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A fine year for fine dining

05:51 PM EST on Wednesday, December 26, 2007

By GAIL CIAMPA
Journal Food Editor

At Crazy Burger in Narragansett, a Cashew Chicken entrÉe is served with cucumber celery juice.

Those keeping score of local dining had a busy year from the end of 2006 through today. Rhode Island welcomed a slew of new restaurants this year including Lincoln’s Trattoria Romana Bar & Grill from established chef Luciano Canova of Luciano’s in Wrentham, Mass.

Meanwhile, storied dining establishments like Pot au Feu, The Black Pearl and The Clarke Cooke House kept things top shelf with chefs John B. Richardson, J. Daniel Knerr and Ted Ginley, respectively. Nick Iannuccilli replaced his Florentine Grille with Rodizio Steakhouse in North Providence. The Cuban Revolution moved and expanded in Providence while Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Shula’s 347 Grille joined the ranks. In Lincoln, Twin River expanded and added several restaurants including two we reviewed, Fado Irish Pub, Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse. Bristol welcomed a new bistro, Le Central, while Eleven Forty Nine made a splash in Warwick.

The details of all the restaurants reviewed in the last year, new and old, big and small, follow. It’s notable that no restaurant on this list closed its doors before year’s end.

Andrew’s Bistro, 3755 Mendon Rd. (Route 122), Cumberland, (401) 658-1515, www.andrewsbistro.com . Bistro casual. Free parking lot. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $$.

Barnsider’s Mile And a Quarter, 375 South Main St., Providence, (401) 351-7300, www.barnsiderrestaurants.com. Dressy casual. Handicapped accessible. Reservations taken seven days a week, but for small parties, only after 2 p.m. Saturdays. High chairs. AE, DIS, MC, V. Parking lot and on-street parking; valet Friday and Saturday. Open for dinner. $$$.

Basically British, 16 Cutler St., Warren, (401) 245-0072, www.basicallybritishtearoom.com. Casual. Parking in lot. Reservations advised. Wheelchair accessible. Child seats available. Major credit cards accepted. Tea/lunch daily; dinner, Fri. & Sat. $$$.

The Big Cheese & Pub, 606 Reservoir Ave., Cranston, (401) 467-8210, www.menusmenusmenus.com. Casual. Free parking lot on Lambert Street. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. No reservations. AE, D, MC, V. Open lunch and dinner, Sun-Sat. $$.

Bistro 45, 45 North Washington St., North Attleboro, (508) 699-4677. Casual. Reservations on a limited basis. On-street parking. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Serving lunch Tuesday through Saturday; breakfast Saturday and Sunday; dinner Tuesday through Saturday. MC, V. $$$.

Black Pearl Commodore’s Room, Bannister’s Wharf, Newport, (401) 846-5264, www.blackpearlnewport.com. Formal dining. Open daily for dinner, except closed Jan. 3 to Feb. 12. AE, MC, V. No dedicated parking for restaurant. Reservations accepted. Proper dress requested. Handicapped accessible; booster seats available. $$$$.

Box Seats Family Restaurant, 332 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, (401) 233-1800. Casual. Free parking lot. Open for lunch and dinner. No reservations but call-ahead seating. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Credit cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V. $$.

Caffe Dolce Vita, 59 De Pasquale Square, Providence, (401) 331-8240, www.caffedolcevita.com. Casual. Reservations taken. AE, MC, V, DIS. Handicapped accessible. Child seats. Breakfast Monday to Friday; brunch Saturday and Sunday; dinner seven days. On street parking or valet for $7. $$.

The Candy Store & Grille at the Clarke Cooke House, One Bannister’s Wharf, Newport, (401) 849-2900, www.clarkecooke.com. Dressy casual. On-street or pay-lot parking. Reservations. Wheelchair accessible to wharf level dining room with a portable ramp; child seats available. AE, D, MC, V. Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch. $$$$.

Chianti’s Italian Cuisine, 195 Old Forge Rd., East Greenwich, (401) 885-4999, www.diningquest.com. Casual, reservations for five or more, wheelchair accessible, highchairs. Free parking lot. AE, MC, V. Lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. $$$.

Crazy Burger, 144 Boon St., Narragansett, (401) 783-1810, www.crazyburger.com. Casual. Parking on street. No reservations. Wheelchair accessible; child seats available. Children are not permitted on the patio and are not encouraged in the restaurant. D, MC, V. Open daily year-round.No liquor; BYOB with no extra charge and with wine glasses provided. $$

The Cuban Revolution, 50 Aborn St., Providence, (401) 331-8829, www.thecubanrevolution.com. Casual. Handicapped accessible. Reservations. Highchairs. Credit cards: AE, MC, V. On-street parking. Open for lunch and dinner. $.

