Tumblesalts — Restaurant in North Providence

I had been here once before whilst getting my brakes serviced at a local mechanic shop. I had wanted to go for a while because Tumblesalts is a place that really sparks the interest of any passers-by. It has the feel of a place in the White Mountains that caters to travelers because of its vibe and look.

And vibe it has! My second visit was with someone special, and we arrived just as a guitarist was finishing their brunch performance. The ambient music was a wonderful addition, giving customers the addition of hearing beautiful music, while addressing the first sensation of taste.

Menu choices were ample, and gluten-free options were available. I chose the burger with a gluten-free bun, and the thick cut french fries gives an almost meaty feel to the carbs. The burger was cooked to a medium, which was exactly what I asked for, and the salad that was a part of our order was done right.

I have yet to explore the entire compound of Tumblesalts. It seems as if part of the building is yet to be open, though it is separated by a street. Parking was available around the restaurant, and it appears to have handicapped accessible parking and ramps around the area.

When visiting the area, do a post-meal stroll around Centredale, the village center that upon where Tumblesalts borders. It is a great way to satiate some curiosity about Rhode Island and settle the digestion. Centredale sits at a moderately busy intersection of Mineral Springs Avenue, Smith Street, and the northwestern end of Providence. There you'll notice a place where the urban/suburban dynamics are playing off one another. In a way, Tumblesalts is a representation of the Centredale spirit, as each room and architectural element is carefully thought out and designed, each space is different, but somehow, it all...

Made reservations a month in advance for a party of seven at noon on Sunday. We were excited to try the different items on the menu, as there seemed to be something for everyone. When we got there, it was a brunch buffet set-up only, and none of the containers were stocked. They told us they had just run out of everything and were in the process of making more. I asked the person who seemed like the owner (manager) if we could order off the menus and he said “We don’t offer that yet.” I was confused because I thought this place has been around for years. Why wasn’t there an explanation on the website that it would only be a buffet? No one offered us coffee the whole time. Eggs were dry and cold and tasted fake. Bloody Mary’s took forever and had bits of stuff floating in them that I was not sure what it was. Disappointed as I felt they should not have the breakfast/brunch menus on the website if they actually don’t offer the choice to order off of them on Sundays (or perhaps any day?). I felt that the place has possibilities but it was very poorly run. People seemed to be scrambling to bring the food out but we still had to wait too long for them to get their act together. Our table was set up such that three people had to slide out to get up for the buffet. Not a good set up when there is a buffet, and people are expected to get up and down to get their food, especially with elderly people in the group. Wish I had read the reviews first… I would have not chosen this place for a confirmation...

I recently had the opportunity to experience brunch at this establishment, their acorn venue ,and I must say, the experience left much to be desired. We paid $40 per adult and $16 per child, expecting a delightful meal for our family easter brunch unfortunately, the reality fell short.

Upon arrival, we noticed that some of the plates were dirty, which immediately set a negative tone for our meal. I had to ask if their were new plates we could have. The dessert selection was also less than appealing, displayed unceremoniously on top of the bar, which did not inspire confidence in its freshness or quality.

The most concerning issue was when my 3-year-old inadvertently ate uncooked sausage. We checked everyone else's plate to see if the sausage was cooked and it was not.This was alarming, and I felt compelled to bring it to the attention of the manager. While I appreciated their prompt response and willingness to compensate for my child's meal, as well as providing a $30 gift certificate for a future visit, it still didn't fully address the fact that we were paying over $200 for our brunch experience and expected everything to be top-notch.

Overall, while it's commendable that they attempted to rectify the situation, I believe that a restaurant of this caliber should maintain higher standards of cleanliness and food safety. Unfortunately, my experience did not reflect that expectation, and I hope they can improve in these areas...