It’s popular for a reason. You can still walk in as they don’t book all of their tables with reservations, but suggest going by 6 for this or you may have a wait.

In summer, it’s a little more flexible as they only take reservations for outside on the day of based on the weather forecast. So you can call when they open and make one then.

You also don’t need a reservation for the bar. Of course that is only great if you’re looking for a party or just 2 maybe 3.

This was several years ago - US Rubber Lofts by Atwells. It was when it was first opening and lots of deals so no idea what kinda demographic now.

I also looked at the ones by Providence Place Mall and those were nice and seemed more solid, but it was like a 10 minute walk to where the parking or exit would be from the unit I was looking at. No joke - these buildings are huge! Ha

Never been there but looked at some of the mill type apts when moving here. Soundproofing tends to be minimal. I would suggest top floor only. You’ll want to get a sense of the demographic. I looked at one in PVD and it was clear that there were like 4 med school students in each apt - basically a dorm.

Al Forno. Great bartenders. There’s 2 bars in colder seasons (one downstairs with fireplace, one upstairs) but small so a little bit of a gamble depending if it’s a weekend (would get there by 6 if weekend).

And you certainly won’t be sacrificing food quality.

Bummer but their service was terrible since Covid. And the kitchen was a bit inconsistent.

Is that the place with naked mannequins with glasses?

Giving tax breaks to companies is a standard practice to attract businesses - every single state does this.

There are certainly better “deals” than others.

But again - stomping feet and doing nothing to maintain perfect ideals is leaving Rhode Island behind.

It goes with this project too. We need housing!!! But actually it’s too tall and I don’t love the design and it will block me from taking pictures of the Superman Building. So I’ll complain anywhere I can to try to sabotage the project.

It’s just not a helpful mentality. Same with the example I mentioned above - people were against bringing a sub-10 story building company HQ to an undeveloped plot of land….cause of traffic concerns.

There’s a loud subset of population here that is literally against any development that’s not exactly what THEY want.

What people fail to see in this topic is that RI doesn’t have good jobs. You can only make barebones construction so cheap. So maybe if people in this state had better job opportunities they’d also make more money!

Also kudos to the people that downvote better jobs! Lol what in the world

If Rhode Island had more development and jobs…the housing wouldn’t be so unaffordable….

The median household income in Mass compared to RI is a 22% difference.

We lack good jobs because we don’t have good economic development and chase everything out of town because of things like it’s too tall, it blocks the abandoned Superman building, it’s too modern.

People tried to push against a building next to the interstate and Trader Joe’s that was proposed to be a company’s headquarters….because of TRAFFIC. Are you joking? What 8 story office building next to highway on/off ramps creates widespread traffic problems.

I’m not sure what that has to do with developments starting now?

They were built 70 years ago in a neighborhood that wasn’t (and still isn’t) prime in Manhattan (relative). NYC is an interesting case in affordable housing but it’s also ridiculously competitive and certainly not the most fair….

Also, the Fane Tower’s location is prime. It’s like the equivalent of Upper West Side - walkable to midtown and Central Park views??not equivalent to the Lower East Side circa 1950s. NYC is a terrible example. Lol

Yes because nowhere screams affordable like Manhattan. 🫠🫠🫠

Affordable housing is important, but downtown Providence on the river overlooking the most expensive stretch of Providence along Benefit Street….is not where affordable housing is found in any city.

It’s such a bad argument. It’s not this building OR affordable housing.

Um it’s nothing but an L.

The demand is there and it’s an area that can have significant economic development….but hardly anywhere to live. Not a recipe to attract business.

It’s hard to give an answer without an idea of your price points.

Pawtucket will not feel like an extension of PVD.

I’d suggest looking at some coastal areas. Bristol, Pawtuxet Village, east Greenwich, etc. They are nicer areas and not cheap, but cheaper than the East Side generally.

They aren’t cities but walkable with things to do and within 10-20 min of PVD.

I’d also look closely at PVD. There are areas of the East Aide that aren’t as expensive and still walkable. Hope Village, for example.

Also if Brookline is an option for you, where exactly in PVD isn’t affordable????

Yeah also it’s not all student housing….

Not sure I’d say parking is hard to come by downtown. People in RI are scared of traffic, parking, etc so if it involves effort it’s “difficult” haha

One thing that IS true is how absurd it is that apartments get built downtown with no parking. I looked at a new apt building in the Jewelry District and they looked at me like I was crazy when I asked about parking (“we are still figuring out a plan”). Even the Aloft Hotel got built with no parking.

Anyways, there’s plenty of monthly garages. There are SOME apartments where it’s a part of the building. Obviously it’s not included. You should be able to find something closer than 5 min but if it’s cheapest you’re looking for it’s fine. PVD is generally safe.

I question this Reddit when you’re the only person to drop Al Forno.

Standard “Rush hour” from RI/Ct border to Elmgrove lasts about 15-20 min max and rarely “red” on google maps. Right now it’s almost exclusively the construction around downtown after Elmgtove. So unless you’re leaving work at 4:15-4:30, it’s not gonna be a daily issue!

Just go to a place that makes good cocktails. You don’t need a menu for mocktails - any good bartender can make one.

Weekends by 10 am tend to be the time they get inundated.

Weekdays on very nice days sometimes.

Thanks! I once added tomato to a sandwich at Rogue Island and they forgot to tell me it was $1 extra when I paid for it on the phone. Then they wanted me to pay $1 cash when I got there….like…really?

Yeah except they’re working in PVD, not Boston. Smart people with good jobs only coming into PVD for work hours and then leaving the state is not great for our greater economy.

Well true