Best meal I've had in a very very very long time! I decided to eat at the bar because i was without a guest. The bartender was incredible. I think his name was David... How special it was to be appreciated in a restaurant or bar and by MYSELF. For those people who travel and/or dont have a special someone/partner or husband or wife to go out and have dinner with -- to go to a bar and have dinner alone and be appreciated is a very very special thing. The food was incredible. The atmosphere was comfortable and the lighting was flattering. I'm from New York. -- but my visit to Providence was heightened by my visit to the Parkside Rotisserie & Bar. Highly recommended!! Thanks!!!
(5)
Brian R.
This has been a go to spot for my partner and I for many years so when we decided to get married we thought it would be the perfect place for the rehearsal dinner. When we ordered our drinks and they arrived at the table two of them got mixed up. Mistakes happen and we understand that but the proper thing to do would to take them back and bring two new drinks. Our waited decided that all we had to do was swap the garnish but after you put olives in a fruity drink it's pretty much ruined. We proceeded to order our entrees and everything seemed fine until two of them arrived at the table. Both had ordered the cashew chicken and after ordering this here for the past 10 years what was put in front of us was not cashew chicken. Our waiter stated "oh the just forgot the sauce" and proceeded to return to the table will 2 bowls of cashew sauce and pour it over our plates. Unfortunately this was a very special dinner that went wrong. I will give them another chance as it is a favorite but I can assure you the people we were dining with will never be back. Come on Parkside your better than this!!!!!
Well I did not like the Chinese Chicken salad and they took it back!! That was really something The service was terrific and I liked the wine list. The fettuccine ended up being much better, but to my dismay there was a bone in it. That's a first for me. I don't come here often actually this was my second visit and it'll be my final. I was really happy with the service but the food... a bone in my fettucine?!
(2)
Sara M.
We had not been there in a while and it did not live up to expectations. If this rating was for just food it would have been two stars and the good service was the only thing that got them to three. I was not that hungry so I ordered the crab cake app as my main course. Two small crab cakes on top of a corn and avocado salad. The crab cakes were very greasy and left an odd aftertaste. They also appeared to be made with ground crabmeat and not larger chunks. The salad was passable. Husband got the burger and it looked ok, but incredibly greasy. We did not get any of the famous rotisserie items, but I don't think we will be giving them a try anytime soon.
(3)
Eureeka S.
Pee-ew, Parkside. The service was decent, but the smell when I walked in the door was offensive. I have no idea what that was, but it was horrible. I kept thinking, is no one else smelling this?!? Unfortunately, I was in a rush to eat in order to keep my schedule so I stayed against my better judgment. I wish I hadn't. I had heard about the great $6.25 lunch deal for 1/4 Rotisserie Chicken, so I got it with Tomato Soup to start. Maybe it's a northeastern thing, but this looked like regular old Vegetable Soup & didn't taste all that great. The waitress verified that it was their Tomato Soup. Not impressed. Next came the lunch special & I have to say that it was more than a little bland. The side salad was good, but it was, well, salad. It's pretty hard to mess that up. The best thing on the plate was their Zippy Green Herb Sauce, which served as a salad dressing & had a good bit of basil in it. I can't really comment on the French Fries, as I don't eat them. I wound up leaving the majority of the meal on my plate, which is very unlike me. This wasn't one of the worst meals I've ever had, but it wasn't much above that league. I can console myself with the fact that I didn't spend much money on such a disappointing meal. I seriously doubt that I will ever be back.
(2)
Nina K.
Loved the salmon here!! I normally don't like lentils but the flavors were pleasantly surprising. I'd love to have this dish for a second time and will be returning in the near future.
(5)
Sara M.
We spent an enjoyable afternoon on the patio and ordered some apps and wine. The calamari came with two 'chutneys' that were inedible, with strange flavors that did not go with the calamari. I will stick to marinara, thanks. Crab cakes are tasty, and the rest of the menu looked good as well. Service was good, there was one dedicated server for the patio who checked in often.
(3)
Joe C.
Great meal, decent price Pros: Nice Location and Decor Rotisserie Style Menu Open Kitchen Great Food Free Valet Parking Cons: Really None Brought my mother out for Mothers Day with my wife and my sister. Walked in and got to pick my seating location which I liked. The interior of this restaurant is very nice and a big plus on the open kitchen, it smells great in there. The order: Shrimp Mozambique app - Wonderful broth with a great selection of bread to sop it up. Coq Au Vin - The chicken was very tender and the wine reduced sauce was very flavorful Rotisserie Pork Chop - Probably the best pork chop I have ever tried Flat Iron Chimichurri - Tender steak but the chimichurri was not my favorite, too much lemon Value - With only 2 items over 30 dollars on the menu in downtown Providence (the highest being 34.95) at this quality level, I don't think you can beat it. I saw a previous review complaining about the prices, but I can't see how. Just look at the menu. This is very nice restaurant at very reasonable price points. Overall a quality meal with exceptional service and free parking in Providence who can beat that. We'll definitely be back. If your looking to go out for a nice meal and spend around 100 bucks for 2 people including drinks this is the place to try. Thanks
(4)
Joie S.
Parkside is great. I went for a work dinner and we all really enjoyed it. You have to park on the street but that's really not too much of an issue, there are usually plenty of spots in walking distance. The food is a little pricey but it's worth it. I had the cod over shrimp grits and it was absolutely delicious. The ambiance is also really nice, it feels really warm and cozy at Parkside even on a freezing cold night. The only reason they are not getting five stars is because it took a really long time. I'm all for a relaxing experience, but for example, we waited at least 30 minutes for our desserts, which were super tasty, but probably not worth a 30 minute wait. Overall, I would definitely go back to Parkside, there were a bunch of things on the menu that I want to try!
(4)
Philip E.
Consistently delicious piping hot food. Love the chic atmosphere, superior service, the place has a buzz and a vibe. Eaten here at least 3 times, bistro burger, pork rack, pork mignon, always fantastic. The steaks are amazing, pomme frites, salads, yum! Located in financial district in beautiful downtown Providence on college side of the canal. Will return again!
(4)
Linda A.
I have walked by this place so many times and FINALLY had an opportunity to stop in for lunch with a group of coworkers. I am intensely impressed! I ordered the special pasta dish: a veal osso bucco tortelloni with truffle cream sauce and pulled rotisserie chicken, sweet corn, and roasted red peppers. Wowie, wow, wow. Not only was it show-stoppingly delicious, but what a deal! Lunch is usually the best bang for your buck when trying out a fancy place and this is no exception: this would've been close to double during dinner. A couple folks in my party ordered the cobb salad, which comes with hunks of crispy pork belly (on man) -- another ordered the shellfish pie, which caused intense plate envy amongst the group. Service was impeccable and attentive, as can be expected from a place like this one. Decorations were pretty and classy for the holiday... except for the angry boar head mounted about the kitchen door. I giggled when I saw it and kind of love it!
(5)
Robert S.
Went there for lunch with a few neighbors and I had a mixed experience. The hostess was very nice, friendly and smiley. Good first impression. The waitress had a very long face during our entire lunch and that was not cool. I had the cuban sandwich, which was nicely done, toasted with nice lean pieces of pork loin. The mustard sauce was a bit overwhelming for me, but it was an OK sandwich. The fries were not good. I left half of the order on my plate...and....I don't leave fries un-eaten. No..no... unless they are not good. The chicken pot pie was good, but was a bit too wet and creamy for my taste, with no real taste of a flaky crust. Overall an OK experience. Lots of Providence and RI political figures around lunch..I guess being so close to courthouses and Government buildings, makes it an easy stop ....
(3)
Saadet A.
Came in on a friday night. The crabcakes had a zing to them and were thick on texture. The chicken dumplings were very flavorful and the dipping sauces were good too. I had the pork mignon for my entre. Not as tender as i expected it to be. Didnt care for the brussel sprouts too much because they had a funny after taste. My friend had the lemom garlic chicken and that was melt in your mouth deliciousness served with a fragrant pesto sauce. The pork rack was way underdone and had to be sent back. Decor was nice, hustle n bustle kind of place with good service
(3)
Austin W.
Second visit this time, and it was much worse. Had a decent appetizer of steak tartar but my chicken in my coq au vin was so dry I couldn't even swallow it. I never send anything back but had to on this occasion. Second time around the chicken was still dry but not as bad but the sauce literally had no wine in it and the vegetables and bacon were borderline raw. My wife's caesar salad chicken was super dry too but she persevered. Also, our bartender was constantly on facebook or talking about friends love lifes right in front of us.
(2)
Sabrina S.
Went for restaurant week. Service was great. Food was mediocre. I was disappointed. They packed my leftovers for me but the bag didn't hold it. My leftovers fell onto the sidewalk.
(3)
David H.
I visited when in town for WaterFire, I had made a 9:45 reservation and my companion and I were seated immediately upon arrival. The restaurant was still pretty lively but not packed. It seemed to be a mostly 40+ crowd. Decent bread was served with a white bean spread that was tasty but ultimately too difficult to deal with. We ordered drinks which took a while to make it to our table due to a purported lack of glassware. My vodka martini was well made and my friend had a rum and orange liqueur concoction from the bar menu which i think she mostly enjoyed but may have found a bit strong. Started with the crispy Thai dumplings which were really good. Neither of us cared for the mustard dipping sauce but liked the second peanut sauce based offering. The slaw served alongside was good as well. The braised short ribs were good but the lemon-garlic chicken wasn't great. They charged us $3 to sub frites for a sweet potato mashed from one of the specials which I thought was pushing it particularly at that hour when it was destined for the garbage. Creme brulee wasn't that smooth but wasn't a disaster. Pretty meh experience for the price but I guess I wouldn't chase anyone away.
(3)
Bruce M.
Dropped into this fine establishment during the last WaterFire I attended, and let me tell you...it did not disappoint. Being solo, I was looking to relax, watch the fires from the front windows and generally enjoy a leisurely dinner. Parkside came through big. Upon arrival, a lovely and sweet host eagerly cleared a small table for me at the windows, offering me the seat facing them. A nice view of the park and the fires resulted. My server was quite nice, detailing the specials wonderfully. I chose one of the specials, asking for the removal of the mushrooms from the dish due to an allergy. This was the only (minute) problem with the evening as removing mushrooms was impossible. No problem, a quick perusal of the menu and an order of the short ribs cured that issue immediately. The short ribs were delectable. Tender, flavorful and a generous portion (although a little on the fatty side). Coupled with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies, this meal was fit for a king...or at least a prince. The restaurant was lively, full of the beautiful and upscale crowd of Providence. With the Red Sox on at the bar, the joint was jumping with each at bat. My lovely traveling companion will be returning home very soon, and I want her to experience this place. However, I'm going to take her on a quieter evening as I think she'll enjoy it more. Her inner foodie emerges during quiet dinners...and that's what I think will allow her to enjoy this fine restaurant even more. Kudos to Parkside for providing me a wonderful dining experience during WaterFire. I will absolutely return in the near future...and look forward to it greatly. Interesting side note to those beautiful, upscale AND FEMALE diners in Providence. Don't use the men's room as I noticed you did several times. Ladies are usually insulted when men use the ladies' room, and I think the same is true when the situation is reversed.
(4)
Marco D.
Great food & service. Has the sirloin and it was amazing. Waitstaff very friendly. Parking kind of sucks, but I'm a late night eater so it's usually not a problem after the dinner rush. I believe their open late too which is a plus. Dumplings were the best I've had, huge & delicious
(5)
Wendling C.
Fantastic lunch for $6.75 - rotisserie chicken, lovely salad with fresh tomatoes and big chunks of blue cheese, a stack of crispy, tasty hand-cut frites. Why haven't I been having lunch here every day??? Quick, gracious service.
(5)
L W.
While I really like the atmosphere here, I was disappointed in my steak frites dish Friday night. For almost $30 I expected a bit better than what really turned out to be fairly dried out thin steak tips, as opposed to a juicy whole piece of steak as advertised. Plus the frites were thin to the point of being not fries anymore, and not very crispy. This is not a difficult dish to pull off. They really need to do better.
(3)
Victoria K.
I am usually quite skeptical of Restaurant Week deals. I have had some really unfortunately experiences with seriously sub-par food. I took a chance and headed to Parkside Rotisserie & Bar for lunch and decided to partake in the RW menu. Overall, it wasn't disappointing. First of all, our server was very pleasant and helpful. He checked in on us occasionally, but not to the point of annoying us. The menu options were appetizing, and we decided to get one of each of the appetizers and share both. The first was a fried pork dumpling. It was very flavorful and a nice, bright start to the meal. The other was an heirloom tomato and cucumber napoleon with thin toasts of bread and blue cheese. This was a bit milder in flavor but had a great fresh quality that we really enjoyed. Overall we were happy with both. For my entree, I selected the chicken pot pie option. Although it was good, it paled next to the one I make myself at home. The veloute needed a bit more seasoning (salt would be a start, but a little fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary wouldn't hurt either). The filling was nice and chunky and the chicken was obviously very fresh. The crust was thin and not flaky. I didn't mind the meager crust as I have been watching my diet, but others may have wanted something more bold. For dessert we both selected the NY style cheesecake, which arrived in small squares with a side of sour cherry sauce and whipped cream. The cheesecake was pretty nice, but was topped with a bit of condensation (my thoughts are it was covered and chilled before it was completely cool). This didn't effect the flavor at all but was unsightly. A flaw. Otherwise, the dessert was satisfying and although small, the perfect size to finish off our meal. I'm pretty pleased with this visit to Parkside. I try to be forgiving with Restaurant Week menus, as they often contain dishes not on the regular menu and therefore seem to lack something otherwise found in the cuisine. We were both pleased with our meals, despite a few oversights. I'd be happy to come back and dine here again.
(4)
Sungeeta A.
Great food, service, and atmosphere! The meal started off with some amazingly fresh oysters. My entree was the black fettucini - incredible! Squid ink pasta, mussels, clams and shrimp - words can't even describe how good this dish was. Cheesecake for dessert was a perfect end to this amazing meal. I can't wait to come back to Parkside.
(5)
Lizz W.
Really good place. I have only been for lunch but great menu and affordable for the quality. The service is also excellent. I will be sure to go for dinner soon.
(4)
Ryan P.
