10 Rocks offers exquisite Cape Verdean cuisine

Don Fowler
Posted 8/6/15

You don’t need to take advantage of Rhode Island’s new direct flights to Cape Verde to experience exquisite Cape Verdean cuisine.

Just hop in your car and head for 1091 Main St. in Pawtucket, …

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10 Rocks offers exquisite Cape Verdean cuisine

Posted

You don’t need to take advantage of Rhode Island’s new direct flights to Cape Verde to experience exquisite Cape Verdean cuisine.

Just hop in your car and head for 1091 Main St. in Pawtucket, right over the Providence line, for a dining experience you will not forget.

Carmen and Carlos Monteiro and partner Joseph DeRosa recently opened the tastefully renovated former Irish pub/restaurant, offering authentic, creative Cape Verdean dishes like nothing we have ever experienced.

10 Rocks, which stands for the 10 rocky islands of their native Cape Verde, offers the ultimate dining experience.

The separate bar area has one T.V., which cannot be seen or heard from the 80 seat dining area. There is also an outdoor patio.

“Tapas (Small plates) are meant to be an intimate, sharing experience,” Carmen told us. “There should be no distractions like TV or cell phones. It is all about sharing good food and conversation.”

Carmen and Carlos both came to the United States as children, and have always dreamed of opening a restaurant. Carlos is a professional drummer, and his band entertains in the evening.

“My husband and his friends renovated the building, taking their time to get everything right,” she added.

They hired an experienced chef from Cape Verde who is an expert in preparing the infused dishes that she lovingly prepares with her special sauces.

There are over 18 tapas to choose from, ranging in price from $5 for Yucca Fries to $14 for seared tuna.

There are five entrees, ranging from $20 for Rosemary Chicken Breast to $28 for sirloin steak.

While 10 Rocks emphasizes the gifts from the sea, they also excel in pork, chorizo, chicken and blood sausage tapas.

On our first visit, we enjoyed Camarao Trapiche, a tropical take on comfort food. Baby shrimp was sautéed in a coconut curry sauce infused with Cape Verdean rum served over plantains. ($13)

The signature dish is the Polo 10 Rocks, a dish we never would have ordered without Carmen’s urging. (“It’s our most popular dish.”)

Grilled octopus served over fried plantain, topped with garlic and fresh cilantro infused with olive oil was tasty and tender. We have usually found octopus to be tough, but this tender morsel, shipped from the Philippines, changed our minds as we added it to our “favorite dishes” list ($13).

10 Rocks opens your minds and taste buds to trying something new and different. Cod Cakes served with sour cream and herbs in a panko breading with a side of spicy house made Siracha aioli, changed my mind about cod ($9).

A side of Yucca Fries ($5) is a must. The root-like veggie is fried golden brown and dipped in a garlic chimichurra sauce.

Other sides that we have enjoyed include Coconut Rice ($6) and Fried Goat Cheese (Joyce’s favorite at $8).

We will be back and not be satisfied until we have tried everything on the menu, including their signature Island Style Paella, which includes pork, shrimp, chicken and calamari con sofrito served over a bed of saffron rice and topped with tuna steak and a lobster tail ($15).

While the restaurant has a full bar, we suggest ordering the $12 “platter” of island drinks. There are two choices of six sampler drinks. Order both and share. Our favorite was ponche (not punch), a strong, tasty liquor that is also an island favorite.

Save room for dessert. Be sure to try the Kamoca (Roasted Cornmeal) Cheesecake.

“I guarantee you have never tasted anything like it,” Carmen said. And she was right.

The creamy cheesecake is made with roasted cornmeal and gram cracker crust, topped with pecans and salted caramel drizzle ($8).

For reservations or more information on this fabulous new tapas bar and restaurant, call 728-0800. They are currently closed Mondays and open Tuesday and Wednesday 4 to 11 p.m.; Thursday 4 to midnight; Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. open from 4 p.m. and Sunday 4 to midnight. Entertainment every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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