Don Jose Tequilas, 351 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 454-8951, www.donjoseteq.com. Casual. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. AE, D, MC, V. Brunch served Saturday and Sunday. Serving dinner seven nights and lunch Thursday and Friday. In November, lunch and dinner served daily. Brunch dishes $7.95 to $12.95. $$.

Downstairs Bistro at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren, (401) 247-4200, www.2ndstorytheatre.com. A limited but well-prepared menu in a warmly decorated space on the theater’s first floor. Open for dinner only on theater nights during each show’s run. Parking in lot. Reservations advised. Credit cards: MC, V. No high-chairs. Handicapped accessible (restaurant, but not the upstairs theater). $$.

1149 Division St., Warwick, (401) 884-1149, www.eleven49.com. Upscale. Free parking lot and valet. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. AE, D, MC, V. Open for lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner seven days. $$$$.

Fado Irish Pub at Lincoln Park, 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, (401) 723-3200, www.lincolnparkri.com/dining. Dressy casual. No reservations. Wheelchair accessible. Free valet parking or self park in lot with shuttle bus service. Credit cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V. Open for lunch and dinner. $$.

Farnsworth CafÉ, 302 Willett Ave., Riverside, (401) 433-3426, www.farnsworthcafe.com. A neighborhood spot open all day, but specializing in breakfast, with above-average food and ambience. Casual. Parking in lot. No reservations. Wheelchairs can enter restaurant but not restrooms. Highchairs available. AE, D, MC, V. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tue-Sun. $.

Flare Restaurant, 577 Tiogue Ave., Coventry, (401) 615-8577, www.flarerestaurant.com. Casual. Free parking lot. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. AE, MC, V. Dinner Monday to Saturday. Specialty cocktails and sparkling wine menu. $$$.

Fred and Steve’s Steakhouse, Twin River, 100 Twin River Rd., Lincoln, (401) 475-8400. Upscale. Reservations. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Free parking lot. AE, D, MC, V. Dinner Wed.-Sun. $$$.

Hillside Country Club Pasta Nite, 82 Hillside Ave., Rehoboth, Mass., (508) 252-9761, www.hillsidecountryclub.com. Informal. Handicapped accessible. Children’s seats. Reservations accepted and recommended for large parties. M, V, DIS. Pasta dinner for Wednesdays and Thursdays; full dinner menu Fridays. $$.

Incontro, 860 West Central St. (Route 140), Franklin, Mass., (508) 520-2770, www.incontrorestaurant.com. In a renovated stone mill, classic Italian dishes with an updated twist on ingredients and presentation. Upscale casual. Valet parking. No reservations. Wheelchair accessible. Child seats available. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Open for dinner daily. $$$.

La Laiterie at Farmstead, 188 Wayland Ave., Providence, (401) 274-7177, www.farmsteadinc.com. Casual. Reservations for parties of six or more. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. AE, MC, V. Serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday. $$$.

Le Central, 483 Hope St., Bristol, (401) 396-9965, www.lecentralbristol.net. Casual. On-street parking. Reservations. Handicapped accessible. AE, D, M, V. Lunch Tuesday to Friday; brunch on Saturday and Sunday; dinner Tuesday to Sunday. Wine and beer license, bring your own spirits and they’ll mix cocktails. $$$.

Noah’s, 113 Water St., Stonington, Conn., (860) 535-3925, www.noahsfinefood.com. Casually sophisticated. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily except Mon. AE, MC, V. On-street parking. Reservations advisable. Handicapped accessible. Entrees $20.95 to $26.95, appetizers $5.50 to $10.95, desserts $5.50 to $6.65. Wines by bottle $22 to $45, by glass $5.50 to $10. $$$.

One Bellevue in the Hotel Viking, 1 Bellevue Ave., Newport, (401) 848-4824, www.hotelviking.com. Dressy. Handicapped accessible. Reservations taken. AE, M, V, DIS. Valet parking. Breakfast and dinner dailyl, buffet breakfast offered Saturday and Sunday. $$$$.

Pot au Feu Bistro, 44 Custom House St., Providence, (401) 273-8953, www.potaufeuri.com. Classic French

cooking in an authentic atmosphere.

Casual upscale. Valet parking on weekends and on-street. No reservations. Not wheelchair accessible. Child seats available. AE, MC, V. Dinner Mon-Sat; lunch Mon-Fri. $$$.

