ISO good asian in Providence

[Foodfan]

Help! just moved back after years in LA, where I got addicted to vietnamese, thai, korean, and even rediscovered chinese. am having a tough time finding the real deal here, though i'm sure it has to exist. please help! tried sawaddee on hope last week and it came close. thanks in advance!

[Frank]

Try Aspara on Public St and on Hope St.

[david]

i second the reccomendation of apsara. my favorite dish in the world right now is the hope st. apsara's singapore style udon noodles

[Garris]

Note that the Public St Apsara (the lauded one) has no relationship at all to the Apsara Palace on Hope St (which is OK, but not the equal of the Public St. one)...

- Garris
Providence, RI

[david]

for what it's worth, we disagree; related or not, we prefer the hope st. apsara

[kcstarguy]

I come from Providence originaly but did not know this jewel of a restaurant is literally just around the corner from where I lived. I found the restaurant while checking out the internet and finding some place to take my friends from Mass, who have been all over the world. I found Aspara and tried the lunch. The menu was versatile, huge and there were many specials. We came there that night after I looked it over. Its a small place with a huge menu of chinese, thai and very different dishes. That's what I look for. Pretty soon my cousin and her husband come in and they have come here for 4 years but never told me! We shared some wine (you can bring your own in). The different appetizers were great. The green curry salmon soup was so pretty and excellent! My friends suggested Peking Duck which I have never tasted (I have had duck in many restaurants in the US. It was fabulous and my friends said the dish rivaled the dish that they had tried in Beijing! You can find spicy, vegetarian and much more. The staff is great and attentive. My mother who does not eat much in the way of Oriental foods liked it too. When I get back to Providence you can bet, I will head for Aspara. Don't wait yourself if you are closer. There is something for lunch or dinner no matter kind of Oriental. Chinese, Thai dishes you want. Hands down best I have tried in Providence. You can bet I will be going back to Aspara when I get back to Providence. If I have time , I will try more that you have listed but if I only have one to go to Aspara is the one.

[Garris]

Asian in Providence, huh?

This category of Providence dining is somewhat weak but should have enough scattered quality to keep you satisfied.

Especially with Chinese food, I'd exclusively limit myself to the names on my list. They're the only places that stand-out in my opinion, but they're worth the trip only if you're going to have more authentic items. I've had people go to the Chinese places I've recommended and come back saying, "Well, I tried the chicken with snow peas and crab rangoon and they didn't blow me away!" Well, that's because you got the chicken with snow peas and crab rangoon! Try something off of the Americanized "you can get this at the mall" menu for a better experience. If just looking for General Tso's chicken, then your best value is at one of the Providence area's chinese buffets (the ones in Pawtucket, East Providence, and Warwick are all decent and equally as good).

This is also a good opportunity to trot out and update my "best of metro-Providence" list. The opinions here are solely my own except where otherwise stated, and I'll start with Asian options due to the topic of the original post.

Enjoy!

- Garris
Providence, RI

* = best of the category

Chinese (Authentic):
--------------------
* Lucky Garden: Smith St., N. Providence.
Best Dim Sum and best authentic Chinese menu options. The only negative is its dim, depressing strip plaza setting.

- Red Ginger: Johnston, RI
Very fresh and high quality food. Order out of the back (authentic Chinese) part of the menu or ask for the authentic takeout menu.

- Lemi' BBQ: Pontiac Ave, Cranston/Providence
Authentic Hong Kong cuisine. Freshness seemed to take a bit of a hit in my last visit or two, knocking them off the top of this category.

Chinese (Americanized):
-----------------------
* Little Chopsticks: Smith St. Providence
Super tasty Americanized-Taiwanese cuisine. Don't imagine what the kitchen looks like... Say hi to Lee!

- Red Ginger: Johnston, RI
In addition to great authentic, if you must have Americanized options, they do them better than most.

Honorable Mention: China Inn, Pawtucket: Not as good as the above, but doesn't deserve to get lumped in with the rest of the area's mediocrity.

Thai:
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* Sawaddee: Hope St, Providence
Very tasty, and menu is packed full of rarer, more authentic options. Specials are always interesting. Take-out quantity could be increased a bit...

- Thai Star: Smith St, Providence
Ask for the Thai menu with more authentic options. Nearly as good as Sawaddee, but cheaper.

Pakarang (Main St, Providence) is more "Thai-lite" fusion... Tired in concept and execution.

Pan-Asian (4 cuisine, Thai, Cambodian, Chinese, Vietnamese):
------------------------------------------------------------
* Apsara: Public St., Providence
They own this category and win by overwhelmishing freshness and comprehensive menu options. Avoid their chinese options. That shouldn't be why you're here. Be careful in the less than confidence inspiring neighborhood...

- Apsara Palace: Hope St, Providence,
Not related to (or nearly as good as) the above one, but good enough as the East Side neighborhood choice.

- HON (House of Noodles): Cranston

- Galaxie: 1 or 2 different locales

Asian Fusion (upscale):
------------------------------
* Neath's: South Main, Providence
See below. One of Providence's top three restaurants.

