RI food news: Kids eat free, a vegan challenge, award-winning distiller has a new bourbon
A dining deal for kids, a new spirit from an award-winning distiller, a vegan food promotion and a new food and drink tour are in the news this week.
July 4 is generally a day for cookouts but who are we to ignore a dining offer for kids to eat free at Applebee's.
Bourbon is new on the menu at Sons of Liberty, the award-winning whiskey maker.
The entire month is devoted to trying new vegan dishes at 13 restaurants.
Even locals can act like tourists and enjoy a tasting tour with lots of info on the Prohibition era in Providence.
Kids eat free
On July 4, kids eat free at local Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Flynn Group. The special is valid all day Thursday only with two free kids' meals offered with the purchase of each adult entree. Children 12 years and under must order from Applebee’s Kids’ Menu. Each selection on that menu is accompanied by a choice of a side dish, and juice, milk or chocolate milk.
Participating Applebee's in Rhode Island are in Coventry, Cranston, Middletown, Smithfield, South Kingstown, Warwick, Westerly and Woonsocket. In Massachusetts, restaurants in Fall River, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, Seekonk and Raynham are participating.
The deal is for dine-in only and you must mention the offer when ordering. It excludes tax and gratuity. It cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.
New local bourbon
Bottled at 94 proof and finished with toasted oak, Sons of Liberty Bourbon Whiskey has arrived. The South Kingstown-based business has named it as the inaugural release to their Barrel Selection Series which is dedicated to handpicking whiskey barrels from other distilleries for the sole purpose of enhancing their flavor through finishing.
“For this bourbon, we have selected barrels, and will continue to select barrels, that match a flavor profile we are looking for,” explained Mike Reppucci, Sons of Liberty’s president and founder. “We then bring them in-house to finish them with a blend of toasted oak staves to complement and enhance the starting Bourbon.”
Sons of Liberty has been crafting a variety of whiskies, gins, vodkas and more since 2011, but this process is a first for them.
“This is a new adventure for us,” said Reppucci, “and we’re really fired up to use our knowledge and experience acquired over the years to be able to offer a great-tasting Bourbon at a great price.”
Described on the label as being bold, yet approachable, with notes of toasted vanilla and caramel, the 750ml bottles of Sons of Liberty Bourbon are now available in Rhode Island liquor stores with a suggested retail price of $39.99. The Bourbon is also available in Sons of Liberty’s tasting room in South Kingstown which is open Thursday-Sunday. Thursdays 5-9 p.m., Fridays 5-10 p.m., Saturday 1-10 p.m. and Sundays 1-7 p.m.
The product locator on Sons of Liberty’s website can be used to find local stores carrying the new Bourbon.
13 restaurants take on the Vegan challenge
The fourth Rhode Island Vegan Chef Challenge kicked off on July 1 with local chefs competing for your votes at 13 restaurants or takeout spots.
Chefs at Providence restaurants including Casa Azul Taqueria, Pianta, the Patio on Broadway, Strive Kitchen + Bar and Crepe Corner in Cranston, are participating. Each will offer creative and delicious plant-based menu options.
Also participating are Foglia and Basil and Bunny, both in Bristol, La Cuisiniere RI which has an order and pick-up service model on Bath Street in Providence, Lucia Italian Restaurant in Newport, Lucy Juicy RI in Cranston, Tasteful Juice and Food in East Greenwich, Crazy Burger in Narragansett and Harmony Cafe in Lincoln.
You have one month – from July 1 to July 31 to sample the plant-based dishes. Then vote on the Rhode Island Vegan Chef Challenge website.
New drink tour
The Providence Tour Company has a new Prohibition-themed beer and spirits tour in downtown Providence, available for booking this July. This tasting tour includes beer and spirits produced in Providence. The tour is about 1.2 miles long and stops at downtown bar and restaurant favorites including The Malted Barley, Plant City,Moonshine Alley and more.
“Providence was a bootlegger’s paradise of sorts during Prohibition and gives us lots of interesting stories to tell, including powerful crime lords, corrupt officials, and shootouts on the Narragansett Bay,” Company owner Bradly VanDerStad said.
Topics covered on the tour include the origins of Prohibition, popular liquor loopholes, stories of famous Rhode Island bootleggers, Prohibition enforcement and the cultural impact of Prohibition on the city of Providence.
Tours will be available regularly on Saturdays in July, with the goal of introducing Sunday availability soon afterward. Private tours are available upon request. Learn more at pvdtourco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: News from Applebee's, Sons of Liberty, vegans, the Providence Tour Co
