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Categories: Dance Clubs, American (Traditional) [Edit]
234 Thayer St
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These guys hosted my rehearsal dinner beautifully over labor day weekend. We did passed apps, pizza and three courses for 47 people and the service, atmosphere and overall fun factor was excellent. Paul, the manager, worked with us on a beer and wine selection that kept everyone buzzing AND kept the bill under control. They printed special menus, and the food we had was better than most times I had eaten there, strange, but cool none the less.
We had about 25 heads in from the West Coast, so I wanted to do somewhere on Thayer that was fun and laid back, and Paragon was the only place that could accomodate us. All in all, it was a great event.
Cheers to Paul and his staff!
Paragon is one of those places that you will go to a lot if you live in Providence. You just will.… Read more »
The food is alright, the atmosphere is usually decent, and of course the location can't be beat on the east side. The late night crowd gets a little too douche-y for me (I prefer the company of hipster-types), but that's just my personal preference. It does seem like every time I'm walking home late at night on weekends and pass the place, the police are breaking up a fight or something. But that's not really Paragon's fault. Or maybe they attract a certain, let's say, insecure element.
My main problem with this place is their sexist hiring policy. A number of restaurants in Providence behave this way, only hiring young attractive women. It's flattering to my hetorosexuality, sure, but it's pretty shitty. It makes me not want to go because it just feels like an upscale Hooters. Tits and asses are wonderful, but good food sells better, IMO.
i've only been here for brunch so it's all i'm allowed to review.
great brunch buffet! tons of options that are breakfasty and lunchy. service is average but you serve yourself so it's no big deal. food is decent. it's convenient and a great place to take some visiting relatives!
Been back here a handful of times ever since I left Providence College (F#$% that school) circa 1999-2001. I was constantly here for dinner with friends back then.
The burgers are great, the rib eye and skirt steak are good, LOVE the Shrimp Scampi, (drooling at the moment) and the calamari here. This was the place I feel in love with Shrimp Scampi. I was disappointed only once with the calamari, it was quite burnt and dry, but they brought out another one and I wasn't charged for either. The Portions are big, The salads are good here too and so are the sandwiches, haven't tried the pizzas yet. But for pizzas, I usually head down to "Antonio's Pizza by the slice" up the street.
I was here once for lunch with my brother, we had burgers, good as usual. The sweet potatoes fries weren't that good..The waiter was quick and very nice until the douche of a manager came out bitching out loud to the workers. Simply bad taste.
The waitress are cute here, some of them stuck up. The crowd this place draws been going down hill. This place hasn't been the same since Sean (believe that's his name), one of the managers left.
I also used to hit up Mario's Paragon in Greenwich for dinner, the service there was better, more room. I haven't returned after they changed it to Bravo (I believe?). Not that it's bad but it's just out of my way. If I could, I would rate it 2.5 stars only.
When my coworker and I asked some Brown students for a pub-style place where a person could enjoy a beer and some pub food, they suggested Paragon. Boy, did they play this place down when they described it. I was expecting something divey, but no, this place was more like nice lounge than a pub.
Our meal was delicious. My friend had the arugula and beet salad with added portobello mushrooms, which had the creamiest goat cheese I've every had on it. I definitely had appetizer envy. For his main course, he ordered a grilled swordfish that he very much enjoyed. I had the lobster and crab cake, which came with a yummy chipotle sauce. The cakes were made and fried perfectly, and I enjoyed every bite. For my entree, I had haddock, which is a fish I had never heard of, but apparently is very common on the East Coast. It was quite good, crusted with macadamia nuts and grilled. For dessert, we had the apple cobbler, a la mode.
The selection of beers they had on tap were great, and overall we enjoyed our dinner. The best part was definitely our appetizers. The place was pretty empty, and I don't know how this place would fare as a college hang out, lounge, or bar... but definitely 4 stars as a restaurant for their food!
Pictures uploaded.
Location is what sells this place.
Oh and fries.
The food is good, but nowhere near what you expect from the price. I mean, how hard is it to make bruschetta? And yet they failed... I should not have to use my fork and knife on a shared appetizer. I heard great things about the Paragon fries, and tried both the regular and sweet potato, and though they hit my fry-spot, they're no "truffle fries". Salads are good, but overpriced as well.
Waitstaff seemed like deer in headlights. Instead of bringing another ketchup they took the one we had and didn't come back for 7 crucial fry-eating minutes. Definitely not the best place for large groups unless you have tons of time to kill waiting.
Not pub food, not fancy food, somewhere in purgatory between.
