Back to Providence 12/06/08

Last week over Thanksgiving break my husband and I spent an afternoon visiting Providence, Rhode Island where we studied at the Rhode Island School of Design. When I think of Providence, there are many things that I miss and can't recreate anywhere else. I miss the foggy mornings and cobblestone streets, the salty smell of the ocean, the old historic homes, my friends and of course, favorite cafes.

We met some old friends for brunch at Olga's Cup and Saucer, a charming cafe in the midst of the city. Olga's became a favorite spot of mine during school to meet a good friend, warm ourselves with local coffee, eat gorgeously crafted currant scones and discuss poetry.  (In the spring, I highly recommend their Nicoise salad with crostini for lunch. It is well worth the wait to eat outside under the apricot tree with a friend and listen to birds sing around you.) I will argue that at times, this cafe can feel a bit magical with the right combination of company, drink and of course, food.

After brunch we decided to top off our time with another local favorite of mine, Pastiche. It is located on historic Federal Hill, the Italian district of Providence. This European dessert cafe has been one of my favorites since we moved to Providence in 2002. I tasted almost every dessert on the menu before we moved in 2006, so as you can imagine, I have many great memories sipping espresso and indulging in the confectionery bliss. (The ample sugar and cream also served as inspiration to keep running and biking.) After the satisfying food I devoured earlier that day at Olga's I was looking for something light and sweet. I found it in the rich drinking chocolate layered with fresh whipped cream and cinnamon. I held the cup in my hands and let the warmth of the drink fog my glasses. While dipping the tiny almond cookie into the cream I was conscious that this was a perfect afternoon and Pastiche could not fail me.

I wish I had my Hasselblad for this pic.

Digi will have to do for now.