While returning a rental car in Providence last year, New Yorkers Rob and Mike Fitzhenry discovered a lively and friendly neighborhood on the East Side that prodded them to pull up stakes, move to Rhode Island and open the bakeshop watUlike. “Our idea was to make what we love to eat and in the hopes that people would love it, too,” explains Mike. Though Rob has been a professional pastry chef at prestigious venues, he and Mike dream up all the pastries and produce them together. They turn out about 15 different items a week (changing weekly), with just one bread (Italian, rye, etc.), plus a savory option, such as pesto brioche or herbed focaccia.
In their sweet offerings—be they streusel, cobbler, bunny cakes or loaf cakes—Rob and Mike rely on up to 10 kinds of chocolate, including Belgian, Valrhona and Icelandic-brand chocolate bars. They use organic coconut sugar almost exclusively. And local produce is worked into galettes and fruit breads. Customer favorites have been their homemade candy bars and coco-bites (coconut, not chocolate). This fall, seasonal and holiday creations will include puddings, pies and larger dessert items for family gatherings.
194 Hillside Ave., Pawtucket. 401.451.7293; WatULike.com; @watulikeri. Open Th–M.
