Agora - Westin Hotel Providence Rhode Island
Having Thanksgiving dinner out this year? I thought it might be a nice change of pace so I booked a reservaton for two at Agora. It was a surprise to see so many parties of two for the holiday and the restaurant was booming with business.

The holiday menu consisted of a four-course meal with three choices in three categories. They don't seem to realize that a palate cleanser is NOT a course. As far as the actual three-course meal everything was quite good. The squash ravioli appetizer with sage served in a browned butter sauce was nice. Not much time to relax and relish the flavours as a runner rushed by to scoop up our dishes before time was given to actually let the tastes settle while we relaxed for the "second course". Pomegrante sorbet with a dash of freshly shredded mint garnishing the top was refreshing and served its purpose until, once again, the runner attempted to remove my dish while it was full and my spoon was actually in my mouth! Thirdly, entrees arrived. A moist salmon roulade atop a parsnip puree with spinach, pine nuts and chevre was a comfortable-sized portion and quite flavorful. Dessert, hmm, the standard Thanksgiving favorites dressed up a bit. I opted for the pumkin cheesecake in a port syrup which would have worked just as well in a bland sweet syrup. The cheesecake was spiced pleasantly but would have been better described as a pumkin mousse. My cohort's dessert was a phyllo dough encasing apples with a dollop of vanilla ice cream propped comfortably on top, surrounded by a few strewn berries. We accompanied our meal with an Australian merlot (2001) priced at $28. The Thanksgiving "extravaganza" was priced at $55.00 per person, $27.00 for children under 12, excluding gratuities. Not so bad for a holiday dinner out, but the rushed apathetic service has much to be said. If you are a fast eater this may be for you. If you are an individual that enjoys a relaxing evening out and a holiday "event", in my opinion, Agora is a no go.    [28 Nov 2003 13:15:26]

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     ­ddbird   

Great Breakfast
Considering that for breakfast at least the options are quite limited when you stay at the Westin the breakfast buffet is exceptional. Made to order omelets, wonderfull fresh berries, plenty of coffee and juice. We were very pleased with the ambiance as well as the service. Even though it is definately white table cloth it manages at least at breakfast to be kid friendly.    [10 May 2007 15:09:42]

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Recommended Dishes: berries

     ­isabelle