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Olivia Culpo, Back 40

December 12, 2023

The former Miss USA winner is going back to her roots by opening a family restaurant in her home state of Rhode Island alongside her father, Peter Culpo, and cousin Josh Culpo.

Olivia celebrated the opening night on August 28, 2017 by posting a first look at the red farmhouse building, which seats 165 people including dining space on the back patio. The menu features "American comfort food" like crispy Brussels sprouts, a pepperoni burger and lobster mac and cheese.

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The Best Spots for Brunch and Breakfast in Rhode Island

July 6th, 2023

The stuffed French toast with honey ricotta cream topped with berries, syrup and whipped cream with Nitro Cart cold brew. Photograph by Angel Tucker.

BOTTOMS UP: One mimosa, two mimosa, three mimosa, floor… Isn’t that what brunch is for? Just be sure to have Uber preprogrammed on your phone or bring a nondrinking friend to do the driving. Take advantage of the mimosa flight for four tasting glasses filled to the brim with various juices. Or you can make your own by asking for a bottle of bubbly in an ice bucket accompanied by an assortment of fresh juices. Other a.m.-appropriate cocktails include the fully loaded bloody mary (vodka, house bloody mary mix, peppered beef jerky, pickled veggies and more), the Nutty Irish Coffee (Jameson, Baileys, Frangelico and coffee) and cereal-themed shots like the Cinnamon Toast Crunch (cinnamon whiskey plus RumChata).

BRUNCH FOR TWO: $40–$50 plus tip. FINE PRINT: Look out for can’t-miss festivities like drag brunch, where the gals will serenade you while you enjoy a three-course prix fixe meal (warning: the improv standup between performances may cause laugh-spitting, so plan your mimosa sips accordingly).

Order in-person for a taste of its cocktails or order take away food via the website. 20 South County Trail, North Kingstown, 401-667-4869,

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Where to Get Game Day Food for the Super Bowl

January 30, 2023

Head over to North Kingstown for a menu filled with American comfort food classics that are sure to satisfy your game-day cravings. Whether you choose the Big Poppa Burger—a half pound beef patty dressed up in a brioche bun with jalapeno-bacon cream cheese and lettuce and tomato—or the fried chicken sandwich with buffalo sauce and bleu cheese, you’ll surely be able to find the perfect drink pairing on Back 40’s beloved cocktail menu.

Order in-person for a taste of its cocktails or order take away food via the website. 20 South County Trail, North Kingstown, 401-667-4869,

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In the Kitchen: Chicken Yakitori

Jun 14, 2022

In the kitchen today, we welcome Chef/Owner/Culinary Director Rob Pirnie. He oversees restaurants including Back 40 in North Kingstown, Union & Main in East Greenwich, Black Oak Kitchen in Coventry, and Evie’s in Westerly. Today he is making Chicken Yakitori with Cilantro Lime Jasmine Rice and Pickled Cucumber & Radish Slaw.

Ingredients:

Diced chicken thigh

Water Soaked Bamboo Skewer...

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25+ ways to celebrate the first R.I. Craft Beer Week

Mar 2, 2022

Back 40, 20 South County Trail, North Kingstown, (401) 667-4869, back40ri.com, will have a different beer and burger pairing every day.

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Review: Back 40

June 28, 2018

REVIEW: BACK 40 Olivia Culpo's North Kingstown restaurant is all about retro comfort food and family dinners. Back 40 came to Rhode Island with a lot of fanfare: Not only did it have Olivia Culpo’s name attached to it, it became tangentially connected to the Patriots, catching the attention of anyone who eats. Though Culpo’s father, Peter, has substantive restaurant experience, Back 40 had a shaky start dealing with the onslaught of attention and went back to the drawing board in its first month to hone its image and expectations. The building is large and pastoral...

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Comfort Food for the Win

February 2, 2018

Back 40 finds the sweet spot with feel-good foods.During the cold winter months, comfort food is what we crave – and Back 40, which opened last fall, offers some of the best in Southern Rhode Island. Back 40 was opened by Rhode Island celebrity Olivia Culpo, a former Miss Universe and Miss USA born and raised in Cranston who teamed up with her restaurateur father, Peter Culpo, cousin Josh Culpo, and business partner Justin Dalton-Ameen...

