Coming up

Farm Fresh Rhode Island, farmfreshri.org, is sponsoring farm trips for chefs, schools, grocers and other wholesale buyers to meet local producers who will be selling on Market Mobile or directly to their businesses this summer. Tours begin at 10:30 a.m., unless otherwise noted, and are free for chefs and other wholesale buyers. Call at least five days prior to the tour. May 11’s tour is of Matunuck Oyster Farm; May 18 is of Stoney Hill Cattle Farm, Charlestown; and June 14 is of Blackbird Farm, Smithfield, when the tour is 1 to 4 p.m.

The Spring Food Stroll is Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m. in New London’s waterfront district. More than 24 eateries will offer samples of their best signature dishes. Buttons are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the stroll and include a free drink coupon. Student pricing is $20 in advance and $15 the day of, and children 4 and younger are free. Visit newlondonmainstreet.org for tickets.

May Breakfast

The American Celiac Support Group will hold a Gluten Free May Breakfast May 16 at 2 p.m. at Alice’s Diner, 2663 South Main St., Fall River. The cost is what you order. Seating is limited. Call (401) 826-0363 to reserve. For more information visit the CeliacSupportGroup.com.

On the menu

The Chez Pascal Hot Dog Cart, Hewtin’s Dog, is in business for the season. It can be found on the edge of Lippitt Park, Hope Street, Providence, a few steps away from the restaurant. It features all-beef Grote & Weigel Hot Dogs, regular and spicy, as well as house-made relishes such as Sweet Pepper & Vidalia Onion Relish, Classic Pickle Relish, and Sweet and Spicy Golden Mustard. The cart will be out Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Waterplace Restaurant, overlooking the basin at Waterplace Park, One Finance Way, Providence, (401) 272-1040, PinelliMarraRestaurants.com, has opened its patio for al fresco-style dining at lunch and dinner. The patio has a ringside view of WaterFire.

Garden Grille, 727 East Ave., Pawtucket, (401) 726-2826, has extended its Sunday brunch hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is taking reservations for parties of six or more for graduation weekend on May 24. Every Sunday features fresh baked vegan glazed cinnamon rolls as well as new items such as vegan hollandaise sauce over either tofu or egg on an English muffin.

Gracie’s, 194 Washington St., Providence, (401) 272-7811, graciesprov.com, offers a new three-course fixed-price menu nightly for $30. For the first and second courses, guests may choose from three selections each. The menu will change frequently with new ingredients, many of which will come from the restaurant’s garden on the roof of the Peerless building.

Mills Tavern, 101 North Main St., Providence, (401) 272-3331, is serving one-dollar Happy Hour Oysters at the bar Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and offers a fixed-price three-course menu for $29.95 Monday through Thursday.

The Ninety Nine Restaurant offers two new cocktails. The Sea Monster Martini is a bright-blue blend of Hpnotiq Liqueur, Malibu Rum and pineapple juice, topped off with a glow stick, and the Tangerine Grapefruit Margarita is a combination of tangerine, grapefruit and Jose Cuervo Tequila, completed with a fruit skewer of tangerines and grapefruit. The drinks will be available until September.

Post Office Café, 11 Main St., East Greenwich, (401) 885-4444, PinelliMarraRestaurants.com, has introduced a new menu featuring tasting boards, antipasti, and risotto of the day. Dinner is served nightly, Tuesday through Sunday. Also, the Veranda Bar and Outdoor Dining Terrace has officially opened for the season. Regular menu items are available on the terrace as well as special appetizers and drinks at the outdoor bar.

