24 Feb Please The Palate Pick of the Week: A Taste of Rhode Island in Los Angeles

This past week, I got a little taste of Rhode Island in Los Angeles and it has piqued my interest. Representatives from Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States, came to Los Angeles, located in the third largest state in the U.S., to give a taste of Rhode Island has to offer. This taste of Rhode Island in Los Angeles, the Please The Palate pick of the week, has me intrigued to want to visit the state and see all it has to offer.

The event was hosted by Visit Rhode Island at Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood. Featuring fresh fish and shellfish inspired by the classic clam shacks, oyster bars, and fish houses, that dot the New England Seaboard and the Western Coast, Chef Michael Cimarusti opened the restaurant in honor of his grandparents who lived in Rhode Island. For the evening, we enjoyed a selection of Rhode Island signature dishes, as well as Rhode Island beers and wines as we learned about what makes Rhode Island a quintessential vacation destination.

Rhode Island may a small state in New England but it has lots of offer. After all, Rhode Island’s tag line is “All That”.

History:

Rhode Island is made up of 100 small islands. Rhode Island covers an area of 1,214 square miles and has 400 miles of coastline. The  state is only 37 miles wide and 48 miles long and is nicknamed the “Ocean State” because you can get to the ocean from anywhere in the state in less than an hour’s drive.

Rhode Island was the last of the 13 original colonies to join the Union. Rhode Island was founded on the basis of freedom of religion and is home to the first Baptist church, founded in 1636, in the U.S. It is also home to the oldest standing synagogue in the United States, the Touro Synagogue in Newport, R.I,, which was built in 1759.  And Brown University, founded in 1764, was the first American college to accept students regardless of their religious affiliation. In addition, Portsmouth, RI, was the first town in America to be established by a woman (Anne Hutchinson).

Sightseeing:

Rhode Island is home to historic homes, historic sites, and historical & preservation societies. It is also home to the opulent and iconic Newport Mansions which have been meticulously preserved. These were the grand summer “cottages” of the Gilded Age’s rich and famous and have been featured in HBO’s hit, The Gilded Age. And, Rhode Island has at least 21 active lighthouses along its coast. Rhode Island also has white sand beaches and the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition, Providence, the capital of Rhode Island  and the second-largest city in New England, is known as “the Creative Capital”. There are art galleries and museums and the city backs resident artists by offering them tax incentives. And, once known as the Jewelry Capital of the World, Rhode Island is a leading jewelry producer with more than 1,000 manufacturers.

Food

Rhode Island is home to the oldest restaurant in the United States, the White Horse Tavern in Newport, which was established in 1763 and is still operating today. And the original diner was born in 1872 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Rhode Island is home to Johnson & Wales University, one of the nation’s foremost culinary education institutions. Today, Rhode Island’s culinary scene has been applauded by The New York Times, Gourmet and Travel + Leisure. 70% of the restaurants are chef-owned and there is everything from deluxe farm-to-table restaurants to classic iconic comfort food utilizing the freshest seafood. With a diverse culture, Rhode Island also offers an international food trail in which 40 countries are represented.

Calamari is state food in Rhode Island.

A Stuffie is a traditional dish in Rhode Island that features chopped clams mixed with breading and spices, baked, and served in the clamshell.

Rhode Island clam chowder, loaded with potatoes, bacon, and clam, has a rich clear broth.

Wine

Rhode Island was once the rum capital of the world. Today there are more than 40 breweries and distilleries. Viticulture in Rhode Island began in 1663 when King Charles II of England included wine production among the land uses approved in the royal charter establishing Rhode Island as an English colony. The modern wine industry of Rhode Island began in 1975. Rhode Island contains just one AVA, Southeastern New England, which it shares with Massachusetts and Connecticut. A maritime climate, Rhode Island grows both cool climate vinifera, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling, and hybrid grape varieties, such as Vidal.

Rhode Island is known for its “firsts” and I need a first visit! Getting a Taste of Rhode Island has given me an appetite to visit Rhode Island and explore everything it has to offer! And from Los Angeles, we can fly direct to Providence on Breeze Airways. Time to start planning my trip!