DiMillo's On the Water is a floating restaurant in Portland, Maine, United States. It is located on the former New York car ferry,[1] which ran between Norfolk and Hampton, Virginia, then between Newport and Jamestown, Rhode Island.[2] It is now permanently berthed at Portland's Long Wharf.[3] The vessel is 206 feet (63 m) long, 65 feet (20 m) wide, and weighs 700 tons.[4] The DiMillo family also owns the marina that surrounds the vessel.[2]
| DiMillo's On the Water | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Viewed from the end of Long Wharf in 2024 | |
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1982 |
| Owner(s) | DiMillo family (1999–present) |
| Previous owner(s) | Tony DiMillo (1982–1999) |
| Head chef | Melissa Bouchard |
| Food type | Seafood |
| Street address | Long Wharf |
| City | Portland, Maine |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 04101 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 43°39′15″N 70°15′02″W / 43.6541°N 70.2505°W |
| Seating capacity | 550 |
| Reservations | Yes |
| Website | www |
History
edit
The restaurant was established in 1982 by Tony DiMillo (1933–1999), who reused the name of his previous business, a lobster restaurant located on the opposite side of Commercial Street. DiMillo's Lobster House opened in 1965.[2][3][5] DiMillo's slogan, "The clams you eat here today slept last night in Casco Bay", was kept.[3]
Two menus from DiMillo's are included in a collection of menus held at the Portland Public Library. One is from 1982 and one is from 1989. According to the 1982 menu, that year a complete shore dinner cost $18.95, a lobster roll was $4.75, and spaghetti with plain sauce was $3.25.[6]
As part of a renovation in 2015, the restaurant's tables were made in Millinocket from reclaimed river logs.[7]
In January 2024, pilings were damaged, hingers were broken and the pier buildings flooded during the 2024 Portland flood.[8]
Management
editSteve DiMillo is the restaurant manager,[7] a role he shares with three of his eight siblings: brothers Dan and Johnny and twin sister Stephanie Quattrucci.[5] Arlene DiMillo, widow of Tony,[9] was the company's president until her retirement in 2015.[7]
As of 2022, Melissa Bouchard is the head chef at the restaurant,[10] which has a seating capacity of around 550.[9] Bouchard began working in the DiMillo's kitchen in 1998.[7]
Chris DiMillo manages the yacht sales operation.[5]
References
edit- ^ Charles, Eleanor (1983-06-12). "WHAT'S DOING IN PORTLAND, ME". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ a b c Clem, Lauren (2022-08-23). "The Former Jamestown Ferry is Now a Restaurant in Maine". Rhode Island Monthly. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ a b c "Restaurant Portland | History | DiMillo's on the Water Maine". DiMillo's on the Water. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ Griffin, Nancy (2017-07-15). 50 Things to Do in Maine Before You Die. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-60893-630-4.
- ^ a b c Axelrod, Susan (2018-03-01). "All Hands On Deck". Old Port Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ "DiMillo's Restaurant, 1982". Portland Public Library Special Collections & Archives. 1982.
- ^ a b c d Watterson, Karen (2016-08-04). "DiMillo's Restaurant and Lounge". The Maine Mag. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ WGME, Mal Meyer (2024-01-15). "Portland businesses rebound after historic high tide causes extensive damage". WPFO. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ a b Watterson, Karen (2016-05-04). "DiMillo's". The Maine Mag. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ Howard, Miles (2022-10-03). "Where to Get the Best Fall Food throughout New England". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-08.