I really enjoyed my dinner here. It was an impromptu drinks-turned-dinner date with my bf and my parents. My parents kept saying they were going to leave after the drinks, but the wine convinced my mom that she would rather stay and have something to eat. The appetizers and entrees were solid and satisfying. Prices were reasonable. I don't go to Providence much, but this has made the list of places worth going to.
I went in the summer and we chose to sit outside instead of inside in the artic air conditioning. That made allll the difference.
For some reason I was forced to go here. My friend Dj's here and another one works the door.
I don't know if there is a cover but if there was I didn't pay it.
Went in around 10PM (friday) bar was completely empty. A few people sitting at the tables in groups drinking and talking.
Bartenders were nice until one of them misplaced my credit card.
They cannot make a decent kamikaze which is expected in Providence.
There seemed to be older men and younger women. Not my cup of tea. I wouldn't go here again unless my friend was DJing or someone told me they would buy all my drinks.
If you're the kind of person who goes out on a date and considers it a good date if you don't want to shoot yourself, then you may want to ask Paragon out for the evening.
Why did I eat here? Oh right, because the DJ on the first floor of my building insisted to me that it was excellent. But then again he also told me they served the best Russian dishes.
Well sorry friends the food is neither Russian, nor good. It's the kind of place that crops up next to a University to charge high prices for low quality. In another town it might pass as good, but considering the dining options in Providence this doesn't even make it into the top half.
Mostly the food is boring, predictable and lacks flavor. Nothing "horrible", but nothing delightful either.
This is a 2-part review:
1. Paragon - so the food is pretty unimpressive. Don't get me wrong, it's tasty and the prices aren't too bad, but it's a little too typical. It's a great place to go if you can't think of anywhere else, though. I usually go with pasta or a burger (they actually have really good burgers), but when you try their "higher end" stuff...it's not exactly much "higher." Ya dig?
Regardless, one thing great is their Sunday Brunch. They have an all-you-can-eat type deal, and their mimosa's aren't half bad. It's only 8 bucks (I think), and when it's nice out, it's great to sit right on Thayer and check out the crowds walking by.
For a quick "comfort food" type meal, check out Paragon.
Note: It's great that they have a full bar, though...it makes dinner more enjoyable
2. VIVA -- I guess I'm biased because this isn't really my kind of bag, baby. I'm not into the whole "Euro Club Discotheque" kind of thing. The drinks are pretty outrageously priced ($12 for a long island iced tea?), and the dress code is absolutely absurd. They won't let guys in with sneakers on...or with hats...or wearing Timbalands. Not to mention, they let in four times the amount of girls as guys, so if you're a guy trying to go out on Thursday night on Thayer, you better get there at like 10. The DJ is usually pretty decent, but for some reason, the crowd just isn't my thing -- Euro/Trendy/Etc.
I guess it's just that I'm the type of guy who prefers a grungy sports bar. But if discotheque-ing is your kind of thing, VIVA is the place for you on Thursday nights.
This trying to be trendy spot is on a one of kind trendy street in Providence in front of Brown University and like any college area, there are the share of good and bad. I have been to this place twice and both times it was just okay. It picks up the steam on crowds and is from what it seems the place to be and be seen in Providence, but in a city full of new and upscale restaurants, this place somehow misses the mark. It has a good vibe going and has good drinks and hip younger staff, but te food is not so impressive. It is a menu filled with wanna be creations that just don't seem to please palate all that much. As far as price, well, then again, high priced food isn't always good. Stick to the drinks and the people watching. The connecting bar that is part of this place is full of trying to be trendies thinking they are in Soho.
On this impromptu trip to Providence I asked my trusty brother who went to RISD of some places to grub. He suggested a sushi place, of course, closed. And decided that between the opinions of passerbys on the street and my Blackberry equipped with yelp(PLUG), we would be ok. A wandering student suggested Paragon to us, which was a fairly affordable Italian option just a few minutes away from where we stood.
Passerby thought it was OK. Yelp thought it was OK. He thought it was OK. "I'm in!"
A nice dimly lit restaurant located near the RISD campus seemed to be set up as a date spot with many a tablefor2. We were sat by the window and greeted by a somewhat smarmy waiter/host
Me:"Do you have any recommendations?"
Him:"Well what are you in the mood for?"
Me:"I'm fairly open...I'm not from the area and just looking to try something new that you guys do well. I heard the white pizza was good?"
Him:"Yeah if you like pizza"
Me:"...well...that would be why I would order it. ... What would you get if you were out with your friends?"
Him:"O. here's your waitress! BOI!"
Great. Useful(-1)
Our waitress on the other hand was very helpful in her gumsmacking Dorchester accent kind of way. She recommended the scallops with bacon and cream sauce as a starter, the blue cheese burger, and the white pizza.
