Ra Ra’s: Cheesy fun
I think men who can cook are sexy! Don’t care what it is, where they do it or how long it takes. Now the taste is a matter of scrutiny and I can get a bit hostile when it comes to what goes in my...
View ArticleGo Truck Yourself: La Birria’s Tasty Tacos
Growing up, the carnival was one of my most treasured adventures. A summertime tradition filled with fun, fright, and fantasy! My best memory of that sacred event was the food! Caramel apples, fried...
View ArticleGo Truck Yourself: Winter is coming!
Done, done and done… yup, my season is over. I’ve been around long enough to know rolling ice-cream in the snow just doesn’t work. I gotta tell ya though, there are a number of trucks out there...
View ArticleJust Like Nana’s: The best authentic rugelach in Rhode Island
In the world that Karen Griffin grew up in, there weren’t many exciting job opportunities for women. Instead of pursuing baking, she decided on the “realistic” goal of becoming a teacher. After...
View ArticleLlego La Navidad: Breaking down the traditional Puerto Rican Christmas feast,...
The holiday season is here, which means parties, giftgiving, acts of kindness, and yummy food. It’s the time of year to not only give and receive, but also to celebrate the different ways to...
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My Darling, Clementine: A night out at Providence’s new cocktail bar
Fumo Bianco Only days before bidding adieu to 2022, this former Motif writer sought out a new cocktail bar in the heart of Providence, secretly joining with friends in her beloved city for one more...
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Rhode Island is for Hope: Martha Tsegaye, Ethiopian eats
In 2010, Martha Tsegaye and her family immigrated from Ethiopia to Virginia; it was her first experience with snow. “I had only seen snow in the movies or on television and then I got to touch it.”...
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RI is for Hope: Kathleen Bellicchi of Bellicchi’s Biscotti
It was 34 degrees out on the first of February in Warren. Clouds were sparse, the sun was shining, and the air was sharp as a paper cut. I stood on the beach in my bathing suit with Kathleen...
View ArticleBrew News for the City of East Providence
I have some great news for the craft beer lovers of East Providence! A new brewery called Crook Point Brewing Company is currently under construction and will be the first to open in this small town...
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Call it a Plant Jam: Elevated Cannabis Recipes
Recipes and Photography by Chef David Yusefzadeh Article by Sam Burgess Elevate is the name of the game for the future of cannabis edibles – to craft an experience that goes beyond a few bites of...
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The Spirits of RI: Distilling a New Home
Commuters getting off at the new Pawtucket/Central Falls train station after a long day of work or studies don’t have to go far to enjoy uniquely crafted cocktails/mocktails and low-toned...
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PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE MOTIF 2023 RI DRINK AWARDS
Monday, August 14 from 5-9pmR1 Indoor Karting, 100 Higginson Ave, Lincoln, RI This event will be held alongside our seventh annual Food Truck Awards. Find the event on Facebook here. RSVPs help us...
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DRINKS WITH THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL FISHMONGER: A profile of two exuberant...
Beer-thirty means cold fingers wrapped around Bud Lite cans in the back of the walk-in. The freezer kicks on and the whrrrrrrrr of the fans drown out employee conversations. I stand next to a fish tub...
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Veggies Rise Up: The growth of veganism in RI
Snacking at the beach (Peps Silvestro) Let’s set the scene. It’s mid-June and you’re at Narragansett town beach with your friends, getting the best tan of your life. The sound of the waves so gently...
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2023 Summer Farmers Markets & Pick-Your-Owns
Note, times and dates are self-reported but may be subject to change. Shopping at Farm Fresh RI (Ciana Meyers) Farmers Markets Attleboro La Salette Shrine 947 Park Street Saturdays, 9am – 1pm Jun 17...
View ArticleFood Trucks of Summer: A RI institution
Warming weather means the RI food truck season swings into high gear. Major events drawing dozens of trucks have already started their schedules. Both PVD Food Truck Events (PVD FTE) and Ocean State...
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Say Cheese!: Artisanal cheese store returns to Wayland Square, and it’s so...
