Gift Horse, A Raw Bar & Restaurant, Has Been Named One Of Rhode Island's Best New Restaurants
By Beth Price-Williams|Published March 22, 2024
×
Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
We have access to some of the best restaurants in Rhode Island and, indeed, the United States, and there’s no better evidence of that than the Gift Horse in Providence. A relative newcomer on the culinary scene – it opened in June 2023 – the Rhode Island restaurant has earned distinction as one of the best new restaurants in the United States by Esquire Magazine. But if you’re like me, you’ll want to taste for yourself, to see if you agree, by stopping by for a bite.
Rhode Island’s seafood restaurants are generally steeped in tradition, but the Gift Horse in Providence does things a little bit differently.
Esquire defines the Gift Horse, headed by chefs Sky Kim and Ben Sukle, as “the reinterpretation of what a raw bar can be. Korean flavors give an old genre new juice.”
But the uniqueness of Gift Horse goes beyond the food, something you’ll notice as soon as you arrive at this restaurant in Providence. A U-shaped bar serves as the centerpiece, around which cozy tables are placed.
Between the bar and the tables, the Gift Horse, a wheelchair-accessible restaurant, seats around 45, promising an intimate experience. Diners offer glowing reviews, in fact, for the eatery’s chic and chill vibe.
Start off with a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail. Cocktails include such favorites as The Gift Horse Martini, the White Port & Tonic, and the Dutch Courage.
If you’re ordering from the raw bar, try one of the Platters ‘n Towers. The Slack Tide offers a delicious sampling of favorites, including oysters, littleneck clams, Maine mussels, and smoked fish dip.
Both chilled and hot plates are available. From the house salad to crab cocktail, the chilled plate selection offers something for every taste. If you prefer something hot, try the crispy oysters, shellfish casserole, or seafood pancakes.
Don’t forget to check out the sides and sauces that include such tasty options as Our Country Sourdough Bread, fried onions, and Gift Horse pickles or piri piri.
See a menu and make reservations on the official website of Gift Horse.
Have you been to the Gift Horse in Providence, Rhode Island? Do you agree that it’s one of the best new restaurants in Rhode Island? Let us know in the comments! What’s better than a leisurely walk after a hearty meal? Go for a stroll through Point Street Park in Providence, or check out one of the best hiking trails in Rhode Island.