- Lot 401: Hospital St, Providence
This club/restaurant is always fun, always original, always tasty, and always expensive.

Japanese:
---------
* Tokyo: Wickenden St., Providence
In a sea of not-that-difference Prov Japanese options, they have fresh fish and the most extensive menu of any of the Providence options. The biggest negative is indifferent service.

* Haruki East: Wayland Ave, Providence
A tie. This slick, upscale East Side option in Wayland Square will never be accused of having the most original rolls or the most extensive menu, but it's probably the best overall dining experience of the bunch.

- Sakura: Wickenden St., Providence
Newly expanded, I'm beginning to agree with those who've knocked it down a peg due to freshness...

Honorable Mentions: In the next tier down are the family run affairs of New Japan (Washington St., Providence) and Ran Zen (Hope St., Providence), both of which are more intimate dining experiences that are worthy if you live in or are visiting those neighborhoods.

Korean:
-------
* Sun and Moon: Warren Ave, East Providence
My winner for "best comfort food in the Providence metro," and I'm not Korean. This hole-in-the-wall always feels warm, inviting, and the food is tremendous. Named by a national magazine recently as one of only two restaurants (the other being the mighty Mill's Tavern) they recommended in Providence.

- Cafe Yuni: Wickenden St, Providence
Tucked off of Wickenden facing Atler's Hardware, this nearly invisible Korean-Japanese hybrid is an intimate, family run affair with very tasty menu options. Very reasonably priced. One of my favorite "stealth options"

Honorable Mention: Because it's the only other Korean I know in Providence is Angelrose Cafe, a somewhat Korean inspired lunch place on Atwell's avenue. Not bad...

Haven't yet been too: Ichiban, a large Korean-Japanese restaurant in Cranston that those who know the cuisine say is pretty good.

Indian:
-------
* Bombay Club: Federal Hill, Dean St., Providence
Tremendously tasty Indian that those who know the cuisine say is the most authentic. Service on my visits has been spotty and inconsistent at best...

- Not Just Snacks: Hope St.,
Mostly takeout Indian, but very authentic and very inexpensive. Some say this is the best, actually...

- Taste of India: Wickenden, Providence
Almost right up there with Bombay Club, it undoubtedly has the best daily lunch buffet. Atmosphere is an afterthought (or any thought?).

- Kabob and Curry: Thayer St., Providence.
Somewhat watered down for US tastes, but amazing and attentive service gets this mentioned.

I'd avoid "India" (Hope St, Providence) if you're looking for authentic, but it's a quite tasty Indian-Western fusion...

My overall "Best of Providence":
--------------------------------
- Gracies: Washington St, Providence
All the meals I've had there were simply wonderful, and the new space feels suitably "Theater District" and special. A paragon of quality over quantity.

- Gatehouse: Richman Square/Wayland Square.
Special meals in a special Providence environment. Outstanding.

- Mill's Tavern:
North Main St, nearly flawless... What else can you say?

- Neath's: South Water St.
See below in Asian fusion. The ambiance is slightly bland for the price, but the food sparkles. My favorite of the list just based on menu alone.

Italian: A zillion choices and I've only been to a small fraction (and haven't been that impressed). My fav's thus far are:
--------
* Restaurante Pizzico: Hope St, Providence
Expensive but very, very good. One of my favorites.

- Restaurante Romanza: Wickenden

- Rachel's Pastanova: Hope St, Providence
Not the best meals I've had, but some combo of the food, homey neighborhood ambiance, etc keeps bringing me back

Steakhouses: We're blessed with a couple, here are the best
------------
* Capital Grille: Memorial Drive, Providence
Not quite as good as the two best steaks I've ever had (Ruth's Chris and Peter Luger), but the city's best. A true steakhouse atmosphere...

- 10 Steak and Sushi: Pine St, Providence
Slick "atmosphere over food" NYC style eatery nevertheless has great steaks...

- Providence Prime: Atwell's Ave, Providence
The Godfather meets NYC slick atmosphere, steaks are done pretty well...

Honorable Mention: XO is a 10 Steak and Sushi style eatery that does decently but doesn't feel like a steakhouse, while Mill's Tavern it should be noted does fantastic steak as well, although it's far from all they do...

Brunch: Tons of good options, here are my favorites...
-------
* Julian's: Broadway, Providence
Slick, hip restaurant has a relentlessly creative brunch menu that happens to be out-of-this-world taste wise... Worth the 45 minutes you'll spend in line...

* Rue de L'Espoir: Hope St, Providence
The opposite of Julian's, and just as fabulous. A classical, perfect bistro brunch option.

- Modern Diner: East St, Pawtucket
The 50's diner preserved, without theme or sentamentality. Thankfully, the food is wonderful and prices low.

Pizza: Hugely personal choices, but here are mine
------
Best all around: Pizza Pie-er: Wickenden, Providence
Slightly more expensive than most, but pies are large and easily Providence's tastiest and most original.

Best classical options: Fellini's Pizza: Wickenden, Providence
Nearly perfect classical pizza.