Every cheese has a story. That’s what I learned after speaking with Angie and Jeff DiMeo, owners of the new artisanal cheese shop opening in Wayland Square this summer. Although the couple shares a...
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Crime & Cuisine: A taste of Providence history
Providence has a variety of funky and diverse neighborhoods that are each distinct – yet blend into a city that haunts like home. Atwells Avenue in the Federal Hill neighborhood connects a few...
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That Nashville Shine: Moonshine Alley serves a little bit of country in...
Mary McAvoy performs onstage as patrons enjoy the food and drinks. (Photo: Corey Plante) The sweet scent of sweat and liquor lingers everywhere in downtown Nashville, which is definitely related to...
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Follow Me To…Your Mom’s: Pawtucket breakfast joint is no joke
Tasty meals before delivery to local homeless shelter (Photo: Your Mother’s Favorite Breakfast Place) The Soly’s are a resilient family that supports each other and turns everything into a family...
View ArticleStudent Food Truck Program: Riding food trucks to culinary awareness
The most delicious school project ever conceived in the Ocean State is coming to a school near you this fall. Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)’s Menu for Success Student Food Truck...
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An Eight-Year-Old for a Boss: A food cart as a family business
Eight-year-old Cecilia is poised to become (we’re pretty sure) the youngest food truck operator in RI with the grand opening of Cecilia’s Snacks at the 2023 Motif Food Truck Awards. Assisted by her...
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2023 Food & Drink Awards August 14
RI Food Truck & Drink Awards 2023 If you didn’t attend this year’s Motif Food Truck & Drink Awards you sadly missed out on a great event. This was my first year attending and it was a great...
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A vow to the binding union of a pint of beer: Exploring RI’s OG beer
Photo: Kelly Lynn Currier Let’s face it, communication is important in any type of relationship. Are women better communicators than men? I can’t answer this. I have been guilty of holding things in....
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It’s National Farmers Market Week: August 6 – 12, 2023
Now in its 24th year, National Farmers Market Week (August 6 – 12, 2023) is an annual celebration highlighting the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. The week’s events help...
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Who’s Your MacDaddy?: The pasta-bilities are endless
Not to be confused with other Mac Daddy trucks across the country, Mac Daddy of Rhode Island is the first gourmet mac and cheese truck of its kind in this area. This year, it was the winner of Motif’s...
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Feast Under the Stars: Hope & Main’s Schoolyard Twilight Party
Photo: Marianne Lee Photography If drinking and dining on delicious local fares underneath the stars sounds enticing to you, then you won’t want to miss Hope & Main’s Schoolyard Twilight Party on...
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Halloween Candy Guide 2023
When you’re a kid, candy is currency. It is the life-force-giving stuff of dreams, none too sweet nor too gimmicky. A dropper of sour goo? Sounds good. A hollow ball of tempered chocolate with a...
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And Your Little Sly Fox Den Too!
Vegan Bowl with corn cakes & cranberry chutney. Photo courtesy of the restaurant. As the second most densely populated state in America, it’s hard for anywhere in Rhode Island to be “in the middle...
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A PVD Winter Cake Walk
A cheery cake for a dreary season (Photo: Ellie’s) In the mid-1800s, Black folks developed the cakewalk – a pageant of ostentatious dances mocking the absurdity of their plantation owners. And from...
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This Porridge is Too Good
Oats, shrimp, sharp cheddar, and rosemary porridge (and photo) by the author. Every winter, our mammalian kin pack on the blubber and slow down the pace of life so as not to expend valuable calories...
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Haunted by SIBO: Savoring holiday foods wih chronic sickness
Fork and knife photo by Marco Vech. SIBO is a medical condition that stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. For people with SIBO, the composition of bacteria in the small intestine becomes...
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Spoon + Board: Wood never looked so good
Juan Ferrer with his wooden wares. (Photo: Carly Rae Photo) Juan Ferrer runs a blossoming new woodshop called Spoon + Board, featuring tree-to-table goods. Himself a lifelong chef, his love of...
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Green Line Apothecary: The “Aesthetic” of old school cool
Exterior photo by Meg Coss. The moment you learn most soft drinks began their lives as medical elixirs is always an enjoyable experience. Yes, Dr. Pepper was invented by a licensed pharmacist. Pepsi...
