Rogue Island Local Kitchen & Bar

Rogue Island Local Kitchen & Bar Restaurant Review:

We like the concept of Rogue Island, which sources nearly all of its food and drinks from local purveyors. The restaurant has a cozy little niche in the refurbished and reopened Arcade, a downtown landmark since 1828. Staff is friendly and welcoming. That said, hitches take away from the experience. We are excited about but have yet to try the signature poutine fries; alas, they were off the menu on our visit due to a lack of polenta fries. Buttery pretzel bites with beer cheese are a disappointing second choice. Lunchtime brings comfort food for cold New England winter days. Macaroni and cheese with short rib beef is filling but leaves no real lasting impression. The pulled pork Reuben is better, topped with bacon and sauerkraut marinated in Narragansett beer; the accompaniment is a lively field-green salad with red onion. And while we appreciate the Clown Shoes’ Double Imperial Stout from Ipswich, Mass., $12 for perhaps a 10-ounce pour seems excessive, especially when the menu board has no prices listed. We will return to Rogue Island, though, because there's a lot here to like, stumbles aside.