Food News for Fall

Autumn’s New Crop
We always expect the end of summer/ beginning of fall to bring us a bounty from our farms and gardens, but this year the restaurant scene is also providing quite a harvest.

Ama’s, the little shoebox of a restaurant across from the Avery in Luongo Square, abruptly closed over the summer. In its place we have north (3 Luongo Sq.), which brings the considerable talents of Chef James Mark to bear. He was formerly of Nicks on Broadway, but also worked at the Michelin-starred Momofuku Ko in New York City. The opening menu looks impressive and ambitious, freely mixing regional, Latin and Asian influences into things like a Green Curry Lobster Roll or Pork and Clams with coconut milk and fermented shrimp. Check foodbynorth.tumblr.com for updates.

In other “tiny West Side restaurants with one-word names” news, Kitchen is open at 92 Carpenter Street, across from the Public Safety Complex. The recently renovated storefront will be serving breakfast from 7:30am-1pm, Tuesday through Friday, and 7:30am- 4pm on weekends.

Bayal Buffet (50 Ann Mary St., Pawtucket – in the former Shaw’s plaza), offers dishes from around Africa and the Mediterranean, but primarily focused on the cuisine of Senegal. We haven’t had the chance to try it yet, but based on previous experiences with Senegalese food, we expect a lot of rich, well-spiced curry-type dishes, heavy on fish, and bearing the distinct influence of French cookery.

Pawtuxet Village got a welcome addition in the form of the Elephant Room (2170 Broad St., Cranston), a teahouse and creperie. The focus is primarily on serving loose leaf teas from around the world, but there is also coffee, wheatgrass shots and “daily specialty waters.” Those looking for a bite to eat can choose from pastries, salads and crepes both sweet and savory.

The old Mile and a Quarter House at 375 South Main Street has been sadly empty since the beloved Barnsider’s closed several years back. Now prominent Thayer Street restaurateur Andy Mitrellis (Andreas, Paragon, Better Burger Company) is giving the location a new life as Mile and a Quarter. We’ve heard the renovated interior is gorgeous and the food is going to be upscale and eclectic. We hope to report more next month.

Ellie’s Bakery (51 Washington St.) will be the first business to open in Cornish Associates’ new Biltmore Garage development; this is from the folks behind Gracie’s. No menu has been announced yet, but some of the photos already posted on their Facebook page include Honey Glazed Fig and Goat Cheese Tarts with fig jam, Strawberry Cheesecake Macarons, and Caramelized Onion and Thyme Scones.

Grindin’
Hudson Street Deli (68 Hudson St.), which carried on the tradition of its predecessor, Hudson Market, with its famed Italian grinder, now expands on that legacy of giant sandwiches. Its new Grinder Menu includes the classic Italian, along with another nod to Hudson Market, the American, with ham and bologna, as well as the Decatur Veggie. They also feature new daily specials, including a Steak Bomb on Tuesday and Thursday’s Thanksgiving, with turkey, cranberry, stuffing and gravy. Check their new website for more.