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New Dining in South County

January 2, 2018

New Dining in South County. Resolve to try something different with eight new restaurants you should add to your must-try list for 2018. #1. Back 40, the famed spot co-owned by Olivia Culpo, was one of 2017’s most anticipated restaurant openings. The former Miss Universe teamed up with her father, her cousin and their business partner to bring next-level dining to North Kingstown. Named for the back 40 acres of a farm, considered to be remote and untamed, the restaurant is designed to look like a renovated barn, complete with red paneling and big barn doors...

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From Richard Gere to Ryan Gosling: America’s best celebrity-owned restaurants

19 December 2018

This cosy Rhode Island restaurant, serving retro American comfort food, is owned by actress, model and Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo and her family. Situated on a country road in North Kingston, south of Providence, the building has been designed to feel like a restored barn and opened in 2017 to much fanfare. Stop by pastoral Back40 for a hearty plate of meatloaf, mash and beef gravy or chicken parmesan with focaccia and gnocchi.

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Olivia Culpo says 'everybody should come' to her family's new comfort food restaurant

August 30, 2017

Olivia Culpo may travel the world as a model and brand ambassador, but for her newest venture, she’s all about family, food, and home. And you’re invited. The Miss Universe winner has teamed up with her restaurant-savvy family to bring Back 40, a relaxed venue focused on comfort food with the occasional twist, to their home state of Rhode Island. “It’s hometown, country-style, all-American cuisine,” Culpo, a former Boston University student, told Boston.com. “It’s going to be big and welcoming.”...

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Olivia Culpo opens a restaurant in Rhode Island

August 27, 2017

Olivia Culpo opens a restaurant in Rhode Island. Olivia Culpo at Liaison Lounge in Los Angeles Aug. 17. Model, musician, and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpohas opened a restaurant with her family in Rhode Island.

The Cranston native announced via Instagram that Back 40 in North Kingstown would be ready for the public Tuesday night. There was an event at the restaurant Monday, she said, but it was a “soft opening for friends and family (basically where everyone tells us what they like/don’t like on the menu).”

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Olivia Culpo’s restaurant Back 40 opens in North Kingstown

Aug 28, 2017

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — The new restaurant and bar Back 40 opened Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 20 South Country Trail in North Kingstown, at routes 2 and 102.

Former Miss USA and Miss Universe Olivia Culpo teamed up with her father, Peter Culpo, cousin Joshua Culpo and business partner Justin Dalton-Ameen. The latter two, both with roots in Rhode Island, have owned and operated Lulu’s Allston since 2014. Peter Culpo owns several bars and restaurants in Boston, including The Hill Tavern in Beacon Hill, Woody’s Grill and Tap in the Fenway, and both Parish Cafes in the city.

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R.I. restaurant part-owned by Olivia Culpo nears opening

Jul 18, 2017

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — The Back 40 in North Kingstown has an executive chef on board who optimistically predicts a mid-August opening. The Back 40 in North Kingstown has an executive chef on board who optimistically predicts a mid-August opening for the restaurant at the intersection of Routes 2 and 102.

It was January 2016 when the former Wicked Fish/Kitty Murtagh’s was purchased by Josh Culpo and Justin Dalton-Ameen. The two are managing partners in the restaurant, with...

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RI native Olivia Culpo invests in ‘farm country’ eatery in North Kingstown

Jan 22, 2016

Cranston native Olivia Culpo is now living in Los Angeles, but she’s investing her money close to home.

The former Miss Universe will have a minority ownership in a new restaurant concept called Back 40 expected to open in North Kingstown this spring. She is part of a small group of investors -- including her father, Boston restaurateur Peter Culpo...

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Design modifications to former Wicked Fish restaurant approved

Nov 19, 2016

The North Kingstown Planning Commission approved multiple design modifications to the proposed “The Back 40” restaurant, formerly Wicked Fish/Kitty Murtagh’s, on South County Trail.

After lengthy discussion Tuesday evening, the North Kingstown Planning Commission approved modifications regarding parking, signage and building design to AMPO Inc.’s development plan review application for redesigning...

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Former Miss Universe has a new stake in local restaurant

Jan 21, 2016

The former Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo, will have a minority ownership share in a new restaurant venture at Wicked Fish in North Kingstown. The liquor license of Wicked Fish, 20 South County Trail, is scheduled to be transferred to AMPO Inc. during the Jan. 25 North Kingstown Town...

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