
Castine,
Maine
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Located 15 1/2 miles south of U.S. Highway 1,
along the western edge of the Penobscot Peninsula, is the small,
nationally registered, college town of Castine, Maine. As you
meander through the elm-lined streets of this pre-colonial town and
drive down to Penobscot Bay, you arrive at the docks. Much to
everyone's surprise, moored directly opposite the ubiquitous sailing
vessels and small water craft is the enormous ocean-going ship, the
U.S.S. State of Maine. As you cast your eyes across this stunning
panorama you notice a light gray wooden building to your left and on
the back of this building, nearest to the water, an inviting, bright
yellow awning. Written on the side of the awning is Dennett's
Wharf Restaurant.
This pub
and restaurant has been a Maine
vacation destination for our family the past three summers. |

Dennett's
Wharf
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Until 1960, Dennett's Wharf was as-billed,
a
wharf, owned and operated
by the Dennett brothers. The wharf was first constructed in the
early 1800's as a sail and rigging loft. Later in the 19th
century, with the arrival of steam powered cruise ships, summer
tourists from Boston, New York and even Washington came to Castine to
visit the striking granite-lined coastline of the Penobscot Bay
region. The Dennett family obliged and capitalized on the
influx of summertime visitors by constructing and renting row boats as
well as, at this location, building one of the first American "9 pin"
bowling lanes. The "9 pin" bowling lane was rediscovered during
renovation by the present owners and is now incorporated into the
dazzling wooden bar in the main portion of Dennett's
Wharf Restaurant
and Oyster Bar. On display, behind the bar, is the
original
bowling ball as well a few of the preserved pins.

Things
are looking up!
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The pub and restaurant has been owned by Gary and Carolyn
Brouillard
since 1986. Besides the "9 pin" indoor-bar, very comfortable
lounge area, and wooden booths and tables dining area, Dennett's Wharf
Restaurant and Oyster Bar features an outside bar, an outdoor canopied
deck overlooking the water with tables and even Adirondack chairs,
kayak tours and lessons by Castine Kayaks, bike rentals and docking
facilities. After walking the wooden-planked entrance from Sea
Street and entering the reception area, one can't help but notice that
currency covers the ceiling of the indoor pub and restaurant. The
practice of tacking a dollar bill to the ceiling was started by a
customer in 1990. Since then, owner Gary Brouillard has become
quite adept at launching them upward and successfully tacking them to
the ceiling. During each annual summer visit, our two sons have
given Mr. Brouillard a couple of procured dollars towards this
effort. You can even write your name or a message on the dollar
before their flight. The method involves a dollar (we supply), a
tack and a U.S. quarter, as a weight (Gary supplies). After the
dollar bill lodges in the ceiling, the quarter returns to the floor and
is returned to the pocket of its owner. The dollars do come down
from the ceiling for charity. After September 11, 2001, a total
of $12,312 was collected in three hours by the Brouillards and given to
a Brooklyn widow whose husband operated an elevator to the Windows On
the World restaurant located atop One World Trade Center. This
charitable act was reported in the December 24, 2001 issue of People
magazine under the title "Santa Claws." Again, after Hurricane
Katrina, the money was collected and donated. When we asked Gary this
past summer if he planned on
taking down the dollars again, he replied, "I hope I don't ever have
to." Amen to that. |
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The Brouillard family
holding plastic
pans full of currency extracted from the
ceiling. The money was
donated to the victims of Hurricane
Katrina. |
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Dennett's
Wharf Restaurant and Oyster Bar
offers excellent foods with
an obvious, but welcome, bias toward fresh Maine seafood, including
appetizers such as Lobster Quesadilla, Maine Shrimp, Steamers and a
creamy (New England) clam chowder - just clam chowder to them, New
Englanders don't recognize the red kind. Entrees include Lobster
Pie, Grilled Swordfish and Stonington Lobster (fresh from the fishing
port located on Deer Isle, off the southern tip of the Pennobscot
Peninsula and accessible by car over a huge span bridge). They
also offer Vegetable Strudel, Roasted Half Chicken served with
cranberry chutney, Buffalo Wings and even Pad Thai. They also
specialize in steaks such as an eight ounce filet mignon, several
styles of twelve ounce sirloin and a house favorite, "Marinated Hanger
Steak," served with a Shiitake mushroom demi-glaze. This past
summer the Sugar Cane Skewered Shrimp was delicious followed by desert,
including traditional Maine (wild) blueberry pie and New York Style
Cheese Cake - it must be because a former New York Yankee player was in
the restaurant when we were there the year before.

