifth and highly anticipated book, Summer by the Sea Kligerman, a well-respected architect and founding partner of New York-based Kligerman Architecture and Design, intimately knows coastal design; his firm has led residential projects from Maine to Martha’s Vineyard, the Hamptons to Hawaii. But his experience designing homes in the most prestigious zip codes hasn’t dulled his appreciation for simplicity.
“When I was 10, my parents started renting a house in Weekapaug,” said Kligerman. Though the family moved to Albuquerque and eventually, other places far and wide, he stayed in touch with childhood friends in Weekapaug who, as adults, encouraged him to visit. “Then I started going again some 20-odd years later, and we started renting the same house my parents did when I was a kid,” he says. “Nothing had changed – the same pictures on the walls, the same furniture, the same rug – it was like a time warp.”
THE WASH OF WHITE AND APPLE GREEN OVER DARK BLUE BRINGS A DRIFTWOOD CHARACTER TO THE LIVING ROOM PANELING.
BAYRIDGE, WATCH HILL
THE STAIRCASE DISAPPEARS BEHIND A WALL HUNG WITH HAND-PAINTED TÔLE TRAYS DEPICTING THE ORIGINAL OWNERS’ SAILBOATS. FRENCH DOORS CAN SEPARATE ONE SPACE FROM ANOTHER.
THE COTTAGE, SAUNDERSTOWN
After renting for 20 years, Kligerman bought nearby land and put his architectural skills to use. His Weekapaug home is a sanctuary for him and his wife, also an architect, and their three adult daughters when they visit. “My kids are third-generation Weekapaug, but my friends? Some of them have family who have been coming here since the Civil War. I’m a Johnny-come-lately,” Kligerman muses.
Inspired by his halcyon summers spent along the state’s southern coastline, combined with an appreciation for the distinctive shingle-style design of these Rhode Island “cottages” (which any Rhode Islander knows is a term that doesn’t necessarily denote diminutive), Summer by the Sea. Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton depicts 16 diverse homes; some that have stood the test of time, others that are newer but pay homage to the past.
Each chapter explores homes in a different town or village – Watch Hill, Weekapaug, Haversham, Block Island, Saunderstown, Jamestown, Middletown, Little Compton –with details that capture their essence. “The wood, the screened-in porch, windows open, the old cliche of the slap of the screen door,” these, he says, are the things that create that unmistakable Rhode Island summertime-by-the-sea alchemy.
MUSCOVY RIDGE, WATCH HILL
RIDGE, WATCH HILL
Expect insights into each town’s unique landscape and historical notes like the origin stories of Native American names (like Quonochontaug), how Watch Hill became such a coveted summer colony, and more. “I talk about artists like Sydney Burleigh,” he begins, referencing the Little Compton-based painter who designed the Fleur-de-lys Studios in Providence. “I talk about lighthouses and shipwrecks. It’s a Rhode Island story, but its framework is houses and their interiors,” Kligerman explains. “You
can look at all of these houses and think, “I can imagine living there.”
The project was a natural fit for photographer Read McKendree, who works worldwide but serendipitously calls Westerly home. He had been living in New York for years, but the Connecticut native ultimately answered Rhode Island’s call. “That’s the Rhode Island curse, kind of; once you come here, you don’t actually want to be anywhere else,” he says.
P hotos by Read McKendree, courtesy of The Monacelli Press
THE GRAND SPACE GALLERY WALL IS A “CURATED CLUTTER OF DAILY LIFE.”
RISOM HOUSE, BLOCK ISLAND
CORK FLOORS AND A PALE INSTITUTIONAL GREEN REMIND KLIGERMAN OF KITCHENS FROM THE 1930S TO THE MID-CENTURY.
NUSHKA HOO, WEEKAPAUG
GLASSES AND TEACUPS FOR EVERY OCCASION ARE STORED IN THIS CABINET, WHICH SEPARATES THE KITCHEN FROM THE DINING ROOM.
CLINGSTONE, JAMESTOWN
WALLPAPER BRINGS NOSTALGIC CHARM TO A BEDROOM, READY TO ACCOMMODATE A SUMMER OF MEMORY-MAKING
BAYRIDGE, WATCH HILL
A DIAMOND-PATTERN CASEMENT WINDOW WELCOMES SEA BREEZES INSIDE WITH STYLE.
BAYRIDGE, WATCH HILL
When McKendree met up with Kligerman, the synergy was palpable. Both share an appreciation for the indefinable magnetism of coastal Rhode Island and the homes here that feel treasured. “This was a huge project,” he says. “But I have such an appreciation for these homes that, whether they’re new or old, people actually live in, make memories in, and there’s such a richness to that. Rhode Island especially still has these little pockets of architecture and old cottages and homes that people just love.”
