CRUDO: SMITHFIELD, RI

Now THIS was an unexpectedly incredible restaurant visit, a little Italian oasis in a plaza on a strip containing businesses, gas stations, and repair shops. From the location, we weren't expecting much.

However, the inside was a different story. "Okay, now THIS is a hole in the wall," my friend announced. "I would never expect this from the outside."

I think they must have hired a Feng Shui practitioner when they set this place up, because someone did an amazing job of balancing all the elements. There's a lot of silver and copper, balanced out with fireplaces and enough warmth to make the space feel super cozy.

We sat at the bar and were prompted greeted by the bartender, who poured me the best espresso martini I've ever had (which is saying something, because I drink them a LOT.) Check out the pour in the pic!

Their menu looked divine, and the bartender was refreshingly honest with his opinions about what we should order. I don't often order salmon for lunch, but the one on the specials was encrusted with pistachios, covered in pistachio cream, and came on top of a bed of lemon risotto. Sold.

The salmon came perfectly cooked, and was incredibly flavorful on its bed of creamy, tart risotto. I washed it down with a ghost pepper margarita, which was rimmed with honey and spicy peppers.

At the end of our meal, the bartender HIGHLY suggested that we try the butter cake. It reminded me of one of my top desserts of all time: the date cake at Juniper in Wellesley. I fucking dream about that thing. This was a slightly softer, lighter, MUCH more buttery version of that dessert.

As we meandered back out into the sunlight, we both agreed that wandering through business zones in search of culinary discoveries can pay off in ways you wouldn't expect. I might have to start hitting up all the AutoZone parking lots to see what I might be missing.