When new restaurants open, it is usually the beginning of an exciting discovery for guests. For restaurateurs and chefs, it is often the culmination of a lengthy period of preparation.
T.J. Martucci has two new versions of his The Trap pub and grill in various stages of construction around the state and has just begun acquisition of an eatery on Block Island to add to his group of restaurants and bars in East Greenwich.
Martucci plans to build a new Trap in Narragansett at the site of the longtime Charlie O’s, which was torn down this past spring. Another Trap is in the works to open in Smithfield, replacing the former Kountry Kitchen on Smith Avenue. Martucci said he hopes to open Trap North in September, shortly after school starts. The company has begun advertising online for staff.
Martucci was at the New Shoreham Town Council meeting on Block Island on July 5 as the council, acting as the town’s Board of License Commissioners, voted to transfer the liquor license of Finn’s Restaurant to him.
There was concern among the council members, as this summer has been a challenge with a larger-than-anticipated crowd packing every place in town serving food and drink. Reports of strain between owners of various establishments and law enforcement were filling local TV newscasts in early July due to tourists at or just below the drinking age behaving badly. The island has found itself in the spotlight and local officials are anxious, so it is understandable that any change would be the subject of scrutiny, particularly one that involves a new business wishing to engage in the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Martucci is taking the long view, making no changes this season.
“I think I would be doing your town a disservice, and I think I would be doing my brand a disservice, to miraculously close, redecorate and open up. It just won’t happen,” he said.
While his philosophy is to build his brand “out on the backs of The Trap,” Martucci does not envision the Block Island property as such a concept.
In Jamestown, chef and restaurateur Kevin Gaudreau’s nationwide reputation was established in the kitchen of the popular eatery Simpatico Jamestown, known for years as Trattoria Simpatico. Gaudreau disclosed in an interview in January that he had purchased the Narragansett Avenue restaurant and was renovating it for a spring opening under a new name.
“The new place will be called Beech after the 150-year-old Beech tree that’s on the property,” he said at the time.
Beech opened in June. Gaudreau, an experienced chef-owner, has been involved with numerous places that could be described as iconic, from the White Horse Tavern to the Providence location of Ruth’s Chris Steak House to executive positions at the Bonnet Shores Beach Club in Narragansett and the Newport Restaurant Group. Earlier this year Gaudreau was named to the board of directors of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association.
Gaudreau’s most recent concept, KG Kitchen Bar in Providence, has become a landmark on the Hope Street restaurant row. The restaurant is known for a menu of comfort food reflecting local ingredients. As KG’s executive chef says, the menu is a fresh take on local dishes. Right now, local seafood is represented.
When asked if Beech was its own unique brand or if he was bringing some of KG Kitchen Bar to the menu or approach, Gaudreau replied, “Beech is KG Kitchen’s grownup sister! [Beech has a] similar menu but different.”
An example this summer is calamari, which is served at both locations done with grape tomatoes, olives, arugula, banana peppers and tomato aioli. At Beech, there is a lobster roll on the menu, while KG serves weekend brunch. Reservations are advised at both.
Dining Out With Bruce Newbury is broadcast locally on WADK 101.1 FM and 1540 AM and on radio throughout New England. Contact Bruce at bruce@brucenewbury.com.
