Some people aren’t aware of how much of a foodie city Providence, RI is. But given it’s location surrounded by ocean, a culinary school in town and it’s high population of retired Mobsters (at least that’s what they told us back in the day) it’s a little city that has a formidable culinary scene. The Italian influence is hard to miss. You have Federal Hill which is Providence’s version of Little Italy. The deli’s on Atwells Avenue are the real deal. We have nothing comparable in southern California.
But all over the city, you have new restaurants sitting alongside older stalwarts and the food is a mix of inventive and traditional. I didn’t grow up in a foodie household and while we ate fresh homecooked meals every night, Newport Beach back in the day (and even in present day) is not known for it’s cutting edge culinary scene. I spent 4 years in Providence going to college and it was the beginning of my culinary education. There is a restaurant there that we used to go to whenever someone’s parents were in town, called Café Nuovo. It’s still there. Back in the day they would serve this dish (often times the meat version) and it was the most delicious and sophisticated thing this 18 year old has ever seen. A beautiful honeycomb top with molten sauce and béchamel underneath. I never forgot this dish and this is my nod for that pivotal food memory.
Serves 2
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