5/2/25

This weekend, the most important question is: Margaritas or Mint Juleps? With Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby upon us, you’re in for a whirlwind of fun. Whether you’re in the mood for a fiesta or fancy hats, it’s a perfect excuse to celebrate spring in full swing. Cheers to a weekend well spent!

Weekend Must-Do’s: Flavorful and fanciful fun all weekend!

This weekend is bursting with reasons to party! Lace up your shoes for walking tours, roll up your pants to stomp grapes, don a fancy hat for the Kentucky Derby, or wear whatever you please and hit the town for live music, shopping extravaganzas, foodie happenings, and more. Read the full list online at HeyRhody.com

_{• Written by Cheikh Higgs, photo by Annabelle Henderson}

Crossing the Bridge for EP Restaurants

When the westbound lanes of the Washington Bridge closed last December, social media feeds were flooded with tongue-in-cheek goodbye messages from East Providence residents to friends across the bridge. But as business owners like Brian Dwiggins, owner of Borealis Coffee Company, and Natalie VanLandingham of Myrtle can attest, East Providence is bustling – traffic detours be darned! Read more in our latest feature at HeyRhody.com

_{• Written by Emily Olson, photo by Cate Brown Photography, courtesy of Borealis}

Presented by Marcelino’s Boutique Bar

Clear Cocktails Capture Summer Essences at Marcelino’s Boutique Bar

Past the dimly lit, gilded bar area buzzing with the din of shakers clattering, beyond the low chatter drifting from intimate seating nooks, there’s a nondescript doorway in the back of Marcelino’s that seems to lead to a closet, but in reality, it’s a veritable chemistry lab, housing a humming machine with a glass chamber collecting condensation, where the flavor distillation magic happens.

This season at the boutique craft cocktail bar, it will become clear what bar director Refaat Ghostine has been concocting behind the scenes. What’s also clear, literally, are the drinks, which are devised around spirits infused with different herbs via the Rotovap, a device used in molecular gastronomy to extract flavors. Ghostine, who’s earned 50 Best Bar accolades, mentions that Marcelino’s is the first bar in RI to elevate its drink program with this method. “It’s like science. You play around and use a lot of trial and error.”

During a recent visit, fresh oregano was being fused with gin, which is featured in the Tomato / Oregano cocktail – a bright, savory drink that sips like a gourmet small plate. Before imbibing, you start with the garnish, a delicate crisp that teases the flavors to come in a sun-dried tomato oil gel with black salt and oregano.

Without the visual cues of color to guide the experience, the drinker must rely on taste and smell to navigate the nuances infused in these cocktails, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for playfulness, too – an inventive, summery take on an espresso martini, which marries the essences of cardamom and espresso with passionfruit and peach, is topped with a fluffy, airy cloud.

“Inspiration doesn’t come from inside my work space, it’s always from outside. I bring an idea, think about it, and try it in here,” says Ghostine, and the success of these creations is crystal clear.

Instagram: @itsmarcelinos

Facebook: It’s Marcelino’s

^{• By Abbie Lahmers, photo courtesy of Marcelino’s Boutique Bar}

Rhody Recipe: Mexican-Inspired Shrimp and Rice

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a zesty shrimp and rice dish that packs a punch with chili powder, cumin, and fresh cilantro – a festive and healthy choice. And for more ways to celebrate, find a handful of authentic Mexican eateries around South County. Read the full recipe online at SoRhodeIsland.com

^{• Recipe and photo by Jen Tanner}

StyleWeek Northeast Returns to Providence's Capital Grille Patio

StyleWeek Northeast is set to dazzle Providence this June, showcasing five established designers amid performances blending fashion and ballet, emphasizing creativity, diversity, and style. Now in its 26th season, the event includes mingling, runway shows, and a grand finale with a Ballet RI performance, promising an unforgettable night of fashion and art. Read more on our latest blog at HeyRhody.com

^{• By Jenna Kaplan, photo by Myke Yeager Photography}