Good family restaurants come in a variety of flavors -- We found three in East Bay that we're happy to list among our favorites -- and they're all different.

Davenports's East Providence

This restauant fits in the Chelo's/Gregg's variety of familiy restaurants -- a restaurant looking to be a chain. In fact it's already a chain, there's another Davenport's in Cumberland. The restauant is clean and efficient, concentrating on the food and service rather than a fancy setting. The food is filling and fairly priced, and the waitstaff is friendly and attentive. This is the kind of place you can get liver and onions with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

As with any restaurant, pay attention to the specials board -- not for unusual offersings but more for the special pricing. Look for their prime rib on Monday and Tuesday and great desserts all week long.

Tweet Balzano's, Bristol

Tweet's has been around forever... well, since the 1940's. They have a lot more seafood and Italian dishes than a typical family restaurant -- the best choices there are either the family-style pasta by the pound if you're feeding a family, or seafood from the specials board. The prices are very good and the service is decent, though it can get very very busy when it fills with their regulars (and by being in business so long, they have lots of regulars).

Tweet's pays scant attention to the decor -- after the fire in 1995, the restaurant was built as one huge room, feeling a bit like a banquet hall more than a cozy restaurant.

Country Inn, Warren RI

The Country Inn borders on the edge of fine dining. The building was originally an antique store, being convered to a restaurant about 15 years ago. That gives the restaurant nice little farmhouse nooks and crannies that the owners have filled with antiques -- an old wood stove, a grandfather clock. The service is adequate, though a little flat -- not quite to the standard you'd expect from a fine dining restaurant, and not personal enough to keep you coming back just to see your waiter's smile. The portions are generous and the lunchtime prices are reasonable -- even at dinner the highest set price is $16 for clams.

I tested their fried cauliflower, unique to the Country Inn and found it a little bland for my taste. Their liver and onions (I seem to like ordering it at family restaurants, perhaps my Mom's influence) came in ample amounts, though the onions seemed more steamed than fried, so they didn't have much of the sweet taste that carmalization gives them. On the plus side, they served bread with their meal and had fresh-brewed iced tea.

My choice?

It depends. For general purposes, I'd choose Davenport's. For a family gathering, Tweet's. For a romantic night out, Country Inn. Different places for different purposes. After all, they're all different.

Find the Country Inn at 382 Market Street in Warren. Phone 245-3818. Find Tweet Balzano's Restaurant at 180 Mount Hope Avenue in Bristol. Phone 253-9811. There are two Davenport's, the one in East Providence is at 1925 Pawtucket Avenue. Phone 438-3381. They also have a website at www.davenportsri.com.

About the author, Paul Pence: Not a life-long Rhode Islander, Paul got to Rhode Island as fast as he could. He has 25 years of writing experience and numerous publication credits including the Providence Journal, the East Greenwich Magazine, Weissmann Travel Reports, Travel Lady Magazine, Jackhammer, Your Skin and Sun, TravelNotes, TexWoman, and many others.

Johnson Landscaping

Landscape design Renovation Maintenance

greengiant84.net (401) 862-7202

Let our experts make your yard beautiful again!

Readers Comments About This Page:

Be the first! Add Your Comment!