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Farewell to Dusk: A musical sanctuary says goodbye
For more than a decade, Dusk has been the beating heart of Providence, offering a refuge for both local and international musicians. However, circumstances beyond their control have forced the closure...
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Providence as Muse: Diving deep with Divey
Slugger album cover via artist’s Bandcamp. Slugger by Divey Divey & The Likes, or just Divey, are a rapidly growing presence in the Providence indie rock scene. Helmed by frontman Alexander...
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Sowing Seeds of Sanctuary: One farm’s journey to change the food system
Julius Kolawole works with a young volunteer to plant seeds. Photos courtesy of the African Alliance of RI. There is nothing that defines a culture more intrinsically than its food. The food a region...
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Guest Editor Bio
Mark-Anthony Lewis is a writer and comedian from East Providence, RI. As one of New England’s top Bird Comics, Mark-Anthony has performed at clubs like The Comedy Studio and Laugh Boston. He was a...
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Monthly Mixology Madness Mocktail Winner: Winter’s Folly by Patrick Hamilton,...
“I love the idea of challenging myself to use different and creative processes that I would not use on a daily basis at Skeff’s. One of the big ideas behind this drink and all the ones that I try to...
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Ten Date-Worthy Restaurants
From L to R: dishes from Hoof’s, La Condesa, Aspara, and Corner Cafe. Each of the restaurants on this list, which is organized from south to north, is a fitting location for a date, but what kind of...
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Date Night Guide
In my first date night guide installment, I professed my love for date nights in the fall due to their comfy, cozy vibe, and I stand by that. For many of the same reasons, I would argue that winter is...
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Sugar Never Goes Bad: The indestructible love of archival work with Darlene...
Photos courtesy of the Candy Wrapper Museum. Read the full interview with Darlene Lacey below. Darlene Lacey started The Candy Wrapper Museum in 1975, when she was just a teenager. She says, “I had...
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An Ode to Providence
Illustration by the author. Like many young people, I came to Rhode Island for college. Sure, I liked Providence, but I was far too focused on doing well in classes, making friends, and trying out for...
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Skeff’s Pub: Tábhairne Fíor-Ghaeilge (a genuine Irish Pub)
Have yourself an Irish sip at Skeff’s pub. (Photo: Skeff’s Pub) I met Eileen Harvey, then Eileen Skeffington, in 1978 when she and her parents moved to my neighborhood. Eileen grew up with her older...
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Waste Not Want Not: A conversation with chef Alison Mountford about America’s...
Alison Mountford + veggies in her home kitchen. (Photo: Ends + Stems) The rectangle of light from the open fridge illuminates the darkening kitchen. Behind its doors stands a woman with glazed over...
View ArticleElizabeth’s Portofino Tuscan Grill: Fine cuisine, philanthropy, and a shot of...
Elizabeth’s Portofino Tuscan Grill is a delicious gem located in a tiny Warwick strip mall. Upon entering, the welcoming atmosphere is immediately felt — Elizabeth’s is full of friendly faces and...
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Recipe: Stuffed Quahogs
Stuffed quahogs, more commonly and endearingly referred to as “stuffies,” are an iconic, delicious Rhode Island staple, up with the rest of the greats: coffee milk, Del’s Lemonade, and clear chowder....
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The “Brightside” of Seafood: A new market’s journey to change the way we buy,...
Photo via Brightside Seafood. A fishing boat rests in the middle of the Atlantic. It sways like a piece of driftwood under the heat of the summer sun. The ocean stretches towards the blue horizon,...
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Munchies Tips: 4/20 is on the horizon and so are the munchies
Clam cakes and chowder by Iggy’s. What is the best munchie food? The answer is simple, all munchie food is the best! It just depends on you. Are you hungry hungry or just looking for a snackaroo? Is...
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Scrumptious Chow at Scurvy Dog: Rebel’s Rations takes pride in serving good...
Dan Brown. (Photo courtesy of Dan Brown.) Rebel’s Rations is the brainchild of chef Daniel Brown and best friend Alec Labine. It came about as a way to build community and provide kick-ass, late-night...
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