"Monday Raids"... any interest?

[John Libonati]

Hey gang,
I've been wanting to do this since I moved here, let me know if you have any interest in this idea...
I have noticed a lot of restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays. If they aren't closed on Mondays a lot of them have some great specials (e.g. Pizzico on Mondays has ALL of their bottled wine at 1/2 price. I had a gorgeous $90 Grand Cru Pinot Noir for $45!)

What I would like to do is set up a once a month or twice a month RAID. Get a group of people to go to a small (non-corporate owned restaurant - e.g. Chowfun group, Pnelli marra restaurant group, Newport Restaurant group) and dine on an off night. We could have some great food and help boost the RI economy. We could put together a list of restaurants and pick what date the RAID is going to be. Providence restaurant scene is headed into the slow summer season. What a great way to show some support. Also the restaurants do not have to be in Providence, just in RI. I'll travel anywhere to support a good mom & pop place. If reservations are required we should make them on our own so that the restaurant is prepared.
History shows that it's small business that helps boost an economy out of recession.

If there is an interest we could set up a separate forum for people to post restaurant suggestions. And ask our host to send out an email with the date and location. There are a lot of people on this site it could be two restaurants and we could write about our experiences here after.

There was a group in NYC that did this for Happy Hours. They would pick a different bar every week and show up with 100+ people! My bar got slammed twice in one month with minimal staff on hand. I got on their list and knew when they were coming.
Cheers,
John

[John Libonati]

Well it looks like we can get a group to go out on a Monday! I'm psyched.
How about Monday the 12th at CAV they have a $16.95 Bistro Prix Fixe Menu see below.
We don't all have to go at the same time. I have never been and have heard good things about it.
Whad'ya say?

THE BISTRO PRIX FIXE MENU

$16.95 PER PERSON
(available Sunday through Thursday, in addition to the regular Chef Dinner menu, which is served 7 days a week) Salad of wild fancy greens in a champagne vinaigrette Fresh baked French Baguette bread and butter
Choice of one entree:

Fresh cut pasta rolled and filled with a chicken, spinach, walnut and cheese mousse served with a shallot cream sauce with sundried tomatoes
Also available vegetarian style without chicken
Mussels arrabiata over Linguini
Chicken Breast with a Parmesan Crust in a white wine sauce served over herbed roasted potatoes and a vegetable julienne
Tender Pot roast and vegetables served over whipped potatoes.

[John Libonati]

I just thought not all of us would have the same schedules. The concept is to drive business to Mom & Pop places and if we happen to meet that would be great!
Maybe we should all wear a certain color or a "red hat". Just kidding.

Another thought would be just to organize a Providence Palate Social. That could be an event with a planned time and date. This site is very cool and has fun interesting people.

I'm not working right now and I'd love to find some people to hang out with during the day that share the same interests. (Wine, Food, Wii, Wine, Cars, Wine, some more Food, the gym.)

[Seth Price]

Let me know what time you guys are thinking about and I will try my darnedest to be there.

[Paul Jalaf]

Hi John I am new to this site and I love your idea on the monday raids I am always looking for a spot to eat on my only day off. Also if you are planning a providence palate social I would love to host it at my restaurant and I would donate all the apps. let me know

[John Libonati]

Hi Paul. We haven't had one in a long time. I'm not sure when the next one will be. I've been kind of absent on Providence Palate lately.

[Paul Jalaf]

Sorry I didnt realize the date of your blog over a year ago till I sent the message out,

[Lisa]

It's sad too as the dinner meet ups we did have were fun and lively.

[Paul Jalaf]

If you would like to start the dinner meet ups again let me know

[Andrea Sloan]

Lets just start them again. Why not? Broadway Bistro is open on Mondays. We should plan something there.

[Paul Jalaf]

I think Broadway Bistro is a Great Idea plus I heard they have really good food.
Lets pick a date and Relaunch the monday dinner meet ups.

[alane spinney]

Yeah. Why not at the same time more or less?

[Jennifer Hess]

This sounds great - it'll be a nice way for us newbies to the area to meet new people and try more of the great food RI has to offer.