The sweating started almost immediately. Where should we go for God’s sake? I was new to the Globe at the time. Before working here I was making next to no money and a little thing called a global pandemic wasn’t letting me taste it yet. I was in unknown territory.

like manyI played it safe and chose Capital Grid. Of course, it’s a chain restaurant, but the one in Providence is the original, founded in 1990 by Edward P. “Ned” Grace. I ordered steak fries – something I usually only order for dinner. But this was a power lunch.

Power lunches like that that’s exactly what it is – a show of force. They are a break from the hustle and bustle of your workday; definite Drinking a martini may be acceptable in certain situations. Many great restaurants that hosted a lot of power lunches before the pandemic have yet to make a comeback and are still opening for dinner service only. But as you continue to return to the office, you’ll need to know where to meet for a business lunch.

This is where you can have your next power lunch in Rhode Island.

Perfect opportunity: When you just want to eat something delicious and don’t care about the crowds of steakhouses or fancy dining halls.

If you’re having a meeting with self-proclaimed “foodies” who are less impressed by fancy dining rooms and more impressed by what’s actually on their plates, then you need to head to Nicks on Broadway. Run by longtime chef Derek Wagner, this restaurant offers a great comfort food menu using ingredients from local farms. Divide mushroom crostini with mushroom-boursin, sautéed mushrooms and herbs piled on grilled bread slices. Then order your own plates: polenta with local vegetables and wilted greens, char-grilled pork with tallow-roasted purple potatoes and madeira jus, or grilled tuna with sautéed vegetables and lemon-thyme sauce. Finish your meal with warm peach cake. 500 Broadway, Providence, RI, nicksonbroadway.com.

Perfect opportunity: Looking for a classic steakhouse, wine for lunch and give up the tie It would be acceptable today.

Known for regulars like Judge Judy, 22 Bowen’s is a traditional steakhouse serving giant king crab legs, shellfish towers with caviar, and Maine-style lobster to accompany the wine list. For lunch, get the French onion burger, winner of last year’s “Burger Bender” contest in Newport; here an Aussie wagyu patty is smothered with French onion jam, crispy onion sticks and melted havarti and gruyere, and then it’s all piled on top of each other. Fried onion roll smothered in roasted garlic aioli. If you need something less messy, get the flat iron steak salad or pan-seared halibut with Calabrian peppers. 22 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, RI, 22bowens.com.

Perfect opportunity: You are a true elected official, lobbyist or CEO. Or you meet someone.

Founder Grace had the idea to open a high-end steakhouse that would be an ideal location for Providence’s political and business elite. Now that they have multiple locations across the US, all I can say is that Grace is a visionary. And when I went to lunch at the chain’s flagship location around noon on a chilly Wednesday in 2021, I saw all the movers and shakers. Actually this is where I see it historically President of the Rhode Island Senate at most and at this location a free lunch was the subject of a meeting latest scandal It includes the governor, a lobbyist and a development firm. Red meat is the obvious choice here, but ordering the sushi-quality seared sesame tuna with sambal vinaigrette is a power move in itself. 10 Memorial Blvd., Suite 101, Providence, RI, thecapitalgrille.com.

Perfect opportunity: You’re looking for something sharper than more traditional options.

There’s something to be said for the bonding activity you can do with colleagues or guests when presented with pizza on a slab along with a pair of kitchen shears. It’s interactive for a familiar meal, and these pies are layered with local ingredients sourced mostly from Rhode Island farms. The thin crust crackles with activity in the buzzing bar. While you’re at it, order an Aperol spritz. 22 Washington Square, Newport, RI, barcino.com/newport.

Perfect opportunity: You are an artist, you go to antique shops on the weekends and you are looking for a place of unique beauty.

