Cafe Nuovo — Restaurant in Providence

UPDATE: 6/2024 I have gone to this restaurant multiple times now. This time, I wanted to share the experience with a larger group for business. Frankly, after talking this restaurant up, the service is what embarrassed me. The waiter had a serious attitude as if we were doing him a favor by being there. I wasn't the only one that noticed this, but my entire group. Half the group had alcoholic drinks and the other did not. The waiter not only would shame the non drinkers, but would also show a fit when asked for more water. One of the steaks was ordered as a medium but came in well done. He actually had the diner keep cutting into the steak until a medium section came up. His excuse was that their grill (or whatever they were cooking with), was cooking uneven and that, I quote him, "it was correct". So why is that our problem? It was essentially over seared on one side. No apologies or offer to switch the steak. And the diner being hungry, just ate it. Now, I understand that one bad apple doesn't spoil the bunch. BUT THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THAT I AM EVER TAKING MY BUSINESS CUSTOMERS TO THIS RESTAURANT EVER AGAIN. I simply cannot risk it... I stand by my previous reviews and experiences as written below and I may eventually return to this location but with just my family and friends; unless another restaurant catches our attention. Dropping it to 4 stars for this experience.

Fantastic place! I can only imagine that with this location next to the water, this place would be packed during the summer. There are outside seating which would make this place a great place to eat. Honestly, the food was better than expected. They had a lobster bisque special that was the best I've had in a long time; and I've had many since it's my "go to" soup if available. Short rib croquettes appetizer is a must. The calamari and shrimp is very lightly breaded and fried. But it was just ok.

For mains, we had the beef tenderloin risotto and the chilean seabass. Both of them were cooked to perfection. It would be very hard to decide which of the two was better. The beef came with risotto and the seabass came with jasmine rice. I'm glad we ordered both!

For dessert, we had the creme brulee and the apple cheesecake. I've had better creme brulee. But I was a little on the over full side at this point so I was somewhat forcing it down vs truly enjoying it. And although the cheesecake was really good, my wife says hers is better.

Service was excellent as expected. The food presentation was excellent as well. Although not all the food was "to die for", there was so much good selection that I can't wait to come back and try the rest. Overall, we haven't been to a better restaurant lately and this pretty much is our #1 in the area at this point.

Food Presentation * Bread * nothing special Appetizers ** great selection and taste Mains * great selection and taste Desserts ** good but not great; somewhat limited selection based on what we like Drinks ** "Green Hornet" drink is a must have for me. Jordan Chardonnay is as expected if you are...

I recently had the pleasure of hosting my second wedding ceremony at Cafe Nuovo, and I must say that it was an exceptional experience. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant, the ambiance was perfect for our special day. The elegant decor and soothing atmosphere created a romantic setting that added to the overall charm of the event.

The service at Cafe Nuovo was top-notch, and I cannot praise Sean, the General Manager, enough for his exceptional accommodation. He displayed the patience of a saint in dealing with my numerous requests and always made sure to promptly return my calls and emails. His attention to detail and commitment to ensuring our satisfaction was truly commendable.

The staff at Cafe Nuovo was outstanding in every aspect. From the moment we arrived, they greeted us with warm smiles and a genuine willingness to assist. Their professionalism and attentiveness throughout the event were truly impressive. Every member of the staff went above and beyond to ensure that our guests felt welcomed and taken care of.

Now, let's talk about the food. The culinary experience at Cafe Nuovo was nothing short of spectacular. Every dish that was served was prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail. The flavors were exquisite, and the presentation was visually stunning. Each bite was a delight, and our guests couldn't stop raving about the quality and taste of the food. It was truly a gastronomic journey that left a lasting impression on everyone.

I must also mention the bartender, who did an exceptional job. The drinks were expertly crafted, and the service at the bar was prompt and friendly. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed the wide selection of beverages available and were impressed by the bartender's skill and knowledge.

In conclusion, my experience at Cafe Nuovo for my second wedding ceremony was nothing short of extraordinary. The combination of the elegant ambiance, impeccable service, and outstanding food made it a truly memorable occasion. I highly recommend Cafe Nuovo to anyone looking for a remarkable dining experience or a venue for a...

This is a lovely place for upscale dining.

It occurred to me, rather late in the game, that, even as a lone diner, I might need a reservation on a Saturday night. Good thing I called: they had to fit me in at 8.30 (which is slightly later than I'd have liked). When I arrived, I could see why: this is obviously a popular spot, and deservedly so. I only had to wait a minute or two, and the maitre d' showed me to my table; the waiter arrived promptly, despite the place's being so busy.

I began with a tasty and not-at-all-routine Caesar salad. For an entree, I bypassed the pastas (tempting as they sounded) in favor of one of the "composed plates": the Cajun-dusted shrimp and scallops. There were just three scallops (floating on the chipotle crema) and two large shrimp, and they were excellent, as were the accompanying spaghetti squash (fine, almost like vermicelli), potato-and-edamame and succotash, and chorizo (which, truth be told, I didn't really notice). The plate might have looked small, but it was quite nicely balanced and very satisfying. In fact, I couldn't order dessert, although the desserts were one of the reasons I wanted to try the restaurant! I did have coffee, however.

Small points:

--The place is not really suited for dining alone, at least at night -- the dim light is insufficient for reading while you wait. (Perhaps in the daytime, the light streaming in through the windows would help with that.) --The ambient noise level, from the conversations all around me, was just a bit louder than I'd have preferred. On the other hand, I imagine the waterfront views -- on the canal -- are enchanting during the day. --Finally, Google Maps make the place look harder to reach than it really is -- which, of course, isn't the restaurant's problem. Citizens Plaza is easily reached by auto. If, like me, you walk there, you can reach the building by way of the waterfront promenade, which isn't clear on the Google Map; this avoids some dicey-looking street crossings (especially...