Gay Travel – Tazza – Providence, RI
Tazza / 250 Westminster Street / Providence, RI 02903 / 401-421-0031
I call them as I see them and Providence’s Tazza is HOT! I’m talking European chic, hot. Think high ceilings with organically inspired chandeliers, the soft glow of candlelight, the pulsating beat of New Age pop, an extremely attractive (and friendly) staff, community tables made of reclaimed wood and delicious food and drinks.
Yes, we have a winner here.
Tazza will be celebrating 10 years this New Year’s Eve and enjoys great success on trendy Westminster Street in the heart of Downtown Providence. Back in April 2011 Tazza re-opened with their new, sleek, sexy look and revitalized menu led by the very talented chef Ben Lloyd (most recently of XO and Cafe Noir). Lloyd allows his world travels and culinary experiences to dictate what we see on the plates.
Tazza has IT ALL.
Looks and substance.
Their well-loved Café, which opens at 6:30 AM, includes espresso-based favorites, signature teas and a meticulously cold extracted iced coffee as well as many innovative beverage offerings.
The Café has added a hand poured station where boiling water is poured over coffee ground directly into the guest’s cup creating the freshest possible coffee experience. Yum!
Breakfast is served Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Brunch Saturday & Sunday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Lunch is served 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM Monday – Friday.
Tazza serves dinner until 9:00 PM on Tuesdays and 10:00 PM on Wed & Thursday and 11:00 PM Friday & Saturday’s.
The bar area is open until 2:00 AM on the weekends.
They pretty much will stay open if the place is hopping so closing times vary.
Another cool thing about Tazza is during the summer Tazza hosts “Movies On The Block”, which is located directly across the street from the restaurant. Guests enjoy free movies projected on a huge screen, and due to Tazza’s liquor license, can enjoy one of their specialty drinks. I was even told that they set up a grill and serve food. This is “their baby” and something they are very proud of!
Tazza hosts special events throughout the year including live entertainment and beer dinners.
It is best to check their web site for up-to-the-minute information: http://www.tazzacaffe.com/tazza-cafe-upcoming-events.htm.
The night my partner Jennifer and I dined at Tazza we were lucky to have the extremely sweet and informative, Janice as our waitress.
Janice took great care of us and spoke with pride as she filled us in on all the things that make Tazza so special.
After going over the nightly specials I decided to order the 10 oz sirloin served with an herb butter and full head of roasted garlic. I also ordered the “Close to Classic Baked Potatoes” (fingerling versions of peruvian purple, sweet jewels and french rose potatoes baked and stuffed with assorted fillings).
Jennifer ordered the Crispy Tempura Lobster & Shrimp Fritters (whole shrimp and chunks of Maine lobster fried in a light tempura butter and served with garlic lime aioli). As a side she ordered parsley pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Okay, now….this is serious…..get close to your computer screen….closer, please. Clooooser.
OH MY GOD WAS THE FOOD DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chef Ben Lloyd almost converted my lesbianism as I had to hold myself down from running in the back of the kitchen and jumping him!
The man is talented. Just saying.
My sirloin was cooked to perfection….well done, yet moist. The herb butter was the perfect companion to the natural flavoring of the meat.
The fingerling potatoes were also deliciously creamy and melted in my mouth. I had never seen a purple potato before!
I can’t even begin to explain the joy this brought me! ;D
Jennifer was also in her own little world making sounds that should be banned from restaurants.
She LOVED the Crispy Tempura Lobster & Shrimp Fritters. The portions of shrimp and lobster meat were very generous and flavored perfectly.
And we will forever be trying to recreate the parsley and pesto roasted cherry tomatoes at home, and yes, we will fail miserably, which will lead us back, time and time again to Tazza. Wow. Delicious!
BUT WAIT…..it gets even BETTER. Oh yes, my friends.
I am sure you’ve heard of this thing called dessert?
Well, we need to invent a NEW word for what Jen and I shared because it wasn’t just a desert it was a sexual experience. Yes, I just wrote that.
What caused us to be at a loss for words and almost spear each others hands with our forks?
Tazza’s Caged Fluffernuter Cheesecake (made with mascarpone, peanut bytter and bruleed marshmallow).
I am going to cry now because I want another piece this very second.
Excuse me.
I am better.
Seriously the BEST cheesecake we have EVER had and we are serious cheesecake connoisseurs!
There ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS. Sounds? Yes. But, well, that doesn’t help on a blog….unless I get my video camera out? Nah. I’ll let you use your imagination!
The Caged Fluffernutter Cheesecake deserves to be award winning. Enough said.
Food at Tazza is truly an experience and absolutely exceptional.
Oh, and how could I forget Jen’s delicious Scorpion Tiki drink (the single version of the scorpion bowl – made with gosling’s dark rum, fruit brandy & amaretto with rose’s lime & orange juice).
This exotic drink came in an equally exotic Tiki mug! How fun!!
MENU’S:
- Dinner Menu
- Small Plates Menu
- Brunch Menu
- Lunch Menu
- Beer & Wine Menu
- Specialty Drinks Menu
- Caffe at Tazza Menu
PARTIES / SPECIAL EVENTS:
Tazza would make an excellent spot to host your next special event, meeting or party. They have a beautiful back room that would work perfectly but can also rent out the entire restaurant if needed. Click HERE for more information.
MEET THE CHEF: Click HERE to learn more about Chef Ben Lloyd.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Click HERE for upcoming events at Tazza.
GOOD TO KNOW: Tazza provides complimentary Valet Parking from 5 PM Wed-Saturday. Also, in warmer months you can enjoy al fresco dining!
GAY & LESBIAN FACTOR: By far one of the most gay friendly establishments in Providence. I was happy to see lots of “family” here and felt extremely comfortable. Tazza has that VIBE that makes you want to linger and return. It such a chill, laid back place. Whether you stop in from a quick coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner….you are sure to always feel welcome and appreciated. Tazza is a perfect place to go with date or friends…or better yet….make new friends! This should be on everyone’s MUST GO list when visiting the area. I am absolutely “OUTING” Tazza as LGBT friendly and worthy of our business.
Every once and awhile you discover (or re-discover) a place that is truly something special. That is the case with Tazza.
I love everything about it and cannot wait to return.
Desiree Sousa
Owner
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