La Arepa | Pawtucket

Arepas are wonderful white cornmeal sandwiches served with a variety of fillings and are native to Venezuela and Colombia. I am a big fan and lucky enough to have had them in Caracas (slideshow of Venezuelan food here). But when I have a craving locally - and that's often - this little restaurant is my destination.

Photo above shows three arepas: one with shrimps (camarones) and one with shredded roast pork (pernil), and lastly one with chicken salad with avocado called "Reina Pepiada" - considered the best after a late night - you know - after dancing your feet off and drinking whiskey all night. :-)

But u can eat them fine without all that. I recommend them. Go and be fed.

Map | Website

Phoenix Dragon | Providence

Dim Sum Dim Sum. Fun to say. Fun to eat. In RI it's hard to find it but Phoenix Dragon on Broadway is a great destination locally for this Chinese treat. For those of you who haven't had Dim Sum - think Tapas but Chinese style. Nearly everything is served in a small dish - in a bun or a dumpling or rice noodle wrapping. You dip in soy sauce and later compete with your fellow dinners for the last pieces. When in Boston, I will detour to Chow Chau City - but in RI the Phoenix Dragon fills the gap nicely. Order some baby bok choy (off menu item) stir fried in garlic to round out your feast.

Website | Map

Sura Korean BBQ | Johnston

Saturday night I picked up my cousin who was visiting for the weekend and we wanted to get supper and so I was looking for something close to Smithfield RI when I remembered passing Sura Korean restaurant - which was close by.

Worried that it would be stranded in the middle of RI with no patrons I was pleased to see a full dining room and people happily eating very yummy looking foods.

We opted for dolsot bibimbap which is a mixture of vegetables and meat (wiki), a Korean barbecue chicken (there's a hot plate in the center of each table!) and a potato noodle dish. Everything was fantastic and the service was cheerful and helpful. It's on my short list to return here as soon as possible. Kim chee for all!

Website

Pho Horn | Pawtucket

This week my wife caught a cold and one of our comfort food tactics is to eat a bowl of Vietnamese soup (Pho). Usually our chosen variety is a chicken broth based soup with seafood (fish balls, shrimp and squid) and rice noodles. Served with a side of bean sprouts, sliced limes, hot peppers, and a stem of Thai Basil for mixing in at your own discretion

Pho Horn is located in a dismal post-apocalyptic shopping plaza and decor is tacky Asian + christmas lights with big screen TVs tuned to the food channel but the food is fresh, delicious and the service is attentive and friendly.

Asian customers are always here which speaks to its authenticity. We will be back - even without being sick with colds. :-)

Website | Map

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thai Star | Providence

When I rented an apartment back in 1992 off Chalkstone Ave - Thai Star was a part of my life. And it's been a pretty good experience ever since. Even though there's been several different owners, it's still a solidly fantastic Thai restaurant.

I usually eat: Nim Chow, Tod Mun Pla, Massaman Curry with shrimp and sticky rice, Papaya salad (hot), and Beef lap (hot). The spicy items are hot so be warned. If you wash it down with Thai Ice coffee you can feel your heart rate increase - it's strong and made with sweet condensed milk. Eating sticky rice is fun; you make little balls with your hands and dunk them into the curry. :-)

Lunch is great too. Overall I've yet to have anything that was not fresh, tasty and thoughtful in preparation or presentation. No liquor but bringing your own is always a good idea. I recommend u try it.


Yelp | Map

United BBQ | Providence

Whoa. Warm comfy BBQ in a no-frills chrome plated small eatery. Just what us cold New Englanders need on a regular basis to get through our lousy long winters. I had beef brisket sandwich with side of beans - the beef - super juicy bone-licking good and served with their homemade sweet potato chips which I dipped into the beans and washed down with a swig of Dr. Pepper. Wow. I'm hooked and bringing a to-go menu home.

http://www.unitedbbq.com | Map

Luxe Burger Bar | Providence

Burgers burgers burgers. What's more simpler than a burger for lunch? At Luxe though it ain't so easy. They've got a do-it-yourself selection menu and a few innovative predetermined combinations for u to sink your teeth into. I had "the Pepe" (photo) - beef, cheese, jalapenos, pastrami, lettuce, tomato...oh my. Open wide. They're big, messy and tasty. Good lunch destination. You'll need a nap after though. :-)

Website | Map
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Exchange Terrace,Providence,United States