by CHLOE: Providence Sneak Peek
Blog and by CHLOE have quite the relationship. Like any ex, by CHLOE sent us on a real emotional roller coaster – false hope, empty promises, raised and subsequently lowered expectations – until we, like any jilted lover, told by CHLOE that we were over for good.
And, for a while, we felt better. Although that empty white storefront haunted our dreams, we learned to avert our eyes when walking down Thayer Street. We learned to uber to the Grange when we wanted to hang out with our vegetarian friends. We learned that maybe, one day, we could love BGood as we had once hoped to love by CHLOE.But all it took was one email inviting Blog to a "soft opening" of the Thayer Street restaurant, and here we come, crawling right back into by CHLOE's arms. In our defense, free food is free food. Therefore, we are proud to present our by CHLOE Pre-Opening Review!As the only blogger on campus most qualified food critic, I was selected to attend this prestigious event. Before we begin, there is something that must be made clear: I am NOT a vegetarian. I love meat. I eat so much meat that I don’t even really consider chicken to be meat. While I have been known to enjoy an avocado toast upon occasion, I’m not exactly by CHLOE's target customer.Ambience:by CHLOE describes itself as a “trendsetting plant-based, fast casual restaurant” and its décor definitely puts a hipster spin on the typical Thayer Street restaurant. Walking into by CHLOE felt like stepping out of Providence and into LA – it’s brightly lit, colorful, and very clean. If it seems like by CHLOE was engineered to provide each diner with the maximum opportunity for Insta photos, that’s because it actually was. When I entered the bathroom, the hostess told me that Chloe had designed the lighting around the bathroom mirror specifically for selfies. 
Custom wallpaper, for that collegiate feel! OrderingOrdering was very quick and easy. You order at the counter, and either sit and eat, or take the food to-go. To the left of the counter is a wall of Grab-and-Go shelves, featuring juices and little salads. While the juices are a little on the expensive side, the Grab-and-Go salads all looked healthy enough to warrant the off-campus fee.
FoodWe ordered a selection of by CHLOE's signature dishes:
- The Guac Burger, $10.95
Made from black beans, quinoa, and sweet potato, this burger is topped with crisp tortilla sticks, corn salsa, chipotle aioli, and a generous scoop of guacamole.
This burger was amazing. There were so many flavors that I didn’t even notice there was no meat! The guacamole was obviously fresh, which is a welcome change from the Ratty guac, let me tell you. This was also literally the most filling burger I have ever eaten.
- The Quiona Taco Salad, $11.95
This salad has spicy seitan chorizo, black beans, sweet corn, avocado, tomato, tortilla strips, crema, and agave lime vinaigrette.
Another very filling dish! This salad was a little spicy, but I guess that should have been expected from the chorizo. Again, everything felt very fresh and the salad had just the right amount of dressing.
- Air-baked French Fries, $4.25
We got a regular fry and sweet potato mix. These tasted as good as regular French fries but also better because I could tell myself that they were healthy. “Air-baked” equals healthy, right?
- Iced Matcha, $4.50
I’m a big iced matcha fan. I’ve tried every iced matcha on Thayer street, and by CHLOE surprised me by actually becoming my favorite. Although it’s made with almond milk, the drink is not as thick and milky as the Blue State or Kung Fu Tea iced matcha. It’s also a lot less sweet, but still mildly pleasant.
- Activated Charcoal Lemon-Maple Syrup Filtered Water, $9.95
This is one of by CHLOE's signature cold-pressed juices. I tasted this water out of a morbid curiosity, after the hostess told us that activated charcoal was “very in right now.” I expected to totally hate it, but the water was surprisingly drinkable, if a little sweet. I guess this tasted okay? But I’m still not sure I would pay $10 for sweetened water…
- Gluten-free Cupcake, $3.75
This was without doubt the best gluten-free cupcake I have ever had in my entire life. Does by CHLOE make birthday cakes? Overall10/10 would recommend by CHLOE to the Brown student looking for something a little healthier on Thayer. As a meat-eater I expected to feel something missing from the cuisine, but I left VERY satisfied. But, for the price, I would recommend a full meal (they were pretty quick with the orders) over the Grab-and-Go. by CHLOE opens to the public on January 18th. Check out their website here! Images via, Ebba Brunnstrom '19, and by CHLOE press release.