Pane e Vino

We celebrated my birthday here and were so happy we did. The fritto misto was cooked perfectly and gluten free! Then, Anatra and Braciola di Maiale was excellent! We finished with a GF cannoli and the chocolate mousse cake. Wow, can't wait for our next meal here! Also, Connor did a great job taking care of us.

Very cute restaurant with really good food! They have a whole separate gluten free menu with tons of options including GF bread, pasta and chicken Parm! We started with the caprese salad (which I forgot to take a picture of) but it was amazing with really fresh, ripe tomatoes! I ordered the special (steak & shrimp) and it was juicy and cooked perfectly! Finished with decaf affogato! So good! Our server Kathleen did an amazing job! I will definitely be back!

We had a wonderful dinner during our trip to Providence. The food was amazing, from the lobster ravioli to the Scallop Risotto. Definitely have the arinchini! Service was perfect as well along with the pacing.

Another night out with our friends Roland and Carol. Paula and I had visited Pane E Vino (Italian for Bread and Wine) with some other friends about a year ago, and really enjoyed it, hence bringing Roland and Carol there. We arrived on time and were seated immediately. It's not a huge place so there's fairly close (but not too close) tables, and it can get a little loud, but there's apparently enough sound absorption so that it wasn't harsh, and I don't recall having to yell. I honestly didn't pay any attention to the decor, I just wanted to eat. But I think I recall that it's fairly dark and warm colors. And as much as people like atmosphere, the most important thing IMHO is the food and drink, and of course the service. Basically within one minute (if even) there was bread and dipping oil on the table, followed by another fellow pouring fresh water. Everyone was smiling and cordial. The bread, while not warm, was delicious and the oil (appeared to be mixed with balsamic vinegar) was a fine compliment to it. Oh, and there was a little bowl of the most delicious stone-in olives that I've ever tasted. Roland agreed. They were marvelous. I don't know if they make 'em themselves but I could eat those all day. Drinkwise, the ladies almost always stick with water, and Roland and I ordered our typical drinks, Grey Goose martini, and a Maker's Mark Manhattan, respectively. I believe my Manhattan was a little heavier than usual on the Vermouth, but it was delicious nonetheless, and there was a premium cherry waiting at the bottom. Our waiter (Juan) was a pleasant fellow, and quick to arrive and welcome us, and to take our food order. Roland ordered the Arancini appetizer, which was, in his words, the most delicious Arancini he'd ever eaten. I've not had a lot of experience with them, but I can at least say they were superb, and the best I've had so far. Oddly enough there was only three Arancini globes on the plate, though it worked out perfectly because Carol doesn't like risotto. But I mean seriously, when are there three people at a table? It's typically going to be a couple or two couples, right? Anyway ... For the main course, Paula got the Chicken Parm, and Carol got the Veal Parm. Carol was hesitant at first to order it though because it's on the bone, and she thought it'd be too thick. But I asked Juan who assured her it was thin. Roland ordered the Special Stuffed Pork Chop, and I got the Pork Chop from the menu. Roland really should've asked what the price on the Special was ($55!) because it was shockingly more expensive ($17 more!) than the one from the menu ($38). That must've been some kind of stuffing because it moved a PC into the pricing realm of a Filet Mignon (which I believe was $52) ... but at least Roland was really happy with the flavor and the portion. Both Carol and Roland gave their meals 5 stars. Paula and I gave ours 3.50 stars, because both or ours were overcooked -- as in dry. The only thing that saved both of these dishes was the delicious red sauce on hers, and the yummy demiglaze on mine. That, and her pasta was perfectly al dente, and my gnocchi was nice and firm. I'm sure we'll go there again, though hopefully we won't get overcooked dishes again. I've included only a photo of my pork chop.

The ambiance and service were excellent. Wine list was tasty, as were the appetizers and desert. The only miss was the braised pork main for restaurant week. It was cooked beautifully, but underseasoned. My partner and I ended up splitting the truffle tortellini we ordered.