-- Boston's Hidden Restaurants --

Apsara

716 Public Street, Providence, RI 02907
(401) 785-1490 Find location!
--- Winner, Best Vietnamese Restaurant in Boston Area, 2005 ---

Photo of Apsara, Providence, RI Shhhhh...don't tell anyone, but the best Southeastern Asian restaurant in New England might not be in Boston. That title may just go to a tiny little place in a relatively unknown section of Providence. Try to find five people outside of Providence who have ever heard of Apsara. The odds are against you. Indeed, that may be what makes Apsara even more appealing--it is a true hidden gem.

Apsara has an eclectic menu that includes Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese food. There too many items on the menu to count, which adds even more to the appeal. One dish that is truly unforgettable is the Singapore noodles. This is not for the faint of heart (or stomach); it is extremely spicy, with curry and peppers that will cause your eyes to water. But the taste is out of this world--do yourself a favor and order a dish of it.

The other entrees at Apsara are memorable, too. The freshness of the noodles, meats, vegetables, and sauces will make you want to try everything (but remember, the menu is huge, so don't do that). Save some room for dessert, too, since Apsara has some enticing items for the sweet tooth.

You might want to borrow a GPS to find Apsara, since it is in a section of Providence that has a confusing array of streets. But once you do, surely you will be coming back to Apsara again and again.