The Ultimate Providence “Staycation” …Luxurious and Delicious!

Providence offers all you need in the way of incredible cuisine, classy bars and of course, top notch hotels.  This particular “staycation” brings to mind one word, exquisite.  In less than 24 hours we experienced a luxurious stay at the newly renovated Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel, followed by innovative cocktails at Rooftop at the ProvidenceG,  and finished with a savory dinner at Garde De La Mer.  From start to finish, this itinerary is perfection.

The royal treatment starts from the moment you arrive at  Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel. The valet quickly whisks away your car with a smile, a witty comment and a few instructions for retrieval…no need to worry about where to park!  Before entering the building, take a moment to look around and bask in the beauty of what was once a masonic temple.  Three of the four walls are original! This multi-million dollar renovation is beyond impressive. The architecture is magnificent and the experience once inside will remain etched into the part of your brain that enjoys the luxuries in life.  Take time to notice how texture and pattern is used throughout the building, it is simply fascinating.  Being a boutique hotel, you know you can expect a boutique experience…how about an evening turndown for added elegance?! Each room is newly renovated and offers an experience in modern luxury.   Once you have settled into to your elegant room, take the time to relax and revel in the comfort of your surroundings. The rooms vary from a lavish guest room with a king or two queen beds to the palatial Presidential Suite.   The Presidential Suite is sprawling and extravagant, offering the ultimate view of the State House.  In our room, we were greeted with beautiful flowers and later on, our turndown included a crisp bottle of white wine with a cheese and cracker plate. We also opted to have breakfast delivered to us in the morning to savor every moment of this divine “staycation”.  These fine touches are examples of the hospitality that awaits you.   Every ounce of this hotel exudes elegance, comfort, and modern luxury.

Learn more or make your plan to stay online here!

They also have an incredible conference room and beautiful banquet facilities!

 

When you are ready, hail a cab or take a stroll over to Rooftop at the ProvidenceG and enjoy cocktails and delectable snacks on the city’s only rooftop bar.  They are open all year long and provide the perfect view of the city in all seasons!  The menu features an eclectic array of shareable appetizers, seasonal cocktails, craft beer and delicious wines.  The sweeping views of the city add to the upscale ambiance created by the outdoor furniture and roaring fire basins. A word of advice, try the RoofTop Spritzer, it is a light refreshing drink, perfect for pre-dinner.  The RoofTop Spritzer is a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Rose served with a champagne Popsicle.  Also, do not skip the Truffle Popcorn.  It is what popcorn dreams are made of, just trust me…if you like popcorn, you will LOVE this! Rooftop offers the perfect place to grab a drink all year long.  The intimate setting is the ideal backdrop for a romantic night out.

Get all the Rooftop at the G details here!

After enjoying the city Al Fresco, we headed down to Garde De La Mer, where the exquisite theme only continued.  Garde Del La Mer offers elegant indoor dining and outdoor seating when the weather allows.  We chose to take in the sights and sounds of the city by dining outside.  However, the inside is decadent, warm and enticing…the perfect place for any weather.  It is hard not to picture a few flakes falling from the sky while you are comforted by the intimate dining area.

Apart from the ambiance, there is the evermore important component…the food!  The menu is exactly as they say, fresh, local and innovative.  You should certainly start with charcuterie, terrine and cheese.  Have a look at what is made right at Garde:

Capicola picante (Garde)

herbal, smoky, spicy

 

Lamb Salami-Cotto, (Garde)

cooked salami, fennel and black pepper

 

Country pork pate (Garde)

duck liver, lardo, pistachio

 

Curried rabbit terrine (Garde)

confit rabbit, pork belly

 

Duck liver mousse (Garde)

Grand Marnier gelee, orange olive oil “twinkie”

 

We started with charcuterie, terrine and  cheese to share…it keeps the conversation going and I love sharing a food experience with my dinner date!

 

First Course:  Continue on and taste the bounties of the sea with Grilled Stuffed Oysters…salty, creamy and topped with turmeric bubbles…unbelievable!  Just look at those bubbles…

Second Course:  And then there was this, a house favorite…Black Pepper Chitarra with Maine sea urchin, Point Judith squid, chili and lemon.  It was very rich, the small portion was the perfect amount, if you are saving room for more.

The server was very knowledgeable about wines and pairing, so I let him guide the way as far as wine pairings…he was spot on every time!  Before we finish off with our dinner selection, have a look at the handmade pasta.

Third Course:  We ended the evening with Halibut which had a golden buttery sour dough crust and was served with broccoli rabe, golden raisins and chorizo emulsion.  The sourdough topping was the perfect contrast to the light fish.  We also ordered the Crescent farm duck breast.  The outside was crispy while the inside remained juicy and full of flavor; it was cooked to perfection.  The duck was served with a smoked lemon summer spätzle, fairy tale eggplant, and chanterelle jus.  If you are not familiar with French cuisine, the menu can be a tad bit difficult to discern.  Our server was quite skilled at walking a diner through the menu, a definite bonus for those of you looking to branch out and a have new dining experience.  Our evening was topped off by a visit from the Chef himself!

End your experience with something on the sweet side…have a look at the seasonal dessert options:

Berries and Cream Tart

sarsaparilla custard, berries, orange shortbread, rhubarb jam, white chocolate ricotta ice cream

 

Grand Marnier Pain des Genes

herb infused melon, sweet pickled cucumbers, ginger honey almonds, honeydew sherbet

Crème Brûlée

vanilla bean custard, caramelized sugar, seasonal fruit compote

 

White Peach Cheesecake

roasted stone fruit, rosemary chiffon, prosecco gelée, toasted almond ice cream

 

Flourless Chocolate Torte

chocolate caramel mousse, raspberry chutney, cocoa nib nougatine, brown butter ice cream

 

Triple Chocolate Cremeux

chocolate covered banana, salty peanut crumble, candied cilantro, coconut caramel ice cream

 

Daily Sorbet or Ice Cream

Chef’s daily inspiration

 

From start to finish, Garde De La Mer offers an unparalleled dining journey right in the heart of Providence.  Visit their website for complete menu details, hours of operation and all other details you need!  Enter Here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we opted to head out on the town, you will not be disappointed if you make your way downstairs to Public Kitchen and Bar located right at the Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel.  I recommend the Cauliflower Steak served with Capers, baby tomatoes, olives, lemon and crispy manchego gremolata…scrumptious!  There is also a wide variety of eclectic cocktails, craft beer, wine and more!  Do not leave the city without stopping in for a drink and a bite to eat.  Learn more here.