2023 was a big year for food news in RI. Here's what readers wanted to know.

Gail Ciampa, Providence Journal
Updated ·6 min read

A new year is here, but that doesn't mean we still can't look back at the most-read food stories of 2023.

Admittedly, I stole this idea from other newspapers. But so what? It's a good one. How fun to remind readers of a story they enjoyed. Plus, if you missed one or two, here's your chance to catch up.

These are the top 16 food stories that were the most read online at providencejournal.com. If you've doubted Rhode Island is obsessed with its Italian food, wonder no more. This list is full of pizza and pasta. There is nothing wrong with that. Don't ever ignore comfort food.

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina are on the menu at Vanda Cucina in Warwick.
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina are on the menu at Vanda Cucina in Warwick.

The most read story was my colleague Katie Landeck's explainer on pizza strips, that uniquely Rhode Island of treats. Good luck finding bread dough topped only with pizza sauce beyond our borders. But here you'll find the snack at bakeries, grocery stores and even sporting events.

A round-up of my favorite Italian restaurants across the state came in at No. 2.

There were two stories on Track 15, the food hall that will open in the historic Union Station building. They are counted as one.

Stories about celebrity dining in Rhode Island also garnered plenty of interest.

Rhode Island also loves its food festivals and one advancing 2023's lineup was a most read story, too. But is no longer relevant to share here. Viva 2024 and the great food stories, and festivals, it will bring!

Pizza Strips

Journal engagement reporter Katie Landeck sought to demystify the iconic with 'Explaining the Rhode Island pizza strip: What is it and why does it exist?'

The short answer: It's all about the sauce.

Best Italian Restaurants

Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is grated over spaghetti pomodoro at Locanda.
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is grated over spaghetti pomodoro at Locanda.

With hundreds of choices, it was hard to narrow it down to 10. I tried to do it geographically to cover the state. Of course, there are a bunch of new ones to be added now since that story appeared last March. And I forgot a few, most notably Pat's Italian in Johnston.

The Best Italian Restaurants in RI: From Federal Hill to South County

A Food Hall for Providence

Track 15 is the name of the food hall that will open in Union Station in late summer 2024. Five merchants have been announced for the space.
Track 15 is the name of the food hall that will open in Union Station in late summer 2024. Five merchants have been announced for the space.

News of the first food hall coming to Providence was covered in two stories. One in April was an update on tax credits for the developer and a second one in November announced the name, lineup of restaurants and timeline for opening.

Track 15, developed by Marsella Development Corporation, has named these local food and drink merchants as tenants- Dune Brothers Seafood, Dolores, There, There, Moniker Brewery, Giusto and Mother Pizzeria (from the same ownership team). Expect a few more to be added before the opening late next summer.

Celebrity Dining – French style

Chef Jacques Pepin with his granddaughter Shorey Wesson collaborated on "A Grandfather's Lessons: In the Kitchen with Shorey" back in 2017.
Chef Jacques Pepin with his granddaughter Shorey Wesson collaborated on "A Grandfather's Lessons: In the Kitchen with Shorey" back in 2017.

Jacques Pepin has had a long impressive career and can be considered one of the original celebrity chefs. He even co-hosted a cooking show with legend Julia Child. He was feted at the 50th anniversary celebration of the culinary program at Johnson & Wales University in September.

But readers couldn't get enough of the news, reported by Katie Landeck, about his dining with his Rhode Island-based daughter Claudine and her family at Persimmon in Providence in February.

Celebrity Chef Jacques Pepin dines in Providence restaurant over the weekend. Here's where.

On "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives"

"Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" host Guy Fieri will feature this Braised Cod with Spinach, Tomato and Olives from Cranston's Edgewood Cafe on a new episode premiering Friday night on Food Network.
"Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" host Guy Fieri will feature this Braised Cod with Spinach, Tomato and Olives from Cranston's Edgewood Cafe on a new episode premiering Friday night on Food Network.

When Rhode Island is featured on television, readers are interested. That's why the story titled "'"Two RI restaurants to appear on new 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.' When you can see them" was so well read. The Edgewood Cafe in Cranston and Crazy Burger in Narragansett were featured on Guy Fieri's Food Network show in November.

The Venus de Milo returns

Monte Ferris Jr. is renovating and remodeling the Venus de Milo restaurant.
Monte Ferris Jr. is renovating and remodeling the Venus de Milo restaurant.

News of the revival of an iconic brand was greeted with plenty of attention. The calls for the return of the Venus de Milo hosting weddings and fundraisers and serving Lobster Newburg, Delmonico Potatoes and Minestrone have never stopped, said Monty Ferris Jr. who reopened the Swansea spot. The venue can serve more than 2,000 people at one time.

The Venus de Milo in Swansea is reopening. Here's what's happening.

Best Pizza in the US

Chef Pasquale making a pizza at his South Kingstown restaurant that is No. 12 on the list of the 50 best pizzerias in the United State.
Chef Pasquale making a pizza at his South Kingstown restaurant that is No. 12 on the list of the 50 best pizzerias in the United State.

