Iggy's Clam Shack

Stepping out of my house today into the frigid cold weather of a New England winter gave me a deep longing to go back to the warm days summer has to offer down in Narragansett. And, of course, with all my thoughts and memories, I can never stop thinking of food. The food that brings me to this blog today is an appreciation for summer and the magnificent food Rhode Island has to offer in the summer. My favorite of all summer foods is the clam cakes (REAL Rhode Island Style Clam Cakes) and chowder ("chowda" for all my local readers) at Iggy's Clam Shack in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Yes I know it is the middle of the winter and yes I know Iggy's is closed right now, but it is never too soon to start looking forward to summer! Iggy's offers a variety of hardy Rhode Island seafood as fresh as can be. The long lines of beach goers wrapped around the building on a daily basis is a testament to how truly great their food is. Being from Rhode Island all my life, I consider myself somewhat of a clam cake aficionado and Iggy's is by far my top choice. Nothing is better on a warm sunny day after working up an appetite swimming at 'Gansett Beach than going to Iggy's to grub. Especially on a college student's budget, Iggy's is the place to go for yummy food. As if some of the best seafood this state has to offer wasn't enough, Iggy's also makes the BEST doughboys I have ever tasted. By the end of the meal I am always in such a "carb coma" its hard to keep my eyes open. So my suggestion is that you go and mark your calenders for the first warm day, to take a drive and go visit a Rhode Island must-have, Iggy's Clam Shack.

Iggy's Clam Shack
1157 Point Judith Rd.
Narragansett, RI 02882

TLC Coffee Roasters at Taylor's Landing

It's time to let you in on my favorite little hideaway in West Kingston, Taylor's Landing. Whenever I have a rough day of classes at URI, I sneak away to Taylor's for a quiet break. Taylor's is probably the coolest place I have found since I've been down at school. There really isn't much you can't get from this place. They're best known for their special home-roasted coffee made from beans from all over the world. They even have a roaster right out in the middle of the dining area so you can watch the process happen. If you like single origin coffee, they basically have coffee from any country you can think of. My personal favorite happens to be their Nicaraguan coffee since I have traveled there multiple times and fell in love with the coffee. This place is more than just coffee though. Taylor's makes some of the best warm sandwiches I have ever had. Whatever you order make sure to get in on their focaccia bread, it is the most delicious bread I have ever tasted. If you're not up for a whole lunch, stop in and grab a bag of their fresh roasted kettle corn popcorn, which can't get any fresher than if you picked it up from a county fair. More than their food and coffee, Taylor's is a quiet hideaway just far enough off of campus to give students refuge. The atmosphere is so warm and friendly you can't help but want to hang around. Taylor's also is very environmentally conscious, utilizing solar power and showcasing several organic and fair trade products in the store. It's a place where you can just feel good about giving them your business. Stop by and see for yourself!

3362 Kingstown Road 
West Kingston, RI 02892  
(401) 284-0501

Pastiche Fine Desserts

So I realize in my quest for the best foods Rhode Island has to offer, I have neglected one of the best food categories...DESSERTS! I can think of no better spot to get a great dessert than Pastiche on Federal Hill in Providence. I know when I say Federal Hill it automatically makes most people think expensive, but Pastiche really isn't pricey at all. For around $20, you and a guest can each get a dessert and a coffee drink. This is the perfect cozy spot to relax and enjoy some sinfully delicious treats. The place is extremely small though, so weekdays are best to guarantee a place to sit. They also do desserts to go if you are in a rush or cannot find a seat. Now in terms of menu offerings, Pastiche creates masterpieces with their desserts. Each tart, cake, pie, or any other dessert is made with the utmost care for detail and tastes even dreamier than it looks. If you like simply made delicious chocolate cake, the All-American Chocolate Layer Cake is for you. I go for the more decadent chocolate treats so my personal favorite is the Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake. If you like something more on the fruit side, my mom gushes over their pies and tarts. This is truly a dessert place that offers something for every type of sweet tooth. If I lived any closer to this sweet spot I would need to invest in a gym membership. Go enjoy it for yourself though!
 
