Cranston’s Garden City has added a touch of authentic Italian with the opening of Newport Restaurant Group’s Avvio Restaurante.

“Start” is the rough translation of the Italian word “avvio,” and I immediately started to like it as we pulled into the nearby free parking space and watched diners enjoying themselves on the two outdoor areas, thanks to a warm spring evening. Inside, the tastefully redesigned dining rooms (formerly Papa Razzi) were filling up quickly.

We were seated with friends at a large table and were greeted by general manager Raul Esteves, a Warwick resident who has had previous experience at Newport Harbor Corporation’s Mooring and Boat House.

A basket of fresh bread was immediately brought to the table and we began perusing the attractive menu.

On a previous occasion, we had enjoyed their Margherita and Black Figs pizza, cooked to perfection on the new coal-fired pizza oven. (Pizzas are $10-$15).

On this night, Joyce and I were ready for appetizers, entrees and dessert, having to make difficult choices among the many entrees and specials.

I started with the Calamari/Shrimp Fritti ($12), a combination I had never had before, and will certainly have again. The blend of my two favorite seafoods was perfect, and the order was generously large, tender and tasty.

Joyce chose the Shrimp Bruschetta, with a white wine sauce that enhanced the scrumptious dish ($12). For her entrée, she chose Linguini al Funghi ($18) with a seasoning she craved, saving some for lunch the following day.

There are nightly specials, ranging from $18 to $49. Wednesday featured a Veal Saltimbocca: pan-sautéed veal scallopini, prosciutto, sage, house-made mozzarella, whipped Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and broccolini, a perfect blend of ingredients as only Chef Greg Coccio could create.

That’s the word: creativity. A friend ordered the Lobster Tortelloni-poached lobster and raved about the sauce ($24), while his wife enjoyed one of Avvio’s signature dishes, the flat iron steak, which was cooked to wishes and earned the right to be called a signature dish ($19).

Desserts are a must, even if you can’t eat them after such a satisfying dinner. We took home an Olive Oil Cake, made with Amarena cherries and vanilla crema that was prepared by Executive Pastry Chef Matthew Petersen, a Johnson & Wales graduate. He also has a special cookie that must be tried. Desserts range from $1.50 to $6.

We were impressed with the many Cranston/Warwick connections, and the strong commitment to Cranston and Garden City. The beautifully redesigned space fits right in with the community.

Avvio’s culinary arts director Kevin Di Libero is a Rhode Island native and brings 11 years of experience to the job.

“Beautifully cooked food done simply,” he said. “The excitement for me is in the simplicity of the ingredients. Italians live off the land. That’s a beautiful way to live.”

It may seem simple to him, but what impressed me most was the way he combines those ingredients to offer new and enticing tastes.

As you can see by some of the prices we’ve listed, the quality and quantity of Avvio is most reasonable when compared with other Italian restaurants.

Avvio is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a special weekend brunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations are strongly recommended as Cranston’s hottest new dining adventure has rapidly taken off; call 942-2900. Check out their website at www.

avviorestaurante.com. The restaurant is handicap accessible.