The scallops were awesome. Honestly great.
The white pizza was indeed good. It's hard to explain what it was like...but it had the consistency and was well formed like that of a frozen pizza, but oozed out in cheese strips upon being bitten into. Try it(!)
I didn't partake too much in the Bacon/Bleu Burger until the day after in the form of leftovers(which were still great!) and the fries I picked off his plate were good as well. Sup vulture.
The menu was pretty extensive and definitely had a lot of other options that I would be more than happy to check out on my next voyage to Providence which will hopefully be sooner rather than later.
Came here on a Sunday and was underwhelmed. Was seated by the kitchen pass-through even though there were plenty of other tables available. The music was a bit loud for dinner time. But really, it was the barely mediocre food that really put me off. My boyfriend and I both got pizzas, and they were relatively bland, the tomatoes were tasteless, as was the cheese, two pretty key components when you're talking pizza. Decor was alright, nothing really notable, and the service was fast, but didn't make up for the food.
Paragon is one of those places that I saw all the time while growing up, but never actually went inside. I always heard it was good, and I finally went this year and everyone was right. It is good!
This is what you'll get: Very attractive servers, very mod/european interior, nice big windows, a yummy menu, and mostly tourists and out of towners as your co-patrons.
I think it fits in fairly well with the other places on that side of Thayer St. You have Andreas which is basically the Greek version of Paragon (also quite good) and Kartabar, another European/mod food and drink hub. So, all three of these places sort of blend together for me, but Paragon is worth the visit.
Also, Paragon has two bars, and I think it is great to stop by at night for drinks. One bar tends to be much more crowded than the other, so you can drift in between the two depending on your mood.
Great for a sunny outdoor lunch, a sexy dinner, or a night on the town.
We went for Sunday Brunch - it was HORRID!!!! Not many choices, the eggs were horrid, the coffee was horrid, and most importantly pastries from BJ's or sam's club. When you have "real" bakeries supplying most Providence's restaurants, one would conclude they would do the same. Guess NOT. And they're RUDE.
Went for dinner here Thursday night with the girls on one of my visits to Rhode Island. The waiter was a bit slow with our order, but we were all in a good mood and happy to see each other so we didn't start complaining. Decent food for Thayer Street. The lobster ravioli was yum. Come early with a group of friends and order some drinks, but don't sit too near the bar when there's a group of loud guys yelling at the TV, turns off the mood a bit.
Nice atmosphere, but the food is overrated. The food selection is average, the beverage selection is better by comparison. I suggest stopping by late night for drinks and apps. Champagne brunch sounded lovely but when I went it wasn't the that fresh... I say, skip it. There are so many great places to eat in PVD.
This is the type of place that can quickly become one of your favorite places to eat in Providence. You can find fancier fare elsewhere in the city and you can find cheaper eats in others, but I can't think of any place else where you can have such a good meal at such reasonable prices in a nice setting with good service. I've had better meals - but not by much; and I've gotten slightly better deals, but not very often; and I've had better/more formal service, but only at a much higher price. Where else can you get a delicious lobster ravioli in a thick pink vodka sauce with sauteed shrimp for around $17? Or a good bottle of wine in a restaurant for $20? The food and decor are good enough to feel like it is a special occasion, but the prices are reasonable enough to go there for no reason at all.
Food is fine. Menu is straightforward. Nothing special, although their fries are good.
My only caution is to avoid the brunch buffet. We've gotten some not so fresh tasting shrimp and bad omelets there. The only thing going for it is the cheap, all you can eat thing. Which is fine if you're a student on a budget. And not fine if you're anyone else.
Personally, I prefer Spats across the street but there's nothing wrong with Viva. On busy nights it's a little more of a club atmosphere as opposed to the more laid back environment at Spats. They have 3 different bars here so you'll always be able to find a drink. Definitely a good time.
Paragon has always been there for me. It's been there on days when I was cruising Thayer Street and needed some lunch, it was there when my sister needed a cool place that could accommodate the rehearsal dinner for her wedding... it's been there for me a lot. I've tried several dishes, and for the most part they've been spot on. Recently I tried one of their pizzas though (take-out or else I swear I would have returned it) and it was probably the worst pizza I've ever tried. It was just wrong, so wrong. I tried the Mediterranean expecting to be blown away, and instead I got a doughy, dried out version of what I knew was supposed to be pizza, and the eggplant was chewy, not even cooked through! Don't order the pizza. Otherwise, I've tried pasta dishes there and burgers which have both been quite satisfactory. The penne pesto with chicken and the penne telephono are personal favorites. Try those... but NOT the pizza. You'll thank me.