P hotos by Read McKendree, courtesy of The Monacelli Press
MAY 7-10, 2026
BALLET RI BLACK BOX THEATRE PROVIDENCE, RI
MAY 14-17, 2026
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND J STUDIO KINGSTON, RI
Scan for tickets or visit balletri.org
BALLET RI presents Sophie Treadwell’s searing 1928 play reborn as a striking new ballet.
YURY YANOWSKY AND RACHEL WALSHE’S
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Unfamiliar
with some Rhode Island locales? You’re not alone.
While the reference point of “where Almacs used to be” is fading from conversations, some place names and properties continue to puzzle even longtime residents. To address any confusion, we’ve assembled a guide – a “who’s who” or “where’s where” – to sort out some coastal locations from Clingstone to Haversham.
Many Rhode Island cities and towns encompass several villages, neighborhoods, and hamlets, some with names that may be unfamiliar even to folks nearby. Westerly, for one, is rich with history, architecture, and small designations. From the 1870s to the 1950s, the town was a major center for mining and stone-cutting – famous for its “Westerly granite” – pinkish, blue, and red stone varieties used in buildings along the eastern seaboard. Within town limits, there are myriad places like Avondale, once called Lotteryville, with its 50-acre preserve, and affluent areas like Watch Hill, home to the Ocean House and Taylor Swift; Weekapaug, featuring a historic inn overlooking Quonochontaug Pond, and Winnapaug, home to a Donald Ross-designed golf course. Other villages are Bradford, Dunn’s Corners, Haversham with its recently refreshed tavern, Potter Hill along the Pawcatuck River, Shelter Harbor, White Rock, and Misquamicut, well-known for its expansive state beach and lively summertime atmosphere.
Still in South County, but further north is Saunderstown, a small village and historic district spread across the four towns of Narragansett, South Kingstown, Exeter and North Kingstown. It has its own postal code, Casey Farm, a large family farm operated by Historic New England, and is known as the birthplace of Gilbert Stuart, who painted the portrait of George Washington that appears on the one-dollar bill. Nearby, discover villages like Kenyon, Usquepaug, and Carolina.
Meanwhile, on Conanicut Island is the town of Jamestown, just under a mile offshore from Fort Wetherill State Park is the distinctive shingle-style dwelling known as Clingstone. Nicknamed for being “a peach of a house,” the structure sits on a small rocky island in Narragansett Bay, part of an outcropping of small islands known as “the dumplings.” Built in 1905 to withstand hurricanes, the three-story, 23-room building is often called “the house on the rock.” In 1961, Boston architect Henry Wood purchased the neglected 10,000-square-foot property for $3,600 (the amount of back taxes owed); it was missing a roof, had smashed windows, and plenty of shingle damage. Wood gradually restored the home, which his family continues to use most summers. The 10-bedroom premises, which runs on wind power, offers stunning views of Fort Adams, the Pell Bridge, Hammersmith Farm, and the Rhode Island Sound. It was also the setting for a Mumford and Sons music video. Clingstone is noted to be available for rent at approximately $10,000 per week. –Elyse Major
THE DISTINCTIVE FOUR-STORY SILHOUETTE OF CLINGSTONE ATOP ITS JAGGED ISLAND. THE TWELVE-METER SLOOP GLEAM SAILS BY, KEEPING ITS DISTANCE FROM THE TRICKY WATERS THAT SURROUND THE HOUSE.
CLINGSTONE, JAMESTOWN
THE STUDIO, JAMESTOWN
P hotos by Read McKendree, courtesy of The Monacelli Press
LIGHT POURS THROUGH THE GLASS BLOCK AND THE OVER-SCALED WINDOWS.
Maximize space with furniture that can be easily moved to accommodate entertaining
HOME & STYLE
Home | Garden | Rhody Reads | Shop
The Bold and the Beautiful
Color and pattern bring fresh energy to a stately home
By Ann Martini
Ahouse that no longer feels like a home to the owners – what a more complex, yet potential-rich, dilemma for interior designers?
The interior of an otherwise gracious 1920 Center Hall Colonial on Providence’s East Side, dreary pandemic-era updates left rooms cloaked in cool blues and grays. “The owners told us it felt sterile,” says Rochelle Bloom, who along with partner Kacey Dillier, helms Providence-based Bloom and Dillier Interiors. The duo welcomed the challenge with open arms. “They were really longing for warmth, pattern, and fun,” Bloom recalls.