Honorable mentions: Caserta (Spruce St, Providence) is a local institution, and if you like Neopolitan style pizza (I'm neutral on it), it can't be beat. Sicilias's (Atwell's, Providence) is the best Chicago style pizza in the area (another style I'm neutral on). Bob and Timmy's is the thin crust king (another style I say, "eh" to...). Everyone has their favorite. I've tried lots of pizza around here and as far as I'm concerned, there is no true New York Style pizza to be had in Providence. Not Fellini's, not the place near Providence College (sorry, I forgot the name), nothing... I'm from New York, just had pizza back there recently... There's no NY style pizza in Providence...

Vegetarian:
------------
* Garden Grille: East St/End of Blackstone, Prov/Pawtucket
The only vege I know, but so good that it draws both vege and non-vege eaters. I'm addicted to the Vege Rubin sandwich...

Jewish/Bagels:
--------------
* Kaplan's: Hope St., Providence
Good for basic ingredients (lox, bagels, whitefish salad, etc.). It's a takeout market.

- Barney's: East St, On the Pawtucket/Providence border, next to Garden Grille
Best bagels in the Providence area bar none...

- Bagel Goumet: Prov, Thayer and Brook branches
Second to the above two for bagels, and maddeningly inconsistent at that...

Ice Cream:
----------
* Maximillians: Hope St., Providence
Not much to say. Uncomplicated, fresh ice cream. My favorite...

- Ben and Jerry's/Coldstone Creamery: Chains on Thayer, about what you'd expect.

- Gray's Ice Cream: Located about 45 minutes away in Little Compton, RI, it's worth the drive. I can still taste their cheesecake ice cream.

We're pretty fortunate ice cream-wise... I've not had bad ice cream in this area. There are also good, cheap creameries in Riverside, Rumford, and North Providence as well.

Portugese:
----------
I'm not as knowledgable on this one, but I've enjoyed almost everywhere I've gone in East Providence (Madiera, etc) but don't know enough to annoint a "best of."

Spanish:
--------
- Spain: Reservoir Ave, Cranston
Not much competition here, but thankfully Spain is excellent!

BBQ: Also, not very knowledgable here, but these are my favorites
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* LJ's: Opening about March 17th on East St at the Pawtucket/Prov border

- Wes's: Providence

This is what I can think of off the top of my head. So many great restaurants (Twist and Red Stripe in Wayland Square alone, to say nothing of Downcity, Bravo, Cafe Nuovo, Cilantro, and so many others) don't even get mentioned in this format! I don't have a best Vietnamese option yet since I really know almost nothing about the cuisine. Enjoy!

- Garris

Link: http://members.cox.net/garrisphotogra...

[Foodfan]

Wow. thanks so much for the comprehensive list and other suggestions. I just printed out the best of providence and am looking forward to using it as a guide to providence. we go to apsara on hope a lot because it's practically across the street from us, and i've found it's important to order selectively. i've been enjoying their black pepper chicken and eggplant chicken szechuan.

anyway, thanks again for the huge help!

[Garris]

My pleasure in providing the list.

Let us know what dishes are winners at Apsara (Hope or Public St one?). I don't get to the Public St branch as often as I'd like lately. The black pepper chicken sounds great. Maybe that'll be my next choice there...

- Garris
Providence, RI

[kidschef]

Hey! I hope you know that may of the restaurants on your list have been closed for good and are no longer serving.

Here are the ones I know that are closed

* Neath's: South Main, Providence
See below. One of Providence's top three restaurants.

- Lot 401: Hospital St, Providence
This club/restaurant is always fun, always original, always tasty, and always expensive.
- Restaurante Romanza: Wickenden

- Rachel's Pastanova: Hope St, Providence
Not the best meals I've had, but some combo of the food, homey neighborhood ambiance, etc keeps bringing me back

Gatehouse: Richman Square/Wayland Square.
Special meals in a special Providence environment. Outstanding

Kaplan's: Hope St., Providence
Good for basic ingredients (lox, bagels, whitefish salad, etc.). It's a takeout market.

- Barney's: East St, On the Pawtucket/Providence border, next to Garden Grille
Best bagels in the Providence area bar none...

None of these places have been open for over a year....!

[invinotheresverde]

He wrote the post 2.5 years ago. ;)

[atheorist]

Pho Horn gets better every time I go. It is in the hideous, abandoned Shaw's Plaza east of exit 25 off I-95. I guess they have to be that good to stay in business in that dismal spot.

[grl]

For a recent update: try
Chinese Iron Wok
1165 Fall River Ave
Seekonk MA 0277
(Rt 6 - strip mall to right before traffic light to target/showcase)

Excellent Beijing and northern Chinese
Ignore the menu and ask them to cook based on your preferences
thin sliced eggplant, pepper sauce tofu, fish, twice cooked pork
crispy chicken with string beans, house special beef (spicy) all great

[sprinklez]

hey i tried to go there a few sundays ago and they were closed! my bf thought i was imagining things. glad to see they're still open and will give them another try.