Channeling a Florentine trattoria, Tuscan Tavern (632 Metacom Ave., 401/247-9200, www.tuscantavern.net, noon–9 p.m., $6–25) serves Italian comfort food in a cozy ambience. Some of the many pasta dishes have a New England spin—such as lobster ravioli with vodka cream sauce. A large brick oven churns out wood-grilled calzones.

The East Bay branch of the lauded Providence restaurant, India (520 Main St., 401/245-4500, www.indiarestaurant.com, 11 p.m.–5 p.m., $8–15) is one of the best Indian restaurants in New England. The menu specializes in fiery curries of both meat and vegetarian varieties, as well as char-grilled kabobs. Fresh cilantro perks up the masala sauce.

For years, the Nathaniel Porter Inn, the 200-year-old home of a whaling captain, was a stuffy Warren warhorse. In 2004, new owners scrapped the inn and christened the Nat Porter Restaurant (125 Water St., 401/289-0373, www.natporter.com, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, $8–24), keeping the original mahogany and teak parquet flooring and adding modern light fixtures reminiscent of a ship’s lantern. Despite the historic ambience, the food is modern, chef-driven cuisine, such as spicy lamb sirloin with red-pepper polenta and muscat grapes; and a pan-seared tofu and portabello Napoleon.