Blessed with a river that runs through it and lakes throughout the region, the Toledo area has numerous restaurants where one can dine overlooking the water.

You can watch the sun set from Point Place and the Lost Peninsula or rise at Maumee Bay State Park.

Or watch the river traffic on the Maumee River from an assortment of restaurants.

There s white tablecloth dining, upscale casual, and family fare. Cuisines range from Italian to Mexican and Cajun/Creole to premium seafood.

With plenty of places with patio dining to soak up the good weather and dining rooms with magnificent views, here is a sampling:

Webber s Waterfront Restaurant & Lounge, 6339 Edgewater Drive, Erie, Mich. (via Point Place), 734-723-7411. Seafood, steaks, sandwiches. Open at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday.

River Cafe & Marina, 6215 Edgewater, Erie, Mich. (via Point Place), 734-723-7405. Casual upscale seafood, steaks, and ribs. Open at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and noon on the weekends.

Navy Bistro, 30 Main St., 419-697-6289. Eclectic collection American cuisine, steaks, and seafood. Open 11 a.m. daily for lunch and dinner.

Tango s Mexican Cantina, 30 Main St. 419-697-4678. Traditional Mexican fare. Open 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and 3 p.m. on Sunday for dinner.

Real Seafood, 22 Main St., 888-456-DINE (3463). Premium seafood served simply. Open daily at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and dinner.

Zia s, 20 Main St., 888-456-DINE (3463). Classic country Italian. Open daily at 5 p.m. for dinner.

Gumbo s Bayou Grille, 18 Main St., 419-697-8700. Fun mixture of Cajun, Creole, and American standards. Open at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.

The Wyndham Hotel s Reflections dining room at 2 SeaGate, 419-241-1411. Open at 7 a.m. for breakfast, 11 a.m. for lunch, and 5 p.m. for dinner daily. American-style cuisine featuring steaks, chicken, and seafood.

COSI s Atomic Cafe at One Discovery Way (corner of Summit and Adams), 419-244-2674. Cafe open for COSI visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with family fare sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, and grill items.

COSI s H2O is an outdoor grill open in summer with grilled items; open museum hours, Friday evenings and other special evenings.

Turtle Club (formerly Lighthouse Banquet Hall), 2605 Broadway, 419-381-1140. Full service year-round with a full menu and a sports restaurant that features seafood, steaks, pasta, and sandwiches. Open 11 a.m. daily for lunch and dinner.

Lighthouse Cafe at 2605 Broadway, 419-381-1140. Grill items and barbecued ribs and chicken. Seasonal hours opening May 5 with Cinco de Mayo celebration. Open daily at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner.

Maumee Bay Resort & Conference Center s Water s Edge Dining Room, 1750 Park Rd., Oregon, 419-836-1466. Sustainable and organic cuisine plus fresh seafood, steaks, sandwiches, and breakfasts. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Contact Kathie Smith at:food@theblade.comor 419-724-6155.

First Published May 18, 2005, 12:57 p.m.