The 85th anniversary of Cranston restaurant and neighborhood institution Twin Oaks Restaurant brought together the community for a night of celebration on March 28. Opened by the DeAngelus family in the 1930s, first operating as a speakeasy during Prohibition, the landmark restaurant continues to serve as a dining and conference destination from its 650-seat venue with views of Spectacle Pond amid the shade of oak trees. Rebuilt at its original location on Sabra Street after a 1980 fire, the venue is run by the third and fourth generations of the DeAngelus family as the largest independent operation in the state. The 1930s-themed party began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Cranston Mayor Allan Fung present. Retro-costumed “Candy Girls” roamed the packed party, while guests enjoyed culinary creations from the Twin Oaks kitchen team alongside signature and classic cocktails, an art-deco cake, DeAngelis family members and staff, longtime diners and area media personalities. The Rhode Island Beverage Journal May “Serving Up” cocktail recipe features Banquet Manager and Bartender Billy Corio creating a Twin Oaks classic, the Espresso Martini.
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- The 85th anniversary of Cranston’s Twin Oaks Restaurant on March 28 recognized the multigenerational history of the Sabra Street venue and its place in the Cranston community.
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- Third-generation owners, brother and sister, Billy DeAngelus and Susan DeAngelus Valles.
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- An art-deco cake anchored a serving table and later was bedecked with sparklers.
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- Guests enjoyed signature cocktails provided by MS Walker during the event, including the Blackberry Genever Collins, a blend of Bols Genever, blackberry-lemon syrup and soda, and the Sicilian Amaro Manhattan, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, Cocchi Di Torino Vermouth, Amaro Dell Etna and fresh orange.
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- Guests enjoyed signature cocktails provided by MS Walker during the event, including the Blackberry Genever Collins, a blend of Bols Genever, blackberry-lemon syrup and soda, and the Sicilian Amaro Manhattan, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, Cocchi Di Torino Vermouth, Amaro Dell Etna and fresh orange.
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- Guests enjoyed signature cocktails provided by MS Walker during the event, including the Blackberry Genever Collins, a blend of Bols Genever, blackberry-lemon syrup and soda, and the Sicilian Amaro Manhattan, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, Cocchi Di Torino Vermouth, Amaro Dell Etna and fresh orange.
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- Pat Paolino Cruz, Pat Cruz Events; Candy Girl of the 1930s; Ed Brady, Co-owner, Thirsty Beaver, Milk Money and Huck’s Filling Station and Cranston City Council Member; Barbara Morse, Anchor, WJAR NBC News 10; Lupe Aguilar, Restaurateur; Guest; Mario Hilario, WJAR NBC News 10; Mike Lester, On Premise, Sales & Craft Spirits Brand Manager, MS Walker; Candy Girl of the 1930s; and Cranston Mayor Allan Fung.
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- Susan DeAngelus Valles, Co-owner, Twin Oaks Restaurant; Laurine Ryan-Perry, Fine Wine Specialist, Mancini Beverage; Guest Jessica Verissimo; Mike Dooley, Pernod Ricard Portfolio Manager, Mancini Beverage – RIDC; and Billy DeAngelus, Co-owner, Twin Oaks Restaurant.
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- All with Whalers Brewing Company of Wakefield: Brooke Livingston, Brewers’ Apprentice; Gregory Horton, Director of Sales; and Kristen Colucci, Event Staff.
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- Twin Oaks Restaurant Bartenders Brendan Bousquet, who has been with the venue for eight years and Quinton Young, serving for four years.
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- Natalie Ameral, Senior Brand Manager, Moët Hennessey and Laurine Ryan-Perry, Fine Wine Specialist, Mancini Beverage showcasing Moët & Chandon Champagne.
Photos by Laura Widness.
