Gastronomy literally means “the art or law of regulating the stomach.”
The term “gastropub” is a mash-up of the terms gastronomy and pub, coined by David Eyre and Mike Belben when they took over The Eagle pub in Clerkenwell, London. At that time British pubs were primarily drinking establishments and little emphasis placed on the serving of food. The idea of elevating the quality of the beer and food menus in order to secure existing customers, as well as attract new ones, reinvigorated the dining culture.
The gastropub phenomenon took off in the United States in the early 1990s as an artful alternative to the gut filling, alcohol absorbing cold Ploughman’s lunch (cheese, chutney, bread and pickled onions). The appeal of the gastropub is its ability to provide a comfortable, casual and welcoming atmosphere where socializing, laughing, eating great food, drinking micro-brews, shooting pool, throwing darts, and game day cheering is standard!
GPub Smokerd BBQ Wings
Providence’s exciting down-city dining scene has been further enhanced by its newest ultra-fun, ultra-cool gastropub – GPub. The restaurant occupies the basement of the former Providence Gas Company and designed around the buildings original 1920′s framework. The speak-easy type atmosphere adds an exclusiveness you’ll feel while walking into the mysterious underground abyss. Take heed however, because that solemnness is quickly eliminated by the wicked party going on below street level!
GPub maintains an impressive beer selection broken down by taps, bottles and tins! I appreciated the fact that each beer had a corresponding brewing location and an ABV% (alcohol by volume). It makes sense to know which state is determined to wreck me by round three!
The menu pays homage to traditional pub food through its inclusion of snacks, starters, burgers and hot dogs, but in a completely artistic way. The Chips & Spread are house made, with smoked paprika and cheddar ale spread. The Slider Trio include a pulled- pork, lobster roll and a burger. The Pigs in a Blanket is wild boar sausage, Kansas City mustard, pickled shallots, camembert cheese, and black pepper on a biscuit. Take that Cheers!
GPub Smoked Turkey Sandwich
The Eiffel Tower Burger would make Parisians weep with pride. A double patty burger with mushrooms, caramelized onions, truffle mayo, gruyere cheese, and topped with a fried egg that delivers a win for the French! By contrast, the generally ordinary Smoked Turkey Sandwich turned out to be a shining example of what an excellent chef can create with simple ingredients. The fresh roasted turkey with smoked bacon mayo and camembert cheese was an excellent combination within a perfectly buttered -grilled sandwich.
From the location, to the celebratory atmosphere, to the outstanding food and beverage menu, GPub is the reason why people get excited about going out for the evening! I’m not sure if the “G” in GPub stands for Gastro Pub or for the Gas Company building in which it operates, but to me, the “G” stands for “GO!”
61 Orange St. | Providence, Rhode Island 02903 | Tel. 401-632-4782 | Speak Easy + Eat Well
Fork in the Rhode 