Rhode Island Restaurant Bucket List

It feels like we have not been out to eat in ages. I started this quarantine a bit earlier than everyone else, March 10th, since I was sick (unrelated to COVID-19). There is so much going on right now that I have been looking for the positives and trying to focus on the future knowing that we will get through this.

I thought I would start a Rhode Island bucket list of things I want to do when we get to return to “normal” life. I am going to start by sharing the restaurants that I want to try. I cannot believe how many places I have not had the chance to eat.

Without further adieu, here is my Rhode Island Restaurant Bucket List.

Newport

• Mission

• Winner Winner

• Cru

• Belle’s Cafe

• Pasta Beach

• TSK - Thames Street Kitchen

• Bar ‘Cino

Providence

• Plant City

• The River Social

• Birch

• Bayberry Beer Hall

• Blackie’s (Smithfield)

• Hometown Poké

• Bucktown

• Gracie’s

• Oberlin

East Greenwich

• Revival

• Greenwich Bay Oyster Bar

• Safehouse

• The Patio

• PB Bistro & Bar **Honorable mention since it is not opened yet! I am so excited for this plant-based restaurant to open.

Keep in mind that those lists are not in any specific order. They are all places that I have not tried but heard good things about! (I should probably be embarrassed that I haven’t tried some but it is what it is. haha)

Newport, Rhode Island's Daffodil Days

Newport, Rhode Island’s Daffodil Days are the best kick off to spring.  I know its no Nantucket but it is as close as I’ll get this time of year. Discover Newport holds monthly marketing meetings for local businesses and the Daffy Days committee brought a map to show us the best spots to see all the blooms.  Naturally, I grabbed one so I could share with all of you where to find the best spot to take photos.

When you cross the bridge onto the island, you will immediately be greeted by blooming daffodils.  If you head towards downtown, they will be on your right when you come to the stop sign and if that kind of welcome doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will.  Every day when they are blooming, I am reminded how lucky I am to work on such a pretty little piece of land. Everyone in town has planted their own but the committee has clumped bulbs in specific locations for your viewing as well.  More than twenty-five thousand bulbs in each spot to be exact and 1,000,000 total. Holy smokes.

If you head to the daffy days' website, here, you will find the lay of the land as well as an entire calendar of events for the next two weeks (starting Friday, April 12, 2019).  I will highlight a few of my favorites here for you though.

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Daffodil Days Opening Ceremonies - Bannister’s and Bowen’s Wharf from 1:00 to 2:00 pm

Daffy Doggie Paw-rade (probably the best idea ever) - Queen Anne’s Square from 2:00 to 3:00 pm

Daffy Doggie Post Parade “Pawty” (again, amazing) - Hotel Viking from 3:30 to 4:30 pm

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Go Daffy at Green Animals Topiary Garden - Green Animals from 2:00 to 3:00 pm

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Beach Cleanup at the Cliff Walk (since you all know I’m pretty passionate about our oceans) - Cliff Walk from 12:00 to 2:00 pm

There are also parades, strolls, and races for you all to enjoy.  Seriously, check out their website. Don’t forget to show me your pictures if you take any!

Post the Picture, Wear the Sweatshirt

I never would have thought that the picture I posted the other day on Instagram would garner so many comments and messages. There was no intention behind it other than I I want to be completely myself so that everyone here will feel safe to be completely themselves too. I wanted to share it here as well (in case Instagram ups and disappears one day because I think it is an important message).

Image via Emily Homonoff of Little Lion Communications

I was wicked hesitant to post this photo for all the wrong reasons. I always had in my head that if I bought a sweatshirt or shirt with a food quote or icon on it that people would see it and be like, “Yeah obviously, she loves that. Look at her.” I have battled with myself for years over what my weight is and how I think of myself. I am constantly over analyzing my reflection in the mirror and today I decided to say screw it. Not that I know those thoughts will suddenly stop but I wanted to post this picture. I think it’s fun and I love this sweatshirt.

We all know I’m obsessed with cheese fries but that doesn’t mean I eat them all the time or that I don’t eat healthy. I can post a picture of some cheesy goodness that I shared with a girlfriend while wearing an adorable sweatshirt and if people want to judge, so be it. I was the one with the fries and they weren’t.

EAST COAST PADDLE SPORTS

In my last post here, I showed you my favorite things to do and places to eat while in my little coastal town of East Greenwich.  After posting, I’ve gotten a few emails and questions about East Coast Paddle Sports.  I cannot rave enough about this little company.  Although I have only been to their EG location, I bet their Wakefield location is just as incredible. 

It is so easy to book a ticket online and show up that I’m surprised I am not there every weekend.  The first time I went was to go paddle boarding with T.  It was so much fun and so much easier than we thought it would be!  The girls working there helped us get onto the boards and instructed us where it was safe to paddle and gave us a route that would take up the time we had.  We came back exhausted, freckled filled, and unable to wiggle our toes (seriously!).  You do not realize how many muscles you use in your quads, calves, and feet combined to stay steady on that darn board.

I loved the experience so much that I signed up for paddle board Yoga.  Adventurous, I know.  Needled to say it was just as fun.  I was feeling so confident doing my Warrior II pose and by the end of the class I was the only one that hadn’t fallen in.  Let’s just say that I got a bit too confident (read: cocky) and decided to give a headstand a try.  Next thing I knew, my back was slapping against the water.   I suggest wearing regular yoga gear that you don’t mind if it gets a bit ocean drenched.  If you have a one piece, try that also.  I didn’t have a yoga appropriate one piece at the time so I went with some cropped leggings and a tank.  I have linked a few suites/workout gear that I think would work great instead of sporting something less waterproof!

Sports ‘ kayaking does not disappoint either.  T, my friend Jo, and I went one day when we were a bit nervous to fall in because the water was frigid still. Trust me when I say to check the wind speed that day.  We were cruising all the way into the inlet when we suddenly realized to get back, our arms would be dying because the wind shifted directions.

Overall though, I cannot recommend East Coast Paddle Sports enough.  Their employees are the sweetest and most helpful and you cannot beat the prices!