Red Stripe, 81 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett, (401) 792-3200, redstriperestaurants.com, has a number of specials. There is a Sunday night Italian special for 2 for $20 that includes an Italian house salad, a pound of pasta and sauce, Italian sausage, chicken Parmesan, roasted red peppers, meatballs, garlic bread and ice cream for dessert. Children can eat for free. Other specials include Ladies’ Night on Monday with ladies eating any entrée for half price; all-you-can-eat mussels and fries or the Grand Kitchen Sink Salad with grilled chicken on Tuesday nights (mussels offered in nine different styles); chicken Parmesan and pasta or meatballs and spaghetti with salad and garlic bread for $9 on Wednesday nights; a giant fried shrimp platter, fries, coleslaw and pickled jalapeño tartar sauce for $12 on Thursday nights; a Healthy Kids Menu, with all kids eating for $6.50; and a value lunch for $8.75 that includes a half sandwich with choice of a soup or salad. There is a new martini drink list and a new wine list and outside sidewalk dining is available, weather permitting.

d Carlo Trattoria, 970 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, (401) 349-4979, dcarlotrattoria.net, has new spring menu dishes including pan-seared salmon; grilled twin pork chops served with mashed sweet potatoes, sautéed spinach and grilled peach relish; and whole “Branzino,” pan-seared Mediterranean sea bass served with a dill potato salad, braised radicchio and tomato, cucumber and caper relish.

22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, 22 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, (401) 841-8884, 22bowens.com, is now serving lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition, 22Portside, 22 Bowen’s seasonal outdoor patio and full-service bar, is now open for lunch and dinner on weekends, weather permitting.

News

The Green Hospitality and Tourism Leadership Council presented Green Hospitality Certification Awards to 10 Prime Steak and Sushi, 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, Boat House Waterfront Dining, Chinese Laundry, Citron Wine Bar and Bistro, Gregg’s Restaurant, The Mooring Restaurant, Pranzi Catering, Rick’s Roadhouse, Rue De L’Espoir, Ted’s Montana Grill, Eleven Forty Nine Restaurant and Café Noir. The restaurants were recognized by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for completing all the certification requirements of the Green Hospitality Certification Program.

Pepperidge Farm has one case with 24 packages of the limited edition Chocolate Crème Pepperidge Farm Tim Tam cookies. Hugh Jackman, one of the cookies’ fans, has autographed it for a charity auction through the eBay Giving Works program to benefit Feeding America. The bidding is open through May 13, 2009 at www.ebay.com/timtam.

Wine events

Camille’s Restaurant, 71 Bradford St., Providence, (401) 751-4812, camillesonthehill.com, hosts a Wine Tasting on the Roman Garden Terrace, May 26, 6 to 8 p.m. in conjunction with Gasbarro’s Wine. White wines from northern Italy will be featured, including the Bastianich wines. Antipasti and imported cheeses will accompany the tastings. Tickets are $25 in advance.

Persimmon, 31 State St., Bristol, (401) 254-7474, persimmonbristol.com, hosts a five-course wine dinner on May 13, featuring wines from Domaine Philippe Gilbert. Meet one of the winemakers and enjoy a spring-inspired menu that includes dishes such as Alaskan wild king salmon with sweet peas and fava beans; warm rillette of pork shoulder, with green garlic mayonnaise and wild arugula, and Texas antelope with morel mushrooms, white asparagus and pinot noir sauce. The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.

Trio, 15 Kingstown Rd., Narragansett, (401) 792-4333, trio-ri.com, and Colonial Wine & Spirits in North Kingstown will host a Pacific Northwest Wine Dinner May 12. Jeff Korecky, a sales representative from Horizon Beverage, will lead guests through each selection of wine as they are paired with executive chef Maria Evans’ four-course dinner. A reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $65.

A Spring Fling Wine Tasting will be held at the Venice Ballroom, 165 Shore Rd., Westerly, Friday, May 8, 6 to 8 p.m. The event features more than 80 wines from Warehouse Beer, Wine and Liquor, food from local vendors, and music by Steve Cersossimo and Mike Rogoff. Proceeds will benefit the Lions Club Scholarship Fund and Misquamicut Business Association Family Events.

On radio

Dining Out with Bruce Newbury will be broadcast live from the First Burst Art Exhibition and Wine Tasting at Newport Vineyards, 909 East Main Rd., Middletown, Saturday, May 9, from noon to 2 p.m. Specialty food samples will be provided by assorted artisans. Locally, the show is on 920AM WHJJ.

