Place to eat: The Pickled Herring, Eastport, Maine, United States

About this place:

No one would have guessed the success of a new restaurant on Water Street in Eastport, but it has experienced substantial accolades from residents and visitors alike. Owner and chef Gary Craig did the unthinkable by not even offering fried seafood on their menu, and instead offered up menu choices that you would expect to find in gourmet establishments in big cities, along with a decent wine and beer list and a full bar.

The success shows on Friday and Saturday night when The Pickled Herring is hopping and as patrons wait patiently for a table. Be prepared--the scent of the wood-burning grill, garlic and other wonderful scents are going to play havoc with your belly while you wait for a table.

The prices are fair, considering you are in the most eastern city in the US and everything comes in on a truck, and the food is excellent. The waitstaff is on-the-ball but don't make you feel rushed, and the ambiance of the old building is welcoming and comfortable.

Reservations are a good idea, especially on the weekends. The Pickled Herring is open Wednesday to Saturday from 5-9 and 1-5 on Sundays; they are closed Monday and Tuesday in the off-season, but open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The Pickled Herring is definitely on my itinerary for my next journey to Eastport; as a matter of fact, it might just be a reason to go!