Last night was a dream! My best blend (BB), Cait, arrived at my house late afternoon and we had our sights set on one place: Garden Grille (GG)! This post’s title makes sense now. You’re welcome. We set out for a 25-minute drive…which turned into an hour-long one. Yup – traffic was on the horizon. It’s fine, though. We took it upon ourselves to jam out to teenie bopper music and take selfies while in standstill traffic.
We may or may not be 13-years old. It’s just how we roll, friends.
Dinner
When we arrived to the mecca that is Garden Grille, our tummies were growling like mad! We decided to share a duo of appetizers, the greens special (kale! with garlic and red pepper seasoning) and sweet potato wedges, served with GG’s housemade BBQ sauce.
We had to snap a picture of yours truly enjoying her kale!
We were perfectly satisfied after our appetizers but still had room for our entrees because…well…it’s Garden Grille and we take our plant-based meals seriously up in here.
I ordered the edamame-white bean burger, which came with lightly dressed greens and more sweet potato wedges with BBQ sauce. The burger was topped with chipotle mayo and a generous portion of avocado which, naturally, made my heart sing the highest of notes.
Cait ordered the blackened cajun spice tofu, served on top of charred corn and red beans, and a hearty smear of smoked paprika aioli. My BB nearly died and went to Heaven. I love seeing Cait’s reaction to trying foods that are so special to her. She is so taken by food with interesting, unique flavors – food that really makes you think – and this dish was no exception.
Shopping & Walking
With fuel in our bellies, we drove four miles up the road to Thayer Street, an artsy, college-aged area near the heart of Providence, RI. The last time Cait and I went there, she was so at peace and really loved the vibe of Thayer. It’s located near Brown University and RISD, and she swears both colleges give off a distinct, pensive aura. I can’t really argue with her there.
We saw a massive dog chillin’ in the middle of the sidewalk. I wanted to hug him but Cait thought it would be better less creepy to snap a casual phone shot.
Puppy!
The two of us stopped in Urban Outfitters (because we can’t not) and I fell in love with the following outfit. The blazer reminded me of something Blake Lively would wear.
Both the blazer and the over-sized t-shirt were on sale, so it was definitely a good deal, but still a splurge for my stiff bank account. I fell head over heels for the vintage tee because it said “Hey Jude” in black cursive with the British flag and, being a huge Beatles fan (thanks Mom!), I couldn’t think of passing it up. There was a hole in the neck of the shirt, though, and UO couldn’t further reduce the price so I walked out with just the blazer. Still a winning purchase, no?
Cait and I walked down the street so that she could fulfill her froyo craving and, after a brief rest on a bench, we strolled around. It was a perfect night – 75 degrees sans breeze – and we definitely enjoyed many a #jadorelavie moment.
We stopped in Only in Rhode Island, a store filled with all sorts of fun trinkets and borderline-useless keepsakes. I stumbled upon a few cards that really stood out to me.
Mr. Panda bear is so darn wise. 
Okay, we’re about to hit the road for the Healthy Living Summit. I will see you there or I will see you on another time!
Stay lovely,
Heather
Garden Grille looks amazing! I’m dying to try it now thanks to your blog
See you today at HLS! Can’t wait 
Sounds like an awesome night – it’s weird that UO wouldn’t reduce the price on the shirt though! At least the blazer was cute.
Fun! I love stores with random trinkets + insanely cute, yet pretty useless stuff .. the best! AND UGH.. what’s up with Urban not discounting the shirt?! Lame! Love the blazer too, though! Good purchase!
Sounds like the perfect night ! You are both adorable. See ya SOON!!!
awe you to are so cute! sounds like a wonderful night filled with yummy eats too
have fun at HLS!!!
I love love love that blazer on you! I’m looking for one in a coral color too right now. I just love that color!
thank you so much, girl! wish you could borrow it.
If I ever have the pleasure of getting to meat you some day we have to go to Garden Grille!!! My idea of heaven!
Sounds like the perfect girls night! I love that you two have become so close through blogging!
<33 me too Kailey
you’re so right…it’s such a blessing to have her in my life!
Garden Grille looks unbelievable! I’m always drooling over your meals from there. The burger sounds amazing and I can’t believe how thick those sweet potato fries are! Mmm…
I absolutely LOVE that blazer. Urban Outfitters is my weakness. No shame!
Enjoy your weekend, love!
oh my gosh how fun! it looks like an amazing meal! those sweet potato wedges — mmm!
You know… you kind of look like Blake Lively, especially the way you pose! I think she’s pretty, so that’s totally a compliment.
Your meal looked delicious! All that avocado… I would’ve been in heaven!
It is not the blazer that reminds me of Blake Lively, it’s you! Maybe it’s because of your hair or i don’t know… Btw all that food looks delicious!
Everything about your meal looks delicious! North Carolina is seriously lacking in vegetarian restaurants so I’m a little jealous.
I also love that blazer! Every time I go to UO I pretty much want to leave with everything in the store!
Yum that sandwhich with avocado looks great! And loving the salmon blazer, so cute!
Hey girl!! I just want to say it was SO good to meet you at dinner on Saturday, I just wish we had more of a chance to talk! It looks like we’re not too far from eachother (I live here in Boston) so we should def try to do a little meetup sometime! Oh, and LOVE that blazer/t-shirt combo. So sad you could only get one!
yes! it was amazing to meet you too.
you’re so sweet, stephanie! we should totally try to meet up soon! xoxo
Oh Heather, you, Cait, and I need a weekend together
Could you imagine the fun we would have!?
Garden Grille would definitely be involved
I love yours and Cait’s love for food
“I love seeing Cait’s reaction to trying foods that are so special to her. She is so taken by food with interesting, unique flavors – food that really makes you think – and this dish was no exception.”
Awww BB I love you!! Reading this post just took me back to the fantastic start of our weekend together. I miss that tofu hahaha. It was well-portioned, unlike my (delish) tempeh yesterday. Girl needs her PROTEIN!
You guys are SO cute!!! that sounds like so much fun!
aww,thanks girl! we always have a blast.
I love how you talk about your BB in such a dear and loving fashion, she is lucky to have such a sweet friend!!
Heather!! Gosh, I am SO grateful that I had the opportunity to sit next to you at dinner Saturday night. <3 Thanks for the heart-to-heart, girl. I'd love to come visit you in MA sometime,so that we can finish chatting about love, food, God and everything in between.
Your meal at Garden Grille looks pretty incredible–especially the edamame white bean burger (that avocado!). I LOVE the blazer your purchased in UO (I agree with you about Blake Lively; you look like her too!). I actually almost bought the "Hey Jude" shirt in Cambridge Sunday, but at the last minute set it down because I had no room in my suitcase (or money left in my wallet!).
Sending hugs!! xoxo
SARA!!! You are so incredibly kind, genuine, and of course beautiful! I loved our conversation – I felt like we could have talked FOREVER. We have such a special connection.
I’m going to brush my shoulders off now that you told me I look like Blake Lively. DYING over here! I have to admit that I’m glad for you wallet that you didn’t buy that shirt. $60 original price is reeeediculous huh?! Love you, sweet girl!