It’s been over a year since we first ran into the wonderful folks at Mama Kim’s and this summer we are making it a priority to hit up some of the best food trucks in Rhode Island. You might not notice them at first glance, but next time you’re on Thayer, look out for an ever-growing collection of these mobile munchies.

From tacos to duck burgers, food trucks are quickly amassing a following like no other. Busy college students, power lunch pros and early afternoon stoners line the streets daily, in search of good, honest food. So now comes the hard part. Which one do we try first?

The Parisienne Burger – naturally raised Angus Beef, gruyère cheese, roasted garlic aioli, soft potato roll

One thing you’ll come to find out about Rocket Street Food is their amazing array of sliders. After inhaling a pair of customer mini-burgers, it was safe to say they were the best sliders I have eaten in Rhode Island. When it comes to these handheld goodies, the proof is in the pudding.  All of their ingredients are naturally selected and grown and their creative menu will often reflect what’s in season.

Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Tomato Jam

Speaking of their menu, it changes, often! Luckily, Rocket has their own personal blog where you can check out their daily lineup of burgers, soups, homemade cakes and desserts.

We were fortunate enough to try a slice of their rhubarb upside down cake and it was impressive. Perfect balance of sweet and tart atop a layer of moist cake. Rhubarb is an “acquired” taste so it might not be for everyone but boy, did we enjoy it!

Next time you’re drowning yourself with gallons of Sangria on Thayer, please give Rocket Street Food a visit. You won’t be disappointed.

*Make sure to follow them on Twitter to receive updates on news, locations and new menu items (follow us too!)

Looking back, The Big Sur continues to be my favorite experience of the road trip. But not too far behind is San Francisco, our last stop on the journey. Dealing with fatigue, muscle soreness and heavy eyelids, we mustered up enough stamina and gas money to drive towards the city that Bob Saget built.

The short 2 1/2 drive consisted of green pastures, ocean views and enough rain to supply the set of Sleepless in Seattle. Over the next couple of days, we walked the streets of Chinatown and the infamous Fisherman’s Wharf. But first it’s time for some Chinese!

Handmade Fortune Cookies in Chinatown

With a 24 hours window in front of us, we quickly decided on places to see and visit while we were in town. Chinatown was on top of everyone’s lists and rightfully so. My sister recommended a popular eatery called House of Nanking. It was a 10 minute drive from the hotel and the menu and prices seemed right. We were greeted with a line out the door, which further proved it was the place to go in the Bay Area.

Luckily the wait wasn’t too long (locals usually have to endure 1-hour wait times) and we quickly snaked through the dining room tailing our hostess who was leading the way. When it came down to our orders, we went some local favorites like the Nanking Sesame Chicken and Pan-fried Garlic Fish.

Sesame Chicken w/ Sweet Potatoes

The Sesame Chicken did not disappoint. An extremely crispy, light, batter covered a mound of hand cut chunks of white meat chicken. I was pretty stupid not to order this. But then again my past experiences with Sesame weren’t memorable which is probably why I didn’t order it (sigh….someone REALLY needs to invent a time machine). Easily the best sesame chicken I’ve ever had. And it’s only $9.95 too! HA!

Pan-Fried Garlic Fish. It was good, but nowhere near the Sesame Chicken…

Sliced beef atop rice, spinach, mushrooms and tomato. Yeah. We were confused too.

The two dishes above failed to reach the level of culinary crack that the Sesame chicken blessed us with. Although the menu described the garlic fish as being “crusted in Asian spices”, the actual product was boring and tasteless. The garlic sauce which was mixed in with the sauteed spinach and peppers was my only source of flavor. I should have ordered the Sesame chicken….

And the last dish we tried out was a “kitchen sink” of sorts. Overcooked rice, spinach and sliced tomatoes provided the foundation for silver dollar sized cuts of beef. This item belongs nowhere near their menu and I’d be damned if I see any of you order it. Stick with the Sesame chicken!!

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Listen, don’t let those last two dishes steer you away from House of Nanking. The place is always mobbed and you have to give their signature plate a try. It’s really worth waiting in the rain!

In some cases, steakhouses can be one dimensional, cooking premium cuts of beef exceptionally well, while other dishes are somewhat uninspired. It didn’t take long for me to find out 22 Bowens is not one of those places. It was refreshing to find a steakhouse that shows versatility in their menu with an ability to conceptualize various dishes, incorporate unique flavor combinations, and most importantly, execute each plate in a truly delicious way.

Local Oysters on the Half Shell with Pink Peppercorn-Chive Mignonette

You can never go wrong starting with some oysters on the half shell…and these were certainly no exception! These briny little bivalves tasted delicious with the Pink Peppercorn-Chive Mignonette which provided some bright, bold flavors.  A perfect start to any meal in my opinion!

