Wandby Landing in Kennebunk, Maine

Wandby Landing sits right on the water in Kennebunk, drawing locals and out-of-towners for upscale comfort food. They do pasta, seafood, and wood-fired pizza in a series of dim-lit dining rooms anchored by a cozy bar with fireplace views. It's the kind of place that works for a special dinner or a casual Saturday with a group.

• River views from the dining room tables
• Wood-fired pizza and pasta made with local produce
• Pork chop and chicken Milanese consistently praised
• Service stays attentive even on peak weekends

Start with the peekytoe crab toast or meatballs. The pork chop and chicken Milanese show what the kitchen does well. If you want pasta, try the agnolotti with corn and lobster. Halibut is a solid entree. And don't skip the wood-fired pizza, especially if you're after something lighter.

Dim-lit dining rooms with a fireplace-facing bar. Quieter and intimate rather than loud. Outside fire pits add warmth.

The kitchen leans into locally sourced ingredients and technique. You'll find agnolotti with corn and lobster, halibut, pork chop, chicken Milanese. Pizza comes wood-fired and substantial enough to anchor a lighter meal. Portions trend generous. Seasonings are careful. They're not perfect every night, and some dishes land harder than others, but the care is visible.

Guests return often and notice the consistency. One recent visitor described the pork chop and chicken Milanese as standouts, and another lingered over the river view and gnocchi with Bolognese sauce. A group of eight felt well cared for on the busiest dining weekend of the season.