The majority of the minute town of Westerly, Rhode Island’s population comes from an Italian heritage. Unsurprisingly, the multitude of restaurants in Westerly serve traditional Italian cuisine. This Italian dominance has led to the shielding of many other cultures, so for our theme, we have chosen to explore these different cultures throughout our town. The particular cultures of choice include Thai, Japanese, and Italian. We will eat at Corner Thai, Koi, and Vetranos. Italian food remains a staple in our town and deserves recognition. We intend to highlight the different food varieties, for our target audience which consists of tourists and other adults visiting Westerly, Rhode Island. While in the process of brainstorming ideas, many advantages as well as a few drawbacks came to mind. Some particular advantages associated with our theme include allowing lesser-known restaurants to gain exposure, as well as the fact that many tourists search for food and restaurants. While vacationing, when and where people will eat remains a top concern, and our tour will help to ease the mind of those traveling to Westerly. Unfortunately, a few drawbacks arise with our idea, including limited menus, as well as expensive prices. Picky eaters may have a difficult time finding a meal they enjoy at a restaurant that serves food outside of his or her comfort zone. Additionally, for my partner and I to travel to and eat at all three restaurants, our meals may become expensive.

Corner Thai, our first stop on the tour, located on 55 Beach St, Westerly, RI, Corner Thai serves traditional Thai cuisine. Upon entering, the aroma of sweet, savory and spicy peanut sauce greeted us. The restaurant’s lighting dim and quiet instrumental music in the background created a cozy feel. Highlighted dishes on the menu consist of red fried rice, woonsen soup, and pad thai. After browsing the large menu, my partner and I both ordered the chicken pad thai. While waiting for the meal, we took in the ambience of the restaurant. There were many beautiful paintings, colored with red, black and gold. We heard the sizzling of vegetables in the background, further enhancing the experience. Our final rating of the chicken pad thai remains a seven out of ten. Family-owned restaurants such as this exist in order to both support the owner’s family, as well as, to share Thai culture. Locals and tourists alike both visit Corner Thai when in search of food, because of the comfortable seating, authentic cuisine, as well as their gluten-free options. Customers return frequently, and according to reviews on Tripadvisor, Corner Thai provides an “Excellent food and menu. Small, casual seating area. All of the portions were perfect, no to go containers. Highly recommend if you enjoy authentic Asian cuisine.” Corner Thai has remained in business for as long as it has due to this reputation, and on Tripadvisor, Corner Thai averages 4.5 out of 5 stars. Corner Thai does not serve on Mondays, which may present a challenge for those visiting Westerly on a Monday. Overall, Corner Thai remains an excellent place to dine, and entering with an open mind and an empty stomach can allow visitors to make the most of their visit. 

The next destination on our trip, Vetrano’s, located at 130 Granite St, Westerly, RI, strives to bring authentic Italian cuisine to Westerly. Vetrano's first came to life in 2002. Those seeking the taste of Italy in Westerly must dine at Vetrano’s at least once. With the kitchen open to the restaurant, Vetrano’s constantly projects the sounds of laughter, lively chatter, and soft music. Vetrano’s has a mix of charming and traditional that truly gives the restaurant its inviting, cozy, and overall homely feel. Not to mention the wonderful smell that fills the air from their mouthwatering food. The restaurant offers locally sourced food made to order and provides quick accommodations to those with food restrictions. Dining at Vetrano’s not only supports the family owned business but also local agricultural institutions. Vetrano’s remains a hot spot for Italian cuisine, attracting customers all seven days a week holding a 3.6 out of 5 stars ranking on Yelp. Despite the transfer of ownership approximately 7 years ago, Vetrano’s continues to thrive, showcasing the love the Westerly community has for its authentic feel. All that one needs to enjoy Vetrano’s includes a strong appetite and some cash, given the unreal prices compared to the quality of food.

Koi, the final stop on our tour, located on 65 High Street in downtown Westerly, serves traditional Japanese cuisine in a quaint restaurant. While it may appear small on the outside, Koi has many seating arrangements, with two additional rooms connected to the main dining area. Seating ranges from high tops, low tops, to comfy leather booths. A fresh sushi bar stands in the center of the commotion, allowing customers to observe the chefs prepare their sushi. For good reason, Koi constantly thrives. According to Westerly locals, “I cannot say enough good things about Koi or the owner Coco. You will always have a phenomenal time in this restaurant, the food is wonderful, the sushi fresh, and the sake is perfectly hot.” People from all over New England visit Koi to try the specialty sushi. My partner and I ordered the sushi boat for two, as well as a shrimp tempura roll and a spicy crab roll. While the wait for our food was very short, we enjoyed our wait regardless, as the fairy lights and traditional Japanese decor on the walls captivated our attention. Extremely impressed with the food's excellence, we rated the sushi and sashimi a nine out of ten. Established in November of 2013, Koi has remained open for over 10 years. While in Westerly, visiting Koi remains a staple due to the unbeatable service, food quality, and prices. Many individuals may not like sushi, but after trying Koi their opinions will certainly alter. Due to the vast menu, everyone can find a dish suitable for them. 

Overall, this tour majorly impacted our perspectives in regards to the restaurant industry. Understanding the historical backgrounds of each establishment deepened our appreciation for not only the food, but also the staff and architecture. Restaurants of varying cultures, ranging from those prevalent to those that lack quantitatively, carry an extreme importance. Italian cuisine leaves tourists with a taste of the location, as Italian restaurants dominate Westerly. Restaurants such as Vetranos fuel a longing to revisit our town, and many find themselves inspired to travel to Italy to engorge in even more traditional plates. Bringing cultural restaurants belonging to minorities to the forefront carries grave importance. These restaurants pique the interest of those attempting to gain a greater knowledge and appreciation of overlooked cultures. While these restaurants all displayed different cultures, they exhibited many similarities. All three restaurants owned by families, have the goal of making a living while spreading their love of their native culture. Every restaurant adds a vital piece to the puzzle of Westerly.  Without excellent, well respected restaurants, our town would crumble. The community as a whole in Westerly functions as one large family, with each individual restaurant fostering a sense of belonging. The dim lighting, bright decor, and excellent staff created a cozy vibe at each establishment, making guests feel like family. Welcoming greetings upon arrival inaugurated our visits, effectively setting the tone for our evenings. We truly felt the appreciation for our patronage, and eagerly await returning again.