01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, July 20, 2006

Many restaurants put out a few tables here and there for outdoor dining. But here are some spots around Rhode Island with a fair number of tables, nice atmosphere and experience with "al fresco" dining.

-- BRYAN ROURKE

PROVIDENCE

Al Forno Restaurant, 577 South Main St. 273-9760. www.alforno.com. A casually upscale trattoria-style restaurant with terrific Mediterranean-inspired food and a warm, cozy atmosphere. The array of grilled pizzas offered as appetizers and the made-to-order desserts are mainstays for which the restaurant has become nationally known. Casual. No reservations. Bathroom is accessible to wheelchairs. Open Tue-Sat for dinner. Parking available. V, MC, AE, DC. $$$.

Cafe Nuovo, One Citizens Plaza. 421-2525. Contemporary cuisine with classic undertones and stylish presentation in a sleek atmosphere with a wonderful view of the downtown river. Casually upscale. Reservations accepted; recommended on weekends. Wheelchair accessible; bathrooms off the lobby shared with the bank. Open Mon-Fri for lunch, Mon-Sat dinner. Open Sun holidays. Valet parking for dinner; validated parking at lunch. V, MC, AE, DC, DIS. Five highchairs; call ahead to make arrangements. $$$$.

Costantino's Ristorante & Caffe, 265 Atwells Ave. 528-1100. www.vendaravioli.com. Mix the know-how of a family that's been in the pasta-making business in Providence for more than 70 years with a menu of traditional Italian favorites and you have Costantino's. Casually upscale. Reservations accepted. Open daily for dinner. V, MC, AE, DIS. On-street parking (free valet parking every night). Highchairs. $$$.

Geppetto's Pizzeria, 57 DePasquale Plaza. 270-3003. www.geppettospizzeria.com. Very good, reasonably priced grilled pizza and other casual fare, with portions big enough to satisfy the heartiest appetite. Casual. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Open daily for lunch and dinner. V, MC, AE, DIS, DC, CB, DA, EC, NDC, RID. On-street parking. Call ahead for curbside take-out; delivery available in Providence area. $$.

Napa Valley Grille, 111 Providence Place. 270-6272. Seasonally inspired dishes with wine country flair. Casual. Reservations accepted. Wheelchair accessible. Open seven days for lunch and dinner, brunch Sun. Mall parking. V, MC, AE, DIS, DC. Highchairs and children's menu. $$$.

Pearl, 393 Charles St. 331-3000. South Beach glitz in Providence's North End, with a menu that melds lots of influences. Smart, dressy if you want to look hip. Reservations accepted. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Open for dinner Tue-Sun. V, MC, AE, DIS. Free valet parking or on street. $$$$.

EAST BAY

The Lobster Pot, 119 Hope St., Bristol. 253-9100. Old-fashioned seafood selections with a panoramic view of Bristol Harbor. Patio. Casually upscale. Reservations accepted. Open Tue-Sat for lunch and dinner. Dinner only Sun. Wheelchair accessible. Parking lot. V, MC, AE. Highchairs and booster seats. $$$.

Quito's Restaurant, 411 Thames St., Bristol. 253-4500. This tiny restaurant faces Bristol Harbor. The fish and chips, clamcakes and chowder are very good, but there are other dishes, such as seafood pasta, grilled swordfish and baked scrod as well. Casual dress. Reservations for five or more. Wheelchair accessible. Open for lunch and dinner daily except Tue. Small parking lot plus on-street parking. V, MC, DIS, AE. Highchairs and children's menu. $$.

NEWPORT AREA

Castle Hill Inn & Resort, 550 Ocean Drive, Newport. (401) 849-3800. www.castlehillinn.com. Upscale casual. Lunch menu served outdoors daily in the summer 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cabana grill serves outdoors summer days from 3:30 p.m. to sunset. No reservations. Highchairs available. Lawn tables are handicapped accessible. MC, V, AE, DIS, Diners' Club. Lunch dishes $12 to $20; appetizers $3.25 to $6; desserts $5 to $6. Cocktails $7.50 to $10.50. Wines available by the glass and bottle.

Trattoria Simpatico, 13 Narragansett Ave., Jamestown. 423-3731. Inventive Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in a cozy, romantic atmosphere. Casually upscale. Reservations suggested. Wheelchair accessible. Open for dinner seven days and lunch Sat-Sun. Parking lot beside the building, with additional on-street parking. V, MC, AE, DIS. Highchairs. $$$.

Tricia's Tropi Grille, 14 Narragansett Ave., Jamestown. 423-1490. Wonderfully inspired Caribbean and Keys menu in a bright, fun setting. Casual. No reservations. Open Fri-Sat-Sun for lunch and dinner. Outdoor dining and tiki bar. V, MC, AE. On-street parking. Highchairs. $$.

SOUTH COUNTY

Champlin's Seafood Deck, 256 Great Island Rd., Narragansett. 783-3152. www.champlins.com. This informal restaurant overlooking the channel at Galilee has exemplary seafood. All of the fish and most of the other seafood comes right from the fishing port, often right from the boats into the retail market below the deck. Very, very casual. Reservations not accepted. Not wheelchair accessible. In winter, Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon 11 am to 6 pm. In summer, open seven days for lunch and dinner. Small parking lot, plus on-street parking and state lot. V, MC. Highchairs. $$.

WEST BAY

Table 28, 28 Water St., East Greenwich. 885-1170. Fine global fusion on the waterfront, mixing Texan fire with New England ingredients with French, Italian and Asian influences. Open at noon Sat-Sun, lunch and dinner. Open daily Fri-Sun after Memorial Day weekend, lunch and dinner. Wheelchair accessible. MC, V, D, AE. Highchairs. Free valet parking. $$$.

Twenty Water Street Tavern Deck, 20 Water St., East Greenwich. 885-3700, www.twentywaterstreet.com. The epitome of casual summer dining, al fresco overlooking Greenwich cover. No reservations for the deck. (Yes for the dining room.) Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Sun also for breakfast buffet. MC, V, AE, DIS, DC. Free valet parking. $$.