Located on Historic Federal Hill
92 Spruce St 
Providence, RI 02903 
401-861-5190

Red Stripe

For all you shellfish lovers out that have the same love of mussels as I do, Red Stripe is a must try. Whenever my mom and I are in the area, we cannot help dropping in for some shellfish indulgence.  I have never seen a more extensive menu for different flavored mussels anywhere. Red Stripe cooks the mussels to perfection in a variety of broths, such as Marinara, Portuguese, and my personal favorite, their very own Red Stripe flavoring. Not only do you get a heaping pile of mussels, the meal comes with a large cone filled with their "house frites" (pretty much just fancy french fries). If you have any room left for carbs, I also recommend asking for some of their french bread to dip in the left over broth from the mussels so you can soak up every last drop of tastiness in the broth. My mouth waters just thinking about this restaurant!

Red Stripe Providence
465 Angell Street
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 437-6950

Wright's Chicken Farm

Last week I joined my friends for one of our favorite outings as a group, stuffing our faces full  with an all-you-can-eat, family style, chicken dinner. Wright's Chicken Farm in Harrisville, RI is the ultimate place to go when you are looking to fill every last bit of free space in your stomach with delicious food in mass quantity. When my friends and I go it is more than just a dinner, it feels like a challenge to see what chance we would ever have in the world of competitive eating. Needless to say there are more than a few sore stomachs afterwords, but that is all part of the fun. The restaurant is a massive banquet hall filled with rows and rows of tables overwhelmed with people ready to feast. I can only imagine the total amount of food their kitchen cranks out in one night. For eleven dollars you get as much salad, pasta, fries, and chicken as you want. Not only is it a small price for a large amount of food, they have some of the best food you can find. You cannot help but eat until your stomach reaches max capacity. There is no question as to why this place does so much business. Enjoy!

Wright's Farm Restaurant

84 INMAN ROAD  

HARRISVILLE, RI 02830

La Masseria

So a couple of weeks ago I was treated to an amazing night on the town for probably the best first date I have ever been on. Although I was very excited to get to know this new awesome person, I was even more excited to try some good food in an area of Rhode Island that is not given enough credit for their host of great restaurants, East Greenwich. For some reason this town is one I pass by far to often but never again! La Masseria is the definition of great old world Italian food. Better than just eating Italian food, I felt like I could actually be sitting in a real masseria in Italy. This restaurant creates such a comfortable atmosphere you can't help but pretend that your a part of their big Italian family. And not surprisingly, like all of my recommendations....the food was OUTSTANDING! We started out with an avocado and cashew citrus glazed salad to share. As I have heard for most first dates, it is lady-like to eat small portions. Sadly for my date, I ate this salad like a construction worker with a back hoe (it was that good). I saw relief in his face when we made it to the entree and he had his own plate to eat. But that was okay because I had homemade cheese ravioli that melted in my mouth. We finished off the evening with two cappuccinos and  a cheesecake to split (which again, I devoured). At least my date now knows I have an extremely healthy appetite. Enough about that though, go enjoy La Masseria yourself!

J's Deli

So today I would like to give you a great place to go in Rhode Island for a lunchtime treat. There is no better place to grab a sandwich than J's Deli. I have never seen a larger, more delicious looking sandwich menu anywhere. I have been going to J's Deli almost my entire life and I have yet to order the same thing twice! No matter what your taste buds are craving, they have something that will hit the spot. Do yourself a favor and check out the menu I have attached. If there isn't something for you on this menu the only thing I can assume is that you don't eat food. I wish I could tell you my favorite but really, I haven't found one sandwich that I haven't like just as much as the others. The best part about all of there sandwiches is the size of them. I have lasted an entire week of lunches on one sandwich from J's they are that big. The trick is restraining yourself enough that you actually have something leftover. So take my word for it and go spend your lunchtime at J's. Enjoy!

