Demillo's Unique Restaurant Experience: Dining On Boats

DiMillo's On The Water is a floating restaurant in Portland, Maine, located in a former Jamestown ferry boat. The restaurant was opened by Tony DiMillo in 1982 and is currently managed by his son, Steve DiMillo. DiMillo's offers award-winning cuisine, panoramic views of Portland Harbor, and a unique ambiance. The menu features classic New England seafood dishes, such as scallop rolls and lobster mac and cheese, as well as creative twists on traditional dishes by Chef Melissa Bouchard. The restaurant also has an adjoining marina and a yacht dealership, showcasing luxury vessels from brands like Sabre Yachts and Back Cove Yachts.

The restaurant is located in a former Jamestown ferry boat

The DiMillo's restaurant in Portland, Maine, is located in a former Jamestown ferry boat. The restaurant, DiMillo's on the Water, is a floating restaurant on Portland Harbour, offering panoramic views of the iconic harbour and an ambiance unique to DiMillo's. The restaurant was opened in 1982 by Tony DiMillo, who had already spent several decades in the restaurant business.

The ferry boat itself has a long history. The original boat was commissioned in 1941 as the 'New York' and operated as a car ferry between New Castle, Delaware, and Paysville, New Jersey. It was later sold to the state of Virginia, where it became a ferry between Norfolk and Hampton. In 1958, the state of Rhode Island purchased the boat, renaming it the 'Newport'. At the time, the Newport Bridge had not yet been constructed, and the ferry was a vital transport link for residents of Jamestown, who would otherwise have had to travel through Providence using the Jamestown Bridge.

In 1969, the Newport Bridge opened, and the ferry was no longer needed. The boat was sold and had a series of owners before being purchased by the DiMillo family in 1980. Tony DiMillo transformed the old ferry according to his grand plan, and in 1982, DiMillo's Floating Restaurant opened its doors, becoming the only floating restaurant on the upper East Coast.

Today, the restaurant continues to serve classic New England seafood dishes, including scallop rolls, lobster mac and cheese, and fried clams. The restaurant also hosts weddings and banquets, offering a unique setting for special events.

It is the only floating restaurant on the upper East Coast

DiMillo's On The Water is a floating restaurant in Portland, Maine, located in a former Jamestown ferry boat called the Newport II. The restaurant was opened in 1982 by Tony DiMillo, who had already spent several decades in the restaurant business. It is the only floating restaurant on the upper East Coast.

Tony DiMillo's first restaurant, Anthony's, opened in 1954, serving Italian specialties and seafood. Over the next few decades, he opened and closed several restaurants in Portland before establishing DiMillo's Lobster House on Commercial Street, which became wildly popular. In 1978, he bought the dilapidated coal wharf on Portland's Old Port, which became a full-service marina a year later.

When Tony came across a retired car ferry for sale in an issue of Boats & Harbors magazine, he decided to move DiMillo's across the street to the wharf, establishing an actual floating restaurant. It took two years to transform the old car ferry according to Tony's grand plan. Today, the restaurant offers panoramic views of the iconic Portland harbor and an ambiance unique to DiMillo's.

The DiMillo family has been serving fine food in Portland since Tony DiMillo opened his first restaurant in 1954. The family also operates an adjoining marina and a yacht dealership. DiMillo's On The Water serves classic New England seafood dishes, including scallop rolls, lobster mac and cheese, and fried clams. The restaurant also hosts weddings and banquets, offering a unique setting for special events.

DiMillo's offers panoramic views of Portland Harbour

DiMillos offers panoramic views of Portland Harbour from every table. This is because it is a floating restaurant, located on a former Jamestown ferry boat, docked on a wharf in the heart of Portland's Old Port. The wharf was purchased by Tony DiMillowith with a vision of developing it, and in 1980, he bought the retired car ferry and transformed it into a restaurant. DiMillos offers award-winning cuisine and an ambiance that is unique to the restaurant.