Pronto Restaurant, 464 Thames St., Newport, (401) 847-5251, www.prontonewport.com. Dressy casual. Reservations accepted. AE, MC, DC, DIS, V. One big step at front; tight spaces inside make wheelchair maneuverability difficult. Child seats. Open for dinner daily.$$$$.

Quan’s Kitchen, 652 East Washington St. (Route 1), North Attleboro, (508) 699-7826, www.quanskitchen.net. Casual. Handicapped accessible. High chairs. Reservations taken.

AE, DIS, MC, V. Parking lot. Open for lunch and dinner. $$$.

Quito’s, 411 Thames St., Bristol, (401) 253-4500. Casual. Parking in lot. Reservations only for parties of 6 or more. Wheelchair accessible; child seats available. AE, D, MC, V. Open seasonally, mid-April to mid-November. $$.

Raphael Bar-Risto, 1 Cookson Place, Providence, (401) 421-4646, www.raphaelbarristo.com. Upscale Italian. Validated parking in lot, $4. Reservations. Wheelchair accessible. Child seats available. AE, MC, V. Dinner daily except Sun. $$$.

Rodizio Steakhouse, 1195 Douglas Ave., North Providence, (401) 354-8411, www.rodiziosteakhouseri.com. Meat served on a traveling sword in the Brazilian fashion and an extensive antipasto bar for a fixed price. Dressy casual. Reservations for

parties of six or more. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Parking lot; valet parking

Friday and Saturday. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Dinner daily; open for lunch on Sunday.

$$$$.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, GTECH Center, 10 Memorial Blvd., Providence, (401) 272-2271, www.ruthschris.com . Excellent food and service in a prime location along the Riverwalk. Business casual. Reservations online and by phone. Wheelchair accessible. High chairs. Free valet parking, self parking in the GTECH Center or across the street at Providence Place. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Open daily for dinner. $$$$.

Shelter Harbor Inn, 10 Wagner Rd. (off Route 1), Westerly, (401) 322-8883, www.shelterharborinn.com. Traditional American. Parking in lot. Reservations recommended in summer. Wheelchair accessible. Child seats available. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Open daily, year round for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. $$$$.

Shula’s 347 Grill, 21 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 709-0347, www.donshula.com. Dressy casual. Handicapped accessible. Reservations accepted. One highchair. AE, MC, V, DIS, DC. Valet parking every evening: first two hours free. Breakfast, lunch, dinner every day. $$$$.

Sogno Ristorante & Bar, 961 Dyer Ave., Cranston, (401) 946-3335, www.sognoristorantebar.com. Casual. Reservations. Free parking lot. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. AE, MC, V. Dinner served Tuesday to Sunday 4 to 10 p.m. $$$.

Ted’s Montana Grill, 2 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston, (401) 275-5070, www.tedsmontanagrill.com. Bison, beef and other comfort foods in a restaurant owned by Ted Turner. Casual. No reservations. Free parking lot. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Open daily for lunch and dinner. AE, D, MC, V. $$.

The Terrace Thai Restaurant, 5 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield, (401) 349-4971, www.theterraceri.com . Casual. Free parking lot. Reservations for four or more. Wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. Free Wi-Fi. AE, MC, V. Lunch and dinner seven days a week. Wine and beer served. $$.

Trattoria Romana Bar & Grill, 3 Wake Robin Rd., Lincoln, (401) 333-6700, www.trattoria-romana.com. Dressy casual. Handicapped accessible. Reservations recommended. Child seats available. AE, MC, V, DIS. Free parking. Lunch Monday to Friday; dinner Monday to Saturday. $$$.

Two Forty Two, 242 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 453-0242. Dressy casual. Handicapped accessible. Reservations taken. Child seats available. AE, MC, V, DIS. Valet and on-street parking. Dinner every night; brunch on Sundays. $$$$.

Waterplace Restaurant, 1 Finance Way, Providence, (401) 272-1040, ww.waterplacerestaurantri.com. Dressy casual. Reservations accepted. AE, MC, V, DIS. Handicapped accessible. Child seats. Lunch and dinner Tues. through Sun. $5 valet parking for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, or get three-hour parking for $1 a short walk away at the Providence Place garage. $$$$.

Wildfire, 1874 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, (401) 353-7110, www.wildfirenp.com. Dressy casual. Handicapped accessible. Child seats. Reservations for parties of eight or more. AE, MC, V. Parking lot. Serving every day. $$$.

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