Danny Gilmore completed culinary school at Southern Maine Community College in 2008, and worked for a few years “in the business to gain experience.” Now, he is well into his first season as head chef at Holbrook’s Lobster Wharf and Grille, popularly known as the “snack bar,” on Holbrook’s Wharf on Route 24 in Cundy’s Harbor.

The Holbrook Community Foundation board leases the grille and general store to Gilmore’s Seafood in Bath.

One of the things Gilmore has done is make the menu at the snack bar a whole lot healthier.

“Our fish tacos are really popular. We make them with fresh grilled, blackened haddock, coleslaw, with our fresh sauce on a corn tortilla,” Gilmore said. “The summer salad is also really popular — it has blue cheese, candied walnuts, fresh strawberries and raspberries, served with our house dressing, which is an herbed Italian vinaigrette.”

Previously, the snack bar’s menu was principally fried seafood. Gilmore finds some of the old menu items still get ordered regularly. “The lobster roll and the haddock sandwich are favorites from the past. One of the things we did is offer either (of those sandwiches) in a spinach wrap, which seems to be a good idea,” Gilmore said.

Although the snack bar is without a liquor license, diners who wish to have beer or wine with their meal can walk 60 feet to Holbrook’s General Store for a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Gilmore has noticed that harbor locals tend to bring their own coolers, while those visiting or unfamiliar with tradition will stop in at the store for beverages.

At the store, George Bruen, an employee of Gilmore’s who came along when the Gilmores leased the wharf businesses, can be found manning the register.

“This store hasn’t been run as a general store for a while — it was more like a gift shop, so it’s been hard to know what to keep stocked,” Bruen said. “We have been trying to get a ship-to-shore business going, but it hasn’t really worked out too well. If people come in here by boat and they let us know, we have access to a skiff and can take groceries and supplies out to them.”

Holbrook’s Lobster Wharf and Grille is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and Holbrook’s General Store is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.