I still remember the first time I had sushi. It was during a visit to pre-digital era NYC. The days of Antique Boutique, Reebok high tops (Helloooo, Cybil Shepherd at the ‘85 Emmys!), the Walkman, and WWD as the fashion world’s bible. And it was a big deal. Let’s flash forward now though to the we’re-all-plugged-in world of 2018 and poke bowls, the 21st century way to have your sushi AND a brightly colored, Insta worthy foody moment to boot.

Originating in Hawaii during the 70’s (the hey day of things like polyester, Pringles, and platforms), and apparently getable everywhere and anywhere there including gas stations (Let’s have a chuckle about that version of gas station food compared to what we’ve all found in the continental US in our travels.), poke bowls first burst onto the social media scene in a big way in 2016. If done right, these bowls - usually containing a combination of rice, diced raw fish, vegetables, sauces, and seasonings - look like little works of culinary art.

Yes, they can be photogenic. That’s partly why they’re wildly popular. The other piece of the puzzle is that they also speak to our growing obsession with healthy casual eats (not to mention our continuing infatuation with avocado). The really good news in all this is that right now in Providence, you have several spots to enjoy a PB. I was recently invited to the opening of the newest one, Hometown Cafe And Poke Bar, and if you haven’t hopped on this trend yet, it’s probably the best place to start.

I was having a really bad hair day and it was really crowded, soooo no fabulous pix from there to share. Also, tbh we kind of dropped the ball by ordering two plant-based, sushi free bowls that while yummy did not lend themselves to phone photography. Some highlights I am happy to report include:

✔️ the woman who greeted us on our way in was super friendly and hospitable.

✔️ the space itself is adorable in a bright, joyful minimalist, made-for-updating-on-Insta sorta way.

✔️  so many choices, whether you want to go heavy on the greens, avo and edamame (as we did) or full on sushi, scallions, sesame seeds, and Hometown sauce (they’ve also added things like avo and hummus toast, acai bowls, and coffee to the Cafe menu, for those times you’re on a mini break from that PB life.)

✔️ i spied a few local restaurant + food-related luminaries. (translation? their new brick & mortar is kind of a huge deal.)

 Hoping to get back again soon on a day and time when it’s a little less crazy to sit and enjoy a bowl and highly encourage you to do the same.

**Hometown Cafe & Poke Bar is located at 185 Camp Street in Providence.