Located in Providence’s Jewelry District, CAV stands for “cocktails, antiques, food”; The ground floor space at Imperial Place represents a bohemian artistic gallery of vintage finds. The restaurant first opened in 1989, and since then all the artwork, rugs, pillows and some chandeliers used to decorate the place are on sale. Grab the walnut-crusted brie with brandy apricots to share at the table before going separate ways for lunch—be it a wrap, sandwich, or pasta dish. If you’re gluten-free, there are rice noodles as a solid substitute. 14 Imperial Place, Providence, RI, cavrestaurant.com.

Perfect opportunity: You will be back in court in less than an hour.

Kendiway has been around for years and has long been known as the place where all the wheeling and dealing happens. They have a real situation power lunch menu During the week, you can order an appetizer and entree for just $30; this includes a takeaway cup of coffee or their own cold brew, as well as freshly baked cookies. It is also ideally located surrounded by courthouses, universities and other nearby offices. Translation: If you’re a lawyer, you’ll be able to eat here and appear before the judge in no time. 121 South Main St., Providence, RI, immediatelywaysrestaurant.com.

Perfect opportunity: Whether it’s a more casual meeting for lunch, meeting nonprofit leaders, believing in social impact brands, or needing a caffeine boost throughout the meal.

Inside the Providence Public Library TO CUT (which stands for Culinary Hub of Providence), a new all-day cafe Jacques Pépin Foundation. This is a great workforce development program that creates jobs as a center for culinary education and training while also providing good food that highlights local producers. It’s a more casual layout than other spots on this list: You go and order at a counter, and there’s a mix of communal tables and more intimate corners. During the week, most people at CHOP are either eating lunch with a co-worker, hosting a more casual business meeting, or working on their laptops with a cup of coffee (they serve Providence-based beans). New Harvest Coffee Roasters). There’s music on the speakers, but it’s soft enough for you to have an in-depth conversation. Be sure to try the honey tamari shiitake, which is made from shiitake mushrooms marinated in tamari-honey glaze served over heirloom rice, pickled onion and avocado slices. 211 Washington St., Providence, RI, kitchenhubpvd.com.

Perfect opportunity: Looking for a work brunch downtown.

If you’re looking for a casual yet delicious brunch or lunch focused on ingredients from local producers and farms, head to Rogue Island inside the Arcade, America’s oldest shopping mall. Open for a decade in the city center this year, it’s a no-brainer and has a cozy atmosphere with brick walls and tin ceilings. Head there for brunch: Cajun lobster Benedicts on a grilled English muffin with fried shallots and garlic; biscuits and gravy; and French toast sticks with dried banana chips, candied pecans and sea salt caramel. Or for something more lunch-like, try “The Bear” sandwich, which includes beer-braised short ribs, giardiniera aioli and sharp cheddar cheese on a grilled sesame bun. If you’re a drinker, Rogue Island has these: most comprehensive beer lists Available for lunch with plenty of Rhode Island beer available. 65 Weybosset St. #108, Providence, RI, rogueislandgroup.com.

Perfect opportunity: When you want to be seen, you’re hoping to take off your seasonal fur coat and have a three-martini lunch.

Downtown is historically the business center in Providence. If you’re traveling to the financial district or the center of the capital, you have some options. If you’re definitely looking for somewhere to go and see, Bellini’s It’s a good bet. Inside BeatriceThe swanky boutique hotel on Westminster Avenue owned by former mayor Joe Paolino. If he recognizes your face, he may come to your table to chat, but Bellini’s is bright and luxurious. Their lunch-size pastas push $30 per plate, but you can opt for a $20 salad (a farro salad with avocado, zucchini, and asparagus goes well with a bread basket) and a martini or two. 50 Westminster St., Providence, RI, bellinirestaurant.com/providence.

This story was first published in The Food Club, a free weekly email newsletter about Rhode Island food and dining. Already a member of the club? Check your inbox for more news, recipes and features in the latest newsletter. Not a member yet? If you would like to receive it via email every Thursday, You can register here.

Alexa Gagosz can be reached at [email protected]. follow him @alexagagosz and on Instagram @AlexaGagosz.