Food tour in historic Federal Hill in Rhode Island highlights crime and cuisine

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — On Federal Hill in Rhode Island's capital, Providence, there's a culinary tour with a criminal twist.

The “Crime and Cuisine on Federal Hill” tour has been attracting tourists for about three years.

However, some may wonder if this puts the iconic Providence neighborhood in a bad light.

The tour begins in Girbaldi Park, the former bathhouse for the growing Italian immigrant population.

Along the way, the tour stops at several locations, including five different restaurants and other historic buildings, including the former headquarters of the New England Mafia, which is now home to the Indian fusion restaurant Cilanter.

The outdoor seating at Cilanter was once where Raymond Patriarca sat outside his cash-only tobacco business called Coin-O-Matic.

History has shown that this was a facade to launder money for more sinister machinations.

“Isn't it a little odd that people think, 'OK, they're going to talk about past crimes on Federal Hill?' Sure… But that's the history of the Hill and we can't erase our past, we can't sweep it under the rug,” said Federal Hill Association President Rick Simone.

Simone responded to those who might think this sheds light on crime and brings outdated stereotypes to Federal Hill.

“I don't think it draws focus to recent incidents,” he said. “If anything, it brings history from the past into the forefront… And frankly, there were a lot of people in the past who enjoyed that,” Simone said. “There were a lot of people who were comfortable with these people, their relationships and the way things were done,” he said.

WJAR spoke to a family who stopped in Venda on Thursday on their way to vacation on Cape Cod and asked them if the story would deter them from visiting.

“We know there's a history there that's pretty fascinating,” said Eric Cavoli of Connecticut. “Of course, we expect it to be much smaller than it was then, and if it's still there, it's very difficult for the visitor to see.”