Fortunately, the home offered what Bloom describes as “beautiful bones” – from the vestibule windows and elegant staircase to the detailed trim framing the living room fireplace. Color became the unifying language of the redesign. “We always ask clients which colors they’re drawn to before we begin,” Bloom notes. Here, blues, greens, pinks, and purples flow throughout the house, creating cohesion while still allowing each room its own identity. The vestibule is punctuated with a joyful purple wallpaper by Alex Conroy, a textile designer also based in Providence. “You can’t help but smile when you walk in and see it,” Bloom says.
Existing bookshelves backed with wallpaper become a showcase. “Add books, art, and pieces that mean a lot to you,” advises Bloom.
Photos by Hana Fox, Foxling Photography, courtesy of Bloom and Dillier Interiors
Reupholstery brings new life to an heirloom wingback chair
“We believe small spaces are ideal areas to add color,” says Bloom, noting the jacaranda-shaded sisal wallpaper by Providence designer Alex Conroy Textiles
Their designer philosophy is unapologetically bold yet deeply personal. “We believe color brings fun and personality to a home,” she explains. That confidence is balanced with respect for history – most notably in the living room, where heirloom wingback chairs were reupholstered rather than replaced. “It’s about giving a nod to the generations while still moving forward,” Bloom says.
Photos by Hana Fox, Foxling Photography, courtesy of Bloom and Dillier Interiors
A bench in the vesibule creates a welcoming entrance
Function was equally important. The homeowners wanted a living room that finally worked for entertaining. Custom-built bookshelves installed before the designers came on board felt flat, but demolition wasn’t the answer. Instead, Bloom and Dillier refreshed them with new
hardware, rich blue paint, and ocean-inspired wallpaper lining the backs of the open shelves.
“They were high quality,” Bloom explains. “They just needed life breathed back into them.”
“The home is the backdrop of the family,” Bloom says. “It should be as dynamic as the people
who live there – ebbing and flowing through different stages of life.” In the reimagined version of this house, that philosophy comes through clearly: sophisticated but fun, rooted in history yet full of joy; a celebration of its architectural heritage and the lively spirit of the family who lives there.
Photos by Hana Fox, Foxling Photography, courtesy of Bloom and Dillier Interiors
A dining room window seat ensures ample surface space
Get Rhody Style
Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.
Local Inspo
“The Ocean State gives so much inspiration,” says Bloom, a native Rhode Islander. (Dillier has been here for a decade, an architecture graduate from Roger William University.) Living and working here shapes how Bloom and Dillier think about design. A mix of local makers, regional galleries, and time spent by the water informs their approach, grounding even the boldest choices in a strong sense of place. Learn more at BloomAndDillier.com.
Colorful Outlook
“We believe that color brings joy and personality to a home. We’re not afraid of bold choices, and we’re always on the hunt for fresh patterns, unexpected details, and a balance between sophistication and comfort,” says Bloom. The team frequents haunts across the state such as Providence Picture Frame and Dryden Gallery, North Providence; Homeport and Newport Lamp and Shade Company, Newport; Groundswell Garden and Home, Tiverton; The Farmer’s Daughter, South Kingstown; Jordan’s Jungle, Pawtucket; Mike’s Estate Services in West Warwick; and The Floral Reserve, Simple Pleasures, and Stock in Providence, for all the inspiration.
Art Colony
Providence is such a special city thriving with very talented creatives. We love connecting with local artisans at the RISD Craft events and Providence Porchfest; working with vendors like Ardente Supply and Edge & End Studios, Providence, and Hwang Bishop Designs and O&G Studio in Warren.
Photos by Hana Fox, Foxling Photography, courtesy of Bloom and Dillier Interiors
Grasscloth wallpaper from Wayne Pate + Studio Four NYC reads as a neutral backdrop
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Rooted in Success
Local pros share how to make your garden grow
By Elyse Major
Once nurseries begin displaying flats of colorful blooms, who among us can resist wanting to try our thumbs at gardening?
Achieving lasting success requires starting with a good foundation, according to Rhode Island experts Tom Bennett, owner and horticulturist at City and Estate Gardener, LLC, in Providence, Mimi Arnold, The Farmer Florist in Block Island, and John Francisco, owner of Hilltop Garden Center in Smithfield.
Follow the Sun
“The three factors that determine success in any planting – whether flowers, shrubs, or trees – are sun exposure, water availability, and choosing the right specimen for the right spot,” says Bennett. Before installing anything, observe how many hours of direct sunlight the area receives and, just as importantly, how it will be watered. “Consistent, reliable watering dramatically improves
plant performance. When water is predictable, plants establish more quickly and remain healthier throughout the season,” he says. Francisco agrees, “Selecting plants suited to your specific light conditions is vital for their growth and survival.” Light is a major factor in care, as plantings in full sun typically need more water because they dry out faster, while shade-loving varieties generally require less maintenance.