On TV

Rhode Island products are the topic on Costantino’s Roundtable Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. on Channel 36 (Cox Channel 8). Guests will be Roger Dwyer of Top This! Grilled Pizza and Richard Field of Autocrat Coffee. The weekly show is hosted by Alan Costantino, owner of Venda Ravioli, and Joe Zito.

Cooking Fresh with Steve Cascione and chef Walter Potenza features spaghetti with tuna sauce Thursday, May 7, during Channel 6’s 4 p.m. news and again Friday during the 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 p.m. newscasts.

Cooking with Class features chef Frank Terranova, an associate instructor at Johnson & Wales University, cooking rice recipes next week during the noon and 5 p.m. newscasts on Channel 10.

Can you help?

A reader has requested a recipe for Mocha Buttercrunch Pie. The pie was served years ago at Leo’s in Providence, where it was called Better Than Sex Pie.

Mother’s Day

The Boat House, 227 Schooner Drive, Tiverton, (401) 624-6300, boathousetiverton.com, will offer its spring brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and full menu from 4 to 9 p.m.

Café Nuovo, One Citizens Plaza, Providence, on the Providence Riverwalk, (401) 421-2525, cafenuovo.com, will serve complimentary mimosas to all moms with their dinners. In addition to its full seasonal menu, there will be dinner and dessert creations. Dinner hours are noon to 8 p.m. Reserve.

Camille’s Restaurant, 71 Bradford St., Providence, (401) 751-4812, camillesonthehill.com, offers a special Mother’s Day menu from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Capriccio, 2 Pine St., Providence, (401) 421-1320, capriccio.com, will have fixed-price dinner offerings, ranging from classic to adventurous, complimentary mimosas for all moms, and added selections from the restaurant’s new spring menu. Hours will be noon to 8 p.m. Reserve.

Carrie’s Seafood Restaurant, 1035 Douglas Ave., North Providence, (401) 831-0066, accepts reservations for Mother’s Day and serves three-pound lobsters as well as their full dinner menu from noon to 6 p.m.

Casey’s, 191 Old Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield, (401) 789-9714, has seatings between 10:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. and offers its carving station, omelet and crepe stations, fresh fruit platter and more. Dinner selections include homemade rock crab cakes with homemade lobster sauce. Dessert selections include peanut butter pie, carrot cake, New York style cheesecake and Jell-O. The cost is $19.99 for adults and $9.99 for children 6-12.

Castle Hill Inn & Resort, 590 Ocean Drive, Newport, (401) 849-3800, castlehillinn.com, serves brunch from 11:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with items including grilled vegetable antipasto, Hereford beef rib eye, lamb, pork, Maine lobster, spring pea frittata and desserts. The cost is $65 for adults; $25 for children 11 and younger.

Cater To You Bakery, 233 Child St., Warren, (401) 245-3055, offers Mother’s Day Brunch To Go in addition to cakes, desserts, party platters, fruit squares, plants, floral arrangements, gifts and fruit baskets. Clam Boils To Go are also available. Patrons get a free cake with any brunch or clam boil order.

Chelo’s Hometown Bar and Grille, 2225 Post Rd., Warwick, (401) 737-7299, chelos.com, serves a brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with breakfast and lunch items, a carving station and dessert. Regular menu and specials follow the buffet.

Costantino’s Ristorante, DePasquale Plaza on Federal Hill, Providence, will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. and all mothers will be offered a complimentary Bellini, an Italian cocktail made with Prosecco and white peach juice. Reserve at (401) 528-1100.

DeWolf Tavern, 259 Thames St., Bristol, (401) 254-2005, dewolftavern.com, starts serving at noon. Chef Sai Vis- wanath will prepare a com- plimentary Naan bread pizza appetizer for each table, using the tandoor oven. Weather permitting, the waterfront exterior bar will be open.

Dillon Council Knights of Columbus, 1665 Douglas Ave., North Providence, (401) 349-3054, will serve a seven-course dinner with a choice of four entrees starting at 1 p.m. A cash bar will be available. Vocalist Vini Ames will serenade moms and have activities for children. The cost is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 11 and younger. Dinner is by reservations only.

