---

PROVIDENCE - It's where alfredo meets al fresco, and dining out is taken quite literally.

I am, of course, speaking about the area's own little slice of Italy: Federal Hill in Providence. While the restaurants on Atwells Avenue and the surrounding area offer their best year round, being able to eat outside on a sidewalk or on DePasquale Plaza when the weather turns warmer just makes the food taste better.

How do I know? I'm a regular visitor to that part of the city, and have been for about a decade.

It all started with Caffe Dolce Vita in DePasquale Plaza. My cousin first introduced me to the spot when I was still in high school. She and I would sit for hours chatting over bruschetta and proscuitto, fresh mozzarella and tomato sandwiches. We'd drink cappuccino and savor tiramisu within view and earshot of the bubbling stone fountain just steps from our table.

Those dishes are still among my favorite meals there even though they've expanded their menu since my first trip. And from those early days, I've spent many summer nights chatting with friends, people watching and sipping pinot grigio on the cobblestone plaza. Despite the soft spot I have for Caffe Dolce Vita, many other great spots also offer al fresco dining.

Staying at DePasquale Plaza, Constantino's Ristorante and Caffe, which is the dining venue of Venda Ravioli on Atwells, offers a full menu of delicious Italian fare. If you're in the mood for something more casual, check out Venda Ravioli's outdoor cafe for some of the great food they sell inside the gourmet store and serve at the restaurant.

I've eaten many delicious meals while people watching on Atwells, savoring the pasta at Mediterraneo, Cassarino's and Andino's. It's always interesting to see what cars pull up outside the restaurants, who gets out of them and what they're wearing while I'm diving into a plate of creamy fettuccine alfredo. For those who may feel like the great outdoors is a little too much to handle, each of those restaurants offers semi-outdoor dining with French doors that open to a row of sidewalk tables.

Digging into a crisp grilled pizza and enjoying a cold glass of Sam Adams Summer Ale at Bob and Timmy's is also a favorite pastime. Their outdoor dining area is nestled into another plaza right next to a church on Spruce Street. It's a quieter, more casual atmosphere than the other spots I mentioned, but many times it's just perfect for an easy night out.

More than just Italian

While the Hill is known for it's Italian food and ambiance, it's also the home of one of my favorite Mexican restaurants: Don Jose's Tequilas. It's a little further down Atwells from DePasquale Plaza, but it offers some of the best fajitas I've ever tasted. I usually get the shrimp and steak combination, which comes with all the yummy trimmings, and a margarita to wash it all down.

Back in the middle of the Atwells action are MuMu Chinese Cuisine and Tina's Caribbean Restaurant, two other non-Italian options that demonstrate the culinary diversity that's been working its way onto the Hill. The wanton soup, beef and broccoli, and crab rangoons are some of my favorites at MuMu, while the jerk chicken at Tina's, which is served with fried plantains, is also a yummy choice.

A hidden gem on Atwells is Opa, a small restaurant with a Lebanese and Middle Eastern menu and a minty-tasting fatoush salad that will make you want to forgo the meat portion of your meal. I've made a meal out of the salad with a side of their smooth, garlic-infused hummus, served with pita bread for dipping.

Breakfast, too

Some of the restaurants have started offering breakfast and brunch options in addition to lunch and dinner. Donna's Grill on the Hill on Atwells offers a full breakfast menu well into the afternoon for late risers, while Caffe Dolce Vita also offers breakfast and weekend brunch. The final serving

I've found that dining atmosphere is directly linked to total enjoyment of the meal, and thus my well-being at that moment. In my opinion, being outside in the summertime enjoying great food under the stars or on a warm afternoon is just about as good as it gets. Think of it as a New Englander's reward after being cooped up inside all winter long.

So, slip on some sandals and clean the lenses of your favorite oversized sunglasses. There's a spot at a table on a sidewalk or plaza just waiting for you.

JESSICA KOSOWSKI can be reached at 508-236-0331 or at jkosowski@thesunchronicle.com.