Big news out of Italy was of interest to all, especially pizza fans when Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana in Wakefield was No. 12 on the prestigious ranking of the 50 Best in the United States. The list was released by 50 Top Pizza USA.

Want to try one of the best pizzerias in the world? Plan a trip to Wakefield

A new Jewish deli in RI

Jason Sugarman at his Maven's Delicatessen in Pawtucket. As a seasoned restaurateur, he hoped for a successful opening. But the crowds of diners compelled him to pause for a few days to regroup.
Jason Sugarman at his Maven's Delicatessen in Pawtucket. As a seasoned restaurateur, he hoped for a successful opening. But the crowds of diners compelled him to pause for a few days to regroup.

News of the first new Jewish deli to open in quite a while, was of great interest from the minute it was announced early in 2023. Jason Sugarman and the team launching the nostalgic deli ran into delays but ultimately opened by year's end.

Rhode Island's newest Jewish deli is here: Get a first look at Maven's Delicatessen is the story that ran a few weeks before opening.

Providence Winter Restaurant Weeks

Agawam Hunt Club, a private club in East Providence's Rumford neighborhood, opened its restaurant to the public for Providence Winter Restaurant Weeks.
Agawam Hunt Club, a private club in East Providence's Rumford neighborhood, opened its restaurant to the public for Providence Winter Restaurant Weeks.

This was the first restaurant story of the new year. It may be surprising that after the holidays, readers were looking for dining deals. Or maybe it wasn't.

It's Restaurant Weeks near Providence, RI: Here are the deals you don't want to miss.

Beer hall for sale

Natalie and Tom Dennen back in 2017 when they opened their Bayberry Beer Hall at 381 West Fountain St. in Providence.
Natalie and Tom Dennen back in 2017 when they opened their Bayberry Beer Hall at 381 West Fountain St. in Providence.

News that the Bayberry Beer Hall was for sale attracted a lot of attention in November. These Providence restaurateurs took a chance opening a beer hall. Now it's for sale.

A new coach for Providence College dines out

Cassarino's Restaurant on Federal Hill hosted new Providence College coach Kim English back last March.
Cassarino's Restaurant on Federal Hill hosted new Providence College coach Kim English back last March.

Kim English was the newly named men's basketball coat for Providence College when he posted his dining trip to Cassarino's. Everyone loved that he embraced his new city.

Slam dunk for new PC coach dining at Cassarino's on Federal Hill.

RI chef wins James Beard award

Native American chef Sherry Pocknett won the James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef Northeast for 2023. Her restaurant is the Sly Fox Den Too in Charlestown. (Credit: Courtesy photo)
Native American chef Sherry Pocknett won the James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef Northeast for 2023. Her restaurant is the Sly Fox Den Too in Charlestown. (Credit: Courtesy photo)

Sherry Pocknett, who cooks Indigenous cuisine from her Wampanoag culture at her Sly Fox Den Too restaurant in Charlestown, took home the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Northeast.

RI chef makes history winning James Beard award

Crumbl Cookies comes to RI

The Milk Chocolate Chip cookie is Crumbl's signature flavor.
The Milk Chocolate Chip cookie is Crumbl's signature flavor.

It was big news when the national chain opened its first cafe in Rhode Island in February in East Greenwich. Giant cookies with a weekly changing menu clearly appealed to readers. Beth Nardozzi and her family opened the store at 1000 Division St.

Crumbl Cookies has fans nationwide and it's finally opening in RI. See what's on the menu. A second one opened later in Smithfield.

Best Pizza in RI

Grilled pizza is a signature at Bar 'Cino in Newport.
Grilled pizza is a signature at Bar 'Cino in Newport.

While writing about three new pizza choices, I took the opportunity to list some of my favorites. From grilled to stuffed, the variety across the state is enviable.

Everyone has a favorite pizza place in RI. Trust us, it's time to try something new

Yelp's Top 100 places to visit

Avocado toast, smoothies and bowls are favorites at Root, the vegan eatery in Newport that just made a national Yelp list for places to visit in 2023.
Avocado toast, smoothies and bowls are favorites at Root, the vegan eatery in Newport that just made a national Yelp list for places to visit in 2023.

It was February when a Newport restaurant made a national list. RI restaurant makes Yelp's list of 'top 100 places to visit in 2023'

Roots, the vegan eatery on Broadway in Newport, was thrilled to be on the prestigious list.

Church and Corned Beef

Corned Beef wasn't on the menu for Roman Catholics when St. Patrick's Day fell on a Friday during Lent, a time of abstaining from meat.
Corned Beef wasn't on the menu for Roman Catholics when St. Patrick's Day fell on a Friday during Lent, a time of abstaining from meat.

While all the other New England hierarchy clergy of the Roman Catholic Church gave dispensation for eating meat on a Friday during Lent, the Rhode Island Bishop did not. It wasn't just any Friday but St. Patrick's Day.

Corned beef on St. Patrick's Day? Tobin says no blanket dispensation for RI Catholics

To print readers: All these stories are linked online if you go to providencejournal.com.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The most read food news in Rhode Island in 2023