Food News: Surf cafe in Westerly, coastal comfort fare in Narragansett, and a coffee food truck’s new digs

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Surf life and superfoods rule at new Westerly spot

Westerly’s newest cafe and specialty foods spot exudes coastal vibes, from the custom RI Surf Co. surfboards hanging inside to the patio water views. STICK + FIN owners Brian and Chiyoko Samuelson bring West Coast vibes from 20 years spent in Southern California back to their new South County grab-and-go destination. “The brand was born around a creative space where like-minded people come to gather to slow down, view local art, enjoy music, and most importantly enjoy a precision cup of premium coffee,” explains Brian. “We have something for everyone, including both gluten-free and sourdough bread options loaded with fresh and local seasonal flavors,” like Bruschetta Avocado or Nutella Banana Walnut toasts.

A perfect first stop before heading out on the waves, you can find a variety of fruit juices, wellness shots (including one called the Rhody!), and kombucha, along with hot and cold espresso drinks and loose-leaf teas. Instagram-worthy superfood bowls layer fruits with health add-ins, like the crowd-pleaser Nosara Bowl with acai, banana, blueberry, and pink pitaya powder. At the end of the day, it’s all about “coffee, juice, and kindness.” Westerly

 

Cozy cabin dining comes to Gansett  with restaurateur’s latest project

The former Catarina’s Italian Village is now home to The Coastal Cabin Restaurant, but chef and owner Christian D’Agostino is hardly a new face to the South County dining scene. You’re likely familiar with his other establishments, Tavern on Main in both Wakefield and East Greenwich, and the owner of Catarina’s, Anthony Mollo, was also one of D’Agostino’s mentors. Set in a genuine log cabin, the feel of this new project is both rustic and breezy, from the decor to the menu. Looking for New England coastal fare like lobster rolls? You’ll find it here, but D’Agostino’s approach to seafood favors creativity over cliches, with comfort food like Pistachio Crusted Shrimp Skewers, Bouillabaisse (a hearty fish stew popular in French cuisine), and even a Miniature Seafood Pot Pie. Curating a warm yet sophisticated atmosphere, guests are invited to kick back with craft cocktails and half-price appetizers for happy hour every day from 4-6pm and 9pm to close or for weekend brunch with Crabcake Benedict, seafood crepes, and house-made breakfast sausage sandwiches. Narragansett

 

Magical coffee truck sets up permanent digs in Warwick

Take a menu of decadent iced lattes, specialty sammies, and a wall painted in greenery, and presto! You’ve got a coffee shop – but not just any coffee shop. When Jessica and Jason Case trundled onto the scene with the Presto Strange O Coffee Truck in 2010, food trucks were scarce in Rhode Island compared to the caravan of eateries on wheels you’ll find today. Looking for a change of pace after years working in the film business, they forged ahead: “We started small, with a trailer and as business grew, we grew,” says Jessica. “Now we operate two coffee trucks and just opened our shop in Warwick.”

Along with creamy coffee bevvies made popular by the trucks, new specials pop up at the cafe, like an Iced Vanilla Taro Latte, plus lemonades and coffee drinks by the jug. Breakfast and lunch menus include apple fritters, BLTs, wraps, and desserts. To complement their colorful and creative drinks, the decor is distinctly whimsical and organic, with winding vines and botanical accents at every turn. Warwick

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