The restaurant has an expansive outdoor deck on the bow, providing unbeatable views of the harbour. There is also a large function area on the upper deck, as well as a comfortable lounge with a 55-foot bar, fireplace, and its own outdoor space. The dining room has been recently renovated, with updated lighting, new seating, and tables made from reclaimed river logs.

DiMillo's is a Portland landmark, with a rich history and strong family ties. It is well-known for its fresh seafood, with a commitment to using locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's catchphrase, coined by Tony DiMillowas, is "The clams you eat here today slept last night in Casco Bay". This slogan is still true today, with the restaurant continuing to serve classic New England seafood dishes.

The DiMillofamily has been serving fine food in Portland since Tony DiMillofirst opened his restaurant, "Anthony's", in 1954. In 1982, "DiMillo's Floating Restaurant" opened its doors, becoming the only floating restaurant on the upper East Coast. The restaurant has a fascinating collection of antique nautical artifacts on display, adding to the unique ambiance.

With its panoramic views of Portland Harbour, DiMillos offers a truly memorable dining experience, combining award-winning cuisine, a rich history, and a strong sense of family.

The restaurant is known for its award-winning cuisine

DiMillo's On The Water is a floating restaurant in Portland, Maine, housed in a former Jamestown ferry boat called the Newport II. The restaurant was opened in 1982 by the DiMillo family and has since become the only floating restaurant on the upper East Coast.

The culinary team at DiMillo's is led by head chef Melissa Bouchard, a self-taught chef who started her career at the age of 14. Bouchard brings creativity to the menu by putting new twists on traditional dishes. One of her signature dishes is a heaping bowl of mussels in a buttery and luscious sauce containing Raye's sweet and spicy mustard, produced in her hometown of Eastport, Maine. Another favourite is her version of scallop carbonara, rich with a Parmesan cream sauce and smoky bacon.

In addition to its seafood dishes, DiMillo's also offers a variety of other options, including salads, pasta, chicken, and beef. The restaurant caters to a range of dietary restrictions, with gluten-free, meatless, and vegan options available. The bar, managed by Chelsea DiMillo Weed, offers a selection of creative cocktails and an excellent wine list to complement the food.

DiMillo's has received acclaim for its cuisine, with Chef Melissa Bouchard being named the Maine Restaurant Association's first female Chef of the Year in 2013. The restaurant has also been recognised for its unique setting, offering panoramic views of the iconic Portland harbour from every table. With its combination of award-winning cuisine and waterfront dining experience, DiMillo's On The Water has become a beloved Portland landmark.

It is located in the heart of Portland's Old Port

DiMillo's on the Water is located in the heart of Portland's Old Port. This unique, historic floating restaurant is the only one of its kind on the upper East Coast. It is housed in a former Jamestown ferry boat called the Newport II, which was purchased by the DeMillo family in 1980. The restaurant opened its doors in 1982, and it has since become a beloved Portland landmark.

The restaurant is situated on a wharf that was bought by Tony DeMillo in 1978, with a vision to develop it into a full-service marina. The DeMillo family has a strong connection to the Portland Waterfront and a long history in the restaurant business. Tony DeMillo, the family patriarch, first opened a restaurant in Portland in 1954, and over the years, he established several successful dining establishments in the city.

DiMillo's on the Water offers panoramic views of the iconic Portland Harbor and the bustling boats that pass by. The restaurant's manager, Steve DeMillo, son of Tony, proudly carries on the family legacy, ensuring that the restaurant provides an exceptional dining experience with award-winning cuisine and a unique ambiance.

The menu at DiMillo's showcases the creativity of Chef Melissa Bouchard, who puts a modern twist on traditional dishes. The restaurant is known for its exceptional seafood, with fresh ingredients sourced locally from New England. Signature dishes include the fried Fisherman's Platter, baked stuffed lobster, and lobster mac and cheese.

In addition to its dining offerings, DiMillo's also has an adjoining marina and a yacht dealership, further solidifying its presence in the heart of Portland's Old Port.

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