BY TARYN JEREZ, filling in for Rosey
5790 University Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27105
336.744.3456 | ProvidenceRestaurantWS.com
Hours:
- Breakfast: Monday – Friday, 6 – 10 am; Saturday and Sunday, 7 – 11 am
- Lunch: Tuesday – Friday, 11 am – 2 pm
- Dinner: Tuesday – Saturday: 5 – 10 pm
One of my favorite things about living in Winston-Salem is the local food! It seems there is never a shortage of restaurants to try and dishes to fall in love with. This month’s review was something truly special. I was invited to taste the new summer menu at Providence Restaurant & Catering. Located inside the DoubleTree by Hilton on University Parkway, Providence Restaurant & Catering not only serves up an incredible menu every day, but also it is on an incredible mission that changes lives. All of the profits from Providence go to support the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Providence Culinary Training (formerly TCK). In fact, most of the restaurant’s employees are apprenticed from the program.
With a mission like that, it’s no surprise that the staff at Providence sets the bar high before you even place your order. Everyone is so welcoming, and even on a day as challenging as preparing entirely new dishes for the first time, they make you feel like family. Plus, Chef Jeff Bacon was happy to share details about where he gets his local ingredients. I loved our shared passion for supporting local and small businesses!
We started out with two wonderfully dressed summer salads, both ripe with fresh produce from local farmers. First, the Summer Beet Carpaccio comprised of Harmony Ridge beets, Goat Lady Dairy chevre, toasted pecans and a sweet and tangy honey-balsamic vinaigrette. Such a flavorful salad! Next, I tried the Strawberry and Spinach Salad. Strawberries are my favorite fruit, so this was a winner in my book! Local spinach, strawberry feta cheese, shaved red onion and an unexpected crunch of candied bacon! As appetizers began to arrive, I quickly realized I needed to take smaller bites to leave room to try all of these amazing meals. For example, Not Your Average Avocado Toast is aptly named! Delicate local greens, heirloom tomatoes, toasted pepitas with creamy mashed avocado tops a hearty slice of toast. It made for a deliciously light and photo-worthy meal. The Oyster Po Boy served up the perfect amount of crunch with really well-breaded flash fried oysters paired with crisp French fries. And, how could I ever forget The Rachel? This mammoth of a sandwich was stacked to perfection with layers of house-made pastrami, smoked turkey, creamy slaw on rye with Providence’s special sauce. I haven’t stopped dreaming of this sandwich!
The Lobster Fritters and I were destined to meet. I’m not exaggerating here—my life is better after trying it. These are everything you want a fritter to be. Crisp, savory and not too heavy. They were complemented with a poblano pepper jelly that really ups the flavor profile of the dish.
The appetizers cover everything from NC Sorghum Wings seasoned with CHA! by Texas Pete to the Grilled Spanish Octopus with heirloom fried potato, chorizo, saffron aioli and black olive caviar for the more adventurous.
Next came the dinner entrées. We started with the Darcy FarmsPork Chop, a thick cut chop paired with corn puree, succotash, crispy shallots and a sweet and sour demi glaze. This is a beautifully seared pork chop with tons of flavor and a colorful plate that was perfectly seasoned. The sweet and spicy Chipotle-Peach BBQ Ribs had real St. Louis spare rib flavor and were paired with a fennel slaw and a heaping portion of shoestring fries.
Of course, you can’t do summer supper right without a delicious steak in the mix and the Joyce Farms Heritage Aberdeen Angus NY Strip did not disappoint! I am a steak girl all the way, and this tender entrée melts in your mouth. It is paired with a hearty stack of spring vegetables and heirloom potatoes.
Some people say they have a sweet tooth. I have a sweet everything, and the dessert menu did not disappoint! Be sure to leave some room at the end of your meal because you will not want to miss out on these incredible desserts!
You’re Killing Me Smores is made with chocolate ganache, DoubleTree signature chocolate chip cookie, graham cracker crust, toasted marshmallow semifreddo and marshmallow drops. One bite and I was instantly reminded of roasting marshmallows around a bonfire as a child. Did I mention the two fire roasted marshmallow skewers placed on top? There was true campfire crackle in every bite!
Next came DJ’s Peach Cheesecake. DJ is a recent graduate from Providence Culinary Training who started his own cheesecake company. This selection may sound like a familiar dessert, but never has a cheesecake been so refreshing and smooth. The fresh peach flavor gave it a summer twist but balanced well with the Chantilly cream and cheese. On that same note of refreshing flavor, the Crepes Creme “Fraiche” consisted of local berry compote, lemon curd, fluffy mascarpone and honey-thyme syrup. It was light, luscious and (like all of these amazing desserts) it’s perfect for sharing.
For me, few things are more difficult than choosing a favorite dessert, but after trying these summertime sweets at Providence, it’s downright impossible. Honestly, each one was better than the next!
I’m already thinking about what to order on my next visit to Providence. I have a feeling it won’t be easy to decide. If you are looking for a great meal, head over to check out all the delicious new options on the summer menu while they last! As always, be sure to tell them Rosey’s friend, Taryn, sent you!