Photo courtesy of Mimi Arnold
Build Healthy Soil
“Most local soils are workable but benefit from improvement,” advises Bennett. “Loosen the soil, remove weeds, and incorporate organic compost before planting. Strong roots are the foundation of strong performance.” Arnold agrees, noting that a key to healthy flowers is good, nourished soil to promote root growth and maintain a balance of water retention and absorption. This is done with added nutrients called amendments. “Amendments can get pricey, so use what’s available around you. I like to use what’s abundant to me on Block Island, like seaweed, fallen leaves, and horse manure,” says Arnold. Francisco cautions that your soil may require amending if it is heavy clay, sandy, rocky, or full of existing roots before you put anything in the ground. After planting, Bennett recommends applying one to two inches of mulch to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, suppress weeds, and create a finished appearance. “Whether planting flowers or shrubs, soil preparation and mulch make the difference between short-term color and lasting vitality,” says Bennett.
Act Naturally
Arnold emphasizes the importance of avoiding chemicals in the garden. “Not only do you want to stay safe in the outdoor space, but think of those that also spend time among the flowers: children, dogs and cats, bees and butterflies.” To keep destructive insects and mildew away from her crops, Arnold leans towards natural solutions like diatomaceous earth (a rock powder), neem oil, and milky spore. If weeds are an issue along your patio or driveway, she suggests using high-grade vinegar combined with dish soap and water.
Revisit the Landscape
“Many residential landscapes were installed when the home was built. Twenty to 30 years later, those shrubbery/trees may have simply outgrown their original design,” says Bennett. As trees mature and light patterns shift, selective updates help restore balance and proportion. “A landscape should evolve. The goal is always the same – healthy specimens in the right place, scaled appropriately to the home.”
Plan for Color
To achieve immediate visual impact, Bennett suggests focusing on the front entrance. “Five to 10 square feet of well-designed seasonal color on each side of a walkway can transform a home’s feel.” This space can later host spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils for layered, yearround interest. He notes that “concentrated, intentional plantings create more impact than scattering flowers.” Before visiting a garden center, Francisco advises taking pictures and measurements of your space for accurate staff advice. He also recommends buying a “what grows in New England” book to learn hardiness zones and avoid wasting money on unsuitable plants. He also suggests an initial, pressure-free trip to just look at available plants. Arnold agrees, cautioning against overbuying, comparing it to a “kid in the candy store.” She advises against experimenting with difficult varieties, reminding people, “This is supposed to be fun!”
Rhody Resources
A sampling of places to shop small for goods and guidance around the state:
A Piece of Paradise, Exeter
Back Yard Creations, Foster
Blue Moon Farm Perennials, South Kingstown
Botanical Creations Nursery, West Kingston
Boulevard Nurseries, Middletown
Briden Nursery, Cranston
Butterfly Farm, Lincoln
Casey Farm, North Kingstown
City & Estate Gardener LLC, Providence
Clark Farms, Wakefield
DeCastro Farms, Portsmouth
Domina’s Agway, Portsmouth
The Farmer’s Daughter, Wakefield
Fern and Flora, East Greenwich
Festival Farm, Hope Valley
Grandin Farms, Wakefield
Hidden Gardens, Barrington
Highland Farm, Wakefield
Hilltop Garden Center, Smithfield
Lotus, North Kingstown
Manfredi Farms, Westerly
Mapleville Farm, Mapleville
Mello’s Farm and Flower Center, Portsmouth
Moore Blooms, Middletown
Northland Farm & Garden Center, Cumberland
Nuts and Bolts Nursery, Smithfield
Post Road Materials, North Kingstown
Redwood Nursery, Swansea
Rhode Island Nurseries, Middletown
Robin Hollow Farm, Saunderstown
Rose Shack, Saunderstown
Scituate Farm & Nursery, North Scituate
Wicked Roots Micro Farm, Charlestown
Wicked Tulips, North Kingstown
Wildwood Nursery and Garden Center, East Greenwich
City & Estate Gardener
The Farmer’s Daughter
Photo (L) courtesy of City & Estate Gardener, (R) by Elyse Major
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Five new books spring-forward with style and romance
By Deborah Goodrich Royce
Rhody Reads S
pring is finally here! After a long winter amidst much world drama, I launched Best Boy , my latest novel, and embarked on a book tour. Meeting readers on the road is always special, but coming home is equally wonderful. Now I have daffodils on the mind. Like Thumper in Bambi , I’m “twitterpated” about sunshine, flowers and, as always, a new crop of fantastic books. Pick up a good book and enjoy these slow days before summer whirls us up like the merrygo-round in Watch Hill.
