Networking Events, Food Finds, and a Little Rhode Island Buzz Carl DeLuca, February 5, 2026February 5, 2026 This post was adapted from the RI Recommends newsletter, where we share Rhode Island food, events, and local moments first. Subscribe to the newsletter → A few things RI Recommends has been up to lately: a martini competition in Providence, a return to Finn’s for a winter networking night, and three food stops that stood out for very different reasons. In this post: Wicked Best Martini • Back to Finn’s • Cowesett Coffee • Giusto • Thermia Wicked Best Martini Contest 2026 RI Recommends founder Carl DeLuca will be serving as a guest judge at the Wicked Best Martini Contest 2026, hosted at The Reserve in Providence. The event brings together bartenders and cocktail professionals to focus on one of the most deceptively simple drinks there is. February 7, 2026 Early Access: 12:00 PM Event: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM Martini competitions reward restraint as much as creativity. Balance, temperature, dilution, and technique matter here more than spectacle, making this a fun afternoon for anyone who appreciates well-made cocktails and a social, mid-winter outing. Tickets & details → Back to Finn’s – RI Recommends Networking Night After an extended closure, Finn’s Harborside is back, and RI Recommends is returning with it. This winter networking night is designed to feel easy and welcoming rather than formal or transactional. February 18, 2026 5:30 PM Expect a mix of business owners, creatives, and community-minded locals, along with complimentary small bites and a cash bar. The goal is simple: give people a reason to get out on a winter night and make genuine connections. Get tickets here → Cowesett Coffee Cowesett Coffee is one of those places you’re unlikely to find unless someone tells you about it. Tucked inside a local tavern, it’s quietly serving quality coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and seasonal specialty drinks that feel thoughtful rather than gimmicky. Their Valentine’s Day drinks lean into dessert-like flavors without losing balance, making this a solid stop whether you’re heading to work or meeting someone for a casual coffee. Watch on Instagram → Giusto – Newport RI Recommends recently stopped by Giusto in Newport for lunch, and it delivered exactly what you want this time of year: warm hospitality, well-prepared Italian dishes, and a setting that briefly makes you forget it’s winter in Rhode Island. If you’re craving a taste of summer while the weather says otherwise, Giusto is a dependable choice for an unhurried lunch in Newport. See the visit on Instagram → Thermia Rotisserie – Providence Thermia Rotisserie recently opened on Valley Street in Providence, and RI Recommends visited on opening day. New restaurants often reveal their direction early, and Thermia’s menu and approach made it a spot worth watching. Opening-week visits don’t tell the whole story, but they do offer insight into a restaurant’s focus and potential, and Thermia made a solid first impression. Thanks for supporting local and showing up for Rhode Island. See you out there, Carl RI Recommends Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X Events Restaurants