Very nice inside. Sat at the bar before our table and had a few drinks. It was very cold & breezy due to the front door being just a few feet away but it was bearable. 8 drinks with tip was $72. Our table for 7 was in the back of the restaurant near the open kitchen. It was a busy night so it was a little loud. The food, especially the Bistro Burger & fries, was delicious but due to it being busy it took approx 45-60mins for it to make it to the table. Our server, Adam, was very apologetic and comped our drinks. Wouldve been 4 stars if not for the very slow kitchen.
(3)
Miryam Y.
Excellent food and ambiance. Came here for Valentine's Day 2014 with my friend. Everything here was wonderful.. From the drinks to the entrees. Hope to come back here soon!
(4)
Alma C.
Parkside is one of those places that has a little bit of something for everyone, but I've had mixed experiences here. So time for some yelp math: Service: 4 Very good service Parking: 3 Street parking is hard to find, but they have a free valet. During busy times it can take a long time to get your car back. Food: 3 Mixed bag. I've had delightful meals, and I've had meals where the temperature is off, or just eh. Recently, I had a pretzel bread burger with a bun that was hard verging on stale. uh, no. Pricing: 2 Expensive for what you get. That disappointing pretzel bread burger was $17. Overall, I would normally give this place a solid 3, but because of the recently added Dollar Oyster nights on Tuesday/Friday from 4:30 to close, this place gets a warm yelp cuddle and a extra bump up in the ratings from yours truly Oyster Slayer. THANKS PARKSIDE see you soon (at the bar, full tilt concentration on achieving the perfect ratio of lemon to mignonette to oyster. probably with cocktail.)
(4)
Anthony S.
Fantastic meal and service. We had seafood dishes which were fresh and excellent. Save room for dessert. The cheesecake was creamy and the banana tart is just incredible. If you get coffee, ask for a mug. Their cups are pretty, but not functional.
(4)
Jeremy B.
Came here last night just before the kitchen closed. The bartender still let me order and confirmed the Statler Chicken was a good choice. I'm very happy he did because it was on point; great, great dish. Had good chat with the bartender too so service was solid as well. It was definitely one of the better late dinners in Providence I've had
(5)
John D.
Sticker shock! The shockingly high prices -- main courses in the high $30s -- are the first thing you notice on the menu, and it stays with you. This would otherwise be a tolerable alternative to the really nice restaurants in downtown Providence. But if you're going to spend this much $$, you're far better off across the river. Shrimp Mozambique appetizer was tasty, with a briny broth, but grotesquely overpriced at $15 for four shrimps. Steak frites: $30!!!! for hangar steak! Outrageous. This costs $20 is Manhattan, for gosh sakes. Burger is $17. In Providence? Is this a joke? Lemon and Cashew Chicken was a bargain at $17. Unfortunately, it also stunk: drowning in goopy soy and honey. Unpleasantly skunky. Avoid.
(1)
Kel S.
I made it back here for restaurant week on the last night. I think they may have been out of steam by this point. I chose a pumpkin mouse tart as an appetizer. It was good but lukewarm. For my main, I chose a scallop risotto: yum! The desert was good but not great. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of the fellow restaurant week-diners. The bartender didn't pay me much attention. I imagine this was because I was solo and ordering off the restaurant week menu. This was a slightly disappointing follow up to my first experience here.
(3)
Che C.
My fiance and I just came back from this place, and we both agree that it was the worst restaurant experience of our lives. The table they gave us was so cold that we were literally shivering even though we didn't take off our arctic level jackets. After asking twice to be moved and being told no other tables were available (and having the people who came in after us moved to better tables), the manager finally agreed to move us. But not without a huge attitude. Apparently we should not expect to sit at a tolerable table unless we have a reservation. I explained that we literally couldn't feel our feet, and after some argument, he finally moved us begrudgingly. On to the food... the bread was so cold it felt like it was in the freezer before it came over. My fiance left the majority of his clam chowder because "it wasn't worth the calories" in proportion to the taste. His lemon garlic chicken was sawdust dry and flavorless. My cashew chicken was better, but certainly not worth the disrespect we faced from eating here. We'll never go back again.
Stopped by here on a sunday afternoon and was very glad I did. Very nice looking place, staff was very friendly. Parking was a bit tough but they do offer a valet service if you choose. The food was outstanding started off with the oysters fresh and delicious. Had the rack of lamb as a entree amazing. Was a little expensive cried a little when i saw the price but other than that try it !!
(4)
Dan S.
This has been a favorite for years but my last visit was a disappointment from start to finish. I sense that standards are slipping both in the kitchen and in the service staff. Maybe ownership is losing their passion but when the little things begin to slip it is symptomatic of a downward slide. Tonight the Romaine was brown - the chicken was dry and burned on one side and the coffee was lukewarm. Who cares? Clearly not this kitchen. If I was getting this food experience in the company caff that would be one thing but Parkside has always been one of Providence's better spots. Giving it 3 stars just because I am hopeful that our experience was atypical and everyone was having an off night.
(3)
Rick K.
We had great service at the bar and observed a waiter going above and beyond in providing service and guiding a blind couple who dined at the restaurant.
(5)
R S.
I pulled up to a spot across the street from parkside one evening. A Mercedes was taking up a bit more than one spot, and as luck would have it, the last spot on the street. I pulled back as close as I could to it, without hitting it. I got out to look and some bald meathead (I assume a waiter by dress) is coming out yelling at me in a very threatening way. He's asking if I intend to buy that car, cause it's worth forty thousand dollars. I said no and explained that it was taking up too much room in the parking spot in front of it. He continued to act aggressive in stance and tone, and said "I just hope you don't touch that car again". So, rather than be over the line in front of a hydrant, I pulled down the street and parked in a spot that had just opened in front of the courthouse. As I walked to the office I saw a young man move the Mercedes backwards into the proper marked spot. I cooled off a bit and went and spoke to the manager on duty, Adam, who dutifully brushed me off. So, rather than get any form of satisfaction there, I will leave a one-star review here. Also, I've eaten there, and the food, while not terrible is nothing to write home about..... ha!
(1)
Regina F.
Parkside might be famous for its spectacular rotisserie chicken, but for those of us who aren't in love with the idea of consuming half of a poached bird in one sitting, it is still a worthwhile lunch spot. Firstly, the French Fries are an absolute must. They're wiggly, a bit greasy, but oh-so-rustically wonderful. While these fries glisten delicately under the soothing mood lights of Parkside, they're flavor is only enhanced by dipping them in Parkside's signature nut free pesto. Chunky, creamy, herby and earthy, this green concoction is the paragon enhancement for any of Parkside's dishes (skip the aioli, it's too salty, and bypass the BBQ sauce, it's got peculiar chunks in it and isn't as good as KC Masterpiece). The bruschetta with speck ham appetizer is pretty phenomenal as well, and when paired with fries, makes for a wonderful meal. Salty speck ham lays atop a giant slice of diagonally cut grilled, fat French bread. The speck is lays below three thick, billowy semi-rounds of homespun mozzeralla that's stringy around the edges and cream and smooth in the middle. All of this is buried beneath an entire garden of fresh arugula, as peppery as the olive oil that adorns is it is fruity. Protip: the waitress probably won't tell you that you're charged for soda refills, nor that your request for house condiments beyond Heinz malt vinegar and ketchup are extra. (To be fair, in return, her tip will probably be a bit stunted.)
(4)
ZuzzyDoo D.
My filet mignon was cooked perfectly. Mashed potatoes were delicious as were the carrots. Sat near the kitchen and it was amazing to watch how hard each person worked in a small area. They were cooking nonstop and got food out quickly
(5)
Holly S.
Food is off the hook! Bartender friendly and good wine. What more could I ask for!
(5)
paula c.
Please attend to what they say they are: a rotisserie. beautiful job on the rotisserie duck, filet mignon. Pasta is ok, but there are better places in town for that, but then why go to a ROTISSERIE if you want pasta? Excellent Caesar salad Excellent mussels, oysters, shrimp. Consider getting a bunch of tasty appetizers instead of entree
(4)
Samantha S.
If the word "rotisserie" is in your name, that means something. If your tagline is "A Manhattan-Style Bistro," that means something too. If you give customers certain expectations, you'd better deliver, or they'll be disappointed. We were disappointed. It's pretty small inside, and the front section is tight and noisy. I was happy to sit in the back, near the open kitchen. Our server was jovial and overly familiar but otherwise very professional. He gave us good advice, and I was grateful to be told that the risotto appetizer is gigantic. So we shared it, but much of it was undercooked, so any amount was too much. We both ordered chicken dishes from the rotisserie menu. A mistake: both were quite dry and, worse, flavorless (although my husband's was coated in a sweetish sauce that had some kind of off-note). The fries underneath verged on limp (maybe from sitting under the chicken?). Our side salads were dressed nicely, and the pesto that came with my chicken was pretty good. The rotisserie prices are extremely reasonable. But these were not enough to overcome an unappealing meal. The place was packed before WaterFire, and many patrons seemed familiar to the host and chef. Lots of hugs, etc. I think Parkside already has its clientele, and everyone is satisfied with the status quo. After resurrecting itself after a devastating fire, Parkside deserves support, but I can't recommend Parkside for the rest of us.
(2)
Hilary H.
I don't have one bad thing to say about Parkside - the wonderful atmosphere, warm and friendly staff and absolutely delicious food made for a perfectly perfect evening. Since they have free valet, parking on South Main isn't an issue - worth a star itself, in my opinion. We walked in to a stuffed-to-the-brim restaurant, but the hostess was cool as a cucumber and showed us to the last two seats at the bar, where we decided to stay for dinner. Michael the bartender was fantastic - he took our drink order right away, recited the specials and was more than happy to help us choose our meals, even though the bar was super-busy. I settled on half a dozen Wellfleet oysters on the half-shell, served with a tart mignonette and cocktail sauce that didn't overwhelm, but perfectly complimented the briny freshness of the oysters. Next up was the beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon and served over porcini mushrooms... Oh. My. God. This thing was succulent, tender, salty, smoky and absolutely divine in every way imaginable. I ate every last bite of it quite happily, and washed it down with a lovely Stag's Leap petit syrah. For dessert, I opted for the chocolate mousse and a Maker's Mark Old Fashioned which was sublime. The mousse portion wasn't overwhelming, and actually made for a very nice finish to the rich meal. I left floating on a beefy, whisky-perfumed cloud of happiness, and I cannot wait to return.
(5)
The Wandering J.
We were looking for a decent restaurant where we could enjoy a light lunch after our tour of Benefit Street. We came across the Parkside by chance. We entered where we were greeted in a friendly manner. We were quickly given a very pleasant table looking out at the park. Thanks. The service was excellent. We ordered a cranberry chicken salad sandwich which was very good. I swapped my fries for a small Parkside salad which was perfect. Our other order was a Chinese chicken salad. I would have preferred to see more vegetable, but thta's my choice. It was very tasty. I would be pleased to recommend it.
(4)
Nancy H.
Parkside has always been our "go to" restaurant for special occasions and just dinner. After the fire, we went to eat there twice and were disappointed. Didn't seem like the same place - food was just ok. Didn't even have a rotisserie special! Well, yesterday, using a gift certificate from Christmas, we went to Parkside to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. And, it was FANTASTIC ! We are so happy that the Parkside we remembered is back. Both the service and the food were excellent. We had to move our reservation up an hour and they accommodated our request with no problem. Crispy salmon and the pork rotisserie are to die for. So so GOOD! This will continue to be our special place. Go here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Edwin R.
Took my wife out for her birthday and this was the very place to do so. Once you find parking or use the valet, you walk in to a very small and modern environment. We were served bread with a small plate of olive oil, a good touch and the oil was very good. For dinner I had the chicken and my wife had the pork medallions. The chicken came with a mixture of glazed vegetables which was presented well and tasted the same; however, the au jus was a bit thin and had a strong alcohol taste to it. My wife's entre was accompanied by glazed carrots and tasted the same. As a risotto lover, my wife requested their truffle infused risotto, but did not enjoy the taste due to an overpowering taste of the oil. The meal was good, but not something I could not have made at home. If you want a night that is upscale, I would recommend Parkside, all in all it is a fun night out. Buen Provecho.
(3)
Andria T.
I like Parkside, and I've certainly never had a bad experience there, but I don't really crave it either. The service is very high level and always flawless, but as a vegetarian, there's really not much on the menu that wows me. That's cool, I certainly don't expect every restaurant to cater to vegetarians, and a lot of places focus on the meat. Every time I go there, my dining companion gets meat and seems happy. I am always surprised at how loud it is in there. Twice I've sat in the front area of the restaurant, and it's often so loud that it's hard to have a conversation. In the back area, it's not nearly as bad, but I think they use that space more for private parties(?) that's just speculation. To sum up, at Parkside, you will get a good meal, excellent service, possibly a sore throat from shouting, but if you're a vegetarian, you'll be a little underwhelmed.
(3)
Joseph C.
Loved the Duck pappardelle, banana tart was as good as the hype amazing blue cheese wedge with wonderful bacon. The service was spot on.
(5)
Maria T.
I love this place, even more since they renovated after the fire. The bar is cozy, staff is very friendly, good wine selection, and anything off their rotisserie is generally very tasty. My all-time favorite for best lunch deal in town is their 1/4 roast chicken, hold the fries and double the side salad for under $7. You can't beat this deal anywhere in town. Also good for lunch are their new chicken salad sandwich, pulled pork sandwich and burgers. The only thing that needs improvement is their fries. Unfortunately, they are always saturated in oil and rather bland. Dinner is much pricier but still very good. Really nice vibe as well.
(4)
Jaki G.
Went here for lunch on a week day and the place was packed with business suits. It is a small intimate place that is nicely decorated. Most staff seemed nice, my waitress looked miserable and didn't apologize once when she messed up our orders. No big deal that she messed them up but you'd think she'd be apologetic. Must have been having a bad day. She definitely was on top of refilling my drink though. I asked her to recommend a 'light' lunch and she suggested their BLT, which I wouldn't think would be light but figured that this hoity toity place must have reinvented it. I was shocked to see my lunch come out with a big side of fries and grease dripping off the bacon. I mean, it is a BLT, I just don't know why she suggested it. Either way it was too much bread not enough BLT. This place isn't for me, but I'd still suggest others give it a shot. Seems like it could be pretty romantic for dinner.
