The Aphrodisiac Prix Fixe

The regular menu at Pawtucket’s Garden Grille, a vegetarian restaurant north of downtown Providence, was wholly promising. I very much looked forward to dining there, the most asterisked entry of my Providence hit-list. But in town for heart-day, we would feast on their special 5-course prix fixe menu designed exclusively as an aphrodisiac. Not knowing how sensual a feast eating is to me in the everyday, Garden Grille managed to up the ante.

Roasted red pepper and leek soup with Sambuca “creme fraiche” and a Yukon gold chive chip

Blueberry ginger martini

Beet-infused soba noodles with edamame, Shiitake mushrooms, easter egg radish, lotus root and avocado in a star anise soy reduction

Blood orange and Thai coconut salad: sunflower sprouts, baby arugula, macadamia in a tarragon prickly pear vinegarette

Smoked eggplant and black truffle mousse small plate: Balsamic shallots, red leaf endive on a tomato poppy seed cracker

Nori-encrusted oyster mushroom calamari with kumquat and cara cara orange marmalade, daikon hijiki salad with chili oil

Champagne and strawberry passion fruit sorbet with pomegranate seeds

Red palm ravioli trio: house-dried tomato with arugula fennel pesto, trumpet mushrooms with rosemary cashew cheese and braised cannellini with spinach served with roasted asparagus, pink vodka sauce and fresh basil

Chocolate ganache and hazelnut banana heart cake with cinnamon chocolate creme and blackberry chambord sauce

Coconut and tapioca pearl custard layered with mango mousse, strawberry papaya and apple mint

A strong contender for “best meal of all time”.