RI Food Trucks Are Unboolievable,Who Let the Dogs
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RI Food Trucks Are UnBOOlievable It’s well known that Providence likes its food, and when that food can come to you — all the better! Providence’s Food Trucks give a whole new meaning to meals on wheels. You won’t find boring burgers or sad sandwiches at these windows. Rather a myriad of gourmet experiences that span the globe, are packed with flavor and boast an impressive ingredient provenance. Most importantly they rock up in the best of lunchtime, weekend and late night locations. Never truer is that last statement than this coming Halloween. FoodsTrucksIn.com, the premier site for all things food truck related in RI (and indeed across the country), has teamed up with Roger Williams Park to bring us their spookily brilliant, ‘UnBOOlieveable Festival.’ With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, I certainly know where I’ll be trick or taco treating. To celebrate their stormingly successful summer of Food Truck Friday events at Roger Williams’ Carousel Village, a veritable hoard of trucks will be descending on the park once more to close out the season in style. This all-day event has something for all the family and is free to attend. Gates open at 11am to Roger Williams Park’s first ever Halloween party in the park, and the trucks start serving shortly after at 11:30am. In addition to the foodie spectacle, a fete of arts and crafts vendors, farmers, live musicians and many more treats will be filling the park with fall color right on through till 5pm. The soundtrack of the day will be kept upbeat by Keith Munslow and the SuperChief Trio who will be playing from 11am-2pm, and rumor has it that Extraordinary Rendition Band will be making an appearance! There is no fear of going hungry at this event with between 15 and 20 trucks on the docket! Some favorites include: Championship Melt, Fancheezical, Gotta “Q” BBQ, Mijo’s Tacos and O’Crepe. Trinity Brewhouse will also be in attendance serving beer and wine for the grown-up trick or treaters. Those with little ghouls and ghosts in tow can be sure to keep sugar fueled minds occupied with rides on the beautiful 1890s carousel and a free food truck trick or treat session from 2 – 4pm for costumed monsters 12 years old and younger. For those looking to up their Halloween game this year, why not treat yourselves with a tricked out VIP experience? Eric Weiner of FoodTricksIn.com gave me the low down on the VIP package: “Each VIP Experience comes with a 2-hour reserved picnic table (outside) or banquet table (inside) for up to 8 people, soda or water for each person, and up to 8 carousel rides.” Availability is limited so be sure to email [email protected] for more details and to book your spot. Anyone looking to round off the day in especially spooky style should stick around for the penultimate night of the park’s Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular. Made up of 5,000 carved pumpkins, 100 of which can only be described as works of art, they cast an eerily beautiful glow across the park as the sun goes down and the sprits come out! So whether you’re looking to consume a scary amount of dangerously delicious food, let your costumed kiddies run riot or just have a freaky fright night full of fun, be sure to put this unBOOlievable date in your diary! You can find more information at FoodTrucksIn.com, over at facebook.com/foodtrucksin, or on rwpzoo.org. The Unboolievable Festival takes place on October 31 from 11am – 5pm. Who Let the Dogs Out? Downcity Dog Days at Aurora It’s Tuesday, which is pretty much just Monday dressed a bit fancier, and you’re sitting at your desk, entirely not on Facebook trying to waste those last few minutes before the clock strikes five and you can blow this popsicle stand and find your first after-work libation. But, you have to ask, where the heck are we going to go? Forgo the post 5pm road rage that comes with fighting your way to a parking spot at an out-of-town watering hole. Instead, claim one of the street-side seats out front of 276 Westminster St, and watch those not in the know beating a path elsewhere while you already have a cold one in hand. This old dog has a whole host of new tricks — the space that was once Root’s Café and previously Providence Black Repertory Company is now the stellar downtown events venue and bar, Aurora. After establishing themselves as a primo downtown music venue, Aurora is now asking Providence to join them in an after work tipple, hot dogs and some awesome giveaways. 