Ama's in Luongo Square, WestSide, Providence
Yesterday, Providence restaurateur Mike Sears (aka Captain Mike or perhaps Blackbeard to some) opened the long-awaited WestSide “raw bar,” Ama’s.
Named after Japanese divers, mostly females famous for collecting pearls, fits in well with Sears’ other creations conjuring the powerful female energies of Lili Marlene and Loie Fuller (Loie’s is now under chef ownership).
Sears once again relied on innovative designer Kyla Coburn. Coburn has created a Japanese wooden ship styled izakaya under a sailor’s rope canapy ceiling complete with Coburn’s signature murals, this time of Ama divers underwater.
Hitachino Ginger Beer
My partner and I enjoyed perfectly cooked edamame, two types of raw oysters (8 total), two grilled chicken skewers, two glasses of a very sweet plum wine, one cold junmai sake, and one hitachino ginger beer. Our total: $57.
The two types of oysters served on a traditional bed of ice were fresh and delicious (one briny and one mild) by themselves, but adding Ama’s special blend of horseradish/cocktail salsa may excite amateurs who think that oysters aren’t good enough on their own.
Grilled Chicken skewers at Ama's
The grilled chicken skewers were cooked to perfection (not dry as is sometimes the case with chicken) and wrapped around an unnamed vegetable which Sears’ explained as a little known imported herb similar to mint and basil.
The limited Ama’s menu probably won’t compel you to skip out on the extensive (and much less expensive) Japanese cuisine of Ebisu, but patrons of The Avery and E&O will finally be able to expand their liquid diet with cuisine worthy enough and creative enough to be labeled “WestSide”.
Taste for yourself at 3 Luongo Square. Tell them WestSide Stories sent you!
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Very interesting. I didn’t know that Loie Fuller had been sold. I’m sure it’ll still be great as the food there is right on.
I’m loving that the West End is coming into its own now. I live on the periphery between Federal Hill and the West End.
Loie Fuller’s was taken over by the chef and his wife quite some time ago. Nothing has changed. Same great food, service and ambiance.
Consider coming out to a WBNA meeting once in a while. You can get on their announcement list at http://www.wbna.org
Do you know about the Bob Marley & The Wailers Tribute band, called Below The Roots? They will be playing this Thursday in Dexter Training Ground from 6-8pm. I heard them practicing and they’re really good.
We took a peek last night inside before hitting the Avery – it’s gorgeous! If we hadn’t already eaten, we would have pulled up a seat. We can’t wait til we’re in Providence again to try it out.
If you don’t try the udon noodle soup at ama’s, you are a damn fool… that is all.
Evil man. Not a good post
to read right on the way to bed. Food and drink in that corridor is an alluring combo. There may be a tent city on the west side soon of the Ama’s/Avery/E&O triangle, especially with Nick’s Julians and Seven Stars walkable for the morning after.
[...] – that section of the WestSide between Broadway and Westminster – you know, where Ama’s, The Avery, E&O Tap and…the recently busted Decatur Square Social Club is. These [...]