Peekytoe Provisions in Bar Harbor, Maine

Peekytoe Provisions is a casual seafood restaurant on Bar Harbor's waterfront that does classic New England right. You'll find locals and travelers crammed in here on summer nights, eating at tables and the bar. They do a brisk takeaway lobster business, but stick around for the chowder, sandwiches, and daily specials.

• Clam chowder that hits, broth-based and well-seasoned
• Fresh oysters rotated regularly, unicorn variety gets regulars' votes
• Haddock sandwich with crunchy panko crust
• Smoked ricotta chocolate mousse worth the skepticism

Start with the clam chowder or baked brie. The haddock sandwich comes with light, crispy breading and tastes like it should. The Cajun salmon sandwich is visually bright and strong. Go for the Jonah crab roll if they have it. The lazy lobster is a decent-sized portion, though one diner found it small for the price. End with the chocolate mousse if you're still game.

Packed on warm nights, especially later in the week. Casual and a little loud, with bar seating if tables are gone.

Bar staff like Rory know the menu cold and steer you well. The attached seafood market means you can grab bluefin tuna or whatever else caught your eye before you leave. It's not fine dining, but it doesn't pretend to be.

Guests rave about the freshness of the seafood and the bartenders' helpfulness. The chowder and oysters come up again and again. One recent visitor called the final chocolate mousse dessert worth trusting the chef on, even if it sounds weird. A few diners thought pricing was steep relative to portion size.