Oak - Providence

Oak! Restaurant Oak is a very welcome fixture in the Hope district. It is walking distance to much of the numbered streets on the East Side, and near Blackstone park. It has a changing menu, an 8-seat bar, and a very courteous staff. The brunch is quite good, my favorite is their Juevos Rancheros, which I almost exclusively order every Saturday morning. Dinner menu is quite good, they have a Penne Alio e Olio right now with snow peas that is delicious, with several options to “mix in”, such as scallops, shrimp, and other delectables. Quesadillas and black bean burgers, as well as more meat-eater friendly fare, and a Wednesday Prix Fix allowing the customer to pick from a variety of specials. I’ve had mixed results at lunch, but consistently good-to-great brunch and dinners. The icing on the cake is that they serve Voss water, which is a rarity in Providence. I like just about anything that comes in a glass bottle, and Voss is an exceptional bottled water. Their sparkling water is perfect. Recently on the menu is a blackened salmon fillet with a wonderful salsa, and they sometimes have a tuna steak sandwich that knocks me on my ass faster than a crowbar. They frequently have a selection of desserts that compliments just about any meal, and a wine list that is respectable for a restaurant of their size. The staff makes the grade too, they know their menu well, and one of the owners is frequently behind the bar. I love Oak. It is in my regular rotation of places to eat, and I often eat there twice a week.