HOME
EPISODES
    SEASON 1
    EPISODE 1 – THE OYSTER RENAISSANCE
    EPISODE 2 – THE REBIRTH OF BROADWAY
    Episode 3 – INTO THE HEART OF FEDERAL HILL PT. I
    EPISODE 4 – INTO THE HEART OF FEDERAL HILL PT. II
    EPISODE 5 – NEWPORT FINE DINING CLASSICS
    EPISODE 6 – ELEVATED IN DOWN CITY
    EPISODE 7 – A SOUTH COUNTY SAMPLER
    EPISODE 8 - SUMMER LOVIN'
    EPISODE 9 – SUMMER ON BLOCK ISLAND
    EPISODE 10 – ISLAND GEMS
    EPISODE 11 – ELEVATED IN DOWNCITY PT. TWO
    EPISODE 12 – A SOUTH COUNTY SAMPLER PT. II
RESTAURANTS
    Providence area
    Cafe Nuovo, Providence
    Caserta Pizza
    Camille's Restaurant
    Pane E Vino & Massimo
    Mill's Tavern, Providence
    Venda Ravioli
    Newport/Jamestown
    Boru Noodle Bar
    Flo's Clamshack
    Pour Judgment
    The Salvation Cafe
    South County
    Casa Della Luce
    Matunuck Oyster Bar and Farm
    Mew's Tavern
    The Nordic Lodge
    The Breachway Grill
    Watch Hill Oysters
BLOG
ABOUT
SPONSORS
A Taste of Rhode Island TV series - Culinary adventures in the Ocean State
  • HOME
  • EPISODES
    • SEASON 1
      • EPISODE 1 – THE OYSTER RENAISSANCE
      • EPISODE 2 – THE REBIRTH OF BROADWAY
      • Episode 3 – INTO THE HEART OF FEDERAL HILL PT. I
      • EPISODE 4 – INTO THE HEART OF FEDERAL HILL PT. II
      • EPISODE 5 – NEWPORT FINE DINING CLASSICS
      • EPISODE 6 – ELEVATED IN DOWN CITY
      • EPISODE 7 – A SOUTH COUNTY SAMPLER
      • EPISODE 8 – SUMMER LOVIN’
      • EPISODE 9 – SUMMER ON BLOCK ISLAND
      • EPISODE 10 – ISLAND GEMS
      • EPISODE 11 – ELEVATED IN DOWNCITY PT. TWO
      • EPISODE 12 – A SOUTH COUNTY SAMPLER PT. II
  • RESTAURANTS
    • Providence area
      • Cafe Nuovo, Providence
      • Caserta Pizza
      • Camille’s Restaurant
      • Pane E Vino & Massimo
      • Mill’s Tavern, Providence
      • Venda Ravioli
    • Newport/Jamestown
      • Boru Noodle Bar
      • Flo’s Clamshack
      • Pour Judgment
      • The Salvation Cafe
    • South County
      • Casa Della Luce
      • Matunuck Oyster Bar and Farm
      • Mew’s Tavern
      • The Nordic Lodge
      • The Breachway Grill
      • Watch Hill Oysters
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • SPONSORS
Episode 6 - Elevated In Down City, Providence area, RESTAURANTS, Season One

Cafe Nuovo, Providence

November 23, 2018 by admin No Comments

Twenty five years ago, when Cafe Nuovo opened in downtown Providence, it heralded a new era in the city’s culinary evolution: modern, creative, artistic creations using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. To be sure, there was a lot of wonderful food already in Providence and elsewhere in the state, but these mostly consisted of Italian, Portuguese, and classic New England seafood type places serving chowder, fried seafood, and lobster dishes. The chef-driven, farm-to-table organic movement hadn’t quite reached these shores. But Cafe Nuovo changed all that, and today, downtown Providence is home to not only some of the best restaurants in the state, but also in the entire United States, as chefs here have access to some of the highest-quality seafood, meats and vegetables in the country thanks to the myriad small-scale, non-industrial fishing and farming providers found here in Rhode Island. With a location directly on the Providence River – the perfect spot to view the famous WaterFire summer celebrations – and with a sophisticated, upscale atmosphere in a modern, sleek building, Cafe Nuovo quickly became a favorite among those seeking stylish food in a stylish setting. Twenty five years later Cafe Nuovo still serves some of the most beautiful, colorful, and flavorful food in Providence.

cafe_nuovo_crabcakes

Crab cakes with cucumber kimchi, pineapple ginger relish, corn chow-chow, & creole mustard sauce.

