A long-awaited return to the Trinity Brewhouse, Providence, RI

My better half and I had a nice night out in Downcity Providence last Saturday night.  We started with dinner at Bravo Brasserie, which was very enjoyable.  It has a nice atmosphere, a very varied menu (French-inspired American cuisine), and very reasonable prices.

It was still early, so we ducked into the Trinity Brewhouse.  It had been a couple of years since our last visit.  We both had the RI IPA.  This beer has an excellent aroma, and is very full-bodied for an IPA.  It has above average bitterness and hoppiness, and slightly below average sweetness.  I enjoyed it a lot.  Oh, and we got to see the the Bruins dramatic, double-overtime win over Les Habs.  Sweet!

On a related note, we recently tried one of Trinity's bottled offerings, Trinity IPA.  This too is a very pleasing local brew.  I'll post a more complete review when I get a chance, but I definitely recommend giving it a try.

Trinity is a bona fide local gem.  Check them out.

Dunkin Donuts "Big N' Toasty"

Let's make a slight diversion from beer and squid to another of the major food groups - the "Cheesy, eggy breakfast sandwich thingy" food group.  I left the house early the other day, skipping breakfast at home.  So I decided to try the new Big N' Toasty" from Dunkin Donuts.  DD describes it as "2 fried eggs, 4 slices of Cherrywood smoked bacon and American cheese on thick Texas Toast."  Sounds good to me.

Big N' Toasty

So I had one.  The first thing I realized is that "Texas Toast" is toast that's more or less soaked in butter (or a butter-like substance.)  This is one thing when you're eating it to complement a meal, and it's only lightly soaked in real butter, and you eat it right away.  But when you put this in a fast food context, the effect is a very greasy experience.  The sandwich tasted fine, and I liked the thickness of the bread.  But after one bite my mouth and chin were covered in, well, butter-like substance.  It's not a sensation that fills you with feelings of self worth.  I don't need to look at the nutrition facts to get the feeling that this sandwich goes beyond decadent, into the "off-putting" territory.  So despite my love of eggs, cheese and bacon, and my intense like for Texas Toast, I won't be having the Big N' Toasty again.

P.S.  For a real star in the "Cheesy, eggy breakfast sandwich thingy" food group, check out the "Grilled Cheese Eggsplosion."  I've made several - waaayy cool!