Owned by chef James Mark, Providence restaurant north announced it will be relocating to the Dean Hotel this September, replacing the current German eatery, Faust. The original location at Luongo Square near Federal Hill will close temporarily and will be reimagined as a new, separate culinary concept set to debut later this year.
Since opening in September 2012, north has attracted foodies, chefs and food writers from across the country. One described north as a “one-of-a-kind, eclectic eatery [serving] globally inspired food inside cozy settings.”
Mark will continue in his role as owner and chef of north at the Dean Hotel. North’s sibling restaurant, north bakery, will remain unchanged.
The move of north into the Dean Hotel is an important step in the evolution of Providence, and by extension the state, as a dining destination.
The restaurant that opened with the hotel did well. Its menu and concept were unique and by all indications was popular among hotel guests and locals. But over time it appeared management wanted to have its in-house eatery be more of a culinary destination guests might choose before an evening on the town. The crowd that might be attending a performance or concert at Trinity Repertory Co., Providence Performing Arts Center, or AS220 would appear to be a better match for an adventurous dining experience.
Which brings us to the idea of the “emerging restaurant row.” North has made its name in a neighborhood where several widely recognized restaurants have sprouted up over the past few years, going back to Nicks on Broadway and Julian’s, to hipster destination Ogie’s Trailer Park to the newly opened Bucktown, which was nominated as one of the 50 Best New Restaurants in the U.S. by Bon Appetit magazine. Nearby, Loie Fuller’s was named one of the top “Secret Restaurants Worth Finding” on the Only In Your State website.
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SCENIC DINING: 15 Point Road Restaurant in Portsmouth was named as one of the “100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America” by Open Table. It is part of a restaurant row that stretches from Tiverton to Portsmouth. / COURTESY 15 POINT ROAD RESTAURANT[/caption]
What may not be immediately apparent is the emerging restaurant row is not confined to the West Side, or even to Providence. In the Island Park section of Portsmouth, on the Sakonnet River, 15 Point Road Restaurant was recently named to Open Table’s list of the “100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America” among the patrons making reservations through that online service. Within 1 or 2 miles, there are restaurants that have made national listings and received recommendations, from Localz on the waterfront strip on the Portsmouth side to the Boat House and Red Dory on the Tiverton side.
In Newport, the buzz will lead interested diners down the Lower Thames Street Restaurant Row to the newly opened third location of Harry’s Beer and Burger from Chow Fun Food Group, recognized by Forbes in its travel guide listing in May of “America’s 10 Best Burgers.” The choices are not easy with neighbors such as La Vasca, the reimagined tapas-influenced spot that until earlier this year housed Stoneacre Pantry, itself waiting for its new space in Washington Square to be completed. Also getting attention is the unique Revolving Door, with guest chefs doing stints in the kitchen for weeks at a time.
Bruce Newbury’s Dining Out radio talk show is heard Saturdays at 11 a.m. on 1540 AM WADK and through the TuneIn mobile app. Email Bruce at Bruce@brucenewbury.com.