New England Clam Chowder

When attending the annual Knorr Chowder Cook-off in Newport last year, I remembered voting for 22 Bowens for serving my favorite chowder of the day…so obviously I had to order it again this time around. My bowl of New England Chowder was incredibly creamy and loaded with clams and chunks of potatoes.  It was perfectly balanced and properly seasoned. I would highly recommend it!

Petite Cassoulet with Duck Confit, Pancetta, and White Beans

This miniature kettle was jampacked with flavor despite the size. The duck confit was extremely tender and fell right off the bone. I also enjoyed the richness that the pancetta added to the entire dish. My only complaint was the amount of herbs, specifically rosemary, that I thought was used too heavily. Overall, this appetizer reminded me of a winter dish. I think this Cassoulet would be best offered as a seasonal choice instead.

Honey Barbecue Pork Loin with Cilantro Mashed Potatoes, Honey Barbecue Demi-Glace, Gorganzola Cornbread Muffin, and Broiled Tomatoes (that’s a mouthful!)

Where do I even start here? There was a lot going on in this dish, but it was like a symphony of flavors that all played together harmoniously. The honey barbecue sauce was sweet and sour and soaked right into the pork itself. The cilantro mashed potatoes were unlike any mashed potatoes I have ever tried before. It tasted like they used creamy avocados as a substitute for butter, which also paired well with the cilantro. I also enjoyed the addition of the rich gorgonzola cheese inside the cornbread which was a tasty and interesting spin on this traditional side.

Leaning Tower of Onion Rings

We also ordered the Thick Cut Cajun Onion Rings on the side which were seemingly stacked to the ceiling. These were definitely spicy and I was able to detect some cayenne, paprika, garlic, and oregano. We were served some Horseradish Cream on the side, but I didn’t feel it was necessary. The Horseradish clashed with the Cajun seasoning because there were too many aggressive flavors. Maybe I’m just a simple guy…ketchup would have been fine for me.

Striped Bass with Lobster Tail, Wild Rice, and Blood Orange Beurre Blanc

This dish was a special the night I visited…and let me just say…if this is ever on the specials menu when you dine at 22 Bowens…you NEED to order it!

The striped bass was cooked perfectly. It had a wonderful char from the grill and still maintained a moist, flaky texture. The lobster tail was just an added bonus. C’mon now, everybody knows I can’t turn down Lobster.

The Blood Orange Beurre Blanc was very inventive. It tasted fantastic paired with every single item on the dish (including the bass, the lobster, and even the rice). The acid and the sweetness from the blood oranges mixed with the butter based emulsion married together to make a delicious sauce. The wild rice also had some very unique combinations including pistachios, grapes, and ginger. As strange as these ingredients may sound together, it doesn’t really matter…it tasted AMAZING!

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Overall, we had a terrific experience at 22 Bowens from start to finish. The striped bass turned out to be a truly special dish that I will remember for a LONG time (yes, it was that good!). In fact, I even made sure to tell my server, the manager, the hostess, pedestrians, and just about anybody I could find that they should consider adding it to the regular menu!

Again, it was great to find a steakhouse that serves top notch dishes outside of only red meat. But I have to be honest, I am dying to try their steak now too. Oh well, I guess I will have to return again soon!!!

Ok, so this post was seriously overdue and I applaud those who have stuck with me. It’s been a month since we last spoke, so it’s only fitting for me to keep you guys up to speed. After Venice Beach, we made a quick “pit stop” in LA to meet up with a good friend over at Stout. We didn’t bother taking any pictures because it was too damn bright out and we were just really hungry (#firstworldproblems).

After devouring a spread of burgers, onion rings and bread pudding, we focused our attention onto the next leg of the journey. A 6 hour drive along the Pacific Coast in the middle of the night awaited us. Looking back, we had NO IDEA what we were about to get into.

Driving to the Big Sur was NOT EASY! For over a span of a 100 miles we were forced to navigate our minivan along winding roads and paths that seemed suitable for donkeys. Oh and our phones were out of service which only heightened the anxiety and nervousness of reaching the Big Sur in one piece. Mix in a slight case of drowsiness due to complete lack of sleep (no hotel tonight) and you got yourself one of the craziest drives of all time.

But, as they say, what makes you weak only makes your stronger and by sunrise we had successfully scaled the Pacific Coastline and more importantly, we were alive! Running on about 2 hours of sleep, we packed our camera gear and headed towards the first stop on the Big Sur Tour, McWay Falls.

This place was absolutely breathtaking. It truly felt like I was on another planet. The day before we were surrounded by mansions, Bentley’s and high society. Now, our backyard consisted of trails, forests and horizons that seemed to never end.

The inspiration behind visiting the Big Sur came from one of my favorite blogs, The Madbury Club. One place in particular, Pfieffer Beach, caught my eye and I made it known that it was our next stop. At first, the rest of the gang seemed hesitant, but boy did their notions change in a heartbeat.