(2)
K D.
Not very good for the price. I came here for lunch when I had jury duty without knowing anything about it. I was surprised when I looked on yelp after to see all the glowing reviews. The inside is sooo dated, it's like the 1995 vision of what a sophisticated restaurant is supposed to look like. Normally I wouldn't be bothered by appearances but I feel like they are partially charging for "atmosphere." Fake fancy and not very tasty.
(2)
Jessica S.
My friend and I both loved the chinese chicken salad here. The banana tart was really good and the bartender Michael was great
(5)
Brian B.
Under normal circumstances I would have never gone to this restaurant. There's really no reason why, it's just one of those places that I pass by all the time but never seem to notice or hear anything about. So when a friend came into town on a Sunday, this was really one of the only places open so we decided to try it. We were pleasantly surprised. The ambiance is a little too chic for my taste but was comfortable. There were only a few other tables while we were there so it was nice and quiet and we had service all to ourselves. Our waiter was very attentive and made nice suggestions on the menu. He reminded me of a young Christian Slater, though my friends didn't see it. My friends both got one of the specials which were a mahi-mahi dish and something with scallops, though I really wasn't paying attention because I was immersed with Three Little Pigs which consisted of three different cuts of pork with a sweet potato hash. The chops were good but a little dry and the ribs and pork belly were tender and delicious. Overall we left happy and full. Can't say it was the cheapest meal but I really wasn't disappointed in the food we got.
(3)
Barbara M.
Great food, Great knowledgeable servers...nice atmosphere.... Parkside was one of the first restaurants we tried in Providence...we moved here from Philadelphia in May and have eaten here like 6 times always a great meal ...
(5)
VC V.
Just went for drinks and appetizers after work with co-workers and we liked it.
(4)
Colleen M.
With the exception of dessert, I'd have to give this place a resounding "meh." We went there with a group (seven of us) on a Thursday evening. The place was pretty slow and we ended up hanging out for about three and a half hours. The good: The service was very friendly and attentive. Our waiter explained the specials to us and was happy to give us separate checks to make the payment easier. Our water was refilled many times throughout the meal. And no one rushed us to leave. My husband and I split a chocolate mousse-filled crepe dessert. It ended up being two crepes, so I'm glad we split it, and it was very good. The mousse was more like pudding than mousse but it was quite chocolatey and good. The fries that came with our meals were also pretty good. The not-so-good: The rest of the food we ordered wasn't so great. Even the complementary bread was overly chewy and didn't have a good flavor. My husband ordered the bistro burger and said it was okay but nothing special. It was also so huge that he had to eat it with a knife and fork rather than pick it up. I ordered the lemon garlic rotisserie chicken, thinking that since rotisserie is their specialty it would be good. It was unbelievably bland and dry. There was no hint of garlic or lemon on it at all. The pesto it came with at least gave it some flavor, but it did nothing to help the dryness. I'm not sure how the rest of our group felt about their food, but I definitely wouldn't bother coming back here, especially given the prices.
(2)
Joseph H.
The evening here started with a perfect Pear Martini. The martini tasted strongly of pear without being too sweet or to dry. The meal was okay nothing to blow me away but the services needed improvement. I spent more time looking for our waitress than I did conversing with the other couple we were with. If the service had been better this place would have gotten 4 stars.
(3)
Christine P.
I wanted to update my review after a couple more visits back. Granted, these visits back were for lunch but I have to say I have been very impressed at both visits and think it is one of the best lunch options downtown. The food is fresh, well-prepared, sent out quickly, and really good! Today we had Thai Dumplings (omg, love these) and I had the Tuna Nicoise salad. Big tuna steak, delicious salad, incredibly fresh tomatoes (particularly for this time of year) and I love how they use caper berries in the salad as well. Everyone I have brought for lunch has loved their dish and raved about the quality of food. It is definitely one of my go-to spots for lunch and think we will need to give it another shot for dinner real soon. Delish!
(5)
Paul W.
This could be an all time favorite. I had been several times for lunch but recently went for dinner. It was phenomenal. Everybody, all 8 of us, ordered something different and all of us had to share because we could not stop raving about the food. I had a tenderloin that was the most perfect.veggies great and some real tasty apps - try the Asian Dumplings - incredible! It is listed as pricey - but actually for the amount of food they serve it is very reasonable. The wait staff was very knowledgable and pleasant. Drinks were a very decent pour! Be prepared to settle in - this is not an experience you want to rush!
(5)
Scott D.
When rating one of the area's priciest restaurants, I feel that is's appropriate to be a bit tougher handing out stars. In fairness... this place is probably a 3.5 but giving a 4 didn't feel right (though I actually started out with 4 but reconsidered after writing the review). Parkside is the kind of place where the vibe appeals to a very specific demographic. Those who fit it will love this restaurant. Others will tend to feel a little out of place. Interestingly, I fit the target demographic... middle-age+, affluent and educated - so I get it, but I also normally prefer a more casual setting so I usually feel like i have to behave better than I want to when I'm there. Parkside is a great place for proud parents to take their Brown graduates, attorneys to take their business clients, etc, but it's not the place for for good old casual fun dining. Don't get me wrong... restaurants like Parkside have their place... but if you want to be a little loud and raucous, have kids with you (definitely not for kids), or want to know how much the specials cost; try another place. The menu offers some very good values but it also has more ridiculously expensive items than you can shake a stick at. You'll have a much easier time finding a bottle of wine for over $100 than you will finding anything for under $35 (and what little there is in the affordable range is nearing swill). Think twice before planning to pick up the check for the table... you could be sticker-shocked if your guests aren't considerate. The food ranges from OK to excellent but price doesn't seem to be the determining factor. We had a few dozen oysters at $1 each (we love the fact that so many restaurants are now doing this). They were served pretty well - clean and cold. Condiments we basic and could be better. The calamari is a unique variant with very interesting house made condiments... worth trying though you may find you prefer the more traditional preparations. The rotisserie chicken was a good value with a really nice goat cheese salad included though the chicken was a bit dry and the pomme frites were soggy. Still my wife like it. The very expensive filet mignon was large and nicely prepared but oddly fatty on one side (pure fat... not marbling). When is a fillet ever served fatty? The burger was a sight to behold. I don't know how it tasted (probably too bready for me) but it was a beautiful objet d'art. Our last guest got the lobster tortellini special. He ate most of it but never commented on it so perhaps that says enough since he was otherwise talkative. Along with the drinks and wine the bill came close to my kids monthly rent. Worth it? Only if the ambiance is important to you. Otherwise you can surely eat as well elsewhere for less. If you're debating between Nuovo, Mills Tavern, and Parkside, you might like Parkside best... or at least as well. On the other hand, if $50 a person is your comfort level or you don't want to be surrounded by a lot of men in dark grey suits, you may find it's a tad off-putting.
(3)
Ashley G.
Parkside has an upscale all-American feel to it! The bartenders rock and the service at the bar is just as great as sitting down at the table! The bar is usually packed especially after work which makes it a great place for singles! The menu is a decent size and varies from oysters, dumplings and grilled pizzas to rotisseries of all sorts and Kobe burgers with lobster! My recommendations are the dumplings and the portobello and beef tenderloin salad! Delish!
(3)
Karen L.
came on a weeknight for a much need girls' night out. how come i've never noticed this place before? it has a terrific bistro ambiance and superb service. granted you pay for what you get, but sometimes you just have to splurge. i'd come back just to sit at the bar. wasn't very hungry that night (unusual), so chose to order simply: caesar salad and their capellini pomodoro. very pleased w both. the caesar was slightly creamier than i like but the anchovy was present wo being overwhelming and the romaine crisp. i didn't like having to cut the lettuce on my own, it was slippery and the plate too small. the pasta had loads of garlic and tomatoes in a fragrant sauce which is very much appreciated by a garlic addict such as i. we had the calamari as a starter which wasn't anything special. my friends seemed to enjoy their papparadelle, roasted chicken, and lobster burger. would have expected cocktails to be better since they are so prominently showcased in their menu. we tried the Eiffel Tower and the Revolution. they certainly don't skimp on the alcohol but the subtleties were missing.
(3)
Kelsey T.
Came here at 2:00pm on a Friday and it was surprisingly busy. We were a bit surprised that they served their dinner menu at lunch, especially considering the portions and prices of the dinner menu, but the food was good. I split a hamburger, and I'm glad I did since I was full before finishing. My parents were also raving about the wine menu. The waitress seemed a little annoyed we weren't ordering alcohol, appetizers, dessert, etc and only entrees, but that could have just been me reading into things. All in all, a great place for dinner, might want to skip out on lunch.
(3)
Izabela B.
I totally do not have the money to eat here, ever. But sometimes I do, anyway. As they say, you get what you pay for. Parkside runs a tight ship. The waiters seem to take pride in their work, and I really appreciate that. We've gotten the same waiter several times, and while I forget his name, the service has always been impeccable. The specials are always something interesting (although for me, not affordable at $30+). We usually come for drinks and, while my friends might get dinner, I usually settle for a salad or an app. Not too big, not too small, with a stellar location just a stone's throw away from the river. On Waterfire nights, you can see the paper lantern luminarias hanging in the trees of the park across the street. On warm summer nights, the tables on the sidewalk outside are really nice, too. Parkside is intimate but not cramped, a perfect place for date. There is valet parking, but we never use it. I only tried the rotisserie chicken once; mine was dry, but all other times my friends ordered it, it was perfect. Drinks: try the cucumber martini or the black & white cosmo. Ladies, if you come in jeans, be sure to dress it up on the top half. Anything less than dressy... they won't deny you a seat, but you will feel under-dressed. [By way of sidenote... on June 30, 2011, there was a kitchen fire here that spread to other parts of the building. As of September 2011, their website says that they are still working on the rebuild and it appears they are still closed.]
(4)
Joe W.
The Parkside is consistently excellent. We've never had a bad meal there, service for us has always been spot on. And, to top it all off, the atmosphere is great! This is our go to restaurant. It's not Capitol Grille...but it's not trying to be.
(5)
Pedro P.
This is the first time writing a review. I find it helpful when I read others opinions about different restaurants. My wife and I thoroughly enjoy eating out, especially new restaurants. Approx 10 years ago we tried the parkside it was 5 star affair for us. The meal was delicious the bananas foster was to die for. I have been recommending this restaurant to friends for the last 10 years. We had not been there since. We made it a point to stop in Dec 2, 2013 for an evening dinner to celebrate our 18yr anniversary. Food was just ok, no different than the quality I would get an Olive Garden. Food was expensive for the quality and flavor. The presentation of my dish was beautiful, flavor was descent but no different than the quality of crab ravioli I can get from Venda down the street with a pink vodka sauce with a few veggies and add a lot of black pepper. My biggest issue was that the server we had could not be bothered with just 2 adults that looked and dressed like normal people. We weren't in suits, but we were appropriately dressed, especially for a Monday night 8pm stroll. I feel that the server dropped the ball. This pretty server spent more time in the bathroom adjusting the level of her makeup and fixing her hair, making sure she looked like the doll she knew she was. Her attitude was that she was better than us and she could not be bothered with our simplistic look, and that we had no business being there. This was the vibe I got, and after speaking to my wife she felt the same way. I get that things change, restaurants need to adjust. The Parkside needs an adjustment especially in the front of the house. They had a lot of accolades in 2002-2003. Something must be wrong, I understand there's been a great loss there, that could be the inspiration that they need to get the fire they once had. The rotisserie is nice but it has to be out of the park to be considered a rotisserie type restaurant. Something signature about this place is missing. I don't want to appear like I'm bashing the Park side, it's taken me 2-3 days to even muster up the courage to do so. It was very expensive for the type of food and service we had. For the record, my wife is a doctor, and I'm a business professional. Sometimes we just want to be out of our suits and just want to blend in and be comfy. We will go back, but it could be a while. And hope that the Barbie doll isn't there to serve us.
(2)
MJ L.
Previous reviews and 3.5 star average seem spot on. It is reasonably priced with huge servings. I got the Steak Frites and could not finish it. Unfortunately, the "frites" were shoe-string cut and got cold very quickly. I also got an $11 glass of cabernet sauvignon which was great and a generous pour. My wife got the filet mignon and also could not finish. Both steaks were a very good medium rare. Atmosphere is loud and lively.
(3)
David B.
If you go to Parkside Friday or Saturday evening bring patience with you and you will have a good time. I can get very busy and dinner can take time to get out to your table. The food is good and the service staff are friendly. Parking in this area is hard to find in the evenings so if you are meeting friends give yourself plenty of time to find parking. I always have a good time when visiting the Parkside. Check it out.
(3)
Jarrod I.
ok, so my wife and I were in the area and a friend told us to try you out. I'm glad we did although there were a few things not to par this place overall was really good. we both had chicken barley soup which was fresh and home cooked tasting. For our lunch entrees my wife as usaul gets something pretty simple and she said it really wasnt that good which was the BLT described a litlle different from the way it came out. It was supposed to have marscapone cheese on it which she said she didnt reall see or taste and the bread was falling apart which made it hard for her to eat. I have the Rotissere chicken and roasted red pepper crepes which were excellent. The crepes had a little bit of a sweetness and the filling was again a nice home cooked tasting chicken with a lite gravy, red pepper and Broc rabe surrounded by basil oil and red wine reduction. I liked it alot! for dessert we had the chocolate mousse which was served in a white chocolate ribbon with fresh berries.....YUM! service was good to, our server didnt give his name????? was on his game. The only thing I didnt like was the deliveries coming in the front door which was kinda tacky. I am a executive banquet chef and I think it is bad for business. Try getting your orders in when your not open. If your vendors say no then tell them you will seek out new vendors. Or maybe a different entrance and storage area? We will be back! Food Quality 4 Atmosphere 3.5 Service 4 Overall= 3.5
(3)
Jay E.
We stopped by Parkside for lunch yesterday on a whim and we are glad we did! The restaurant although small has a comfortable feel and a very cool layout. The staff was friendly and very attentive throughout our meal. We ordered a 1/4 chicken with fries/side salad and the rotisserie chicken Alfredo dish. Both dishes were served hot and fresh, the chicken on both dishes was tender and moist, the fries were perfect for adding vinegar - very tasty! The pasta was cooked and seasoned perfectly, awesome combination of flavors. Being stuffed we ended up ordering a banana torte to go, it was still warm when we devoured it 45 minutes later - it was awesome, crust was flaky and sweet and the banana filling was out of this world! Highly recommend!