J's Deli Menu

Tony Papa's

This entire week I have been in the mood for some great Italian. There was no better place for me to go then to Tony Papa's hidden in a small little strip mall in Cranston, RI. This place has the most mouth-watering Italian food I have ever had the privilege of eating in my lifetime. And how do I know this is the best Italian food? The best way to tell a real Italian restaurant from a faker is the red tomato sauce. Tony Papa's red sauce is made fresh every day by the main chef at Tony's. When I go now, the waiter knows automatically to bring me an extra gravy bowl full of sauce for whatever meal I order. Trust me it is THAT GOOD! Even better is the actually food they pair it with. You also are given such a large portion of food you will definitely have food for another 2-3 meals so the enjoyment can be stretched for days!

I do have one disclaimer regarding this restaurant that I know people will question when they first walk in. Yes, the entire restaurant is the most awful shade of pink. For some reason, which I have no idea, someone decorated this place with an intense love of pink. They try to tone down the pink with tons of fake flowers and gaudy paintings, but it just adds to the humor of the decor. Even more intense is the faux finish pink bathroom that makes you feel like you are swimming in Pepto-Bismol (definitely one to check out).
So if you can get past the pink, enjoy yourself savoring the great tastes of Italy, Rhode Island style!

Cafe India

Okay people I know Rhode Island has many options for great Indian food, but nothing beats the atmosphere and food at Cafe India on Hope Street in Providence. Cafe India takes you out of your day and drops you into the amazing culture of India. Whether you are sitting inside watching the constant reel of Bollywood videos, or sitting outside in their magical back patio on swinging seats surrounded by plants, fountains, and lights, you will feel like you are in another world. Weekends are especially fun at Cafe India when they bring in belly dancers and henna tattoo artists. This restaurant is not your average eatery.
My favorite night to eat at Cafe India is Tuesdays when they offer half priced entrees. Being a college student on a budget, I love to save on great food. The service can be slow some nights but they have always been super friendly. If you start with an assortment of naan bread as an appetizer, your food with be there in no time at all. Being one to get easily overwhelmed by a menu full of food I don't know, Cafe India describes each item on their menu fully. Don't be afraid to ask the waiters about a certain dish either (they do know their stuff). My personal favorite is the Chicken Biryani. There is something about the way sweet flavors are mixed together that makes it so delicious. They also have plenty of the spicy curry dishes to please those more daring eaters.
Cafe India is a place where you can feast on all of your senses and enjoy even more than a great meal. Enjoy!



Cafe India
1060 Hope St
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 421-2600

The Pressure of the First Post

When I say that I love Rhode Island restaurants, I love Rhode Island restaurants! So that is why this first post is the most difficult because I have no idea what to recommend first. Should I start with an Italian restaurant? Maybe people would be more interested in Thai or Indian food. Or will those cuisines scare some people away? What I decided was that I will start with my "diamond in the rough" restaurant. This restaurant is Wiley's restaurant in Narragansett, Rhode Island. When I say this restaurant is a hidden gem, I mean it. Wiley's is only open on Friday and Saturday nights operating out of a local breakfast place where the chef takes over to create some of the best seafood dishes I have ever tasted. I happened upon the restaurant as a last minute option to eat close to my rental house at the time. Wiley's hosts a variety of menu items from their Cajun seafood specialties to their unique "Eggplant Quesadillas". There is nothing better than being surprised by a great meal and that's what you will get from Wiley's. Not only is their menu vast, it is dynamic, changing to incorporate all of the one of a kind dishes floating around in the mind of the head chef. In addition to all the ever-changing specials, Wiley's makes classic dishes to perfection. I don't know about you, but I hate eating Fish and Chips that are saturated with grease. When eating Wiley's Fish and Chips, you can at least pretend you are not eating a pound of fried food! Anyways, I could gush all night about how great this place is. So, if you find yourself looking for an adventure, come down and find Wiley's and enjoy the treasure of some great food!


Wiley's Restaurant
909 Boston Neck Rd
Narragansett, RI 02882 (401) 789-1351 (Phone)
Priced Moderately, $10-$15 per Entree