gregg's.

Hello. Today I am blogging from the sunny paradise of Providence, RI. Actually, it's not sunny at all. It's grey and rainy and humid, and we're all waiting for the impending doom of Hurricane Irene. Wonderful time to visit, eh?

Well, it's not going to stop me from sharing some of my favorite places here in this Northeastern haven, or what some like to call Boston's Poor Working Class Cousin. Yeah. I don't really know if anyone calls it that, but that's what it always feels like to me. But to really understand what a haven it is, please enjoy my sister's blog here. Read it. it's funny.

My first stop when I step off the Logan - Providence Peter Pan bus is always Gregg's. Gregg's is like Perkins 2.0. It's freaking awesome--I could eat here every night. I can't think of anything that really comes close to it in L.A. except Norm's, and Norm's doesn't really even come close.

Gregg's is famous for their cakes. My sister and her husband served an assortment of them at their wedding. They were awesome.

The menu kicks it old school--as the kids say*--with dishes like a New England Boiled Dinner, Liver-n-Onions and Chicken-n-Biscuits, but I only come for one thing...the Lobster Roll.

I love how they serve pickles at every table.

I like a good cup of clam chowder, too. And really, who doesn't? This time I had it Manhattan style. My sister told me that in addition to it and New England Clam Chowder, they also have a Rhode Island version, which is clams in a clear broth. Did you know about this? I did not.

You know what else they have Rhode Island style? Calamari--it's served with hot pepper rings. It's very good.

The piéce de résistance. I've had a few lobster rolls in L.A. here and here, but they don't compare. Sigh. Now I can get on with the rest of my vacation.

*I don't know if the kids really say this anymore. I am 41.