Savoring THE SEASON

Regional Restaurants Where Autumn Ambience And Local Harvests Combine Into Unforgettable Dining Experiences

BY ANN MARTINI

As Winnie the Pooh once said, “It’s the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!” Like Pooh, we feel the exhilaration that comes with autumn, too. Maybe it’s evocative of our backto-school days, when each September brought an opportunity to reinvent ourselves through the simple purchase of new shoes and school supplies. While we Rhode Islanders are always sorry to see summer go, our palates change too, and lobster rolls and clam cakes give way to hearty soups and comfort food classics made with the best ingredients Rhode Island has to o er. We’ve rounded up a bunch of our favorite places and picked a dish or two that we can’t wait to cozy up with.

Beech

Beech is a beauty of a restaurant in just about every way, made more special by the return of beloved chef – and now co-owner – Kevin Gaudreau, who started his career here when it was the venerable Trattoria Simpatico. Anchored by a 150-year-old Copper Beech tree and sporting an airy coastal vibe, the menu is heavy on classics with modern execution. Warm up with the French onion soup, and decide between the roasted chicken with grilled lemons, whipped potatoes, haricot verts (French green beans), and a lemon-caper butter sauce, or the braised beef short rib with creamy cheddar polenta, Swiss chard, glazed cranberries, and demi glacé. 13 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown; BeechJT.com

ABOVE: Bridge’s pork chop with rosemary gravy

LEFT: House-made pasta at Beech

Bridge

Few restaurant atmospheres are as conducive to fall dining as Bridge. The inside is dark and cozy with a pub ambiance, while the expansive outdoor patio, which sits atop the Pawcatuck River, o ers nice views and leaf-peeping advantages. Since September is the beginning of prime oyster season, we suggest starting with those (when they run it, their buck-ashuck promotion is the best deal in town). Their house meatloaf hits the spot on a cool fall day – braised Denver-cut steak with bacon, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, and gravy. 37 Main Street, Westerly; BridgeRI.com

This summer at the Pequot Museum we will be offering a variety of culture-filled fun and educational programs, workshops and events for families and friends of all ages. Join us each Wednesday–Saturday in July and August for some of the best experiences that Mashantucket has to offer at the largest Native American museum in the world!

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Peter Pots Pottery

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