(5)
Nicole B.
Very hit or miss. I came here once for a business meeting. It was lunch time and the place was bustling. However, we got a seat right away. The special sea bass was served with risotto and spinach. It was delicious and the portion size was excellent. The service was average. Not bad, just nothing to write home about. I came here again with my boyfriend due to it's convenient location for us on that evening. We sat outside and ordered jumbo shrimp and the cheese plate for an appetizer. The jumbo shrimp was again...average. Hard to screw that up though. The cheese plate was the biggest waste of money ever. I feel guilty even. For $17 you feet 4 cheeses that you can buy at Stop and Shop. No lie. Manchango, Cheddar, Blue, and Brie. None of them were excellent either. I could have bought 4 far superior cheeses at Whole Foods. 4 far superior cheeses of the same type even! Not worth the money. I liked my veal and sage ravioli with sausage. The sauce was delicious. However, the raviolis were a touch undercooked. My boyfriend's portobello napoleon was just a pile of vegetables covered in pasta sauce....for $16. Again with the not worth it. If you do find yourself here, think hard about what you're going to order. If you think corners could be cut and it could potentially be a let down...pick something else.
(3)
K S.
I've been to Parkside numerous times for lunch, drinks and dinner both pre and post fire (most recently for lunch), and I am just not impressed. The interior reminds me of Red Stripe in that it is very open and gets incredibly loud. The food is okay, but given the price point, I'd expect more. Same with the service - okay, but with the price point, you would really expect more. Today was particularly disappointing. I had the Thai dumpling which was tasty. The BLT was icky with fatty bacon and bread so mushy that it fell apart as I tried to take my first bite. The fries were uber greasy. They ran out of the berry dessert which out waitress informed us of when she took our order (but did not offer to set aside one the few remaining ones), so I had the chocolate mousse. Overall it was okay, which is what I've come to expect from Parkside, and which for me, just isn't enough.
(2)
J R.
Ok... Based on last night, I want to give it 2 stars, but I'll go 3 because usually I have a good experience here, and the food was very good. Ok, so.... where do I start. Walked in with a party of 7 at 9pm. I called them earlier yesterday just to make sure i wasn't going to be the asshole that kept the kitchen open. Few tables were still there, bar was still lively, so all was well. The food was great. That is definitely not an issue and probably never will be. The timing, service, and plating however, was. Side salad, served on a bread plate. You take one bite and there is literally salad hanging off the plate. Really? Twin Oak's 900 year old black plastic bowls still work better than this. Shame on whoever is on apps. Idiot. Crab cakes. Don't waste your time getting them. I was appauled and embarrassed that the restaurant I chose decided to serve 2 half dollar sized "crab disks" to my aunt who has been traveling all day from out of state for thanksgiving. Seriously I have never seen them that small before... the size of an oreo, all joking aside. Another order was the tenderloin salad. That came out a solid 10-15 minutes before the rest of the entrees. Hey dipshit, you know thats an entree right? And the prices are significantly higher than the last time I came. Average price of all the dishes now are probably close to $25. Before, from what i recall, this was the best place to get an awesome dish in the $18 to $20 range. I had the pork rack with brussel sprouts, bacon lardones, pearl onions, tossed in the dijon cream sauce. AMAZING. Also had a bite of the parpadelle, which was very good, however a tad underseasoned in my opinion. Had a bit of the Fall Squash risotto, another amazing dish. The shrimp cocktail was cooked a tad too long, say... 45 minutes too long lol. Ceasar salad was very good as well. I intend on coming back, but the service was seriously brutal. If it was busy, I could cut a little slack, but jesus christ, how can you actually live with yourself being a waiter without the common sense that you are serving an entree salad and the remaining dishes weren't even fired yet? Bad business right there, now is not the time to slip. Step your game up, because last night was a reason to stay at Providence Prime or Zooma. Sorry, but smarten your staff up, or whoever you think needs it.
(3)
Jason P.
Great atmosphere and great service. Server Adam was friendly and polite. Will definitley be back.
(5)
Anya R.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Providence, and one of my favorites in the world! What is there possibly to complain about? They have valet parking so it makes for easy transportation as long as you don't drink too much...which is easy to do with the great cocktails and wine and beer selection! The Cool Cucumber is delicious, but my favorite is a special drink that have sometimes called the Black & White Cosmo! Everything is always delicious! I typically get one of the specials, but I have ordered from the menu too. I typically start with the Parkside Salad (simple but delicious). I typically order a fish or rotisserie dish. I've never had anything I didn't like there! But you must, must, MUST get at least one of their tarts. My favorite is the banana, but they're all delicious! It's best to order them early on as they take a long time to prepare. The Velvety Flourless Torte is also delicious and gluten-free!
(5)
Elisabeth A.
My friends took me here for dinner my first night in Providence - mmmm. Very cozy atmosphere, extremely nice waitstaff... and delicious food. At my friends' suggestion I got the spicey lemon and cashew roasted chicken, and the portion was GIGANTIC. I was astounded. I could only eat a third of it. It was VERY tasty though, loved the sweet potato fries it came with. Mmm roasted melt in your mouth cashews... We also ordered a side of onion rings to share and they were awesome as well. Also, the prices were decent, being that I'm from NY and am used to waaaayy more overpriced meals :D
(4)
Robyn G.
I just had the best experience in a Providence restaurant ever. Of course, we received special treatment because my friend's boyfriend is one of the chefs, but nevertheless, the food was wonderful. I highly recommend the Maple-Glazed Duck Salad. The portion was huge, the duck was cooked perfectly with a nice sweet glaze, and the pears and red and yellow beets were a great touch. As for drinks, the Mango Madness was nice, with mango-infused vodka and mango puree, but I wasn't a huge fan of the South Beach Mojito. I love a good mojito, but this was way too sweet for me. I may have misread the description, but it seemed to be lacking lime, which is pretty essential to a mojito in my opinion. If you skip drinks and dessert, the prices are pretty reasonable. My amazing salad, which was huge, was only $14.95. Signature cocktails were $8-10. We were treated like royalty, again most likely because we had the hookup, but in any case, I would definitely come here again and send my friends.
Stuck in the area on jury duty I headed down the street to Parkside. On the bright side the waiter was very nice and very good. On the down side... My coffee was luke warm on arrival and my burger was charred past the edible point. To be fair I was not in the mood to deal with sending it back so I didn't alert my server to the issue so they didn't have a chance to fix the issue. However, I'm surprised they sent it out like that. I ordered it medium...the inside was pink but the outside was black as can be. Won't be back.
(2)
Frequent Flyer X.
The Hotel recommeded this wonderful restaurant for dinner whilst we were in RI for the weekend. I have to say it had a great atmosphere and was extremely lively. The food was fabulous if you order the right thing and lets face it its a rotisserie so if you stick to that you will not be disappointed. I suppose you can consider it pricey for RI, but compared to NY prices I found it was adequate for the portions and quality of food. Only pet peeve was that the acoustics were not great (but maybe it was where our table was located).
(5)
Moni C.
The reviews are spot on! Delicious dishes - all American fare with some French and Asian inspired items on the menu. We went in for lunch and took advantage of the prefix lunch menu courtesy of Providence Restaurant Week. The colossal Thai dumplings were a huge hit! Very tasty and cooked perfectly. The chicken croquette with the Louisiana creole remoulade was okay (I wish there was more heat in the sauce). My hubby had the crepes stuffed with rotisserie chicken and veggies. It was a light weight version of a chicken pot pie and again was full of flavor. My hand carved BLT was also very good! I love bacon and they offered a generous portion of apple wood bacon. The fries were a bit on the soggy side but they came out super hot. As for dessert, it was divine! I had chocolate mousse with whip cream and fresh fruit while my hubby had the fresh berry crisp with vanilla ice cream. The mousse was so light and airy I couldn't get enough of it. Service was A+. Our waiter was quite attentive and he seemed to take pride in ensuring our experience was the best. The overall ambiance at Parkside was warm and inviting. It had a cozy feel but didn't feel at all cramp. I also like the view as we were seated at the window. Great location, ample street parking plus free valet services.
(4)
edward n.
Everything about this place is to be missed. Extremely average yet very overpriced. I'd suggest heading to Thayer Street for about 1/3 the price and none of thew attitude.
(1)
G S.
We went back to this place and my pasta was not done. It tasted like Bertolli that I didn't let boil long enough. I still had a great time because the wait staff is so great, but I would probably just go for drinks rather than dinner next time.
(3)
N B.
I went here for Restaurant Week lunch and it was a great experience. The starter dumplings were fantastic, as was the veal angiotte. I've had dinner here several times before and the food was always solid but never fantastic. The lunch prices are much better than the dinner prices so I would recommend this as a great lunch option if you are on S. Main St.
(4)
James K.
I have dined at Parkside on a number of occassion sand have always had good experiences, enjoying both the food and the service. That ended Friday night. I will spare yipu the boring story, but it involved a seating situation at the bar, which my friend and I were next in line for, and being denied it in favor of "friends of the owners" , who had come in after us. The bartender could not have been any ruder if he tried, and even after the situation had resolved itself and we all agreed to "let it go"....he proceeeded to bad mouth up.....PATRONS to his co-workers and people at the end of the bar. Downright nasty. I am about as far from a difficult patron as you can get. I have never experienced anything like this in my life. To make matters worse, the manager knew full well what the situation was, yet supported the bartender!! Our evening there was ruined and we left to eat elsewhere (XO down the street...sat at bar and ate with a delightful bartender). I had heard that the owner was a "good guy", so before writing this (first time I've ever done this) , I thought I'd give him a call. Two days have gone by without a return call. I will never walk back in Parkside and will go out of my way to tell this story of rudeness and disrespect to anyone who will listen.
(1)
Tara D.
May I just say, Parkside is one of the reasons why Providence is becoming famous for its food? The service was irreproachable (as in no blabbing, no asking if we're done yet, only coming to our table to poor us more wine), the food was divine, and it's the only place in Providence where I trusted the waiter to choose our wine and was not disappointed a bit. In fact, the wine I had at Parkside was the best American wine I've ever had. Mostly because I wasn't choosing, I am sure, but still - the guy didn't go "Well we served that bottle the other day and they liked it". I said I knew nothing about American wines, and he said "ah. Let me take care of that". And he did. He did it really well. When we left Parkside, we were the only people left in the restaurant, and the staff was already moving on to closing-time duties. But not once were we told that it was time for us to leave. They have respect for food, and respect for dinner as an experience. Although it's a little old fashioned and pricey, it's the real deal.
(4)
Stacy R.
Ate here with a group of 6 in October 2007. Loved it. Great service,food,and drink!
(4)
Ed G.
Parkside is always a place I recommend to friends if they're looking for a nice night out in Providence. The atmosphere is lively but cozy (as mentioned in a previous review), and this bistro has many offerings at different price points to make most people's wallet happy (the half chickens are always a good deal, and you can even get something simply grilled). The staff are always friendly and very knowledgeable on the offerings and wine. They have a well stocked bar and an open kitchen, where you can see the chefs in action preparing the night's offerings. Of note in the kitchen is the spit rotisserie - I can say that I have only had excellent meals off the rotisserie! The portions are also very generous - if you order a salad, you better be hungry or prepare to split it with someone else if you plan on getting an entree' (which are generously portioned as well). Of note in the salad department is the maple duck breast salad - a buddy of mine would keep going to Parkside just to order this salad by itself! On this Friday evening my fiancee came in for some much needed end-of-the-week unwinding. We started off with a few drinks and then dove into our meals (skipped the apps knowing the portions). We both hit a special tonight - she ordered a grilled fish (it was an Australian fish I did not remember the name of, but it was similar to snapper), served over a bed of Macadamia nut jasmine rice, alongside some sauteed broccoli rabe, with a lobster hollandaise sauce on top... holy $**t!! I chose the roasted veal sirloin with a sun-dried cherry and port reduction, served with a Parmesan risotto cake, and grilled asparagus ($%&*!!). In both cases, the explosion of flavors made it difficult for me to decide which I liked best, but we both agreed that each dish was complimented perfectly with by all the ingredients within. Parkiside is in a prime location on South Main St. and offers outdoor seating when its warmer. Its location lends itself to be the perfect place to dine after or during Waterfire (reservations are suggested on Waterfire evenings because they will most likely be very booked and busy), or after an evening stroll or guerrilla shopping experience at the nearby Providence Place mall. Street parking is available, as well as valet service. They have received accolades from Wine Spectator magazine, and have celebrated over 10 years (13 I think), so they are doing something right; I would recommend this for all occasions whether it be a first date, group event (they have group seating in the back), or just plain ol' relaxing at a favorite establishment. One more thing to note - their banana tart is made to order, and to die for... we have gone out of our way and stopped in to get just the banana tart (ok, and some espresso martinis) alone!
(4)
Jenny M.
Went here for happy hour and dinner. My fish at dinner was way too salty. I ate risotto and veggies. The appetizers were great. The wait staff disappeared at the end of the meal. Didn't even come back to ask if everything was ok.
(3)
Will D.
Parkside has never dissapointed me. The staff is attentive (albeit a bit stiff, friendly goes a long way) and the food is wonderful. Good midrange prices, comfortable atmosphere and although I've never had the hankering to sit on North Main street, maybe I'll check it out when the weather gets better!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
L. H.
Best meal I've had in a very very very long time! I decided to eat at the bar because i was without a guest. The bartender was incredible. I think his name was David... How special it was to be appreciated in a restaurant or bar and by MYSELF. For those people who travel and/or dont have a special someone/partner or husband or wife to go out and have dinner with -- to go to a bar and have dinner alone and be appreciated is a very very special thing. The food was incredible. The atmosphere was comfortable and the lighting was flattering. I'm from New York. -- but my visit to Providence was heightened by my visit to the Parkside Rotisserie & Bar. Highly recommended!! Thanks!!!
(5)Brian R.
