Jan. 2006
Diner's update

Thursday nights are Ladies’ Night at XO Steakhouse! all Women receive a free three-course tasting-portion dinner highlighting some of XO’s new and most popular dishes. Drink specials, raffles and special guests are also offered from 5 to 10 p.m. Reservations recommended.

3 Steeple Street is offering dinner and tickets to several of the plays performed by Trinity Repertory Theatre this season for $100 per person. The price includes a three-course dinner with wine, trolley to and from the restaurant to the theater, a ticket for the performance and tax. Plays include Grandchildren of the Buffalo Soldiers on January 6 and Hamlet on February 12. Reservations must be made a week in advance; call 272-3620 or e-mail events@3steeplestreet.com for details.

Venda Ravioli is offering free membership to its Cheese of the Month Club. Classes are held one Saturday a month to instruct consumers on the background of each cheese as well as recipes and pairings. Members are also entitled to discounts on highlighted cheeses.

Mediterraneo has new hours that will remain in effect through Memorial Day 2006. The restaurant is now open for lunch on Saturdays from noon until 3 p.m. Although the restaurant is closed for lunch on Mondays, it is available for private parties and serves dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Bella Vista offers live music Friday nights starting at 9:30 with a $10 cover charge. Music ranges from blues to top ’40s. Executive director Po Chiu has also hired two new executive chefs. Todd Lesakowski has worked at Alfred Portale’s Gotham Bar and Grill in New York as well as Ming Tsai’s Blue Ginger while his partner in the kitchen, Angela Pasko, hails from Raphael’s and Aqua Viva.

Got an opinion or some restaurant news to share? Send your thoughts via e-mail to Foodnotes@rimonthly.com.

A real deal

Barnsider’s Mile and a Quarter

Certain places positively glisten in cold weather, don’t they? Take Barnsider’s Mile and a Quarter Restaurant tucked off South Main Street, whose twinkling lights reflect back through glass (sober plate glass windows as well as festive cocktail glasses). And at no time does it glisten more than Mondays, when you can get two entrées for $26.95. Including a bottle of wine. Including a whack at the generously appointed salad bar. Including all the French bread you can slice. Choose from among five or six entrées (nine-ounce top sirloin, baked haddock, tomato basil salmon, tomato basil chicken and one or two others); remind the chef not to overbake anything and sink back into Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nacht Musik.” Before you can translate, it will seem as if a magically lit corner of Central Park has been airlifted out of Manhattan and set down to glimmer beside our very own beloved hurricane barrier. Ready, set, sparkle! —Daniel Asa Rose

375 South Main St., Providence, 351-7300. Mon.–Thurs. 5–10, Fri. and Sat. 5–11, Sun. 4–9. All major credit cards accepted. Wheelchair accessible. Parking lot.