Food News

Homestyle Italian Cooking, To Go

Lidia’s Kitchen prepares dinner so you don’t have to

So Rhode Island Magazine ·

We all know that one Italian grandmother whose food knocks everyone’s socks off. Even if you get the recipe for that coveted dish, something is always missing. If only there was a place to pick up some Italian home cooking. Dear reader, there is, and it’s called Lidia’s Kitchen.

“The premise of Lidia’s is to be able to eat home cooked food without having to take the time to shop, prepare and cook the food yourself,” explains owner David Spaziano. “The choices offered are varieties of antipasto/appetizer items and main dishes like lasagna, chicken, pasta, etc. Then there are contorni, which are side dishes like rice, baked stuffed potatoes and beet salad. We sell all of the meats and cheese in the house by the pound including burrata, which is a fresh mozzarella stuffed with shredded creamy bits of mozzarella.”

Lidia is David’s mother, and apparently is an “unbelievable cook.” Born in Teano, Italy, she came to Rhode Island many years ago and settled in Cranston. About 20 years ago she moved to Cowesett (a neighborhood in Warwick). Regardless of where she has lived, friends and family have raved about her cooking.

Lidia has passed down many dishes throughout her family, but the magic is in her cooking method. “I have to say that her soups (Chicken Escarole and Escarole and Beans) are a knock out,” David raves. “She makes a great Chicken Francese and Meatballs. Her pink vodka sauce will have you eating the sauce with a spoon.” Of course he has to give credit where it’s due, and adds that his father and aunts have a hand in some of the cooking as well.

Aside from full-on entrees and sides, you can also get tasty sandwiches like the Muffuletta, which has an olive tapenade, shredded cheese, ham, pepperoni, hot capicolo, lettuce and roasted peppers. The Ben Franklin is also a must-try with its smoked turkey with smoked Gouda, mayo, lettuce and bacon on marble rye. They even bake their own olive, roasted garlic, Gruyére soppressata and Italian breads. Seasonal dishes to look forward to include fried squash flowers in the summer and signorina mushrooms. And if you need a little pick-me-up, grab an espresso to give you that little extra jolt. 250 Main Street, East Greenwich. 884-3100

East Greenwich dining, lunch, to go, sandwiches, grinders, Italian, escarole, Main Street, Grace Lentini, David Spaziano