Rue De L'Espoir first opened its doors in 1976, "the new kid on the block," according to Deborah Norman, in a city with only a few steak houses, Chinese restaurants, and pizza shops. Now "The Rue," as the Providence institution is fondly known by a loyal and ever-expanding clientele, has grown and matured along with Rhode Island's changing culinary scene.

Starting out as a quiche-and-crepe bistro, The Rue now specializes in fresh regional cooking, with influences borrowed from France, Italy, and Asia. The restaurant has received attention in numerous travel books and magazines, including Esquire, Bon Appétit, Food and Wine, Victoria, Weekending in New England, Fodor's New England, and even This Old House.