Comfort Food in East Providence

Hello everyone, I just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself before we open the epicurean flood gates that we're calling "Food World."

My name is Nick Rabar. You may know me from my  TV show "Nick Rabar: Chef 2 Go." I travel around Rhode Island seeking hidden dining jewels in our great state. I love hosting the show because it introduces me to great culinary characters throughout Rhode Island, usually people who love food as much as I do.

I also live in Rumford with my family and am opening my first restaurant here next year. So when East Providence Patch asked me to write a column, I  jumped at the opportunity so I can do what I love to do best: talk food.  

For the last ten years, I was the Executive Chef for Chow Fun Food Group, which owns an assortment of well-respected restaurants in Providence, including 10 Prime Steak & Sushi, XO Café and Luxe Burger Bar.

It was a great experience to be part of the diverse portfolio of restaurants we opened. I was fortunate enough to study distinct styles of cooking and be part of a creative team of culinarians all striving to produce something special with every dish we served. The chefs and owners were a great group of people to work with but after a decade of service, I felt it was time to go out on my own.

As I drove home to Rumford every day from Providence--like many of you do--I would get the occasional hankering for a quick bite or a cocktail. I  finally asked myself: "Where is there to go around here?"

Now, I was new to the area at the time, and since have found some great eateries and restaurants that I am proud to frequent as a local--and can't wait to talk about in future columns.

But I also asked myself: Why not give back to the community I've grown so fond of? And that's exactly what I am doing now.            

In early 2011 I will be opening my first restaurant in The Rumford Center. It's called Avenue N for its location on Newman Avenue. The restaurant will be a 44-seat seasonal American Bistro featuring local food and drinks--right here in Rumford.

My wife, Tracy, and I love this town and feel very fortunate to be here. We're the proud parents of two boys and are expecting our third son in January.

Tracy is also an accomplished foodie. She's a professor at Johnson & Wales University where she teaches freshman dining room instruction. But that's of course not the only reason I married her.

Our free time in Rumford is spent entertaining with friends and family, running and caring for our home.

But mainly, my favorite thing to do even outside of work is to cook. Seeing as Tracy is now almost eight months pregnant, I try to cook every meal for her (though she may argue that statement). I work to keep the dishes healthy and interesting, though feeding my 6 and 11-year-old at the same time can also be a challenge. 

My style of cooking is  comfort food you would make at home, some modernized and upgraded, others more classic and traditional. That will be the style of Avenue N; my mission at both my home and in my restaurant is to make you feel as comfortable as you feel when you are in your own home.            

I love swapping recipes and talking food so please ask me anything, anytime. I don't claim to know it all, but I do love to talk--especially about food.  I 'm looking forward to sharing great stories and more right here at Food World with Nick Rabar.