Saturday, May 13

This was Lydia’s first choice for the place to eat after her graduation.

The restaurant is a floating ferry ship.

I found this history online:

Ship’s Log

The history of DiMillo’s on the Water

1941

Commissioned “The New York,” it ran as a car ferry between New Castle, Delaware and Pennsville, New Jersey.

1951

Sold to the state of Virginia and renamed “The Norfolk.” Ran between Norfolk and Hampton, Virginia.

1958

Sold to the state of Rhode Island and renamed “The Newport.” Ran between Newport and Jamestown, Rhode Island.

1969

Sold to the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Was used as housing for a youth center art colony.

1977

Sold to the Setaucket Yacht Club of Port Jefferson, New York. Was used for boat storage and as the clubhouse.

1980

Purchased by the DiMillo family.

1982

We opened our doors as “DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant.”

One of the largest such restaurants in the country, her overall length is 206 feet, with a beam of 65 feet. She weighs 701 tons and boasts a -horsepower steam engine (but we promise not to fire it up while you’re dining). We are able to seat over 600 guests in our First Deck Dining Room, Port Side Lounge, Second Deck Dining Rooms and three Outside Decks.

1994

Installed a new hull at the Bath Iron Works dry dock in Portland.

We could not make reservations before graduation, because we did not know what time we would be there, so called when we left Ogunquit. By then they were no longer taking reservations. By the time we got there they had a two-hour wait.

That did not work for us because we were going to another restaurant for supper – with the rest of our Maine family. There were many graduates in the area, so we assumed that made lunchtime busier than usual.

Her second choice was Boone’s – just a few blocks away.

I loved the atmosphere of this restaurant which was also on the wharf in Portland.

From the Internet: Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room is a casual seafood restaurant on Custom House Wharf in Portland, Maine. This two-story, waterfront restaurant serves fresh local seafood.

Since 1898 Boone’s has been a landmark seafood restaurant and a popular beacon to those visiting Portland. The historic dining destination is recognized as the home and likely origin of the baked stuffed Maine Lobster. The restaurant provides guests with a true Maine dining experience, featuring two outdoor decks, an oyster bar, and views of Portland Harbor.

The modern and spacious interior features a large function room that can accommodate up to 150 guests, a state of the art kitchen, wood-fire grill, and a spacious dining room.

Our appetizer (which we all sampled) was local spicy, buttered mussels.

Oh, yum!

Blueberry bread – another Maine specialty.

Mark’s salmon BLT

I think this was Cerwin’s cheeseburger. Diane had something similar.

Lydia’s cheeseburger.

My lobster bisque

Thanks for choosing this place, Lydia, it was a unique restaurant with delicious food.

After lunch Diane and I checked out the scenery from the area that seated 150 people.

Artwork in the entrance area

Lydia wanted to check out Bam Bam Bakery – just a few blocks from Boones.

We bought a few items for Sunday breakfast.

We learned a bit about Portland history before heading home.

Mark used to drive a motor coach when he worked for a bus company and knows a lot about Portland’s history. I told him it was like having our personal tour guide.

I took these daffodil pictures after we got back to the Myers’ house.

We were honored to be part of Lydia’s graduation ceremony and celebration.