I recently celebrated a birthday with a fine meal at Al Forno in
Providence.
While we have been in Rhode
Island for a number of years and have eaten out a considerable number of times,
I think we were still looking for our “go to” establishment. No more, we have
found the place.
When we were living in Athens
Ohio we considered Lindy’s in German
Village our go to place.
There are considerable
differences between Lindy’s and Al Forno:
Lindy’s is the lone
restaurant, nestled in a brick steet, historic neighborhood with hardly any
nightlife nearby and has an expansive menu.
Al Forno is located on the
Providence River near all the hub bub of Brown University and the heart of
downtown with a more than ample number of restaurants nearby in this very
culinary city and maintains a more limited menu.
So while the restaurants are different, I think what draws
us to both is a happy middle. Both restaurants are vibrant and seemingly always
at capacity yet a diner never feels crowded or cramped. Both possess a wait
staff that offers an informality to the still table-clothed setting. Both are
in the upper price range but it doesn’t feel exorbitant. Both have valet
service but it is a matter of function over superficiality. The booze flows but
with a sense of decorum. You wait a little for your food but in a good way like
the way the headliner is a little fashionably late – just enough to make it taste
better.
Now what cannot be in the middle in order to call a
restaurant the “go to” is the food. Be it the Tournedos of Beef at Lindy’s or
the Dirty Steak at Al Forno, you’ll be on top.
So if you find yourself near either capitol city, make it a
point to hit these restaurants. You shant be disappointed.
Oh, and always try eating at the bar. Feels a little like you’ve
been suspended but still at the party.
