RI Restaurant Stories: How To Breakfast Like A Rock Star
A few months ago, I was driving around the West End, looking for parking, when I saw something unusual - a long line of people waiting (patiently) outside a small red building marked Kitchen. Obviously, it was a restaurant, but I'd never heard of it and it looked so tiny. I made a mental note and moved on. A few weeks later, I was back, on my way to breakfast at another restaurant, when I noticed another line outside that same place, only this time it was even longer. It was then I knew I had to go to find out what all this fuss was about. (Yes, the door handle you see above is actually a giant spoon.)
Factoring in the lines I'd seen previously, I figured it was probably best to head over to Kitchen yesterday after peak breakfast time, which translated to 1:45pm. (FYI: They're open 7:30-4 on Sats and Suns.) Luckily, my guesstimate turned out to be correct. We walked right in and found an empty booth for two. Be aware though - while we were there, booths remained open for maybe 1 to 3 minutes tops before being quickly occupied by other couples. And the entire restaurant only seats around 15-16 people: There are three booths big enough for parties of two. (See photo above.) Across the aisle, on the opposite wall, there are another three slightly larger ones that could accommodate parties of four. Maybe. If everyone's on the thinner end of the spectrum. (See photo below.) In other words, it's probably not a good idea to try waltzing in with an entourage.
Now for the most important part...the food. (Someone recently roasted me for NOT talking enough about the food in another restaurant blog I wrote btw. I. Hear. You.) The portions were generous and delicious - I woofed down the Huevos Rancheros with home fries and T. had an omelet with cheese, home fries and (slab) bacon. We both had coffee. The home fries alone will make you seriously question your current list of fav breakfast or brunch spots statewide. I swear. The food was so good in fact that I'd recommend celebrating Providence Restaurant Weeks (July 12th - 25th) by treating yourself to at least one morning (or early afternoon) meal at Kitchen. Call in late to work, or call out entirely, if you have to.
And another thing. Our waitress Kayla was extremely helpful and sweet, refilling our coffees, checking in on us repeatedly, and just generally making us feel super welcome - even though we were definitely not hipsters from the neighborhood. #ThankYou
Did I also mention that Meg Ryan and John Mellencamp (If you're a child of the 80's and MTV, back when they played music videos, you may remember him as 'John Cougar'.) ate at Kitchen last time they were in town together? Yeah, it's the kind of place where: 1) You never know who you might run into while you're there enjoying the home fries, that bacon or the muffins that I hear are life altering. (Trying one next time!) 2) You only bring your most fav people, either that or someone you want desperately to impress.
Find Kitchen at 94 Carpenter St, Prov, 02903. (401) 270-4454.
*Sadly, it's closed on Monday's and Tuesday's, so you can't go today, but that does give you some time to switch your schedule around, so that you can get there some morning soon.
Ciao For Now,
Patty J
Photo Credits: All photos courtesy of us, except for the photo of Meg Ryan and John Mellencamp, found on YELP.