This has been a go to spot for my partner and I for many years so when we decided to get married we thought it would be the perfect place for the rehearsal dinner. When we ordered our drinks and they arrived at the table two of them got mixed up. Mistakes happen and we understand that but the proper thing to do would to take them back and bring two new drinks. Our waited decided that all we had to do was swap the garnish but after you put olives in a fruity drink it's pretty much ruined. We proceeded to order our entrees and everything seemed fine until two of them arrived at the table. Both had ordered the cashew chicken and after ordering this here for the past 10 years what was put in front of us was not cashew chicken. Our waiter stated "oh the just forgot the sauce" and proceeded to return to the table will 2 bowls of cashew sauce and pour it over our plates. Unfortunately this was a very special dinner that went wrong. I will give them another chance as it is a favorite but I can assure you the people we were dining with will never be back. Come on Parkside your better than this!!!!!
(3)Virgil G.
The atmosphere and prices spoke of a higher caliber restaurant. The actual service and food did not. After awkwardly seating us at a four top table inches away from another party when there were plenty of two tops available, it took about 10 minutes before our waitress even acknowledged us to take our drink order. Another 10 minutes pass as we're looking at our drinks sitting at the bar 5 feet away. I was tempted to just go get them myself. Mind you the place is a third full. Our waitress was a sweet woman but she definitely had the deer in the headlights look. Might want to put on your A list team on a Saturday night. So on to the food. The wife and I split an order of the dumplings which came out in record time. So what you're telling me is those came frozen and were flash fried. At $15 for three dumplings at a restaurant that pretends it is high end, that's unacceptable. I ordered the rotisserie special. Pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon with a peach and caramelized onion habanero salsa, served on coconut risotto. Sounds delicious right? It wasn't. The bacon was soggy. The pork was rubbery. And when I say the entire entrée was completely flavorless, I'm being generous. At this point, I don't want to waste anymore time on this place. So long story really short. Skip this place. Really pretentious. Really expensive. Really really not worth it at all.
(1)Linda F.
Well I did not like the Chinese Chicken salad and they took it back!! That was really something The service was terrific and I liked the wine list. The fettuccine ended up being much better, but to my dismay there was a bone in it. That's a first for me. I don't come here often actually this was my second visit and it'll be my final. I was really happy with the service but the food... a bone in my fettucine?!
(2)Sara M.
We had not been there in a while and it did not live up to expectations. If this rating was for just food it would have been two stars and the good service was the only thing that got them to three. I was not that hungry so I ordered the crab cake app as my main course. Two small crab cakes on top of a corn and avocado salad. The crab cakes were very greasy and left an odd aftertaste. They also appeared to be made with ground crabmeat and not larger chunks. The salad was passable. Husband got the burger and it looked ok, but incredibly greasy. We did not get any of the famous rotisserie items, but I don't think we will be giving them a try anytime soon.
(3)Eureeka S.
Pee-ew, Parkside. The service was decent, but the smell when I walked in the door was offensive. I have no idea what that was, but it was horrible. I kept thinking, is no one else smelling this?!? Unfortunately, I was in a rush to eat in order to keep my schedule so I stayed against my better judgment. I wish I hadn't. I had heard about the great $6.25 lunch deal for 1/4 Rotisserie Chicken, so I got it with Tomato Soup to start. Maybe it's a northeastern thing, but this looked like regular old Vegetable Soup & didn't taste all that great. The waitress verified that it was their Tomato Soup. Not impressed. Next came the lunch special & I have to say that it was more than a little bland. The side salad was good, but it was, well, salad. It's pretty hard to mess that up. The best thing on the plate was their Zippy Green Herb Sauce, which served as a salad dressing & had a good bit of basil in it. I can't really comment on the French Fries, as I don't eat them. I wound up leaving the majority of the meal on my plate, which is very unlike me. This wasn't one of the worst meals I've ever had, but it wasn't much above that league. I can console myself with the fact that I didn't spend much money on such a disappointing meal. I seriously doubt that I will ever be back.
(2)Nina K.
Loved the salmon here!! I normally don't like lentils but the flavors were pleasantly surprising. I'd love to have this dish for a second time and will be returning in the near future.
(5)Sara M.
We spent an enjoyable afternoon on the patio and ordered some apps and wine. The calamari came with two 'chutneys' that were inedible, with strange flavors that did not go with the calamari. I will stick to marinara, thanks. Crab cakes are tasty, and the rest of the menu looked good as well. Service was good, there was one dedicated server for the patio who checked in often.
(3)Joe C.
Great meal, decent price Pros: Nice Location and Decor Rotisserie Style Menu Open Kitchen Great Food Free Valet Parking Cons: Really None Brought my mother out for Mothers Day with my wife and my sister. Walked in and got to pick my seating location which I liked. The interior of this restaurant is very nice and a big plus on the open kitchen, it smells great in there. The order: Shrimp Mozambique app - Wonderful broth with a great selection of bread to sop it up. Coq Au Vin - The chicken was very tender and the wine reduced sauce was very flavorful Rotisserie Pork Chop - Probably the best pork chop I have ever tried Flat Iron Chimichurri - Tender steak but the chimichurri was not my favorite, too much lemon Value - With only 2 items over 30 dollars on the menu in downtown Providence (the highest being 34.95) at this quality level, I don't think you can beat it. I saw a previous review complaining about the prices, but I can't see how. Just look at the menu. This is very nice restaurant at very reasonable price points. Overall a quality meal with exceptional service and free parking in Providence who can beat that. We'll definitely be back. If your looking to go out for a nice meal and spend around 100 bucks for 2 people including drinks this is the place to try. Thanks
(4)Joie S.
Parkside is great. I went for a work dinner and we all really enjoyed it. You have to park on the street but that's really not too much of an issue, there are usually plenty of spots in walking distance. The food is a little pricey but it's worth it. I had the cod over shrimp grits and it was absolutely delicious. The ambiance is also really nice, it feels really warm and cozy at Parkside even on a freezing cold night. The only reason they are not getting five stars is because it took a really long time. I'm all for a relaxing experience, but for example, we waited at least 30 minutes for our desserts, which were super tasty, but probably not worth a 30 minute wait. Overall, I would definitely go back to Parkside, there were a bunch of things on the menu that I want to try!
(4)Philip E.
Consistently delicious piping hot food. Love the chic atmosphere, superior service, the place has a buzz and a vibe. Eaten here at least 3 times, bistro burger, pork rack, pork mignon, always fantastic. The steaks are amazing, pomme frites, salads, yum! Located in financial district in beautiful downtown Providence on college side of the canal. Will return again!
(4)Linda A.
I have walked by this place so many times and FINALLY had an opportunity to stop in for lunch with a group of coworkers. I am intensely impressed! I ordered the special pasta dish: a veal osso bucco tortelloni with truffle cream sauce and pulled rotisserie chicken, sweet corn, and roasted red peppers. Wowie, wow, wow. Not only was it show-stoppingly delicious, but what a deal! Lunch is usually the best bang for your buck when trying out a fancy place and this is no exception: this would've been close to double during dinner. A couple folks in my party ordered the cobb salad, which comes with hunks of crispy pork belly (on man) -- another ordered the shellfish pie, which caused intense plate envy amongst the group. Service was impeccable and attentive, as can be expected from a place like this one. Decorations were pretty and classy for the holiday... except for the angry boar head mounted about the kitchen door. I giggled when I saw it and kind of love it!
(5)Robert S.
Went there for lunch with a few neighbors and I had a mixed experience. The hostess was very nice, friendly and smiley. Good first impression. The waitress had a very long face during our entire lunch and that was not cool. I had the cuban sandwich, which was nicely done, toasted with nice lean pieces of pork loin. The mustard sauce was a bit overwhelming for me, but it was an OK sandwich. The fries were not good. I left half of the order on my plate...and....I don't leave fries un-eaten. No..no... unless they are not good. The chicken pot pie was good, but was a bit too wet and creamy for my taste, with no real taste of a flaky crust. Overall an OK experience. Lots of Providence and RI political figures around lunch..I guess being so close to courthouses and Government buildings, makes it an easy stop ....
(3)Saadet A.
Came in on a friday night. The crabcakes had a zing to them and were thick on texture. The chicken dumplings were very flavorful and the dipping sauces were good too. I had the pork mignon for my entre. Not as tender as i expected it to be. Didnt care for the brussel sprouts too much because they had a funny after taste. My friend had the lemom garlic chicken and that was melt in your mouth deliciousness served with a fragrant pesto sauce. The pork rack was way underdone and had to be sent back. Decor was nice, hustle n bustle kind of place with good service
(3)Austin W.
Second visit this time, and it was much worse. Had a decent appetizer of steak tartar but my chicken in my coq au vin was so dry I couldn't even swallow it. I never send anything back but had to on this occasion. Second time around the chicken was still dry but not as bad but the sauce literally had no wine in it and the vegetables and bacon were borderline raw. My wife's caesar salad chicken was super dry too but she persevered. Also, our bartender was constantly on facebook or talking about friends love lifes right in front of us.
(2)Sabrina S.
Went for restaurant week. Service was great. Food was mediocre. I was disappointed. They packed my leftovers for me but the bag didn't hold it. My leftovers fell onto the sidewalk.
(3)David H.
I visited when in town for WaterFire, I had made a 9:45 reservation and my companion and I were seated immediately upon arrival. The restaurant was still pretty lively but not packed. It seemed to be a mostly 40+ crowd. Decent bread was served with a white bean spread that was tasty but ultimately too difficult to deal with. We ordered drinks which took a while to make it to our table due to a purported lack of glassware. My vodka martini was well made and my friend had a rum and orange liqueur concoction from the bar menu which i think she mostly enjoyed but may have found a bit strong. Started with the crispy Thai dumplings which were really good. Neither of us cared for the mustard dipping sauce but liked the second peanut sauce based offering. The slaw served alongside was good as well. The braised short ribs were good but the lemon-garlic chicken wasn't great. They charged us $3 to sub frites for a sweet potato mashed from one of the specials which I thought was pushing it particularly at that hour when it was destined for the garbage. Creme brulee wasn't that smooth but wasn't a disaster. Pretty meh experience for the price but I guess I wouldn't chase anyone away.
(3)Bruce M.
Dropped into this fine establishment during the last WaterFire I attended, and let me tell you...it did not disappoint. Being solo, I was looking to relax, watch the fires from the front windows and generally enjoy a leisurely dinner. Parkside came through big. Upon arrival, a lovely and sweet host eagerly cleared a small table for me at the windows, offering me the seat facing them. A nice view of the park and the fires resulted. My server was quite nice, detailing the specials wonderfully. I chose one of the specials, asking for the removal of the mushrooms from the dish due to an allergy. This was the only (minute) problem with the evening as removing mushrooms was impossible. No problem, a quick perusal of the menu and an order of the short ribs cured that issue immediately. The short ribs were delectable. Tender, flavorful and a generous portion (although a little on the fatty side). Coupled with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies, this meal was fit for a king...or at least a prince. The restaurant was lively, full of the beautiful and upscale crowd of Providence. With the Red Sox on at the bar, the joint was jumping with each at bat. My lovely traveling companion will be returning home very soon, and I want her to experience this place. However, I'm going to take her on a quieter evening as I think she'll enjoy it more. Her inner foodie emerges during quiet dinners...and that's what I think will allow her to enjoy this fine restaurant even more. Kudos to Parkside for providing me a wonderful dining experience during WaterFire. I will absolutely return in the near future...and look forward to it greatly. Interesting side note to those beautiful, upscale AND FEMALE diners in Providence. Don't use the men's room as I noticed you did several times. Ladies are usually insulted when men use the ladies' room, and I think the same is true when the situation is reversed.
(4)Marco D.
Great food & service. Has the sirloin and it was amazing. Waitstaff very friendly. Parking kind of sucks, but I'm a late night eater so it's usually not a problem after the dinner rush. I believe their open late too which is a plus. Dumplings were the best I've had, huge & delicious
(5)Wendling C.
Fantastic lunch for $6.75 - rotisserie chicken, lovely salad with fresh tomatoes and big chunks of blue cheese, a stack of crispy, tasty hand-cut frites. Why haven't I been having lunch here every day??? Quick, gracious service.
(5)L W.
While I really like the atmosphere here, I was disappointed in my steak frites dish Friday night. For almost $30 I expected a bit better than what really turned out to be fairly dried out thin steak tips, as opposed to a juicy whole piece of steak as advertised. Plus the frites were thin to the point of being not fries anymore, and not very crispy. This is not a difficult dish to pull off. They really need to do better.
(3)Victoria K.
I am usually quite skeptical of Restaurant Week deals. I have had some really unfortunately experiences with seriously sub-par food. I took a chance and headed to Parkside Rotisserie & Bar for lunch and decided to partake in the RW menu. Overall, it wasn't disappointing. First of all, our server was very pleasant and helpful. He checked in on us occasionally, but not to the point of annoying us. The menu options were appetizing, and we decided to get one of each of the appetizers and share both. The first was a fried pork dumpling. It was very flavorful and a nice, bright start to the meal. The other was an heirloom tomato and cucumber napoleon with thin toasts of bread and blue cheese. This was a bit milder in flavor but had a great fresh quality that we really enjoyed. Overall we were happy with both. For my entree, I selected the chicken pot pie option. Although it was good, it paled next to the one I make myself at home. The veloute needed a bit more seasoning (salt would be a start, but a little fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary wouldn't hurt either). The filling was nice and chunky and the chicken was obviously very fresh. The crust was thin and not flaky. I didn't mind the meager crust as I have been watching my diet, but others may have wanted something more bold. For dessert we both selected the NY style cheesecake, which arrived in small squares with a side of sour cherry sauce and whipped cream. The cheesecake was pretty nice, but was topped with a bit of condensation (my thoughts are it was covered and chilled before it was completely cool). This didn't effect the flavor at all but was unsightly. A flaw. Otherwise, the dessert was satisfying and although small, the perfect size to finish off our meal. I'm pretty pleased with this visit to Parkside. I try to be forgiving with Restaurant Week menus, as they often contain dishes not on the regular menu and therefore seem to lack something otherwise found in the cuisine. We were both pleased with our meals, despite a few oversights. I'd be happy to come back and dine here again.
(4)Sungeeta A.
Great food, service, and atmosphere! The meal started off with some amazingly fresh oysters. My entree was the black fettucini - incredible! Squid ink pasta, mussels, clams and shrimp - words can't even describe how good this dish was. Cheesecake for dessert was a perfect end to this amazing meal. I can't wait to come back to Parkside.
(5)Lizz W.