This is a pretty solid place for good food in a slightly trendy environment. I tend to go for the burgers, but the tuna appetizer is also a favorite in my group. I'm not a big fan of the pizza though, feels premade... probably that's just the crust.
Solid seems to be the favored adjective for describing Paragon, and it is an adjective with which I concur. The menu varies from sandwiches to burgers to pasta to slightly swankier offerings, and the decor and bar are nice enough. My seafood skewers and rice pilaf were tasty, if a bit oily. I was less pleased with the tiramisu and coffee. Still, this is a perfectly fine place for lunch or dinner on Thayer Street. Solid it is.
My favorite place to grab a bite when I'm on Theyer St. The picture posted on Yelp definitely does not do it justice. Paragon has this great urban, modern hip feel with mosaic counters, stain glass windows and velvet couches in the back. I'm a fan of their shataki mushroom sandwich on focaccia bread with mozzarella cheese and olive oil. The place is always packed with lively young people and sure to bring you a tasty meal :)
I really really love Paragon. This is a great place to bring just about anyone as their varied menu selection will have something to please just about everyone's palate. The location and large windows also make it a good spot for people watching.
I always had the impression this place was expensive, but on a trip to RISD store for art supplies UMD's school store lacks (of course), my boyfriend and I ended up on Thayer (like always) and wanted some food after seeing a movie at Avon that wasn't take-out/fast food. So we stopped here. Mmm..the white pizza was really good. My boyfriend had a pesto chicken sandwich and fries. Good stuff!
I went here for cocktails and they did not disappoint. The ambiance is really nice, and the waitstaff is friendly. Although I didn't eat, the food looked really delicious and they had a nice variety on the menu. They had some good beers on tap, including Hoegaarden, which makes me very happy.
Viva and Cafe Paragon are my favorite. Two places under the same building with connecting door and same owner. We used to throw all parties here. My sister and I love Viva's ambiance. It turns to be club like with dance floor at night, fun cool RISD and Brown student. This is more like Euro club. Food is superb..serving mediteranean and american fare. Burger here is always awesome, great food portion and not expensive at all. They renovated both place to become slicker cool euro lounge. Well, there is a connecting door between the two so you can choose what mood you are in "Clubbing or dining". They always hire beautiful and hulk looking models like servers and host staffs. Sorry, my sister is not a lesbian but still comment about how hotty their staffs are...and brainy as well as service-minded. I actually go there because of the food. I love every dishes here, really. That's why Viva/Paragon remains one of my favorite restaurants in Providence after 13 years and is still one of the more reasonably priced.
Pros: Great food, great value, super cool atmosphere Cons: Long wait on busy nights but worth a wait
The food here is awesome and reasonably priced! I like it because its not a lot of fatty food, they have healthy choices like vegetable kabobs and meat skewers. You can have outdoor seating with a great view of Thayer St and great people watching! At night this turns into a great club, perfect if you want to be in the heart of Providence but not in the crazy club district!
Annoying. Snotty, aloof hostess told us that the brunch buffet had just ended and we weren't allowed to partake, even though the entire setup remained for all to see & the chafing dishes were FULL of food. We were seated near the bar where an uncommonly loud group of Mediterranean types were drinking heartily and occasionally screaming for no apparent reason. The menu is extremely limited and non-creative - and a bit pricey for what you get. When you add up the decor, the service, the food, etc., you get a restaurant that thinks it's way better than it is.
My favorite restaurant on College Hill. Over the course of four years I probably sampled everything on their menu (salads, burgers, swordfish, calamari, crab cakes, pastas, champagne brunch... everything), and I honestly can't remember one thing I didn't like. The food was always well prepared and very reasonably priced, and the waiters were generally very friendly and efficient. I LOVED this place's fries better than any other restaurant I've tried, and their martinis (especially apple) were incredible. The one complaint is that it turned into Viva at night, which meant a lot of smoke and noise, but that was easily avoided and couldn't put a stain on an otherwise fantastic place.
Overrated. Sunday brunch buffet is awful not worth advertising about. The bar is stellar though- great martinis! The outdoor seating on Thayer Street is perfect during the summer.
solid grub of italian and greek flair..in warm cozy semi formal resnt... i recomend the Shrimp Scampi and grilled chicken with pesto-feta...the bar scene next door - Viva - is small but hip enough for a simple chill out evening..sometimes they play international music...(turkish, arabic, indian, spanish)..which i really enjoy...!!!
Providence, RI
Category: Dance Clubs
Providence, RI
Category: Dance Clubs
Providence, RI
Category: Dance Clubs
Providence, RI
Category: Dance Clubs
Providence, RI
Category: Dance Clubs
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