On March 4, architect Thomas A. Kligerman released Summer by the Sea. Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton , which celebrates Rhode Island’s shingle style as the “architecture of the American summer.” The book showcases a variety of homes, from 19th-century masters like Calvert Vaux and Charles L. Bevins, to work by contemporary architects such as Jens Risom, Gil Schafer, and Peter Bohlin. Kligerman’s own house in Weekapaug is featured, which he describes as “an architectural madeleine.” Please join me in conversation with Kligerman at the Ocean House Author Series on November 21.
Emily Franklin’s Love and Other Monsters , releasing on April 7, is a guaranteed page-turner. The novel takes readers to the shores of Lake Geneva in the summer of 1816, where Romantic literary figures –Percy and Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and Mary’s younger sister, Claire Clairmont – gather for creative and perhaps darker pursuits. Central to the mystery is Claire: What was her role in the summer’s romantic entanglements? And who stole her journal, forever concealing the secrets of those fateful months?
Please consider shopping local when making book purchases
Ready for a new season of gardening in Rhode Island, the editors at Phaidon have compiled a gorgeous (and helpful) new book, The Coastal Garden , out on May 6. Coastlines can be rocky, sandy, or both, and they are always certain to be windy and salty. These elements pose special gardening challenges which are all beautifully addressed with fresh ideas and inspiring images in the book, sure to become your gardening go-to!
ABOUT DEBORAH GOODRICH ROYCE
Deborah Goodrich Royce is an accomplished author, former actress, and philanthropist. Her newest psychological thriller, Best Boy , was published on February 24, 2026. Her national bestseller, Reef Road , was a Kirkus Reviews best book of 2023 and an Indie Next pick. Ruby Falls won the Zibby Award for Best Plot Twist, and Finding Mrs. Ford was praised by Forbes , Book Riot, and Good Morning America . Royce cocreated the Deer Mountain Writers’ Retreat in the Catskills with Luanne Rice and Amy Scheibe. She hosts the Ocean House Author Series, partnering with Martin House Books and WCRI to bring authors like Emma Straub, Chris Bohjalian, and Katie Couric to Watch Hill. Royce began as an actress on All My Children and in films, then became a story editor at Miramax Films, developing Emma and early versions of Chicago and A Wrinkle in Time . She holds a bachelor’s degree and two honorary doctorates from Lake Erie College and the University of Rhode Island. With her husband, Chuck, she restored the Avon Theatre, Ocean House Hotel, Deer Mountain Inn, The United Theatre, Martin House Books, and numerous revitalization projects in Rhode Island and the Catskills. She serves on multiple governing and advisory boards, and contributes this column quarterly. Learn more at @deborahgoodrichroyce or @oceanhouseevents for the full season of authors.
May 5 delivers Liberty Island by USA Today bestseller Virginia Hume. A story of love, legacy, and belonging, this multi-generational tale of women defining freedom is set on a rugged island off the coast of Maine. Ricocheting between the story of Anna Bradley, a free-thinking writer at the turn of the last century, and her niece Julia Demarest, who, facing disillusionment with and estrangement from her wealthy family, returns to Haven Point 20 years later.
To wrap-up spring with a little summer-longing romcom, Katherine Center comes out with The Shippers on May 19. Set at a destination wedding on a cruise ship (what could go wrong?), the novel tracks the shipboard antics as JoJo Burton, sister of the bride, decides to pursue the man she thinks is her own Mr. Right, helped along by the man she knows is definitely her Mr. Wrong. Or is he? This charming story promises a delightful mix of romance, humor, and high-seas shenanigans. Please join me in conversation with Center at the Ocean House Author Series on May 27.
Furniture Flex
Rhody-made goods for the design obsessed
By Britt Machado
There’s nothing Rhode Islanders love more than a well-kept secret. Whether it’s a favorite beach spot or a little pasta joint, there’s an impulse to protect the thing you adore from being overrun. But when it comes to the outrageously good furniture and décor being made here at home, it’s time we shout it from the rooftops. Whether you’re Samuel Aguirre who is applying ancient Mexican paper mache techniques to furniture design, or Jazzmen Lee-Johnson reinterpreting antique French toile through contemporary American cultural moments, we’re making good and interesting things right here. What’s that saying? Flaunt it if you’ve got it.
Gaja Console
INDO-, Rumford INDO-Made.com
Barnacle Cluster Hanging Pendant Hwang Bishop, Warren HwangBishop.com
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SCULPTURE BY JOHN UDVARDY
John Udvardy was born in Elyria, Ohio. He studied at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and received his BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art and an MFA from Yale University. He has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art, Yale University, Brown University and Artist-in-Residence at Dartmouth.