Really good place. I have only been for lunch but great menu and affordable for the quality. The service is also excellent. I will be sure to go for dinner soon.
(4)Ryan P.
Very nice inside. Sat at the bar before our table and had a few drinks. It was very cold & breezy due to the front door being just a few feet away but it was bearable. 8 drinks with tip was $72. Our table for 7 was in the back of the restaurant near the open kitchen. It was a busy night so it was a little loud. The food, especially the Bistro Burger & fries, was delicious but due to it being busy it took approx 45-60mins for it to make it to the table. Our server, Adam, was very apologetic and comped our drinks. Wouldve been 4 stars if not for the very slow kitchen.
(3)Miryam Y.
Excellent food and ambiance. Came here for Valentine's Day 2014 with my friend. Everything here was wonderful.. From the drinks to the entrees. Hope to come back here soon!
(4)Alma C.
Parkside is one of those places that has a little bit of something for everyone, but I've had mixed experiences here. So time for some yelp math: Service: 4 Very good service Parking: 3 Street parking is hard to find, but they have a free valet. During busy times it can take a long time to get your car back. Food: 3 Mixed bag. I've had delightful meals, and I've had meals where the temperature is off, or just eh. Recently, I had a pretzel bread burger with a bun that was hard verging on stale. uh, no. Pricing: 2 Expensive for what you get. That disappointing pretzel bread burger was $17. Overall, I would normally give this place a solid 3, but because of the recently added Dollar Oyster nights on Tuesday/Friday from 4:30 to close, this place gets a warm yelp cuddle and a extra bump up in the ratings from yours truly Oyster Slayer. THANKS PARKSIDE see you soon (at the bar, full tilt concentration on achieving the perfect ratio of lemon to mignonette to oyster. probably with cocktail.)
(4)Anthony S.
Fantastic meal and service. We had seafood dishes which were fresh and excellent. Save room for dessert. The cheesecake was creamy and the banana tart is just incredible. If you get coffee, ask for a mug. Their cups are pretty, but not functional.
(4)Jeremy B.
Came here last night just before the kitchen closed. The bartender still let me order and confirmed the Statler Chicken was a good choice. I'm very happy he did because it was on point; great, great dish. Had good chat with the bartender too so service was solid as well. It was definitely one of the better late dinners in Providence I've had
(5)John D.
Sticker shock! The shockingly high prices -- main courses in the high $30s -- are the first thing you notice on the menu, and it stays with you. This would otherwise be a tolerable alternative to the really nice restaurants in downtown Providence. But if you're going to spend this much $$, you're far better off across the river. Shrimp Mozambique appetizer was tasty, with a briny broth, but grotesquely overpriced at $15 for four shrimps. Steak frites: $30!!!! for hangar steak! Outrageous. This costs $20 is Manhattan, for gosh sakes. Burger is $17. In Providence? Is this a joke? Lemon and Cashew Chicken was a bargain at $17. Unfortunately, it also stunk: drowning in goopy soy and honey. Unpleasantly skunky. Avoid.
(1)Kel S.
I made it back here for restaurant week on the last night. I think they may have been out of steam by this point. I chose a pumpkin mouse tart as an appetizer. It was good but lukewarm. For my main, I chose a scallop risotto: yum! The desert was good but not great. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of the fellow restaurant week-diners. The bartender didn't pay me much attention. I imagine this was because I was solo and ordering off the restaurant week menu. This was a slightly disappointing follow up to my first experience here.
(3)Che C.
My fiance and I just came back from this place, and we both agree that it was the worst restaurant experience of our lives. The table they gave us was so cold that we were literally shivering even though we didn't take off our arctic level jackets. After asking twice to be moved and being told no other tables were available (and having the people who came in after us moved to better tables), the manager finally agreed to move us. But not without a huge attitude. Apparently we should not expect to sit at a tolerable table unless we have a reservation. I explained that we literally couldn't feel our feet, and after some argument, he finally moved us begrudgingly. On to the food... the bread was so cold it felt like it was in the freezer before it came over. My fiance left the majority of his clam chowder because "it wasn't worth the calories" in proportion to the taste. His lemon garlic chicken was sawdust dry and flavorless. My cashew chicken was better, but certainly not worth the disrespect we faced from eating here. We'll never go back again.
(1)Brenda W.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. Delicious food. Great wine list. The staff is outstanding and it was a pleasant dining experience. I had their rotisserie chicken and it was delicious. And the crème brûlée is the best I've had. When someone asks where I'd like to go for dinner, I always suggest The Parkside.
(5)Curran H.
Stopped by here on a sunday afternoon and was very glad I did. Very nice looking place, staff was very friendly. Parking was a bit tough but they do offer a valet service if you choose. The food was outstanding started off with the oysters fresh and delicious. Had the rack of lamb as a entree amazing. Was a little expensive cried a little when i saw the price but other than that try it !!
(4)Dan S.
This has been a favorite for years but my last visit was a disappointment from start to finish. I sense that standards are slipping both in the kitchen and in the service staff. Maybe ownership is losing their passion but when the little things begin to slip it is symptomatic of a downward slide. Tonight the Romaine was brown - the chicken was dry and burned on one side and the coffee was lukewarm. Who cares? Clearly not this kitchen. If I was getting this food experience in the company caff that would be one thing but Parkside has always been one of Providence's better spots. Giving it 3 stars just because I am hopeful that our experience was atypical and everyone was having an off night.
(3)Rick K.
We had great service at the bar and observed a waiter going above and beyond in providing service and guiding a blind couple who dined at the restaurant.
(5)R S.
I pulled up to a spot across the street from parkside one evening. A Mercedes was taking up a bit more than one spot, and as luck would have it, the last spot on the street. I pulled back as close as I could to it, without hitting it. I got out to look and some bald meathead (I assume a waiter by dress) is coming out yelling at me in a very threatening way. He's asking if I intend to buy that car, cause it's worth forty thousand dollars. I said no and explained that it was taking up too much room in the parking spot in front of it. He continued to act aggressive in stance and tone, and said "I just hope you don't touch that car again". So, rather than be over the line in front of a hydrant, I pulled down the street and parked in a spot that had just opened in front of the courthouse. As I walked to the office I saw a young man move the Mercedes backwards into the proper marked spot. I cooled off a bit and went and spoke to the manager on duty, Adam, who dutifully brushed me off. So, rather than get any form of satisfaction there, I will leave a one-star review here. Also, I've eaten there, and the food, while not terrible is nothing to write home about..... ha!
(1)Regina F.
Parkside might be famous for its spectacular rotisserie chicken, but for those of us who aren't in love with the idea of consuming half of a poached bird in one sitting, it is still a worthwhile lunch spot. Firstly, the French Fries are an absolute must. They're wiggly, a bit greasy, but oh-so-rustically wonderful. While these fries glisten delicately under the soothing mood lights of Parkside, they're flavor is only enhanced by dipping them in Parkside's signature nut free pesto. Chunky, creamy, herby and earthy, this green concoction is the paragon enhancement for any of Parkside's dishes (skip the aioli, it's too salty, and bypass the BBQ sauce, it's got peculiar chunks in it and isn't as good as KC Masterpiece). The bruschetta with speck ham appetizer is pretty phenomenal as well, and when paired with fries, makes for a wonderful meal. Salty speck ham lays atop a giant slice of diagonally cut grilled, fat French bread. The speck is lays below three thick, billowy semi-rounds of homespun mozzeralla that's stringy around the edges and cream and smooth in the middle. All of this is buried beneath an entire garden of fresh arugula, as peppery as the olive oil that adorns is it is fruity. Protip: the waitress probably won't tell you that you're charged for soda refills, nor that your request for house condiments beyond Heinz malt vinegar and ketchup are extra. (To be fair, in return, her tip will probably be a bit stunted.)
(4)ZuzzyDoo D.
My filet mignon was cooked perfectly. Mashed potatoes were delicious as were the carrots. Sat near the kitchen and it was amazing to watch how hard each person worked in a small area. They were cooking nonstop and got food out quickly
(5)Holly S.
Food is off the hook! Bartender friendly and good wine. What more could I ask for!
(5)paula c.
Please attend to what they say they are: a rotisserie. beautiful job on the rotisserie duck, filet mignon. Pasta is ok, but there are better places in town for that, but then why go to a ROTISSERIE if you want pasta? Excellent Caesar salad Excellent mussels, oysters, shrimp. Consider getting a bunch of tasty appetizers instead of entree
(4)Samantha S.
If the word "rotisserie" is in your name, that means something. If your tagline is "A Manhattan-Style Bistro," that means something too. If you give customers certain expectations, you'd better deliver, or they'll be disappointed. We were disappointed. It's pretty small inside, and the front section is tight and noisy. I was happy to sit in the back, near the open kitchen. Our server was jovial and overly familiar but otherwise very professional. He gave us good advice, and I was grateful to be told that the risotto appetizer is gigantic. So we shared it, but much of it was undercooked, so any amount was too much. We both ordered chicken dishes from the rotisserie menu. A mistake: both were quite dry and, worse, flavorless (although my husband's was coated in a sweetish sauce that had some kind of off-note). The fries underneath verged on limp (maybe from sitting under the chicken?). Our side salads were dressed nicely, and the pesto that came with my chicken was pretty good. The rotisserie prices are extremely reasonable. But these were not enough to overcome an unappealing meal. The place was packed before WaterFire, and many patrons seemed familiar to the host and chef. Lots of hugs, etc. I think Parkside already has its clientele, and everyone is satisfied with the status quo. After resurrecting itself after a devastating fire, Parkside deserves support, but I can't recommend Parkside for the rest of us.
(2)Hilary H.
I don't have one bad thing to say about Parkside - the wonderful atmosphere, warm and friendly staff and absolutely delicious food made for a perfectly perfect evening. Since they have free valet, parking on South Main isn't an issue - worth a star itself, in my opinion. We walked in to a stuffed-to-the-brim restaurant, but the hostess was cool as a cucumber and showed us to the last two seats at the bar, where we decided to stay for dinner. Michael the bartender was fantastic - he took our drink order right away, recited the specials and was more than happy to help us choose our meals, even though the bar was super-busy. I settled on half a dozen Wellfleet oysters on the half-shell, served with a tart mignonette and cocktail sauce that didn't overwhelm, but perfectly complimented the briny freshness of the oysters. Next up was the beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon and served over porcini mushrooms... Oh. My. God. This thing was succulent, tender, salty, smoky and absolutely divine in every way imaginable. I ate every last bite of it quite happily, and washed it down with a lovely Stag's Leap petit syrah. For dessert, I opted for the chocolate mousse and a Maker's Mark Old Fashioned which was sublime. The mousse portion wasn't overwhelming, and actually made for a very nice finish to the rich meal. I left floating on a beefy, whisky-perfumed cloud of happiness, and I cannot wait to return.
(5)The Wandering J.
We were looking for a decent restaurant where we could enjoy a light lunch after our tour of Benefit Street. We came across the Parkside by chance. We entered where we were greeted in a friendly manner. We were quickly given a very pleasant table looking out at the park. Thanks. The service was excellent. We ordered a cranberry chicken salad sandwich which was very good. I swapped my fries for a small Parkside salad which was perfect. Our other order was a Chinese chicken salad. I would have preferred to see more vegetable, but thta's my choice. It was very tasty. I would be pleased to recommend it.
(4)Nancy H.
Parkside has always been our "go to" restaurant for special occasions and just dinner. After the fire, we went to eat there twice and were disappointed. Didn't seem like the same place - food was just ok. Didn't even have a rotisserie special! Well, yesterday, using a gift certificate from Christmas, we went to Parkside to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. And, it was FANTASTIC ! We are so happy that the Parkside we remembered is back. Both the service and the food were excellent. We had to move our reservation up an hour and they accommodated our request with no problem. Crispy salmon and the pork rotisserie are to die for. So so GOOD! This will continue to be our special place. Go here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Edwin R.
Took my wife out for her birthday and this was the very place to do so. Once you find parking or use the valet, you walk in to a very small and modern environment. We were served bread with a small plate of olive oil, a good touch and the oil was very good. For dinner I had the chicken and my wife had the pork medallions. The chicken came with a mixture of glazed vegetables which was presented well and tasted the same; however, the au jus was a bit thin and had a strong alcohol taste to it. My wife's entre was accompanied by glazed carrots and tasted the same. As a risotto lover, my wife requested their truffle infused risotto, but did not enjoy the taste due to an overpowering taste of the oil. The meal was good, but not something I could not have made at home. If you want a night that is upscale, I would recommend Parkside, all in all it is a fun night out. Buen Provecho.
(3)Andria T.
I like Parkside, and I've certainly never had a bad experience there, but I don't really crave it either. The service is very high level and always flawless, but as a vegetarian, there's really not much on the menu that wows me. That's cool, I certainly don't expect every restaurant to cater to vegetarians, and a lot of places focus on the meat. Every time I go there, my dining companion gets meat and seems happy. I am always surprised at how loud it is in there. Twice I've sat in the front area of the restaurant, and it's often so loud that it's hard to have a conversation. In the back area, it's not nearly as bad, but I think they use that space more for private parties(?) that's just speculation. To sum up, at Parkside, you will get a good meal, excellent service, possibly a sore throat from shouting, but if you're a vegetarian, you'll be a little underwhelmed.
(3)Joseph C.
Loved the Duck pappardelle, banana tart was as good as the hype amazing blue cheese wedge with wonderful bacon. The service was spot on.
(5)Maria T.
I love this place, even more since they renovated after the fire. The bar is cozy, staff is very friendly, good wine selection, and anything off their rotisserie is generally very tasty. My all-time favorite for best lunch deal in town is their 1/4 roast chicken, hold the fries and double the side salad for under $7. You can't beat this deal anywhere in town. Also good for lunch are their new chicken salad sandwich, pulled pork sandwich and burgers. The only thing that needs improvement is their fries. Unfortunately, they are always saturated in oil and rather bland. Dinner is much pricier but still very good. Really nice vibe as well.
(4)Jaki G.
