where everybody knows your name

February 2025 - Ricky Cormier is 30.

Ricky's been working in the restaurant business since he was 16, first as a busboy and dishwasher, eventually working his way up to server and finally chef. Now he's finally opened his own restaurant on Main Street called The Burren.

It takes a large staff to run a restaurant. He hires Camryn Lee to work as the hostess; like him, she's been in the restaurant business for a long time, always at the front of the house.

Aside from serving food, The Burren also has a fully stocked bar. He hires Lyndsey Louie to be the bartender.

Right now they only have one server, Damion Wade. He's a good guy, but a bit young and inexperienced. He tells everyone about his plans to become a rock star.

But for now he's just a server, and not a very good one.

Ricky himself is a big draw for this place. All of the women in Providence agree that he's really hot!

The Burren is a simple, comfortable place. Melissa Cooke, who owns the Hotel Ampersand with her husband Julien, comes in one evening.

"We're famous for our mac and cheese," Ricky suggests. "I make it with leeks and pancetta." (That's how I make my mac and cheese. Try it, it's delicious!)

"That sounds great," Melissa says.

It may not be fancy, but The Burren is already gaining quite a following.


*****

Owning a restaurant doesn't leave him much free time, but he manages to spend time with Lyndsey outside of the restaurant.

She's a sweet, fun woman. What they have isn't as intense or serious as what he had with Sandy, but right now she's exactly what he wants.

Other than dating Lyndsey, his home life is pretty relaxed. He spends a lot of time playing with his dog, Jake. He's trying to teach Jake to play dead, but Jake doesn't quite get it. In college he was quite a party guy, but now that his culinary career is taking off, he's happy to just relax at home with Lyndsey and his dog.