For the next hour or so, we pretty much soaked in the scenery and landscape. We felt like children exploring the unknowns of the world and I enjoyed every single second of it. If you have the time, please take a gander at a few of Albert’s photos. In short, they are spectacular.

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The rest of the day was spent driving through the Big Sur and occasionally stopping for a photo-op or two. I didn’t want my time here to end, but we knew there was much more ahead…

Photos by: Moses Sium

First, let’s talk about the Clam Cakes. We ordered a half dozen and were given seven by mistake. Yup, we were off to a great start!

There is nothing worse than eating an entire Clam Cake without any clams inside. I’m sure we have all experienced this feeling of disappointment. Well, that’s definitely not the case at Flo’s. These crispy, golden, deep-fried orbs were packed with plenty of clams. The center of the Clam Cakes tasted slightly dense in comparison to the competitors, making Flo’s version more of a meal than just a snack. Nonetheless, I found them extremely addictive and they definitely hit the spot!

I have to be honest, I did not enjoy the White Clam Chowder. It was much too watery for my liking. Although it was flavorful, I just wish it was thicker and creamier. On a positive note, it was loaded with chunks of potatoes and massive amounts of clams (you are going to hear me say that a lot throughout my meal).

I know what you’re thinking. What in the world is that colossal pile of deep-fried seafood? Is that a hot dog bun underneath?

This is Flo’s signature Fried Whole Belly Clam Roll. And yes, it is meant to be eaten as a sandwich…which is nearly impossible. It’s a bit on the expensive side at around $13.95, but it’s worth it. In fact, it was even featured on Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate” by Chef Chris Cosentino. I would also recommend it to anyone that likes Whole Belly Clams!!!

In case you don’t love everything deep-fried like me, Flo’s also has a Raw Bar upstairs where you can order Littlenecks, Oysters, and lots more. So next time you are in Newport, make it a point to stroll down to Flo’s Clam Shack on Wave Ave. Heck, I made a special trip to Flo’s just because it was a nice day…and I plan to do it again very soon. See you there!!!

What really makes this Grilled Cheese unique is the selection of cheeses. It’s a complex blend of Cheddar, Gouda, Fontina, and about 5 other cheeses all carefully selected by their cheesemonger on a daily basis. This sandwich is sure to tantalize your taste buds in a way you have never experienced before.

It’s all about QUALITY at La Laiterie!!!

La Laiterie definitely knows what they’re doing when it comes to cheese. Executive Chef Matt Jennings, who was recently nominated for a James Beard Award as Best Chef Northeast category (a very prestigious award), is extremely talented, knowledgeable, and a guru of all things dairy. If you have never been to this quaint, unpretentious cheese shop, do yourself a favor and head down to Wayland Square to find out why La Laiterie is widely recognized as one of the best restaurants around. And don’t forget to order the Cheesemonger’s Grilled Cheese too!

I’ve heard lots of people rave about this teppanyaki restaurant, boasting that it blows Kon and Shogun out the water. And if you follow Urbanspoon, you will notice Ichigo Ichie is currently ranked the #1 restaurant in Rhode Island based on user reviews. So that’s exactly why we headed down to East Providence to find out what this popular Japanese steakhouse was all about.

We started with the Monster Roll (shown in the main picture above). This signature roll was packed with Lobster Tempura, Asparagus, Avocado, Sliced Mango, and Seaweed Salad. It was then smothered in a combination of Mango Sauce and Thai Sauce.

I had high hopes for this sushi roll when it landed on the table. It’s true people eat with their eyes first. The colors and the overall presentation had my mouth watering. However, once I picked up the first piece with my chopsticks and took my first bite, I was instantly disappointed. The sauce drowned out all of the other ingredients, causing them to become mushy.

In my opinion, good sushi is all about properly cooked rice paired with fresh seafood. These two ingredients should always be at the forefront. The Monster Roll was more about the sauce and unfortunately it overpowered everything else. I don’t know why they use lobster because you definitely can’t taste it after it’s drenched in the Mango Sauce and the Thai Sauce. I would recommend trying a different sushi roll on their menu because I truly hated this one.

Our hibachi chef put on a great show and cooked up some delicious food!

Luckily the hibachi was much better than the sushi. I ordered the sirloin steak dinner which was served with shrimp, rice, and a medley of vegetables. The portions were gigantic! I’m known to have a big appetite and not even I could finish the entire plate. In fact, I even took it home and ate it for lunch the next day. The picture doesn’t really do the portion size justice…but trust me…there was A LOT of food!

Usually my biggest complaint about hibachi is that everything tastes the same (usually like soy sauce) since it is cooked on the same teppanyaki grill. Ichigo Ichie managed to season everything differently so that there was more depth of flavor beyond just soy sauce. Everything was delicious!