The spirit flows
inside . . .
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. . . or
outside
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a blueberry powered
smile
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The pub selection includes numerous microbrews on draft,
including many
Maine favorites such as Geary's London Porter, Pale Ale and Summer Ale,
Gritty's Best Brown and Black Fly Stout, Shipyard Ale, Carrabassett
Pale Ale, Stone Coast 420 IPA, Castine Lager and Dennett's Own Wharf
Rat Ale. Miller Lite was also on tap. Plenty of bottled
beer is also featured, besides the staples such as Budweiser, Bud Lite,
Michelob Lite, Heineken and Corona, were Old Speckled Hen, Newcastle
Brown, Boddington's Pub Ale, Magic Hat #9. Our sons look forward
to the bottled sodas like Eli's Root Beer and Blueberry soda, a Maine
favorite. The boys also enjoy making shapes out of the Wiki Stix
that are provided to the children by the restaurant before every meal,
a unique touch as compared to the more typical crayons and
coloring/activity books. The wine list is quite extensive and
includes Washington state, California, Italian, French and Australian
wines.
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The
U.S.S. State of Maine, as
well as the tug, Pentagoet, are operated by the Maine Maritime
Academy. The academy was established in 1941 to train merchant
seamen, with the first students commencing classes on October 9 of that
year. The school now offers a wide range of curriculum in marine
engineering and transportation as well as marine biology and
business. The school ranks near the top in the nation in
placement and boasts a nearly one hundred percent career employment
record upon graduation. While visiting this past summer, just
before sunset, we all watched the parade of sailor-dressed cadets being
commanded by their khaki-clad upper classman, marching by twos onto the
U.S.S. State of Maine. Castine also holds claim to the longest
continuously running post office in the United States. Some
notable summer or full-year residents were or are Harriet Beecher
Stowe, Robert Lowell, Mary McCarthy and singer-songwriter Don
McClean. |
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Strong! . . . like
a merchant
seaman
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Castine, Maine abounds
with early
American military history.
The area played a remarkable role in the struggles which helped to
forge our country.
To learn more about the strategies and campaigns,
and to be introduced to the ghost of a drummer boy,
Please CLICK here. |

Merchant Marine cadets board the U.S.S.
State of Maine
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So if
you're ever
passing
along U.S. Highway 1 to Acadia or on the Penobscot Peninsula, a side
trip to historic Castine is well worth the time. Coming into town
on Maine Highway 166, you'll pass Fort George while on Battle
Avenue, parts of the Maine Maritime
Academy, turning left onto Main Street numerous examples of Georgian
and Federalist homes, and near the bottom of the hill, easily walk able
shops, finally coming to a plentiful parking area at the town
harbor. Look for the bright yellow awning to your left at
15 Sea Street with the inviting words: Dennett's Wharf
Restaurant. Gary and Carolyn Brouillard are always
waiting to
greet and welcome new friends and throw a dollar or two to the
ceiling.
DENNETT'S WHARF RESTAURANT &
OYSTER BAR
15 Sea Street
Castine, Maine
04421
(207) 326-9045
Dennett’s
Wharf has recently gone through a transfer of ownership. Thankfully, it
remains in the very capable hands of the Brouillard family. Gary’s
brother Paul has now taken the helm of this Maine seaside institution.
http://www.dennettswharf.net
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