Udvardy has exhibited in more than 250 group and one person shows in galleries and museums throughout the United States and is represented in numerous private and public collections Presently, he is a professor emeritus of the Rhode Island School of Design. His studios are in Warren, Rhode Island.
FOOD & DRINK
Experience | In the Kitchen | Round Up | Recipe
Rise
and
Linger
Boutique hotel’s fine-dining brunch sparkles in tandem with the harbor views
By Andrea E. McHugh
Gardiner House in Newport is a study in what a successful phased roll-out looks like. The boutique hotel opened quietly in the fall of 2023, and a highly touted restaurant followed in June, 2024. Then, making good on its word, Flora made a splash nearly instantly under the direction of Spanish-born Executive Chef Miguel Somoza. Born and raised in Madrid, Somoza’s culinary career includes private chefing for British royals and media magnates. But in the past nearly two years, he’s settled seamlessly into the rhythm of Flora, finally introducing the restaurant’s much-needed Sunday brunch.
Photo by Nick Mele, courtesy of Gardiner House
Flora at Gardiner House
FOOD & DRINK
For someone regularly asked for brunch recommendations in Newport, Flora’s menu has been a welcome addition. Make no mistake –the island has a robust breakfast scene and copious coffee cafes… but Sunday brunch? Not as many choices. Here, as with many other destinations, Sunday “brunch” is much more a verb than a noun, and an elevated option designed for languishing is especially inviting. With its panoramic views of Newport Harbor and accordion windows that open flush against the walls to let in the salty breeze,
Flora makes it easy to unwind from the moment you step into the top-floor restaurant. Available on Sunday from 11am to 2:30pm, the brunch menu here complements the coastal Mediterranean fare of the dinner service. Our table starts with a mix of coffee and cocktails, but the menu offers more than a dozen specialty brunch cocktails, including a few Bloody Marys made with in-house bloody mix, and, in a nod to Somoza’s heritage, an Aigua de Valencia made with orange juice, Scarpetta Prosecco, Dry Curacao, and sugar.
Must-Try Items
HOUSE-MADE PASTRY AND BREAD BASKET ($18): Croissants, pain au chocolat, assorted breads, chocolate chip cookies
BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST ($22):
Fresh strawberries and blueberries, vanilla chantilly cream, maple syrup
CHICKEN PAILLARD ($30): Crispy green salad, lemon, parsley
Arnold Lumber is proud to announce the opening of our newest Arnold Kitchen + Design center located at 549 Metacom Ave. in Bristol, RI. This new state-of-the-art design center offers a full selection of products to take your new home or renovation ideas from vision to reality, along with the team and resources to guide you along the way.
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It’d be a mistake to skip the scratch-made pastry and bread basket, especially because Somoza is passionate about baking, evident in the mini croissants, pain au chocolat, petite selection of breads with butter and jam, and chocolate chip cookies. (If looking for just a light bite, Gardiner Provisions, the design-forward coffee shop and bakery just around the corner on Thames Street, opened this winter offering many of these treats.)
I order the chicken paillard, which comes with a crispy green salad, and my friend orders the brunch salad with Frisée and mixed greens topped with guanciale lardons and croutons, crowned with a poached egg. But our server makes a suggestion that frankly, is a game-changer. Having worked in restaurants from coast to coast, including years in San Francisco, he
declares Flora’s vanilla brioche French toast to be the best he’s ever had. We didn’t need much coaxing after that endorsement and ordered the dish “for the table.” It’s a big promise, but the golden, thick-cut, buttery brioche topped with plump blueberries and strawberries and dusted with powdered sugar (and served with vanilla Chantilly cream) overdelivers.
Other options include a steak burger, avocado toast, eggs Benedict, eggs Florentine, smoked salmon, a pounded fish filet, linguine carbonara, and pan con tomate, a popular Catalan tomato bread. While there is barely room for another course, the dessert menu here is too difficult to resist, and we share Flora’s signature burned Basque cheesecake with blueberry compote. A crustless, creamy, and fluffier rendition of traditional cheesecake,
the recipe originates from Spain’s Basque Country and proves the perfect finisher to a memorable, visually stunning brunch.
One thing that’s definitely a must here? A reservation. The 21-guest room hotel is busy as-is, and though Flora accepts walk-ins, the restaurant already has loyalists and a buzzy reputation.
With crisp table linens, a thoughtfully composed menu, beautiful decor second only to the waterfront views, a server discreetly brushing away crumbs between courses, and an adjacent patio anxiously awaiting the warmer months, brunch at Flora presents a high-anticipated elevated experience.
