CAV Restaurant — Restaurant in Providence

CAV is a gem of a restaurant, hidden amongst Providence's colonial architecture. During our mini vacation up here my fiance and I dined at various restaurants around Newport and Providence but always came back to CAV for at least 1 of our meals each day. It was actually our first stop on arrival in Rhode Island when we googled places to eat so I thought maybe we were being bias when we went to other restaurants; however, we soon came to realize that we weren't. CAV has been around for a long time compared to most of the other restaurants in the area and has experience over them. I feel like the highlight of Rhode Island is its food to which unsurprisingly most of our money went, and while the other places were very good, they weren't "CAV good" as we've come to say. The appetizers were the highlight for us. We usually split a calamari appetizer for two, each got a our own soup, and tried a different entree everytime we came. And while no entree in particular blew my mind they were always delicious and well presented. We came during brunches, lunches and dinners which each had different entree menus, so for me to recommend something would be difficult. If I had to give anything an honorable mention though I'd say it was brunch, where the lobster with eggs and the blue crab cakes really stood out. We always ordered at least 2 of their signature drinks each and I usually ended with a creme brulee for desert while she opted for the chocolate mousse cake. Both our deserts were good and we actually ended up ordering all of their drinks at least once during our short time out there. I'm not a fan of alcohol but I did like the French Martini in particular, while she enjoyed the Black and White Martini. We loved the calamari and lobster bisque with lobster chunks though, which became our go to's. And here's the thing, you can't go into this place expecting familiar dishes to taste exactly like the last restaurant you got them at. For example, the lobster bisque seems to be what most divides people about this place because it's not what you'd expect and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I've personally never had bisque like it. It's a little creamy and sweet thanks to the hint of tahitian vanilla, and it works. The optional chunks of lobster in the bisque give it personality and are cooked to perfection. The service was great. Our servers were always well informed about the menu and the history of the establishment, each having their own distinct and charming personality. You have the option to eat indoors amidst a plethora of interesting pieces of art or outside in the shade of the trees. We preferred outdoors but we went during unusually nice weather at the height of the summer. She and I also preferred coming at night when they lit the tiki torches outside. So your atmospheric experience may vary but you can't go wrong. The menu's not cheap, but it's not really expensive either. So if you're like us and ordering your heart out, the bill will reflect it. We never felt like it wasnt worth it though like so many other places. When the time came to head back home we decided to make CAV our last stop before jumping on 95. With our car loaded up we came as soon as they opened. We ordered lunch and the manager gave us a nice sendoff after learning that we were leaving and noticing we were fans, having seen us on a daily basis. I've never written a review for anything before but for this place I kind of felt like I should. So far its our favorite restaurant after being together for 10 years. We're considering moving to Rhode Island in the future, one of the reasons for the initial trip. We liked the simplicity of the area compared to the bigger cities, crowded beaches and cookie cut suburbs we're used to and joked on the long ride home about moving up there just to be closer to CAV. It's not TOO farfetched of an idea.

PS. - The sweet potatoes...

We recently dined at CAV in Providence, drawn by its strong ratings and positive reviews. Let's start with the location—tucked away in a rather secluded, dimly lit area, which felt a bit eerie for a Saturday evening. Without the small sign, you'd hardly know it was a restaurant.

Once inside, the atmosphere was bustling, and thanks to our reservation, we were seated quickly. However, the entrance was cramped, and there was a noticeable musty smell, which set an uncomfortable tone early on. It took about 10 minutes for water to arrive, and another five minutes for our server to approach. During the wait, I took in the restaurant’s décor. The antique aesthetic was charming, the space well-lit and quite roomy, but the energy was noticeably lacking. Servers seemed rushed and didn't convey the kind of warmth or enthusiasm you'd expect from a busy spot.

When our server arrived after a good amount of wait, he mentioned the specials but offered little in the way of guidance or suggestions on the menu. We started with a Silver and Gold Margarita and planned to order the Goat Cheese Croquettes, but were told they were unavailable. We settled for the Mushroom Crostini, which was decent but nothing special.

For the main courses, we ordered the Pasta Florentine, Poulet au Poires, and Mushroom Risotto, along with Truffle Fries on the side. The Pasta Florentine was a delight—well-balanced, flavorful, and perfectly executed. The Mushroom Risotto was another standout. The aroma was heavenly, and the mushrooms were cooked to perfection—earthy, flavorful, and tender.

Unfortunately, the Poulet au Poires was a letdown. While the chive dumplings were tasty, the chicken itself was bland and rubbery, which made it difficult to enjoy. It was an interesting concept—chicken with red pears poached in wine with a ginger pear sauce—but it didn't come together. A side dish could have added balance and salvaged the experience, but as it was, we couldn't recommend it.

For dessert, we initially ordered the Tiramisu, but like the croquettes, it was unavailable. Being told twice that popular items were off the menu left us wondering whether this was a one-time issue, a recurring problem or a wrong day and time to be there.

The food we were able to enjoy was largely delicious, with the Pasta Florentine and Mushroom Risotto standing out. Portion sizes were reasonable—not too large, but satisfying. However, the service was lackluster. At one point, the cleaning staff began clearing our plates without asking if we were finished, which made us feel rushed. After politely asking them to stop, they backed off, but the overall experience felt inattentive.

In summary, CAV has culinary talent however, the inconsistent service, unavailable menu items, and limited menu prevented this from being the stellar dining experience we...

My recent visit to CAV Restaurant in Providence, RI was a mixed bag of culinary delights and disappointments. While some dishes left me yearning for more, others failed to impress, but it's worth mentioning that there were a few shining stars.

The highlights of the meal were undeniably the lobster pasta, bisque, crab cake, pizza, and mussels. Each of these dishes showcased a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, leaving a lasting impression on my taste buds. The lobster pasta was succulent and paired wonderfully with a rich sauce, while the bisque boasted a depth of flavor that was simply divine. The crab cake was perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the pizza and mussels were equally enjoyable, offering a delightful combination of fresh ingredients.

However, not all dishes lived up to the same standard. The much-heralded award-winning chicken, unfortunately, fell short of expectations. It lacked the juiciness and tenderness one would anticipate from a prize-winning dish, leaving me underwhelmed. Similarly, the burger failed to leave a lasting impression, as it lacked that 'wow' factor that sets a memorable burger apart from the rest. The calamari was another letdown, as it was overcooked and lacked the expected tenderness.

While the food itself could be a hit or miss, there was one aspect of the dining experience that left a significant impression - the table linens. Regrettably, the table linens appeared alarmingly dirty and could benefit from regular washing or replacement. This oversight detracted from the overall ambiance and attention to detail that one expects from a dining establishment.

Despite the inconsistency in the culinary offerings and the issue with table linens, the restaurant's atmosphere and service were commendable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, enhancing the overall...