Best of Rhode Island 2008 Editors' Picks

Trust us, a trip to this downtown New Bedford hangout is worth logging a few extra miles. Located in a restored whaling-era building on the city's historic waterfront, Cork has a bright, sophisticated vibe upstairs, while the downstairs lounge is dim and moody, with dramatic high-backed banquettes and tiny tables made for getting intimate. The consumables more than measure up to the urbane vibe, with an impressive 200-bottle wine list (nearly forty of them by the glass and twelve flights), and a well-edited menu of snacks like lobster crostini and sauteed garlic shrimp.