Flora at Gardiner House
24 Lee’s Wharf • 401-436-0400
FloraNewport.com
Photo by Andrea E. McHugh
Chicken paillard served with a crispy green salad
Coop, There It Is
A Little Compton food truck isn’t clucking around
By Andrea E. McHugh
Andrew Greenwood never set out to be a chef. But when you are raising chickens and know how to make some mighty good chicken plates, it starts to feel like destiny’s calling. Greenwood’s red and white chicken truck has been a familiar sight on the side of Little Compton’s West Main Road since the spring of 2023. The mobile restaurant on Greenwood Pastures farm, just a bit past Sakonnet Vineyard, wasn’t part of his master plan by any stretch. But here we are.
“I was raising chickens and my aspiration was to be a farmer, and I was trying to figure out a way to make it more profitable, so I figured frying them and serving them in sandwiches would be the best way to do that,” says Greenwood. While farm-to-table is one of the most widely adopted culinary movements, Greenwood’s operation goes a step further. It’s more like pasture-to-plate, with some support. He also sources chicken from Baffoni’s Poultry Farm in Johnston, a little over half an hour away. The 80-acre Baffoni’s has coops that
house roughly 25,000 chickens (and 1,200 turkeys). “So it’s all in-state,” adds Greenwood. Cooking has come naturally to Greenwood, who says he started off laser-focused on farming but has reveled in this new-found passion. “It’s grown on me and I’ve developed a love for it,” he says. Though the Greenwood Chicken truck is on wheels, the vehicle makes its permanent home here, accompanied by a few picnic tables inviting diners to stay for lunch. The truck is open daily, year-round, from 11am to 3pm.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Greenwood
The Greenwood family
LINDEN PLACE
GATSBY GALA
1920s attire encouraged 25 APRIL 2026 SATURDAY 5:30 PM
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500 HOPE STREET, BRISTOL • RI
RSVP by April 15
The menu favors quality over quantity; there are just five items, but selections satisfy most carnivorous cravings. The “Greenwood Style Lunch” is a breaded fried chicken sandwich topped with greens, tomato, shredded cheese, and Greenwood’s special sauce, served with fries. There’s the gluten-free “Employee Lunch” of chopped chicken tenders on greens with pico de gallo salsa and the secret sauce, a chicken taco (also available gluten-free), a fried chicken sandwich (similar to Greenwood-style but with just cheese, pickles and sauce), a chicken salad
sandwich, and a basic chicken and fries plate.
“I was going for a focused menu that was really good that people would want to come back for,” explains Greenwood. The truck is also a welcome addition for full-time and summer residents alike who are just looking for easy take-out (made even easier with mobile ordering) or a no-frills sit-down meal. “The thing about Little Compton is there aren’t a lot of restaurants or places to eat in town, so I think that’s partly what helped my early success,” explains Greenwood. “A mix of everybody comes by; local workers, townspeople,
obviously the summer people, and people who live here year-round as well.”
A nice complement to the truck is the adjacent self-serve honor stand that stocks eggs and frozen meats, including pork and whole chicken. “And we do honey in the summer from hives on the farm, and my wife makes a few jams and jellies, and granolas,” says Greenwood. “It’s nice to have something for people to grab and go.” Greenwood Chicken Truck, 361 West Main Road, Little Compton. Learn more and follow along for special events on Instagram at @greenwoodchicken.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Greenwood
Many menu items feature Greenwood’s secret sauce
Friday, May 8, 2026 | 6:30pm
For Tickets please visit funny4funds.com/events or eastbaychamberri.org/events
For more information contact the Chamber office at 245-0750
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2026
JACKY’S GALAXIE | 383 METACOM AVENUE, BRISTOL DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 PM SHOW STARTS AT 7:30 PM
Cash Bar, Raffles, Auctions! 18+Event TICKETS $30
Food Option Details: Join us for a fun evening at Jacky's Galaxie Please note, the event does not include a meal. However, you can dine at Jacky's restaurant before the event or order food or appetizers from Jacky's menu and bring it to the event room
Make it a night to remember Great Food, Entertainment & Fun!
East Bay Chamber of Commerce | www.eastbaychamberri.org | 401-245-0750
Savoring Rhody
Buzz-worthy cinnamon rolls, chicken sandwiches, and more top this month’s list
By Patty J
Let’s celebrate and do a happy dance because spring is here! And by celebrate, I mean treat ourselves to some stellar bites and sips around the state. Some of these are new and others you may already be familiar with. Whether you go the newbie or classic route, you’re in for something special with any of these house-made items.
