Fermentation is the backbone of Nana’s Bakery & Pizza, originally founded in Mystic and now with a second location in Westerly. From naturally leavened breads, pizzas, and pastries – made from regionally sourced grains ground in their own mill – to a bar program of natural wines, Nana’s strives for organic in all they do. “Nana’s was built around the philosophy of supporting the local food economy by purchasing as much as possible from local farmers and food artisans,” says co-owner and chef James Wayman. “We hope to build new relationships with the incredible diversity of farmers and artisans based in Rhode Island.”
Whereas the Mystic bakery is primarily takeout, Wayman brings a new sitdown experience to Westerly, so guests can enjoy a fresh pizza featuring local clams or a cup of organic coffee inside the inviting space. Other menu highlights include house-made kombucha, rotating charcuterie with prosciutto from Wild Harmony Farm in Exeter, and for umami lovers, anything with the handcrafted soy sauce and miso paste they source from North Stonington-based fermentation company Moromi. Westerly, NanasRI.com
Wakefield’s newest Indian restaurant is Clove Garden Resto Bar, located where Bombay Flame used to be. Co-owner Caleb Benjamin saw success with his first location, Clove Garden of India in Jersey City, NJ, and wanted to branch out. Along with two partners, he jumped on the opportunity to start serving the flavors of southern and northern India here in South County.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch to go or looking for a relaxing dine-in experience with a drink in hand amid custom-made decor hanging on the walls, Benjamin puts his nearly 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry to good use in every detail of Clove Garden. Along with a large menu of Tandoor Sizzlers, lambchops, biryani, and more, Benjamin explains that their lunch special is a popular option: “For $14, you get everything – two kinds of main course curry, comes with rice, naan, vegetable samosa, and a dessert.” As far as drinks, the former bartender suggests a Clove Garden Shooter or Tamarind Margarita, or “we can make all kinds of cocktails, whatever the customer likes.” Wakefield, CloveGardenRI.com
For Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream – a Main Street staple in East Greenwich for the past five years – the end of a lease is the beginning of new opportunities. With renovations in the works and a tentative reopening date of mid-June, Clementine’s will be slinging scoops on South County Trail in the former Beacon Diner (whose owners are enjoying a well-earned retirement). Though co-owner Warren Sternberg notes it’s bittersweet leaving their old spot, he says, “we are very excited to create a new space with lots of parking, increased ice cream production, and a lot more seating. We have an outside patio planned as well.”
While we wait for the new digs, a pop-up cart will be trundling onto the scene for private and neighborhood events. “Some of our pop-ups will be on Main Street to stay involved with the community we love so much,” says Sternberg. “We know a lot of people enjoyed walking from their homes or stopping by after dinner for ice cream, so we hope this will keep that tradition alive.” East Greenwich, ClementinesEG.com
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