While Edgewood begins at the Providence line and is generally believed to end at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, the neighborhoods of Edgewood and Pawtuxet Village meld together nicely. Pawtuxet Village is home to some of the finest eating establishments in the state. BASTA

Rivaling any restaurant on Federal Hill, Basta is located on the west side of Broad Street with plenty of parking in the rear of the building.

Basta is celebrating 25 years in the village, serving the neighborhood and people from all over Rhode Island who crave top-quality Italian cooking.

When you walk through the door, you quickly sense that the atmosphere is everything Italian, from the decor to the music to the staff – and, of course, the food.

The menu reflects the Italian dishes. From “antipasto” to “insalate,” you are ordering Italian.

The true Italian diner will partake of all the courses from the appetizers, through soup, salad, primo uno (pasta) to primo secundi, the main meat or fish course, to dessert.

Most main courses run in the $24-30 range, with their signature dish, Basta Chop, worth the price. This crispy milk-fed veal chop, stuffed with prosciutto di parma, is worth every one of the $42 it cost.

The menu is extensive and changes weekly. While food and drinks could add up to a healthy bill, Basta is the ultimate dining experience for that very special occasion.

Basta is located at 2195 Broad St. and open for dinner. For reservations, call 461-2300. O’ROURKE’S

Located across the bridge on the Warwick side, O’Rourkes Bar & Grill has been a popular spot for people of all ages since Mike O’Rourke bought the old building that was a grocery store back in the 1870s and a 10-cent beer watering hole up to the turn of the century. Twenty-five years ago, he turned it into a first-class restaurant and bar. Upstairs is Breffney’s, which caters to small parties.

O’Rourke’s offers a beautiful view of Pawtuxet Cove both inside and from the outside patio, which is filled with diners sitting under umbrellas.

The kitchen is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering great sandwiches and meals.

O’Rourke’s signature dish is the Irish Nachos, made with kettle chips, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, tomato, scallions and salsa ($12). The plate easily feeds two, or provides a great appetizer for four. A half order ($8) makes a meal for me.

While O’Rourke’s has all the atmosphere of an Irish pub and serves the best corned beef Reuben in town, they also have terrific burgers (fresh, not frozen), Guiness fish and chips, soups, salads and sandwiches.

O’Rourke’s is located at the corner of Broad Street and Peck Lane. The phone number is 228-7444. DEAR HEARTS ICE CREAM

A fixture in the village, Dear Hearts satisfies the neighborhood with its ice cream cones, sundaes, banana splits and milk shakes.

Located right next to the Pawtuxet River bridge, young and old gather outside the shop and along the bridge.

The address is 2218 Broad St., and the phone number is 467-4500. RIM NAHM THAI CUISINE

The name means “water’s edge” and this tiny restaurant/take-out offers authentic Thai cuisine, with each dish cooked to order.

There are a couple of tables on the back porch overlooking Pawtuxet Cove, which are as romantic as it gets.

We have pretty much been through the menu over the years. Our favorites are the curry dishes and the Pad Thai, but there is so much more to choose from.

Open every day from 4 to 9:30 p.m. (2 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday). Call 467-7897. CREPE CORNER

Crepe Corner is the latest addition to the varied shops in our quaint little village.

Owner Natacha Legein was seriously injured by a speeding driver when leaving her shop, which she was preparing to open in September. Her husband opened the corner store in November and the official opening was held in May.

Natalie is slowly recovering from her extensive injuries and has received great support from the community.

Crepe Corner features authentic Belgium crepes and waffles, fresh, creative bakery items and veggie and gluten-free products.

Usual hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but check with them by calling 467-4500. Crepe Corner is located at 2218 Broad St. VATSANA THAI & SUSHI

This lovely Thai restaurant is currently doing take-out.

Located at 2168 Broad St., their phone number is 781-1888, and the website is vatsanari.com.

Appetizers range from four spring rolls ($5.95) to a veggie platter ($12.95).

Soups are $4.95. Joyce likes the Yum Seafood salad ($14.95), which is a Thai-style ceviche with shrimp, scallops, squid and fish mixed with fresh lime juice, lemongrass, peppers and red onions.

House specialties range from duck dishes to crispy pork and sesame beef. Their varied meat, vegetable, noodles and fried rice dishes offer your choice of tofu, chicken, beef, pork and shrimp, with duck, salmon and tilapia available.

I enjoy the lemongrass shrimp, spicy coconut curry dishes and pad thai.

They also have a huge sushi take-out menu. FELLINI PIZZERIA

We used to drive to Fox Point for Fellini’s specialty pizzas, but now we have them right in our backyard.

The restaurant is tucked nicely behind Revolution and offers fast-service take-out and indoor and outdoor dining.

The thin-crusted pizzas come with a large variety of toppings, and you can have fun creating your own. Pizzas may be bought by the slice or whole. We like to go to the front counter and pick our a few different slices, which they pop in the oven for a minute. There’s a sheet to tell you the toppings.

They have a great bar and dining room where you can enjoy one of their signature sandwiches, appetizers, baked wings or salads.

Located at 2190 Broad St., Fellini’s phone number is 467-5992. Check them out at fellinipizzeria.com. They also offer free delivery. BAGEL EXPRESS DELI & CAFÉ

Located at 2190 Broad St., the year-old café shares outdoor dining space with Revolution and is a popular morning stop for walkers and joggers who enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, or a smoothie.

Others stop for a breakfast sandwich burrito, quiche or pastry.

They are open for lunch, serving great sandwiches with local names, like the Gaspee.

The shop’s phone number is 490-0033. REVOLUTION

Dean Scanlon is a survivor who knew how to take care of his staff and customers during the past year.

While many restaurants shut their doors during the pandemic, Scanlon opened his window – a window he originally put in to serve Gaspee Parade viewers – and served his loyal customers take-out dinners. As cold weather approached, he purchased three heated igloos and took reservations for outdoor dining.

As soon as restrictions lifted, he reopened the dining room and replaced the igloos with three-sided tents, keeping the parking lot filled with satisfied customers.

Revolution is referred to as an American Bistro, and his menu reflects great American cooking.

Appetizers include Fried Crusted Dills ($8) and Brussels Sprout Salad ($9).

The menu changes weekly, but always includes our favorite, Guilty as Sin BLTs, a sandwich that has more bacon than you’ll find anywhere and tastes delicious ($14).

Our two favorite dinners are the cut-with-a-fork short ribs ($24) and Cajun Jambalaya ($20).

Open for dinner weekdays and lunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday.

Revolution is at 2190 Broad St. For reservations, call 780-8700.