Keep your eyes open in the Ocean State.
We’re only months into ’24, and the smallest state is pulling more than its weight in terms of celebrities spotted out and about in Rhode Island this year.
Chiefs star Travis Kelce — he’s dating a homeowner in Westerly, Rhode Island, you may have heard of her — announced on the Kelsey brothers’ “New Heights” podcast last week: He’s not eating sushi in California with a Super Bowl foe, though Christian McCaffrey by the 49ers despite the paparazzi photos that landed on page six. It was a coincidence, Kelce said, but given that both have partners with ties to Roddy, it could happen again.
McCaffrey dined this week at Cranston’s Twin Oaks restaurant with his fiancee/Cranston native Olivia Culpo. The former Miss Universe — and longtime fan of the restaurant’s fried chicken — snapped a photo of herself booing with fans, including 92 PRO-FM’s Jessica Schiano. (Travis and Taylor: date night idea.)
Meanwhile, Jamie Lee Curtis, who made a splash at the Oscars Sunday night, was spotted Friday on Broadway in Providence filming “Ella McKay.” She dined last week at PVD pizzeria Figidini. (“Your energy was infectious and radiated as hot as our oven,” @figidini commented on her Insta post.)
Curtis and fellow cast member Woody Harrelson — also recently spotted filming on Broadway — Albert Brooks — wearing a black varsity jacket with “Albert” embroidered on it (insert 100 emoticons here) — director James L. Brooks, and more began filming stateside on February 1 at Vino & Contorni in Providence. (Internet, do your part: It looks like the star of the movie Emma Mackie(also from “Barbie”, is to Woody’s left in one shot.)
A few days later, “Kingpin” Harrelson rode his Roy Munson in Cranston, at Lang’s Bowlarama. He’s not the only celebrity to make an appearance recently: the designer of ‘Project Runway’ Season 17 Jamal Osterholm — Cranston native and RISD alum — hit the lanes on Feb. 17.
It’s no shock to anyone: Harrelson also hit a cannabis dispensary. He was spotted at Mother Earth Wellness in Pawtucket in February.
Keep your eyes peeled for more ‘Ella’ stars: According to IMDB, ‘Ella McKay’ cast includes Emmy winner Dorchester Ayo Edebiri, Kumail Nanjiani, and Jack Lowden (“Dunkirk”).
Meanwhile, “Soprano” alumnus Steve “Bobby Bacallieri” Schirripa returned for meatballs at Longo Ristorante Pizzeria in Westerly a few weeks ago to share a plate, quite literally, with his pup, Willie.
“Willie likes it here. I like it here. Listen to me. Now listen,” Schirripa said in an Instagram video posted by the Italian restaurant. “Best meatballs I’ve ever had,” he said, taking a bite, then breaking off another piece to feed Willie. “And Willie loves it.”
He’s not kidding about his love for these meatballs, folks.
In November, Longo posted that Schirripa stopped by again to fix the “meatball.”
He and Michael “Chrissy” Imperioli dined at the same spot last summer: “This is the best meatball you’ll ever eat anywhere,” Schirripa told the camera at the time.
“The other thing is they know how to cook pasta to the right consistency,” Imperioli added.
I’m not sure, but I think the Sopranos cast endorsement is officially the highest honor an Italian restaurant can receive.
Oh, and baseball fans: Pete Rose loves these meatballs too.
Meanwhile, Rhody pizza gets its share of the ’24 spotlight:
Dave Portnoy, of Barstool Sports and the Internet-famous “One Bite Pizza Reviews,” brought their 1.24 million pizza subscribers on a tour of Rhode Island in January. For the record:
- Nice Slice in Providence (“No pun intended, nice slice.”)
- Francesco’s Pizzeria in Providence (As he said the preface, he didn’t think he would like it, took a bite and was shocked, “Oh, I really so!… what? I’m so confused… I really like it.”)
- Merlino’s Pizzeria in Cranston (“Good pizza in the middle of the road.”)
Then the real test: a cold red-striped pizza — a traditional Rhode Island like coffee milk — at Johnston’s D. Palmieri Bakery: “It’s just tomato sauce on bread… That’s not my vibe.” As for their “ plain’ pie? “That’s a good thing … I’m glad I tried this and didn’t just stick to the strips.”
(Dave, it’s an acquired taste. A few more visits and you’ll be matched with a tall glass of Autocrat.)
Picking up on a theme, here? Same. Italian food seems to be common.
Both Henry Winkler and “Seinfeld’s” J. Petermanaka John O’Hurley told me about his love for PVD’s famous Italian food.
“I’m always in Federal Hill eating some Italian specialty,” O’Hurley told me on the 22nd. (The line is so perfect on Peterman.)
In an Instagram post last spring, the “Blossom” and “Big Bang Theory” alum Mayim Bialik called Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen Italian restaurant “the best Italian food I think I’ve ever had.”
If you spot a celebrity in Rhode Island, tag Lauren Daley on Instagram @laurendaley1 and your post could make the next round. Lauren Daley can be reached at [email protected]. She chirped @laurendaley1.
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