Restaurant competitors make good neighbors

Where are the good restaurants? Next to one another, of course.
Unlike many businesses, which dread the day competition moves in across the street, restaurateurs welcome new neighbors.
Clusters of exceptional dining experiences can be found in many sections of Providence as well as in many other towns throughout the state. In this first of a series on Rhode Island’s “Restaurant Rows,” we visit Hope Street, which has an eclectic array of unique restaurants for its entire length. Starting at the Wickenden Street end of Hope with Rue de L’Espoir, anchor of the neighborhood since 1976, Hope Street’s restaurant choices reach all the way to Pawtucket with cuisine from America to Asia by way of France, Italy and Mexico.
At 960 Hope St., Matt and Kristen Gennuso own and operate Chez Pascal. Kristen says, “It has been 5 years since we took over from the former owner, Pascal [Leffray, now at Wickford Gourmet].” She describes their spot as French-influenced modern with an emphasis on local and regional seasonal ingredients.
The Gennusos chose their location because of its neighborhood setting. “We really feel we can get to know our customers.” Kristen continues, “One of our favorite times of year is during snowstorms. Instead of closing our doors, we wait for the people in the neighborhood to walk down to have a glass of wine and dinner.”
Sometimes there is too much closeness. “We’ve had some people who actually came in, sat down and began to order off the menu before realizing they had planned to visit another restaurant in the neighborhood. … Unless they’re meeting others or attending a party, they usually stay,” says Gennuso.
Ristorante Pizzico opened its doors in 1990 and has remained a mainstay in the Hope/Rochambeau business district ever since, despite three changes in ownership. Owner Jim Harris says when the newer restaurants on the street opened their doors early in this decade, namely Oak and Blaze, his business actually grew. His newest neighbor, the Ivy Tavern, has developed a following for its burger menu. The lines that sometimes form outside the Ivy lead to more customers coming to Pizzico’s door to sample the bistro Italian cuisine. “In the summer, we all put tables on the sidewalk,” Harris says. “The atmosphere is great, like a Tuscan village.”
Pizzico has a discounted wine offer early in the week and a midweek prix fixe dinner for two, including a bottle of wine. Like his neighbors, Harris welcomes winter snow and also keeps his restaurant’s doors open whenever possible in storms and his patrons in the neighborhood to trudge through the drifts for his food, wine and hospitality. “If we were downtown, there is no way we’d be able to do that!” he says.
This row continues onto the Pawtucket line where Hope Street becomes East Avenue. Here, a seemingly ordinary strip mall houses no less than four restaurants: LJ’s BBQ, the vegetarian Garden Grille, Ronzio Pizza, and Rasoi, the two-year-old, fine-dining Indian restaurant operated by Sanjiv Dhar of Kabob and Curry fame
LJ’s proprietor Linda Jane Watson shares the “a rising tide lifts all boats” spirit of Hope Street. “The synergy is good. If one place is crowded, patrons will try the next one. We hear that from our customers and neighbors time after time.”
The plaza is redolent with wonderful aromas nightly. Watson laughs, “We see a lot of people stopping in on their way out of the vegetarian restaurant to take to-go menus!” •
“Dining Out with Bruce Newbury” (bruce@brucenewbury.com) can be heard on TalkRadio 920 WHJJ-AM Fridays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at noon.