Birch was the grand finale for our Providence trip.

Modern American cuisine rooted in classical technique, made from the best of New England's seasonal environment.

It is perhaps the smallest restaurant I've ever been in.

There is one horseshoe-shaped table where parties sit, and the servers walk through the middle to serve drinks and dishes.

It is a prixe fixe menu, where you can choose which dish from each course you'd like to have.

There were four courses overall, with a few choices each. We had some homemade bread to enjoy.



The first bite was a gift from the chef that looked like a little plant.


My first dish was "lightly smoked sea robin with brocccoli, cherry blossom, and celery."

Then, I had squid with pole beans, pickled peppers and seaweed. Perhaps my favorite dish of the night.

Then, it was Rhode Island Duck with lettuce, herbs and greens, and fermented husk cherry.

Dessert was a yogurt with golden raspberries and nuts

Then, these little whoopie pies as a chef's gift!

Al Forno was one of our splurge meals while in Providence.

It's an Italian restaurant known for its pizza.

In fact, they invented the grilled pizza.

So, we waited outside for the restaurant to open (and there was already a line!).

We were seated, and there was a packed house already.

Looking over the menu, I knew I needed to try the originator of the grilled pizza.

But first, housemade bread.

They have a margarita, a pumpkin, a calamari, but Josh and I decided on the "Mushroom Duxelles - fresh herbs, two cheeses, extra virgin olive oil and sliced mushrooms."

We split this heart-shaped pizza and were both quit impressed.

It was light, super thin crust and very flavorful.

Have you been?

Have you ever had a Rhode Island-style hot dog?

I'm sorry - a wiener! Never call it a hot dog here. I learned the hard way.

Well, we went to Olneyville New York System Restaurant to try one.




And, it's an old-school, almost soup nazi-esque vibe.

The menu is small, you go up to the counter to order and don't ask any questions.

I ordered one wiener, and a coffee milk. The wiener comes with sauce, mustard, onions and celery salt.

Not bad. The hot dog is a bit salty, and the coffee milk tasted like chocolate milk to me - not a bad thing.

How can you resist a bakery with a giant chicken out front?

Short answer: You can't.

Ellie's Bakery is really sweet and has so many goodies.

From macarons and scones to coffee and soups, they have a little bit of everything.

I went for a pastry stuffed with kale and feta.

As well as a pear and gorgonzola scone.

And a latte for good measure.

Wow. So good - all of it.

Have you been here?

What's your favorite thing?

As if I wasn't already over-caffeinated in Providence, I had to visit yet another coffee shop.

Bolt Coffee Company is located in The Deal Hotel and has a super cool trendy interior.

I ordered the "Cafe Miel," which has espresso, steamed milk, and melted honey.

And, maybe a blueberry muffin.

This combination was on point.

Both had rich, deep flavors that complemented each other well.

Have you been here?