What We’re Eating: Food and restaurants our staff recommends

What In previous issues of The Trinity Square magazine, we shared recommendations from our staff and artists for things we could all do at home. We shared our favorite things to watch, read, and listen to. We’re Now that vaccinations are up and we are all getting out again, we are delighted to share our picks for local restaurants. Perhaps we can help you discover something new! Whether you are trying something new or Eating returning to a longtime favorite spot, we encourage you to support local restaurants which faced so many challenges in the last year and a half. Jordan Butterfield, director of education and accessibility: I love Garden of Eve, a Haitian restaurant in Providence. It’s tucked away — not in Downtown — but the food is unbelievable, and they have a nice outdoor seating area. I also adore Taqueria Lupita in Central Falls, a family-run Mexican restaurant. I watched the chef making the tortillas and zopas from scratch while I waited for takeout. Now, I’m drooling.

Jen Canole, director of development: My husband and I have treated ourselves to take-out from Chez Pascal & The Wurst Kitchen, one of our favorite restaurants, several times over the past year-plus. He loves their duck. I’ve been enjoying their veggie shawarma and locally sourced fish. And you can never go wrong with their rotating seasonal desserts (except maybe not ordering enough to share — that strawberry-rhubarb crisp is going to be devoured faster than you think). Plus, you can pick up house-made sausages to grill later and jars of tasty relishes (like watermelon radish relish — mmmm) with your order. We’re so glad to have continued to enjoy this gem from home.

Amanda Downing Carney, costume shop director: Down here in South County, for a take-out dinner, I highly recommend Jayd Buns in Peace Dale for authentic Chinese buns and soups. For breakfast I love both the Bluebird Cafe in Wakefield for delicious dishes with a New Orleans lean or any of the freshly baked offerings at South County Bread Co., especially their rustic buttery croissants. And for a healthy quick lunch, I recommend Auntie’s Kitchen for amazing fresh salads and sandwiches.

Michael Getz, props supervisor: One of my favorite restaurants in Providence is Cav. I love the eclectic Bohemian chic atmosphere, and they have done a wonderful job dealing with COVID. It was the only restaurant that I went to until more restrictions were lifted. I live in the Armory District, so I have also enjoyed getting takeout, or dining on the patio, at Great Northern BBQ. And one of my favorite things to do on a beautiful summer afternoon would be to enjoy a lobster roll while enjoying the view of the Sakonnet River at the Boat House in Tiverton, then driving along the river to one of my favorite nurseries in Rhode Island, Peckham’s in Little Compton, and capping the end of the trip with a cone of ice cream from Gray’s in Tiverton Four Corners.

Michael Guy, creative director: We are crazy for the Greek Popeye from The Big Cheese, a pizzeria and Italian restaurant on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston. It is a large semicircular spinach pie, best on whole wheat dough, that, once it is melty-hot inside from the oven, is opened and stuffed with an overly-generous Greek salad with lots of feta cheese and their own dressing. Impossible to eat in a civilized manner but impossible to put down! I don’t think they missed a beat throughout the whole pandemic.

Phyllis Kay, resident acting company member: Favorite neighborhood restaurant is Avenue N in Providence. Can you imagine they OPENED during the lockdown and now seem to be thriving. Everything is scrumptious, especially their pizzas.

Bradly Widener, assistant director of service and experience: My absolute favorite restaurant is Garden Grille in Pawtucket. They feature vegetarian/vegan cuisine with a friendly, casual atmosphere. The servers all know our names (and our dog’s!) and treat us like friends. They usually feature a seasonal rotating menu which is always exciting. We’ve ordered a lot of takeout from them during the pandemic, but we’re just starting to eat inside with them since my family is vaccinated!

What We’re NOT Eating!

In the grimy basement of the Lederer Theater Center is a props storage room devoted to kitchen items, including shelves piled high with artfully crafted fake food.