Went here for lunch on a week day and the place was packed with business suits. It is a small intimate place that is nicely decorated. Most staff seemed nice, my waitress looked miserable and didn't apologize once when she messed up our orders. No big deal that she messed them up but you'd think she'd be apologetic. Must have been having a bad day. She definitely was on top of refilling my drink though. I asked her to recommend a 'light' lunch and she suggested their BLT, which I wouldn't think would be light but figured that this hoity toity place must have reinvented it. I was shocked to see my lunch come out with a big side of fries and grease dripping off the bacon. I mean, it is a BLT, I just don't know why she suggested it. Either way it was too much bread not enough BLT. This place isn't for me, but I'd still suggest others give it a shot. Seems like it could be pretty romantic for dinner.
(2)K D.
Not very good for the price. I came here for lunch when I had jury duty without knowing anything about it. I was surprised when I looked on yelp after to see all the glowing reviews. The inside is sooo dated, it's like the 1995 vision of what a sophisticated restaurant is supposed to look like. Normally I wouldn't be bothered by appearances but I feel like they are partially charging for "atmosphere." Fake fancy and not very tasty.
(2)Jessica S.
My friend and I both loved the chinese chicken salad here. The banana tart was really good and the bartender Michael was great
(5)Brian B.
Under normal circumstances I would have never gone to this restaurant. There's really no reason why, it's just one of those places that I pass by all the time but never seem to notice or hear anything about. So when a friend came into town on a Sunday, this was really one of the only places open so we decided to try it. We were pleasantly surprised. The ambiance is a little too chic for my taste but was comfortable. There were only a few other tables while we were there so it was nice and quiet and we had service all to ourselves. Our waiter was very attentive and made nice suggestions on the menu. He reminded me of a young Christian Slater, though my friends didn't see it. My friends both got one of the specials which were a mahi-mahi dish and something with scallops, though I really wasn't paying attention because I was immersed with Three Little Pigs which consisted of three different cuts of pork with a sweet potato hash. The chops were good but a little dry and the ribs and pork belly were tender and delicious. Overall we left happy and full. Can't say it was the cheapest meal but I really wasn't disappointed in the food we got.
(3)Barbara M.
Great food, Great knowledgeable servers...nice atmosphere.... Parkside was one of the first restaurants we tried in Providence...we moved here from Philadelphia in May and have eaten here like 6 times always a great meal ...
(5)VC V.
Just went for drinks and appetizers after work with co-workers and we liked it.
(4)Colleen M.
With the exception of dessert, I'd have to give this place a resounding "meh." We went there with a group (seven of us) on a Thursday evening. The place was pretty slow and we ended up hanging out for about three and a half hours. The good: The service was very friendly and attentive. Our waiter explained the specials to us and was happy to give us separate checks to make the payment easier. Our water was refilled many times throughout the meal. And no one rushed us to leave. My husband and I split a chocolate mousse-filled crepe dessert. It ended up being two crepes, so I'm glad we split it, and it was very good. The mousse was more like pudding than mousse but it was quite chocolatey and good. The fries that came with our meals were also pretty good. The not-so-good: The rest of the food we ordered wasn't so great. Even the complementary bread was overly chewy and didn't have a good flavor. My husband ordered the bistro burger and said it was okay but nothing special. It was also so huge that he had to eat it with a knife and fork rather than pick it up. I ordered the lemon garlic rotisserie chicken, thinking that since rotisserie is their specialty it would be good. It was unbelievably bland and dry. There was no hint of garlic or lemon on it at all. The pesto it came with at least gave it some flavor, but it did nothing to help the dryness. I'm not sure how the rest of our group felt about their food, but I definitely wouldn't bother coming back here, especially given the prices.
(2)Joseph H.
The evening here started with a perfect Pear Martini. The martini tasted strongly of pear without being too sweet or to dry. The meal was okay nothing to blow me away but the services needed improvement. I spent more time looking for our waitress than I did conversing with the other couple we were with. If the service had been better this place would have gotten 4 stars.
(3)Christine P.
I wanted to update my review after a couple more visits back. Granted, these visits back were for lunch but I have to say I have been very impressed at both visits and think it is one of the best lunch options downtown. The food is fresh, well-prepared, sent out quickly, and really good! Today we had Thai Dumplings (omg, love these) and I had the Tuna Nicoise salad. Big tuna steak, delicious salad, incredibly fresh tomatoes (particularly for this time of year) and I love how they use caper berries in the salad as well. Everyone I have brought for lunch has loved their dish and raved about the quality of food. It is definitely one of my go-to spots for lunch and think we will need to give it another shot for dinner real soon. Delish!
(5)Paul W.
This could be an all time favorite. I had been several times for lunch but recently went for dinner. It was phenomenal. Everybody, all 8 of us, ordered something different and all of us had to share because we could not stop raving about the food. I had a tenderloin that was the most perfect.veggies great and some real tasty apps - try the Asian Dumplings - incredible! It is listed as pricey - but actually for the amount of food they serve it is very reasonable. The wait staff was very knowledgable and pleasant. Drinks were a very decent pour! Be prepared to settle in - this is not an experience you want to rush!
(5)Scott D.
When rating one of the area's priciest restaurants, I feel that is's appropriate to be a bit tougher handing out stars. In fairness... this place is probably a 3.5 but giving a 4 didn't feel right (though I actually started out with 4 but reconsidered after writing the review). Parkside is the kind of place where the vibe appeals to a very specific demographic. Those who fit it will love this restaurant. Others will tend to feel a little out of place. Interestingly, I fit the target demographic... middle-age+, affluent and educated - so I get it, but I also normally prefer a more casual setting so I usually feel like i have to behave better than I want to when I'm there. Parkside is a great place for proud parents to take their Brown graduates, attorneys to take their business clients, etc, but it's not the place for for good old casual fun dining. Don't get me wrong... restaurants like Parkside have their place... but if you want to be a little loud and raucous, have kids with you (definitely not for kids), or want to know how much the specials cost; try another place. The menu offers some very good values but it also has more ridiculously expensive items than you can shake a stick at. You'll have a much easier time finding a bottle of wine for over $100 than you will finding anything for under $35 (and what little there is in the affordable range is nearing swill). Think twice before planning to pick up the check for the table... you could be sticker-shocked if your guests aren't considerate. The food ranges from OK to excellent but price doesn't seem to be the determining factor. We had a few dozen oysters at $1 each (we love the fact that so many restaurants are now doing this). They were served pretty well - clean and cold. Condiments we basic and could be better. The calamari is a unique variant with very interesting house made condiments... worth trying though you may find you prefer the more traditional preparations. The rotisserie chicken was a good value with a really nice goat cheese salad included though the chicken was a bit dry and the pomme frites were soggy. Still my wife like it. The very expensive filet mignon was large and nicely prepared but oddly fatty on one side (pure fat... not marbling). When is a fillet ever served fatty? The burger was a sight to behold. I don't know how it tasted (probably too bready for me) but it was a beautiful objet d'art. Our last guest got the lobster tortellini special. He ate most of it but never commented on it so perhaps that says enough since he was otherwise talkative. Along with the drinks and wine the bill came close to my kids monthly rent. Worth it? Only if the ambiance is important to you. Otherwise you can surely eat as well elsewhere for less. If you're debating between Nuovo, Mills Tavern, and Parkside, you might like Parkside best... or at least as well. On the other hand, if $50 a person is your comfort level or you don't want to be surrounded by a lot of men in dark grey suits, you may find it's a tad off-putting.
(3)Ashley G.
Parkside has an upscale all-American feel to it! The bartenders rock and the service at the bar is just as great as sitting down at the table! The bar is usually packed especially after work which makes it a great place for singles! The menu is a decent size and varies from oysters, dumplings and grilled pizzas to rotisseries of all sorts and Kobe burgers with lobster! My recommendations are the dumplings and the portobello and beef tenderloin salad! Delish!
(3)Karen L.
came on a weeknight for a much need girls' night out. how come i've never noticed this place before? it has a terrific bistro ambiance and superb service. granted you pay for what you get, but sometimes you just have to splurge. i'd come back just to sit at the bar. wasn't very hungry that night (unusual), so chose to order simply: caesar salad and their capellini pomodoro. very pleased w both. the caesar was slightly creamier than i like but the anchovy was present wo being overwhelming and the romaine crisp. i didn't like having to cut the lettuce on my own, it was slippery and the plate too small. the pasta had loads of garlic and tomatoes in a fragrant sauce which is very much appreciated by a garlic addict such as i. we had the calamari as a starter which wasn't anything special. my friends seemed to enjoy their papparadelle, roasted chicken, and lobster burger. would have expected cocktails to be better since they are so prominently showcased in their menu. we tried the Eiffel Tower and the Revolution. they certainly don't skimp on the alcohol but the subtleties were missing.
(3)Kelsey T.
Came here at 2:00pm on a Friday and it was surprisingly busy. We were a bit surprised that they served their dinner menu at lunch, especially considering the portions and prices of the dinner menu, but the food was good. I split a hamburger, and I'm glad I did since I was full before finishing. My parents were also raving about the wine menu. The waitress seemed a little annoyed we weren't ordering alcohol, appetizers, dessert, etc and only entrees, but that could have just been me reading into things. All in all, a great place for dinner, might want to skip out on lunch.
(3)Izabela B.
I totally do not have the money to eat here, ever. But sometimes I do, anyway. As they say, you get what you pay for. Parkside runs a tight ship. The waiters seem to take pride in their work, and I really appreciate that. We've gotten the same waiter several times, and while I forget his name, the service has always been impeccable. The specials are always something interesting (although for me, not affordable at $30+). We usually come for drinks and, while my friends might get dinner, I usually settle for a salad or an app. Not too big, not too small, with a stellar location just a stone's throw away from the river. On Waterfire nights, you can see the paper lantern luminarias hanging in the trees of the park across the street. On warm summer nights, the tables on the sidewalk outside are really nice, too. Parkside is intimate but not cramped, a perfect place for date. There is valet parking, but we never use it. I only tried the rotisserie chicken once; mine was dry, but all other times my friends ordered it, it was perfect. Drinks: try the cucumber martini or the black & white cosmo. Ladies, if you come in jeans, be sure to dress it up on the top half. Anything less than dressy... they won't deny you a seat, but you will feel under-dressed. [By way of sidenote... on June 30, 2011, there was a kitchen fire here that spread to other parts of the building. As of September 2011, their website says that they are still working on the rebuild and it appears they are still closed.]
(4)Joe W.
The Parkside is consistently excellent. We've never had a bad meal there, service for us has always been spot on. And, to top it all off, the atmosphere is great! This is our go to restaurant. It's not Capitol Grille...but it's not trying to be.
(5)Pedro P.
This is the first time writing a review. I find it helpful when I read others opinions about different restaurants. My wife and I thoroughly enjoy eating out, especially new restaurants. Approx 10 years ago we tried the parkside it was 5 star affair for us. The meal was delicious the bananas foster was to die for. I have been recommending this restaurant to friends for the last 10 years. We had not been there since. We made it a point to stop in Dec 2, 2013 for an evening dinner to celebrate our 18yr anniversary. Food was just ok, no different than the quality I would get an Olive Garden. Food was expensive for the quality and flavor. The presentation of my dish was beautiful, flavor was descent but no different than the quality of crab ravioli I can get from Venda down the street with a pink vodka sauce with a few veggies and add a lot of black pepper. My biggest issue was that the server we had could not be bothered with just 2 adults that looked and dressed like normal people. We weren't in suits, but we were appropriately dressed, especially for a Monday night 8pm stroll. I feel that the server dropped the ball. This pretty server spent more time in the bathroom adjusting the level of her makeup and fixing her hair, making sure she looked like the doll she knew she was. Her attitude was that she was better than us and she could not be bothered with our simplistic look, and that we had no business being there. This was the vibe I got, and after speaking to my wife she felt the same way. I get that things change, restaurants need to adjust. The Parkside needs an adjustment especially in the front of the house. They had a lot of accolades in 2002-2003. Something must be wrong, I understand there's been a great loss there, that could be the inspiration that they need to get the fire they once had. The rotisserie is nice but it has to be out of the park to be considered a rotisserie type restaurant. Something signature about this place is missing. I don't want to appear like I'm bashing the Park side, it's taken me 2-3 days to even muster up the courage to do so. It was very expensive for the type of food and service we had. For the record, my wife is a doctor, and I'm a business professional. Sometimes we just want to be out of our suits and just want to blend in and be comfy. We will go back, but it could be a while. And hope that the Barbie doll isn't there to serve us.
(2)MJ L.
Previous reviews and 3.5 star average seem spot on. It is reasonably priced with huge servings. I got the Steak Frites and could not finish it. Unfortunately, the "frites" were shoe-string cut and got cold very quickly. I also got an $11 glass of cabernet sauvignon which was great and a generous pour. My wife got the filet mignon and also could not finish. Both steaks were a very good medium rare. Atmosphere is loud and lively.
(3)David B.
If you go to Parkside Friday or Saturday evening bring patience with you and you will have a good time. I can get very busy and dinner can take time to get out to your table. The food is good and the service staff are friendly. Parking in this area is hard to find in the evenings so if you are meeting friends give yourself plenty of time to find parking. I always have a good time when visiting the Parkside. Check it out.
(3)Jarrod I.
ok, so my wife and I were in the area and a friend told us to try you out. I'm glad we did although there were a few things not to par this place overall was really good. we both had chicken barley soup which was fresh and home cooked tasting. For our lunch entrees my wife as usaul gets something pretty simple and she said it really wasnt that good which was the BLT described a litlle different from the way it came out. It was supposed to have marscapone cheese on it which she said she didnt reall see or taste and the bread was falling apart which made it hard for her to eat. I have the Rotissere chicken and roasted red pepper crepes which were excellent. The crepes had a little bit of a sweetness and the filling was again a nice home cooked tasting chicken with a lite gravy, red pepper and Broc rabe surrounded by basil oil and red wine reduction. I liked it alot! for dessert we had the chocolate mousse which was served in a white chocolate ribbon with fresh berries.....YUM! service was good to, our server didnt give his name????? was on his game. The only thing I didnt like was the deliveries coming in the front door which was kinda tacky. I am a executive banquet chef and I think it is bad for business. Try getting your orders in when your not open. If your vendors say no then tell them you will seek out new vendors. Or maybe a different entrance and storage area? We will be back! Food Quality 4 Atmosphere 3.5 Service 4 Overall= 3.5
(3)Jay E.