Ferns and Flowers Teahouse and Bistro, 1094 Centerville Rd., Warwick, (401) 821-1447, hosts a Mother’s Day Tea at 3 p.m. Fresh-cut fruit, cheeses, scones, hot hors d’oeuvres, tea sandwiches and miniature pastries will be served. The cost is $20. Wine service is available. Preceding Reservations are required.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 1 West Exchange St., Providence, (401) 533-9000, offers a brunch and a complimentary $25 Fleming’s gift card for moms to use at a later date. A fixed-price menu includes a choice of a starter, entrée and dessert. The cost is $29.95 and will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All entrees come with mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans, served family style. The regular menu will be available.

Garden Grille, 727 East Ave., Pawtucket, (401) 726-2826, serves brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Gregg’s Restaurants & Pubs will open at 11 a.m. for Mother’s Day and will offer specials including roasted half chicken, baked sea scallops, salmon, lobster topped sirloin and strawberry shortcake. Gregg’s pubs are at 1303 North Main St., Providence, (401) 831-5700; 1359 Post Rd., Warwick, (401) 467-5700; 1940 Pawtucket Ave., East Providence, (401) 438-5700; and 4120 Quaker Lane (Route 2), North Kingstown, (401) 294-5700. Visit greggsusa.com.

Hotel Viking, One Bellevue Ave., Newport, (401) 847-3300, has a brunch in the Grand Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost for the extensive buffet is $46; $32 for seniors; $18 for children 4-12. Reserve.

Il Piccolo Ristorante, 1450 Atwood Ave., Johnston, (401) 421-9843, from noon to 6 p.m. will serve its regular dinner menu with specials including filet mignon with a red-wine mushroom sauce, tilapia filet topped with lump crab and veal or chicken piccata. Reservations will be taken for adult parties of 10 or more. A complimentary entrée will be given to one mom at the table excluding lobster specials.

Laurel Lane Country Club, 309 Laurel Lane, South Kingstown, (401) 783-3844, laurellanecountryclub.com, has a breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The price is $12.95 for adults and $7.95 for children. A special dinner menu of classic Italian, steaks or chops, seafood and chef’s specialties will be offered from noon to 6 p.m.

The Little Inn, 103 Putnam Pike (Route 44), Johnston, (401) 231-0570, opens at noon with the last reservation at 5 p.m. with a menu of traditional Mother’s Day favorites. All meals include soup or salad. Reserve.

Mario’s Risto Bar, 20 Haven Ave., Cranston, (401) 942-1009, offers a special three-course menu starting at $19.95. Reserve.

Milano Restaurant, 569 Winthrop St. (Route 44), Rehoboth, Mass., (508) 336-7455, opens 1 to 8 p.m. with menu specials for $16 and the regular menu. Specials include filet mignon, shrimp San Remo and more. Reserve for parties of eight or more.

Mills Tavern, 101 North Main St., Providence, (401) 272-3331, will serve a complimentary dessert to all mothers from noon to 7 p.m.

Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Sayer’s Wharf, Newport, (401) 846-2260, mooringrestaurant.com, offers a three-course fixed-price menu in addition to its regular menu. The cost is $40; each dish will also be offered à la carte.

New North End Café, 1058 Charles St., North Providence, (401) 726-4400, celebrates with a champagne brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $24.95 for adults and $11.95 for children 11 and younger. A gluten-free menu is available.

New Rivers, 7 Steeple St., Providence, (401) 751-0350, newriversrestaurant.com, will be serving brunch with seatings from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Offerings include house-made pastries and biscuits with lemon curd and pink grapefruit marmalade along with brunch items including house-cured Arctic char gravlax, red flannel hash with poached egg, BT’s scrambled eggs with grain mustard, sautéed onions and optional Tasso ham..

Persimmon, 31 State St., Bristol, (401) 254-7474, persimmonbristol.com, will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. The regular menu will be offered along with special seasonal dishes to mark the day.

