08:50 AM EST on Wednesday, March 17, 2004

BY GAIL CIAMPA
Journal Food Editor

What do you do when your favorite Sunday breakfast buffet stops serving? You ask the folks of Rhode Island to offer a replacement. That's what we did two weeks ago, and here's what we learned.

Kathie Fossa of Newport named as one of her favorites Vincent's on the Pier, 10 Howard's Wharf, Newport. Now operating with winter hours, the restaurant will resume serving Sunday brunch in the next few weeks. Call (401) 847-3645.

Fossa also favors the Post Office Cafe and Bay Voyage, and they are among two of the restaurants who sent along details about Sunday brunch.

The Post Office Cafe, 11 Main St., East Greenwich, serves a brunch buffet Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Featured are fresh fruit frittata, a salad that changes each week, eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, ham, assorted pastries, coffee and tea. There are luncheon items as well, a soup of the week and pasta station. The cost is $14. A menu brunch is also served with items starting at $5. Live music is also featured. Reservations are accepted. (401) 885-4444.

The Bay Voyage Inn, 150 Conanicus Ave., Jamestown, offers Sunday brunch with views of Narragansett Bay and Newport, every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $26.95 for adults and $12.95 for children 10 and under. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call (401) 423-2100. The brunch menu can be viewed at www.bayvoyageinn.com. A private room is also available for parties of up to 30 people.

Castle Hill Inn & Resort, 590 Ocean Drive, Newport, does brunch -- but not a buffet until May -- with live jazz. For more information or to make reservations, call (401) 849-3800. The hours are 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Common Grounds, 379 Putnam Pike (Route 44), Smithfield, has a Sunday breakfast buffet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $8.99 ($5.99 for children 12 and under). (401) 231-1442.

The Ground Round Grill & Bar at The Comfort Inn, 2 George St., Pawtucket, serves an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Range of foods from scrambled eggs to carved ham. The cost is $7.90 and does not include beverage, tax or gratuity. (401) 724-5522.

The Johnson & Wales Inn, 213 Taunton Ave., Seekonk, has a Sunday breakfast buffet at Audrey's from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is an omelet station and the menu includes scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, French toast, pancakes, bacon and sausage links, home-fried potatoes, homemade bread pudding, fresh fruit and breakfast pastries. Reservations strongly recommended. The cost is $9.95 ($5.95 for children under 12). (508) 336-4636.

The Radisson Airport Hotel, 2081 Post Rd., Warwick, offers a Sunday buffet brunch from 8 a.m. 1 p.m. that costs $9.95 ($5.95 for children) and includes an omelet station. Call (401) 739-3000.

The Rhode Island Shriners Imperial Room, One Rhodes Place, Cranston, offers a full Sunday breakfast buffet from 8:30 a.m. to noon for $7.95 ($5.95 for children 4 to 10 years old). The buffet menu includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, corned beef hash, breakfast potatoes, French toast, pancakes, fruit salad, breakfast pastries, cereals, mini bagels and the full line of beverages. Special brunches are scheduled for Easter and Mother's Day. Reservations are recommended for groups of 8 or more. The spot is next to Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet. (401) 467-7102.

Twenty Water Street Restaurant, East Greenwich, has an all-you-can-eat Sunday breakfast buffet with more than 20 items from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $6.95 (half price for children under 8). (401) 885-3700.