About Foo(d)

AS220 embarked on running its current restaurant venture AS220 Foo(d) in November 2009. Managed by Guy Michaud, the AS220 restaurant serves up a fresh and constantly changing menu, sensitive to all food allergies and dietary restrictions. Vegans and vegetarians can take comfort that almost all of the items can be easily adjusted to meet their needs.

AS220's new food offerings, like all of its programs, is highly mission driven and reflects our founding principles. First and foremost, we want everyone who walks through the doors of AS220 to feel welcome and have access to the programs and benefits therein, regardless of financial constraints or other limitations. Because we feel a healthy meal and comfortable gathering place should be open to all, we aimed to create a menu that always has affordable options. We want AS220's food & drink spaces to be a meeting place, a social "melting pot", and a forum for new ideas and collaboration - as we have always sought to provide.

In light of our mission to support local artists and entrepreneurs, we look to our local New England farms and food artisans to provide our quality ingredients. Menu items are created using the freshest local ingredients available and as the seasons change, so our daily specials and menu also change. Constant creativity in the kitchen means you can always be excited about what we are offering - even if you make AS220 your source for both lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday - there will always be unique daily specials on hand. Foo(d)also provides opportunities for local artisans to get the word out about what they do, represent their creations in person or retail their products in our restaurant and bar area. We hope the lively food culture of our great state will take root at Empire Street and that Rhode Island "foodies" will take an active role in helping to develop the direction and future programming around food at AS220.

AS220's restaurant also provides three six month positions at a time for youth involved in the AS220 Youth Studio program and/or the RI Training School's culinary arts program. AS220 Youth Studio provides free arts instruction and professional development to youth aged 14-21 with a focus on those in or recently released from state care (RITS, DCYF & other state agencies). Our intention is that these kitchen training positions help youth gain economic independence and valuable work experience that increase the number of opportunities available to them in the community.

We are confident that you will come for the food, and return for the food, but we also want your experience to be enriched by knowing that in addition to supporting local farms, food artisans, and our youth program, every purchase in the restaurant financially supports AS220's not-for-profit work serving Rhode Island artists. All earnings from our Foo(d) directlys support this organization's ability to offer unjuried, uncensored, all ages exhibitions and performances, stay true to our open booking policies, offer accessible arts education, and much more.

AS220 FOO(d)
115 Empire St. Providence, RI 02903
Hours: Tues-Sat 12-10
Phone: 401-831-FOOD (3663)