2014 © Cat Laine. Every dog has its day — for Aurora those days are every Tues beginning June 9 and continuing bi- weekly through Aug as they host InDowncity’s Dog Days. InDowncity (indowncity.com) is one of the groups that shout the loudest when it comes to the community atmosphere of the downtown neighborhood. Representing the independent businesses that line Westminster St and beyond, InDowncity is known for creating a party in the city; they produce the annual Cinco De Mayo Block Party as well as the summer open air cinema, Movies on the Block (moviesontheblock.com), which enters its ninth season this year. Together Aurora and InDowncity are inviting weary 9-5ers to take a load off, grab a free hot dog and order something at the bar. Known for their grown-up Slurpee-style cocktails, Aurora’s frozen drinks machine will be churning away in readiness filled with, among others, my favorite: the Painkiller. A much tastier hair-of-the-dog alternative to Advil, it’s made with Wings of Steel rum, orange, pineapple, rum, lime, coconut, rum and … er, more rum. The mirror backed, neon chalk adorned bar menu also has a respectable collection of drafts including Downeast Cider, Baxter Coconut Porter, Founders Nitro Stout and Berkshire Steel Rail Pale. There is something for every dog-tired palate. Sweet treats from Ellie’s Bakery’s Millie the macaron ice cream cart will be available for those who crave a little ice cream with their grown-up drinks. There’s also something for every level of physical enthusiasm for post work bevvies; the lounge banquettes and mellow soundtrack are perfect for those for whom a walk to the bar is quite enough exertion, thanks very much. For those who prefer their after work drinks a little more dynamic, ping pong and corn hole will be on hand to cause someone to get a little over-competitive and buy the next round. Make sure you’re not barking up the wrong tree and keep up-to-date with all the Aurora happenings via their Twitter (@auroraprov), Instagram (@auroraprov) and website (auroraprovidence.com). InDowncity’s Dog Days at Aurora; Tues in June, July and August from 5 – 7pm Food Trucks Are Rolling in the Summer Streets Food trucks are a huge part of PVD’s food scene. A summer event is not complete without a line of colorful vehicles hugging the curb, and a melee of piquant, sweet and savory aromas seasoning the air. Eric Weiner of FoodTrucksIn.com, an online database listing over 5,400 food trucks in over 1,100 cities, is excited to see the new wave of food trucks this summer. “Summer is the season of the food truck. May to October, when you have so many outdoor events, graduations, weddings and parties is the time you’ll see new trucks on the street, which is great. I love the mixture of stories behind the trucks — there’s lots of opportunities for unique concepts,” said Weiner. With the new city administration under Mayor Elorza showing willingness to adjust city ordinances to be much more food truck friendly, Weiner hopes that a new large scale, regular food truck meet up will be in PVD’s future. Right now you can find a great collection of trucks, between eight and 10, every Friday through June at the Carousel Village in Roger Williams Park Zoo. Though there are some stalwart favorites among the Providence food truck roster, the exciting newcomers to the mobile muchery game this year have got Rhody tummies rumbling: Buddah Belly Who’s behind the wheel?: Paul Gervais Launch Date: September 2014 Menu Ethos: Bringing truly authentic Chinese food to the streets of Providence Favourite dish on the menu? “My favorite is the Chinese Style Crepe or Jian Bing in Chinese. It is arguably THE number 1 Chinese street food. People actually get excited when they order it from me! Or, maybe the Beijing Soup …. or maybe it’s the Buddha Wings because the sauce is AMAZING!! This is hard … I can’t pick just one!” What’s your background, food or otherwise? “In the winter of 2008 I took my first class at JWU; just one! In 2009 I made the commitment to go full time while working a full time job. I graduated in May 2013. It was, a long, hard five years of my life, but totally worth it!” Where to find the truck: Check out their Facebook (facebook.com/BuddhaBellyRI), Twitter (twitter.com/buddhabellyri), Foodtrucksin.com, BuddhaBellyFoodTruck.com or call 401.529.7425 for up-to-date details on where to get your Jian Bing on! Citizen Wing Who’s driving the truck?: Nick Lefebvre and Amy Lavoie Launch Date: April 2014 Menu Ethos: Citizen Wing serves up gourmet wings and comfort food with a twist.