When we filmed at Cafe Nuovo recently for our upcoming “Elevated In Downcity” episode, we were blown away by the food. This place definitely draws the “suit and tie” crowd, with its location near the heart of the downtown business sector, but the menu was progressive and adventurous, combining classic Mediterranean cuisine with New American and Asian influences. A quick glance at the appetizer options gives you a sense of the varitey here: crabcakes with pineapple-ginger relish, corn chow-chow, and cucumber kimchi, a long-time favorite; octopus carpaccio with white bean ragout, citrus vinaigrette, olive caramel, fennel, and pesto; lettuce wraps with korean bbq sirloin, julienne vegetables, and mango chutney; and crispy spring rolls stuffed with spinach and feta. It’s an unsual combination of food traditions, but it works because, well, everything is delicious and exquisitely prepared. This is truly modern cuisine, not bound by any traditional conventions.

manny_largo

Manny Largo, Executive Chef, Cafe Nuovo.

Executive Chef Manny Largo is originally from Texas and has trained and worked with the likes of Bobby Flay, brings a wealth of cooking knowledge and traditions to the kitchen at Cafe Nuovo. He prepared for us an incredible duck dish that we are still dreaming about: chai tea marinated duck is prepared two ways: the breast was seared perfectly, the confit duck leg was baked to crispy perfection but was still moist and fall-of-the-bone. It was served on a bed of braised winter greens, along with cauliflower and celery root mousseline, roasted carrots, brown butter almonds, beets, pomegranate, and finished with a luscious duck jus. It was a remarkable dish, with so many textures and flavors, unctuous and savory, bright and sweet with a crunchy pop from the toasted almonds and pomegranate.

duck_cafe_nuovo

Chai-tea seared duck breast, confit duck leg, fall vegetables, pomegranate, duck jus.

While home to a variety of lovely, small plates and salads, there is also a wide selection of pasta and meat dishes such as the short-rib tagliatelle with house-made pasta; braised steak tips with root vegetables, fresh peas, and port-mushoom reduction; a lamb shank braised for 6 hours and served with toasted orzo, san marzano tomato braising sauce, parmigiano reggiano; and a gorgeous stuffed rigatoni of veal, prosciutto + portobello, endive, radicchio, fresh mozzarella, portobello-madeira sauce. Check online for their new fall menu, but definitely don’t overlook this iconic eatery in the heart of Downcity.

For more info: cafenuovo.com

  • Cavatelli, Cafe Nuovo
    with sausage, broccoli rabe, and pea tendril
  • duck_cafe_nuovo
    Chai tea seared duck breast, confit duck leg
    with winter greens, cauliflower, carrot, pomegranate au jus
  • manny_largo
    Manny Largo, Executive Chef, Cafe Nuovo
  • Rhode Island style fried calamari
    with hot peppers and remoulade
  • cafe_nuovo_crabcakes
    Crab cakes
    cucumber kimchi, pineapple ginger relish, corn chow-chow, creole mustard sauce
  • Fish and chips
    old bay "pommes frites", sherry vinegar mignonette, sweet pepper rémoulade
  • Chopped Salad
    tomato, cucumber, asparagus, snow peas, red peppers, sweet onion, feta cheese, basil + oregano, aged sherry vinegar + extra virgin olive oil
  • Blackened salmon
    with braised winter greens
  • steak_tips_cafenuovo
    Steak tips
    with autumn veg and fresh peas
  • short_rib_tagliatelle
    Short rib tagliatelle
    house-made fresh pasta, porcini, short rib ragout
  • Faroe Islands Salmon
  • Roasted beet salad
    gold, red + candy cane beets, feta, crema, frisee, candied pecan granola
Share:
Reading time: 3 min

Recent Posts

  • Mew’s Tavern
  • Cafe Nuovo, Providence
  • Casa Della Luce
  • Mill’s Tavern, Providence
  • George’s of Galilee

Tags

aquaculture Asian beachfront best bars best burgers best pasta best pizza best taverns clamshack craft beer craft cocktails farming Federal Hill fine dining funky Italian New American Newport noodles oysters Providence seafood South County vegan waterfront Westerly wine spectator award

Meet our sponsors

A Taste of Rhode Island is presented by Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, Rhode Island’s premiere retail outlet for high quality food. Dave’s Fresh Marketplace shares our commitment to promoting and celebrating the dynamic and unique Rhode Island food scene. Thank you Dave’s for your generous support of this project!

Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No posts found.

Make sure this account has posts available on instagram.com.

© 2019 copyright A TASTE OF RHODE ISLAND // All rights reserved
 
A FOOD TRAVELERS and WANDER MEDIA production
email: wandermediatv@gmail.com ph: 239-207-7558