Any suggestions for can't miss items? Thanks!

That area is a vast culinary desert, sorry! On the North Smithfield/Uxbridge line you'll find Pinelli's and Gia's....both heavy, gloppy Italian. In the same plaza as Pinelli's there is a now a hibachi place, nothing to write home about but passable. Nearby is the tavern at Blissful Meadows golf course, I haven't been in several years but it was fine, pretty standard pub food, big menu.

A little closer to Worcester is Blackstone Nat'l golf course ....decent restaurant, again, nothing to write home about.

As I was typing it dawned on me....there IS one good choice! Alicante in Mendon, Rt 16. Very good mediterrean food.

I can't imagine why anyone would put ravioli in a crockpot. It cooks in minutes, it has no business cooking for hours.

Looking for ideas for a friend, please. She had a dinner party planned and her husband continues to invite people. They are now up to 19. She was planning a sit down dinner but that is now seeming pretty daunting. She's got the main dish covered (beef tenderloin) but is looking for vegetable ideas. Anyone got any suggestions? TIA!

I'll third Bacaro. Awesome for groups because of all their small plates.

Re: "Can't go wrong with Al Forno"

It's been my experience that you can't go right w/Al Forno.

I hate criticizing others suggestions but I feel I must .....someone asks for destination restaurant suggestions and they are given Moat Mtn and The Red Parka? Seriously? C'mon people.

I don't have firsthand experience but I believe the Notchland Inn is what you're looking for. Maybe The Inn at Thorne Hill?

Agree! I love Matunuck Oyster Bar, but will also never stop going to Castle Hill ....the setting alone is worth it. Food is fine, but nothing extraordinary.

Dynamites are not just hanging on by a thread in northern RI .... I have a class reunion this wkend and the Friday night event (house party in a private home) is featuring a dynamite cookoff! I volunteered to make a pot before I knew a heat wave was coming. Yuck!

Yes, they sound identical. Most people I know do make their dynamites with tomato sauce though ....although I have seen recipes only calling for some tomato paste.

I've denigrated Al Forno here on Chowhound and for one reason only. .....I had a subpar yet overpriced meal. I had a baked pasta dish that was probably 18 tiny shells in a single layer, dried out. Ridiculous.

Thanks to all for your replies ....our itinerary turned out slightly different than we intended ....we hit 2 wineries (Paradise Hills and Gouveia - very happy w/both), lunch at The Griswold Inn as we did a bit of shopping in Essex. Cute outdoor patio on the side, had a nice quiche & salad.

Then we wanted to be closer to home so we stopped in Mystic. Disappointing visit to L'Attitude 41 at Mystic Seaport. We didn't need another full meal so I got a bowl of NE chowder....tasty, nothing special, lukewarm (which is fine w/me, it's how I like my food, but it's not right)....my friend ordered the "crushed olive oil potatoes" and they were hard, no excuse for that. She then ordered a dessert instead ......some sort of chocolate mousse w/a shell coating on a cakey bed ....flavorless and she sent that back too (I took a bite as a second opinion and she was right). On the plus side the service was very good AND they took both items off the check (I thought they might take one off but not both).

I'm going to save this thread for your replies as I like this area and intend to be back again this summer.

Going to be around Old Saybrook/Essex/Deep River tomorrow and would like a nice spot for an outdoor lunch, waterfront preferred. On the short list so far I've got Fresh Salt at the Saybrook Pt Inn, The Blue Oar and The Back Porch. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Haven't been to either but on my must-try list are Still River Cafe in Ashford, CT and Night Kitchen in Montague MA (not sure NK is in the same league as Still River). Golden Lamb def on that list as well.

Went last week for lunch and loved it. Beautiful building on the water....even though it was December, we got to eat "outside"....they kept their porch open with those plastic coverings down and heaters on ....what a treat!

Didn't try too many different things, but both were so good I felt I should post (especially when I went looking for reviews and realized Trafford had yet to be mentioned on this board). My friend and I split the arancini (fried risotto balls) and they were fabulous.....intense lemon/rosemary taste. Each had a bowl of that day's soup special.....pureed brussel sprout w/bacon. Two stories besides the first floor porch overlooking the water ...can't wait to get back there.

www.traffordrestaurant.com

I went last month but have been busy and kept forgetting to post this. I didn't know I was in Pawcatuck until I looked up her website ...thought we were in Westerly, RI. RIGHT over the line. On a side street but somehow we just happened upon it, and the exterior was so inviting we stopped. I had nutella crepes, my friend had an omelet. They have regular or cheesy homefries ....I had the cheesy ones and they were sorta like a cheesy potato pancake ....both were delicious. The place is adorable and cozy .....after looking at their lunch menu online, I need to go back!

www.donnascucina.com

Hi, there is an article on boston.com about open restaurants but it's Thanksgiving food and higher end. I need something casual and simple (a diner, chinese food, etc) for lunch on Thursday around the Brookline, Dorchester, Roxbury, Roslindale area. For various reasons, we're doing our family meal over the weekend, and just need to grab a bite on Thursday. I was wondering if Chinese restaurants are open on Thanksgiving the way the are on Christmas. Thanks!

Go to Bacaro, you won't be disappointed.

Add me to the list of people who aren't impressed w/Al Forno. I think they have a hit or miss issue, because I've read posts of good meals on here from chowhounders whose opinions I respect, but I unfortunately have only ever experienced a "miss" night.

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Bacaro Restaurant
262 S Water St, Providence, RI 02903

Perfect, thank you so much!

Thanks Phelana, but I'm leaving Friday after work and going for the wkend. Tuesday daytime market no good for me.

Jomo, thanks for trying, but I've seen that market and doesn't have enough "ooomph" for me....I'm looking for something really nice, loaded w/the best the season has to offer.

Weeding through the options on farmfresh has been difficult because I have to go through the farms individually to find out if they're close to 495, have a farmstand (as opposed to just a CSA, etc)....that's why I was hoping someone on here could give me a specific red.

Already been to farmfresh and wasn't finding much that was helpful. This market is Tuesdays, the Friday one is Buzzard's Bay which I don't want to deal with because of traffic .....

I totally agree. While they certainly have that right (like someone said, 1st amend does not apply), I've rolled my eyes plenty at what gets removed here. Never seen anything like it on any other website.

Heading to the Cape Friday....leaving Norton after work, would like to find a good farmstand to just load up on whatever looks nice for the weekend. Any suggestions?

Third Bacaro. Don't bother w/Al Forno.

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Bacaro Restaurant
262 S Water St, Providence, RI 02903

Not really, except for music. You can purchase food, I don't think they have enough choices. I've had a nice time but prefer the fall festival....a bit hot this time of year to be sitting in a field.

I agree Sara, I've never had a bad meal at Bacaro....although I haven't been in a year or so.

I'm going to second what invino said...do you have to go there? Food can be stellar (so I hear) or just meh (my experience more than once). They strong arm you into ordering dessert in advance. If you want to sit in their pretty outdoor courtyard for cocktails and a pizza, fine. Anything else, don't bother.

Agree! And all this debate about whether it's hazardous or not is weird to me. It's not hazardous, it's simply gross ...isn't that enough? Urine is sterile.....does that mean I'm picky because I don't want any accidently slipping into my food??

Castle Hill Inn! Food, service, setting...all top notch.

Lawn of the Spring House....peanut butter mudslides while the kids occupy themselves rolling down the hill.

Oh.....you wanted food?