Caffe Tazza proves to be Providence hotspot

Summer 2009 - With Rhode Island being the country's smallest state, it's easy to make the assumption that there's never anything to do. But with a little patience and a mind for exploration, Rhode Island can sometimes spin out a few little gems of interest.Rooted in the heart of downtown Providence, Tazza Caffe is a definite cut above the rest. Located blocks away from the Providence Performing Arts Center on Westminster St., Tazza is more than just a run-of-the-mill café.

Upon entering, the dimmed lights create an enchanting glow that bounces off of the red, draped curtains which produce a warm at-home sensation.

With a great amount of tables and booths spread through the room, an oversized projector in the back displays anything from a classic movie to a lost episode of "The Muppets."

Tazza serves up a myriad of different things including burgers, panini sandwiches, sipping chocolate, and crŠme brulee. Also, Tazza offers a list of coffee drinks and alcoholic beverages that satisfy any craving.

While nothing at Tazza seems to disappoint, their chai is excellent. Although I'm no expert on what a perfect cup of chai is supposed to taste like, each sip of Tazza's "Original Chai" is a sip of happy splendor.

In addition to great food and drink, live music can be heard on most nights at Tazza. A calendar of events listed with artists scheduled to perform is available Online, but the weekly open mic is a notable hit.

Every Sunday, Tazza holds its open mic starting at 7 p.m., and extending deep into the night. Anyone with the desire to perform in a public setting can sign up for playing time of up to three songs an act.

Because the open mic is open to anyone, it usually results into a culmination of every kind of music. A decent number of performers are of the mediocre-singer-with-guitar variety, but others are a little bit more talented and unique.

Ranging from spoken word performance to six-memberbands, each Sunday is a chance to see something great.

One week an obnoxious country cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" can be heard, and hilarity ensues. During the next week, the next big singer/songwriter might perform a masterful set creating a sense of awe.

The waitresses at Tazza also add to the experience. They become more of a casual acquaintance than just a server by being more personable than your run-of-the-mill waitress seeking a good tip.

For some on campus, downtown Providence might seem like a trek but, Tazza is surely worth the journey. Its subtle appearance masks its dynamic functionality, but it's a great place for hanging out with friends, an inexpensive date, or just a night out to watch some live music.

For those without cars, but with an itch for something off campus, Westminster St. is located near RIPTA's Providence hub, Kennedy Plaza.