Although the sushi fell short of my expectations, I loved my hibachi dinner. Based on portion size and taste, I would agree that Ichigo Ichie is better than some other local competing Japanese steakhouses like Kon and Shogun. Plus, Ichigo Ichie’s high energy atmosphere and stunning decor like the picturesque waterfall by the entrance added to the overall experience.

Ichigo Ichie is definitely worth checking out. Just remember to make a reservation at Ichigo because the place is ALWAYS packed. Enjoy!!!

To celebrate our recent accomplishment (#1 Food Blog in RI according to Urbanspoon), we will be mailing out exclusive stickers to call your own! Simply email your snail mail info at frontroweats@gmail.com

Oh and don’t forget to snap a pic of you with the stickers and we’ll make sure to share them on Twitter! See you in the funny papers…

Hundreds of beer lovers gathered at the Providence Convention Center last weekend to celebrate the Great International Beer Fest. It may have been a smaller showcase than some other events I have attended in the past, but there were still plenty of quality brews to choose from. Harpoon, Samuel Adams, Old Burnside, Berkshire, Brooklyn, and many more of my favorite breweries were giving out samples of their most popular seasonal varieties. Our favorite beer of the night turned out to be Fuller’s London Pride which was sweet, malty, and clean (and I just want to point out that I usually dislike Pale Ales!). A close runner-up was Samuel Adams’ Longshot Derf’s Secret Alt which I found to be pretty complex. I might have to buy their Longshot variety pack to try this one again!

In case you missed it last weekend, below we have uploaded a fun, short video as we “snaked” our way through the crowd. We had a great time at this year’s event and we are definitely looking forward to the Fall event which we heard is even bigger and better!

Until then, CHEERS!!!

Ok so quick recap. Fly to San Diego. Sleep in a motel. Wake Up. Drive to Vegas and then drive to the Grand Canyon. But before we start, I wanted to quickly talk about Vegas. I managed to not take a single picture in Sin City. Not sure why but I’ve been there before and didn’t want to be “touristy”. I can say Roberto’s Taco Shop on 1220 East Harmon is a must stop if you’re in town. Cheap ass prices and generous portions. We also stopped by Fruition and spent a few minutes talking to Chris Julian, who co-founded this one of a kind clothing boutique. Please check out their shop online as they have a selection like no other.

Looking back, I kinda wish I took pictures in Vegas. LOL. Ok onto the Grand Canyon…

Mommy Nature at her finest

The drive to the Grand Canyon was breathtaking and the near 5 hour excursion flew by. Mountains filled the panoramic landscape as we approached one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Rolling up to the toll booth in our silver stallion,  we were greeted by a perky toll attendant cheerfully demanding $25 for the entrance fee. After an exchange of 5′s and 1′s and a stack of park maps, we drove towards the South Rim.

The Grand Canyon is…DOPE!!!!!! Can’t put it any other way. I felt like I was on the set of Total Recall and at any given moment I would have bumped into Doug Quaid himself. We managed to spend the rest of the day walking along many of the man-made paths. But we didn’t fly across the country to just settle for pavement trails and unsalted peanuts. Nah, we wanted to be adventurous and more than anything, curious.

Nap Spot

While the crew continued to walk along the South Rim, I chose to take the road less traveled. I discovered a small trail descending downwards into the Canyon and eventually found this little nook overlooking the infinite horizon. I was kinda tired and felt like it was the perfect time to take a little catnap. Easily a top-5 nap in my book.

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When night struck, we were forced to head back towards the van and begin our drive to Vegas. We figured it was the perfect rest stop en route to LA. Hernan took over for the night shift and looking back, being in the same car he was driving in was, well, interesting. But, we made it back to Vegas by midnight and decided to stop by Roberto’s one more time before knocking out in the room.

Checking out in the morning sucked. Everyone was either hung over/cranky/still sleeping. By mid morning, we were out the door and our journey continued. Vegas to LA was one of my favorite drives on the trip. Route 15 provided an ever-changing backdrop of valleys, mountains, and perfectly plotted communities. Before 2pm we arrived at Venice Beach for some much needed R&R.

Over the course of the next 3 hours, we went our own ways and soaked in Venice Beach for all it was worth. Mo decided to rent a bike and captured some ill footage through his fish eye. Crazy stuff. I made my way to the infamous basketball courts that continues to play home to the thousands embracing the So Cal lifestyle.

I sat and watched a surprisingly competitive game of 5-on-5. One guy, who I’ll never forget, was rocking a #8 Kobe jersey and a homemade armband composed of bobby pins and brown medical wraps. And the crazy part? The dude was ballin’ out!!!

Damn. 5pm. Time was of the essence and I really didn’t want to leave. The crew was ready to go and we promptly began to discuss dinner plans for the evening. Stout Burger perhaps???

to be continued…