We stopped by Parkside for lunch yesterday on a whim and we are glad we did! The restaurant although small has a comfortable feel and a very cool layout. The staff was friendly and very attentive throughout our meal. We ordered a 1/4 chicken with fries/side salad and the rotisserie chicken Alfredo dish. Both dishes were served hot and fresh, the chicken on both dishes was tender and moist, the fries were perfect for adding vinegar - very tasty! The pasta was cooked and seasoned perfectly, awesome combination of flavors. Being stuffed we ended up ordering a banana torte to go, it was still warm when we devoured it 45 minutes later - it was awesome, crust was flaky and sweet and the banana filling was out of this world! Highly recommend!
(5)Nicole B.
Very hit or miss. I came here once for a business meeting. It was lunch time and the place was bustling. However, we got a seat right away. The special sea bass was served with risotto and spinach. It was delicious and the portion size was excellent. The service was average. Not bad, just nothing to write home about. I came here again with my boyfriend due to it's convenient location for us on that evening. We sat outside and ordered jumbo shrimp and the cheese plate for an appetizer. The jumbo shrimp was again...average. Hard to screw that up though. The cheese plate was the biggest waste of money ever. I feel guilty even. For $17 you feet 4 cheeses that you can buy at Stop and Shop. No lie. Manchango, Cheddar, Blue, and Brie. None of them were excellent either. I could have bought 4 far superior cheeses at Whole Foods. 4 far superior cheeses of the same type even! Not worth the money. I liked my veal and sage ravioli with sausage. The sauce was delicious. However, the raviolis were a touch undercooked. My boyfriend's portobello napoleon was just a pile of vegetables covered in pasta sauce....for $16. Again with the not worth it. If you do find yourself here, think hard about what you're going to order. If you think corners could be cut and it could potentially be a let down...pick something else.
(3)K S.
I've been to Parkside numerous times for lunch, drinks and dinner both pre and post fire (most recently for lunch), and I am just not impressed. The interior reminds me of Red Stripe in that it is very open and gets incredibly loud. The food is okay, but given the price point, I'd expect more. Same with the service - okay, but with the price point, you would really expect more. Today was particularly disappointing. I had the Thai dumpling which was tasty. The BLT was icky with fatty bacon and bread so mushy that it fell apart as I tried to take my first bite. The fries were uber greasy. They ran out of the berry dessert which out waitress informed us of when she took our order (but did not offer to set aside one the few remaining ones), so I had the chocolate mousse. Overall it was okay, which is what I've come to expect from Parkside, and which for me, just isn't enough.
(2)J R.
Ok... Based on last night, I want to give it 2 stars, but I'll go 3 because usually I have a good experience here, and the food was very good. Ok, so.... where do I start. Walked in with a party of 7 at 9pm. I called them earlier yesterday just to make sure i wasn't going to be the asshole that kept the kitchen open. Few tables were still there, bar was still lively, so all was well. The food was great. That is definitely not an issue and probably never will be. The timing, service, and plating however, was. Side salad, served on a bread plate. You take one bite and there is literally salad hanging off the plate. Really? Twin Oak's 900 year old black plastic bowls still work better than this. Shame on whoever is on apps. Idiot. Crab cakes. Don't waste your time getting them. I was appauled and embarrassed that the restaurant I chose decided to serve 2 half dollar sized "crab disks" to my aunt who has been traveling all day from out of state for thanksgiving. Seriously I have never seen them that small before... the size of an oreo, all joking aside. Another order was the tenderloin salad. That came out a solid 10-15 minutes before the rest of the entrees. Hey dipshit, you know thats an entree right? And the prices are significantly higher than the last time I came. Average price of all the dishes now are probably close to $25. Before, from what i recall, this was the best place to get an awesome dish in the $18 to $20 range. I had the pork rack with brussel sprouts, bacon lardones, pearl onions, tossed in the dijon cream sauce. AMAZING. Also had a bite of the parpadelle, which was very good, however a tad underseasoned in my opinion. Had a bit of the Fall Squash risotto, another amazing dish. The shrimp cocktail was cooked a tad too long, say... 45 minutes too long lol. Ceasar salad was very good as well. I intend on coming back, but the service was seriously brutal. If it was busy, I could cut a little slack, but jesus christ, how can you actually live with yourself being a waiter without the common sense that you are serving an entree salad and the remaining dishes weren't even fired yet? Bad business right there, now is not the time to slip. Step your game up, because last night was a reason to stay at Providence Prime or Zooma. Sorry, but smarten your staff up, or whoever you think needs it.
(3)Jason P.
Great atmosphere and great service. Server Adam was friendly and polite. Will definitley be back.
(5)Anya R.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Providence, and one of my favorites in the world! What is there possibly to complain about? They have valet parking so it makes for easy transportation as long as you don't drink too much...which is easy to do with the great cocktails and wine and beer selection! The Cool Cucumber is delicious, but my favorite is a special drink that have sometimes called the Black & White Cosmo! Everything is always delicious! I typically get one of the specials, but I have ordered from the menu too. I typically start with the Parkside Salad (simple but delicious). I typically order a fish or rotisserie dish. I've never had anything I didn't like there! But you must, must, MUST get at least one of their tarts. My favorite is the banana, but they're all delicious! It's best to order them early on as they take a long time to prepare. The Velvety Flourless Torte is also delicious and gluten-free!
(5)Elisabeth A.
My friends took me here for dinner my first night in Providence - mmmm. Very cozy atmosphere, extremely nice waitstaff... and delicious food. At my friends' suggestion I got the spicey lemon and cashew roasted chicken, and the portion was GIGANTIC. I was astounded. I could only eat a third of it. It was VERY tasty though, loved the sweet potato fries it came with. Mmm roasted melt in your mouth cashews... We also ordered a side of onion rings to share and they were awesome as well. Also, the prices were decent, being that I'm from NY and am used to waaaayy more overpriced meals :D
(4)Robyn G.
I just had the best experience in a Providence restaurant ever. Of course, we received special treatment because my friend's boyfriend is one of the chefs, but nevertheless, the food was wonderful. I highly recommend the Maple-Glazed Duck Salad. The portion was huge, the duck was cooked perfectly with a nice sweet glaze, and the pears and red and yellow beets were a great touch. As for drinks, the Mango Madness was nice, with mango-infused vodka and mango puree, but I wasn't a huge fan of the South Beach Mojito. I love a good mojito, but this was way too sweet for me. I may have misread the description, but it seemed to be lacking lime, which is pretty essential to a mojito in my opinion. If you skip drinks and dessert, the prices are pretty reasonable. My amazing salad, which was huge, was only $14.95. Signature cocktails were $8-10. We were treated like royalty, again most likely because we had the hookup, but in any case, I would definitely come here again and send my friends.
(4)Terri-Lynn T.
Took a group of 15 out-of-town business associates last week. When I told them we were going to a rotisserie they were making fun of me and telling me they could get rotisserie chicken in their local supermarket. I will tell you that at the end of the evening they were dishing out the compliments. At my end of the table we shared some apps including the dumplings which were terrific and the clam and mussels which was good. Several of us had the special which was a rotisserie pork shank served with a sautéed spinach and a small cast iron skillet of macaroni and cheese. It was really good. I was too full for desserts but my colleagues enjoyed them and the fruit tart looked quite good
(4)Tracy C.
Stuck in the area on jury duty I headed down the street to Parkside. On the bright side the waiter was very nice and very good. On the down side... My coffee was luke warm on arrival and my burger was charred past the edible point. To be fair I was not in the mood to deal with sending it back so I didn't alert my server to the issue so they didn't have a chance to fix the issue. However, I'm surprised they sent it out like that. I ordered it medium...the inside was pink but the outside was black as can be. Won't be back.
(2)Frequent Flyer X.
The Hotel recommeded this wonderful restaurant for dinner whilst we were in RI for the weekend. I have to say it had a great atmosphere and was extremely lively. The food was fabulous if you order the right thing and lets face it its a rotisserie so if you stick to that you will not be disappointed. I suppose you can consider it pricey for RI, but compared to NY prices I found it was adequate for the portions and quality of food. Only pet peeve was that the acoustics were not great (but maybe it was where our table was located).
(5)Moni C.
The reviews are spot on! Delicious dishes - all American fare with some French and Asian inspired items on the menu. We went in for lunch and took advantage of the prefix lunch menu courtesy of Providence Restaurant Week. The colossal Thai dumplings were a huge hit! Very tasty and cooked perfectly. The chicken croquette with the Louisiana creole remoulade was okay (I wish there was more heat in the sauce). My hubby had the crepes stuffed with rotisserie chicken and veggies. It was a light weight version of a chicken pot pie and again was full of flavor. My hand carved BLT was also very good! I love bacon and they offered a generous portion of apple wood bacon. The fries were a bit on the soggy side but they came out super hot. As for dessert, it was divine! I had chocolate mousse with whip cream and fresh fruit while my hubby had the fresh berry crisp with vanilla ice cream. The mousse was so light and airy I couldn't get enough of it. Service was A+. Our waiter was quite attentive and he seemed to take pride in ensuring our experience was the best. The overall ambiance at Parkside was warm and inviting. It had a cozy feel but didn't feel at all cramp. I also like the view as we were seated at the window. Great location, ample street parking plus free valet services.
(4)edward n.
Everything about this place is to be missed. Extremely average yet very overpriced. I'd suggest heading to Thayer Street for about 1/3 the price and none of thew attitude.
(1)G S.
We went back to this place and my pasta was not done. It tasted like Bertolli that I didn't let boil long enough. I still had a great time because the wait staff is so great, but I would probably just go for drinks rather than dinner next time.
(3)N B.
I went here for Restaurant Week lunch and it was a great experience. The starter dumplings were fantastic, as was the veal angiotte. I've had dinner here several times before and the food was always solid but never fantastic. The lunch prices are much better than the dinner prices so I would recommend this as a great lunch option if you are on S. Main St.
(4)James K.
I have dined at Parkside on a number of occassion sand have always had good experiences, enjoying both the food and the service. That ended Friday night. I will spare yipu the boring story, but it involved a seating situation at the bar, which my friend and I were next in line for, and being denied it in favor of "friends of the owners" , who had come in after us. The bartender could not have been any ruder if he tried, and even after the situation had resolved itself and we all agreed to "let it go"....he proceeeded to bad mouth up.....PATRONS to his co-workers and people at the end of the bar. Downright nasty. I am about as far from a difficult patron as you can get. I have never experienced anything like this in my life. To make matters worse, the manager knew full well what the situation was, yet supported the bartender!! Our evening there was ruined and we left to eat elsewhere (XO down the street...sat at bar and ate with a delightful bartender). I had heard that the owner was a "good guy", so before writing this (first time I've ever done this) , I thought I'd give him a call. Two days have gone by without a return call. I will never walk back in Parkside and will go out of my way to tell this story of rudeness and disrespect to anyone who will listen.
(1)Tara D.
May I just say, Parkside is one of the reasons why Providence is becoming famous for its food? The service was irreproachable (as in no blabbing, no asking if we're done yet, only coming to our table to poor us more wine), the food was divine, and it's the only place in Providence where I trusted the waiter to choose our wine and was not disappointed a bit. In fact, the wine I had at Parkside was the best American wine I've ever had. Mostly because I wasn't choosing, I am sure, but still - the guy didn't go "Well we served that bottle the other day and they liked it". I said I knew nothing about American wines, and he said "ah. Let me take care of that". And he did. He did it really well. When we left Parkside, we were the only people left in the restaurant, and the staff was already moving on to closing-time duties. But not once were we told that it was time for us to leave. They have respect for food, and respect for dinner as an experience. Although it's a little old fashioned and pricey, it's the real deal.
(4)Stacy R.
Ate here with a group of 6 in October 2007. Loved it. Great service,food,and drink!
(4)Ed G.
Parkside is always a place I recommend to friends if they're looking for a nice night out in Providence. The atmosphere is lively but cozy (as mentioned in a previous review), and this bistro has many offerings at different price points to make most people's wallet happy (the half chickens are always a good deal, and you can even get something simply grilled). The staff are always friendly and very knowledgeable on the offerings and wine. They have a well stocked bar and an open kitchen, where you can see the chefs in action preparing the night's offerings. Of note in the kitchen is the spit rotisserie - I can say that I have only had excellent meals off the rotisserie! The portions are also very generous - if you order a salad, you better be hungry or prepare to split it with someone else if you plan on getting an entree' (which are generously portioned as well). Of note in the salad department is the maple duck breast salad - a buddy of mine would keep going to Parkside just to order this salad by itself! On this Friday evening my fiancee came in for some much needed end-of-the-week unwinding. We started off with a few drinks and then dove into our meals (skipped the apps knowing the portions). We both hit a special tonight - she ordered a grilled fish (it was an Australian fish I did not remember the name of, but it was similar to snapper), served over a bed of Macadamia nut jasmine rice, alongside some sauteed broccoli rabe, with a lobster hollandaise sauce on top... holy $**t!! I chose the roasted veal sirloin with a sun-dried cherry and port reduction, served with a Parmesan risotto cake, and grilled asparagus ($%&*!!). In both cases, the explosion of flavors made it difficult for me to decide which I liked best, but we both agreed that each dish was complimented perfectly with by all the ingredients within. Parkiside is in a prime location on South Main St. and offers outdoor seating when its warmer. Its location lends itself to be the perfect place to dine after or during Waterfire (reservations are suggested on Waterfire evenings because they will most likely be very booked and busy), or after an evening stroll or guerrilla shopping experience at the nearby Providence Place mall. Street parking is available, as well as valet service. They have received accolades from Wine Spectator magazine, and have celebrated over 10 years (13 I think), so they are doing something right; I would recommend this for all occasions whether it be a first date, group event (they have group seating in the back), or just plain ol' relaxing at a favorite establishment. One more thing to note - their banana tart is made to order, and to die for... we have gone out of our way and stopped in to get just the banana tart (ok, and some espresso martinis) alone!
(4)Jenny M.
Went here for happy hour and dinner. My fish at dinner was way too salty. I ate risotto and veggies. The appetizers were great. The wait staff disappeared at the end of the meal. Didn't even come back to ask if everything was ok.
(3)Will D.
Parkside has never dissapointed me. The staff is attentive (albeit a bit stiff, friendly goes a long way) and the food is wonderful. Good midrange prices, comfortable atmosphere and although I've never had the hankering to sit on North Main street, maybe I'll check it out when the weather gets better!
(4)