Pinelli’s Cafe at Night, 701 Quaker Lane, West Warwick, (401) 821-8828, will serve dinner from noon to 4 p.m. There will be a special menu of favorites with an Italian flair and large parties are welcome. Pinelli’s is a BYOB restaurant.

Ponderosa Steakhouse, 562 Washington St., South Attleboro, (508) 399-7250, ponderosasteakhouses.com, offers an expanded buffet. Brunch will be served from 9 a.m. to noon and dinner from noon to 9 p.m. The dinner buffet will include the carving station along with sirloin tips, shrimp, roast turkey and fried shrimp and salads, fruits, desserts and a sundae bar. The cost is $12.99 for adults, $11.49 for seniors, and $4.99 for children.

Post Office Café, 11 Main St., East Greenwich, (401) 885-4444, will serve dinner from noon to 6 p.m.

Ristorante Pizzico, 762 Hope St., Providence, (401) 421-4114, will be serving their dinner menu from 1 to 8 p.m.

Sardella’s Italian Restaurant, 30 Memorial Blvd., West, Newport, (401) 849-6312, sardellas.com, will be serving dinner from 2-9 p.m. In addition to their regular menu, there will be special appetizers and entrees.

Shelter Harbor Inn, 10 Wagner Rd., Westerly, (401) 322-8883, shelterharborinn.com, will serve breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will serve from a select menu from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The menu includes soup, salad, a choice of five entrees and dessert. The cost is $37 for adults and $18 for children.

Sonoma Grille, 7366 Post Rd., North Kingstown, (401) 295-0800, sonomagrilleri.com, serves a brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast items, pasta stations, prime rib and baked ham, as well as dessert are on the menu. The cost is $18.99 for adults, $8.99 for children 7 to 12, and free for children 6 and younger.

Spumoni’s Restaurant, 1537 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, (401) 726-4449, (401) 231-7799, has Mom’s Only Specials Friday through Sunday, May 8 through 10, including full dinners with chicken Milanese and veal Parmigiana for $12.99 and shrimp Spumoni for $12.50. Moms also receive a free mini-dessert.

Still River Café, 134 Union Rd., Eastford, Conn., (860) 974-9988, stillrivercafe.com, donates 15 percent of its profits on Mother’s Day to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. It will be serving its full dinner menu and will be open from noon to 6 p.m.

T’s Restaurant, 1059 Park Ave., Cranston, (401) 946-5900, and 5600 Post Rd., East Greenwich, (401) 398-7877, tsresaurantri.com, will serve brunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations available for groups of six or more.

Trio, 15 Kingstown Rd., Narragansett, (401) 792-4333, trio-ri.com, will offer brunch, featuring stationary displays with breakfast and lunch options and dessert of cookies, pastries and confections. The cost is $28.95 for adults and $13.95 for children 12 and younger.

Twelve Acres, 445 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, (401) 231-7799, twelveacresbanquet.com, has a brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that includes carving and salad stations, dessert and more. The cost is $17.99 for adults and $8.99 for children 2 to 10.

Tyler Point Grille, 32 Barton Ave., Barrington, (401) 247-0017, TylerPointGrille.com, will be open for dinner from 1 to 8 p.m. offering a number of new seafood and fresh-made pasta selections from chef/owner Mario Micheletti’s new seasonal menu, which will be offered throughout the day.

22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, 22 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, (401) 841-8884, 22bowens.com, offers a selection of specials, in addition to its regular menu, from noon to 8 p.m. Specials include blackened scallops and lobster salad.

Waterman Grille, 4 Richmond Square, Providence, (401) 521-9229, watermangrille.com, serves a brunch of house-baked goods, artisan cheeses, smoked salmon, a carving station, miniature pastries and more. The price is $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for children 12 and younger.

Wildfire Brick Oven Pizza & Bar, 1874 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, (401) 353-7110, wildfirenp.com, hosts brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $16.95 for adults and $9.65 for children 12 and younger.