(Wow, was that the most boring paragraph in the history of blogging or what? Except for the first sentence, that is- I think it's pretty cool to be in a beach chair complete with can holders in your own living room.)
Anyway, I am listening to high school mix tapes on my boom box as I clean things that we may actually bring with us.
Are you ready for a list? Things I will miss about Rhode Island, with links where applicable. I am making this for a gal I know who just moved here for Florida, and for nostalgia's sake. I'll just list as I think of things.
- Spike's (killer veggie dogs, best I've ever had. Plus amazing toppings and fries. Oh, and j. likes the meat dogs too.)
- Kabob & Curry - my college years Indian food haunt. We went there before the final exam in my Hinduism class.
- The fact that we're actually getting a Lush store, which I shall just miss the opening of.
- Seven Stars bakery (on Hope St. and now on Broadway around the corner from my old apartment) : Ginger biscuits, chocolate croissants, and great lattes.
- White Electric coffee- an old favorite from when it was on Broadway. (711 Westminster St.)
- Tealuxe: When they opened my senior year at Brown, I was a happy tea drinker. Terry always used to bring me a pear tea during our senior independent study with Professor Mathiesen.
- Sakonnet Vineyards : A nice RI vineyard that does wine tasting. I had such a good day with K+M and
jhimm, flitting around to local vineyards.
- Block Island : an island vacation without leaving New England. Accessible only by ferry, of course.
- The Hope High farmer's market
- Pastiche : are there any better places to get a late-night desert and latte? No.
- Lucky Garden : I have never had better dim sum anywhere. Verified by my co-worker's Chinese wife/in-laws, and recommended originally by j's hardcore t'ai chi instructor. They have three menus, ranging in authenticity from "American shmo" to "We will not translate."
- Wickenden St. : just... in general. I love walking down there even more than Thayer.
- Coffee Exchange : Can you tell I love a good independent coffee shop? In that vein:
- Tazza Cafe : Also a great place to get boozey drinks at night. A block from my old office, offering academic discounts on everything.
- The Red Fez (49 Peck St, Providence ) : Best grilled cheese ever. Where the hipsters go to get drinks.
- Cav Restaurant : I went there the first week I was in RI and not only is the food good, it's an antique shop.
- Prospect Park (Bowen St. Providence) Because I lay in the grass there and thought "deep thoughts" many a time. I also did a photo shoot there with
sabriel once. With wings.
- Newport: is gorgeous and haunted and ... I adore it, but can't ever think of a reason to move there.
- Olive's Bar : long, long martini menu. Another fun college haunt.
- Julian's restaurant : home of many good brunches and a good vegan selection for thems what wants.
- East Coast Tattooing and Piercing (ask for Chris! He did j+ my tattoos. Oh, and tell him spooky sent you, ha!) 170 Atwells Ave Providence • 401-331-5623
- Urban Detour Hair Artistry. 401-831-3442 • 150 Broadway, Providence
- Claudia Curl Salon (ask for Michael! ) All the good kids from Hairspray on Wickenden moved here. You can't go wrong • 755 Hope St, Providence
- Maximillian's Ice Cream : 1074 Hope St • 273.7230. I believe they just changed names, but they still have amazing ice cream.
- Royal Buffet • 272 Garfield Ave, Cranston (best Chinese buffet I have ever been to.)
- Garrison Confections : Won best chocolate in the _country_ on the Food Network awards.
- Rita's Water Ice (Warning- bad audio. Mute your speakers!) * Mineral Spring Ave, Providence : I'm cheating because this is a Philly staple, but one just got franchised by Philly expatriates up here!
- Four Paws Grooming : Where the furry status quo go to get their 'dos.
- Effendi's Mediterranean Cuisine, 1255 Reservoir Ave., Cranston. 943-8800 : this restaurant has absolutely awesome food, plus bellydancing on specified nights. Sweeeet. A great couple-date place.
- New Rivers : If you want to feel really special on a birthday or anniversary :)
- Garden Grille Great vegetarian restaurant. (Warning- more bad website audio. Why do businesses do that?)
- Antonio's Pizza • 258 Thayer Street, Providence : (j. and my favorite pizza in the area, hand's down.)
- Olneyville New York System Hot Wieners : Anyone who comes to RI will wonder about the "hot wieners." If you eat meat, try one and then do a full-on detox cleanse fast. ;) I LOVE that you can order the "secret spice" online.
- Del's lemonade : I could care less, but this one's for
jenufa, and it IS a RI staple. They also make soap and lotion! Um... there's a dancing lemon on their site. (And more audio.)
- Farmaesthetics : a really amazing, ultra natural local skincare line. I plan to import this to IL.
- The RISD Museum : Go see the giant Buddha.
- Eyes of the World Yoga : Ommmmmmmmmmm
- Cable Car Cinema : Where you can watch a movie and be served tea and a sandwich at the same time.
- Avon Cinema : The midnight movie is practically a local right-of-passage. Note: when they show Rocky it can get a bit insane. And when they show Monty Python.
- Waterfire : The eponymous local public art project.
- Geoff's Sandwiches : Mmmmm... plus the website is cute.
- Miko Exotic Wear: For, you know, those needs.
- PARL : My favorite place to adopt a pet. They also sponsor great events.
- The Rhode Island Dog Parks : We spent all of the summer of 2006 at the Gano Street one.
- Roger Williams Park : Home of the zoo and a great place to stroll around. Also where PARL's annual pet walk is held.
What did I miss? :>