Bom Cafe PVD
Rosie Santana’s sunny cafe on Washington Street has a “good vibes only” policy – as stated in pink neon along an Insta-ready wall with two plush pink air chairs – and we’re here for it. Come for the specialty coffee drinks with house-made syrups, stay for the breakfast and lunch fare, like the honey truffle grilled cheese. Everything is mouthwateringly good! Providence
Caf Bar
Married team Ally and Elias Boutros have opened a second Caf Bar location on the first level of the former Wilcox Tavern and it is utterly charming. With three fireplaces, comfy seating and a swell coffee menu, this rustic space is ideal for a mellow breakfast (their bagel and lox is a must try) or meeting a pal for lunch (yes they have sandwiches). Charlestown
Co-Dough
URI grad Courtney Brockwell is the founder of the buzziest bakery this side of the bridge. Find Co-Dough tucked away inside the Market on Broadway with the former Today Show staff assistant making a range of baked goods from sourdough. I’ve sampled the bread, cinnamon buns, and scones, and they’re all outstanding. Pro-tip: Arrive early because stuff sells out. Newport
Photo (L) courtesy of Bom Cafe, (R) courtesy of Co-Dough
Patty J
Bom Cafe PVD
Co-Dough
DM Cafe
Dos Mundos, which translates to “two worlds,” was known for offering an inspired fusion of Cambodian and Guatemalan flavors. In late fall, the business was reintroduced as DM Cafe, and has been serving up donuts crafted in-house daily, straight from the oven, ever since. There are also delish coffee drinks like their cookie butter latte, and hearty sandwiches. Cranston
Greenwood Chicken
I only just found out about Greenwood Chicken, but it’s wildly popular with locals. Andrew Greenwood is at the helm of this year-round food truck on his property. Open daily, find a menu of delish chicken sandwiches, chicken tacos, and do not sleep on their fries. Bonus points for having a self-serve shed for eggs, stock, and occasional provisions. Read more in “Coop, There it Is!” Little Compton
High Hope Tavern
One of the best Caesar salads I’ve ever eaten was at High Hope Tavern. Open since 2022, and owned by Jason Mendenhall of Endless Hospitality Group, this bar and restaurant is a real pearl in the Downtown Westerly landscape along the Pawcatuck River. Chef Ned Denton proudly serves Rhode Island seafood, there’s a roster of house cocktails, and even a late night menu! Westerly Rasa
Part of Chef Sanjiv Dhar’s group of restaurants, which includes Rasoi in Pawtucket and Chaska in Garden City, Rasa brings Indian cuisine to Main Street. I like to begin by sipping a tamarind margarita over tearing into onion and chili naan bread, before digging into an entree of coconut mushroom chicken curry. There’s even a kids menu with pizza made from fresh-baked naan and cheese. East Greenwich
Vanda Cucina
Opened in 2018 by restaurateur Dino Passaretta, this enchanting Italian bistro on Centerville Road is a must revisit any season. First off, satisfy those carb cravings with any of their house-made pastas (cacio e pepe for me, please), but save room for dessert because their olive oil cake – served with lemon curd and vanilla gelato and topped with basil and a seasonal compote – is divine. Warwick
Mobile Bar & Catering Service
Small Bites
Custom Craft Cocktails
Squid Game
Savory stuffing turns Rhody’s favorite app into a meal
By Jordyn Zacharias
Rhode Island Calamari Ripieni
5 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes, Cook time: 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS
• 10 prepared squid tubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1lb ground sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
• 2 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 cup Italian-style panko
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 roasted red pepper, rough chopped
• ½ tsp salt / ¼ tsp pepper
• Pinch crushed red pepper
TOMATO BASE:
• 1, 15oz can, diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• ¼ cup white wine
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
TOP WITH: Italian-style panko and grated parmesan cheese
GARNISH: Fresh parsley
STEPS
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a bowl combine the diced tomatoes, white wine, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
3. In an oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, garlic, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
4. Transfer the cooked sausage into a food processor along with the panko, parmesan cheese, roasted red pepper, and spices. Pulse until combined.
Most any Rhode Islander worth their weight in sea salt knows that calamari is the official state appetizer. Chances are good you’ve enjoyed it served in the traditional style with a side of marinara sauce and sliced banana peppers at your favorite local eatery. This leveled-up version from the kitchens at Dave’s Fresh Marketplace can easily become an entree courtesy of a savory stuffing that’s not difficult to assemble.
5. Carefully stuff each squid with the stuffing mixture, leaving a small space at the top. Secure the ends with toothpicks.
6. Reheat the same skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the stuffed calamari in the skillet, searing each side for 1-2 minutes until they are lightly golden brown.
7. Pour the tomato sauce over the calamari. Sprinkle the tops of each calamari with grated parmesan cheese and panko. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the calamari is cooked through and tender.
8. Carefully remove the toothpicks before serving, enjoy!
