08/02/08

Best Sushi In Providence

by AlFraisher

Lets keep this short and sweet, go to Chinese Laundry. I know its part of the Chow Fun Food Group which has some of Providences best restaurants, but this one stands alone. You feel like youre not in Providence when youre there, its really a much needed breath of fresh air. I only had sushi at the bar, but it was by far the best in town that I've had, everything else is just so cookie cutter compared to it. I had a great bartender, awesome drinks, try the Lychee martini, very tasty, dvd's in the bathroom playing kung fu and a glass floor in the dinning room which looks into a private room. The place was packed and I know why, I write online a lot and usually find a flaw somewhere, but they were on their game down to the valet. Nice looking staff too, I'll be back!

08/11/08

Best evening I've had in Providence

by kcbarclay

My husband and I went her on a whim 2 Friday nights ago. It had no user reviews at the time, but we knew a friend who had given it a great editorial review, so we thought we'd give it a go. Have to say it was the best night and meal I've had in Providence. Although a small space, Chinese Laundry is unique in that it has 4 distinct spaces... an intimate upstairs lounge, a first floor bar, main diningroom (very small) and a VIP area below for group dining. They encourage you to move from space to space and make it very easy by carrying drinks, transferring bills, communicating between waitstaff about patrons, etc. We started at the upstairs lounge and although we were the first that evening, the 2 gals manning the tables were fun and inviting. You kind of feel like you're in your livingroom, so the conversation between folks is natural (and you almost feel rude if you don't say hello to new visitors entering the room).

Next we headed to the diningroom and were lucky enough to get one of the 8 tables (w/o a reservation). The menu was intersting and delicious and the waitstaff was knowledgeable and super fun. And considering the number of tables, we were not rushed out but encouraged to enjoy our dinner. Sushi was fantastic, the best I've had in RI. Try the noodle dishes for sure. And they have a great wine list (as well as sake). Environment is cozy and sleek and music hip but appropriate. We'll be going back for sure.

• Pros: Ambience, Food, Staff
• Cons: Small Diningroom (as they get more popular, not sure how they'll handle the demand)

08/02/08

Sleek, Hip and Flavorful

by MikeHardy

I have to say, as a frequent visitor to Providence Restaurants I cant tell you how amazed I was by the Chinese Laundry. I heard people complain about the size and price so it took me awhile to go there but now that I have all I can say is WOW! I travel a lot and Providence bumms me out, all the restaurants are so, well for lack of a better word, Providency. So many just fall short and this one really does it right. Amazing service, thank you Debra Lee, great food, king crab and pork belly, 2 of my favorite things done beyond perfectly and in a perfect sleek ambiance. I have been back 3 times now and it always holds up. I look forward to next time already. Oh, cool lounge too guys, nice job!

07/21/08

One of Providence's most stylish nightspots serves a modern Pan-Asian menu, including exceptionally fresh sushi and wickedly inventive cocktails.

by Eric Grossman

Aiming to impress all the senses, Chinese Laundry feels as if it has been transported from the cutting edge of a larger city's nightlife scene. A Feng Shui-driven decor, featuring plenty of striking accoutrements, dramatic lighting and local art, can be found throughout the three levels. The main dining room features a clear-bottom floor that enables guests to view the private basement dining room. The upstairs lounge, among the most stylish in the city, is an ideal spot for sampling sinful house cocktails like the Red River (Absolut Ruby Red, ginger, hibiscus syrup and mangosteen juice) or a ginger-soju mojito. Exceptionally luxurious ingredients dot the menu, from Japanese Kobe beef and black truffles to heirloom Berkshire pork and Pacific-rim fish. Diners looking for a light bite can stick the sushi portion of the menu, running the gamut from "forbidden nigiri" (seared foie gras with fig and balsamic) to complex maki (miso Chilean sea bass with cucumber and tomato concassee). Other popular menu items include 12-hour moo shu pork belly, king crab tempura with honey-truffle aioli, and Szechuan baby lamb chops.