Members of the Passport to Manhood program show off for the camera after dinner at Chaval on June 6.

Thibeault Mazimpaka laughs with friends during dinner. Passport to Manhood is a national program aimed at instilling character and positive behavior. Teaching boys to be polite and considerate is part of the mission.

Sam Koenigsberg, who runs Portland's Passport to Manhood program, right, and Kristen Marsh, program director of the Portland clubhouse, left, with "the handsomest group in Maine right now."

A young diner grabs some fries, a food which tests the manners of many people much older than the Passport boys.

Chef Damian Sansonetti, who grew up going to the Boys & Girls Club in Boston, delivers food to the Portland club's Passport to Manhood group.

Eliel Otshudi places a napkin around his neck after sitting down for dinner at Chaval. To the left is Esa Antonio and to the right is Abdi Abdullahi.

Romeo King and Tyler Orcutt dig into dessert. Asked if he's ever been to such a nice restaurant before, Romeo King replied: "I've been to the fanciest restaurant in Maine. DiMillo's."

Sam Koenigsberg and Passport of Manhood boys eat dinner at Chaval. The first course was tomato bread, a classic Catalan snack.

Abdi Abdullahi, center, offers a thumbs-up as he enjoys his dinner with members of the Passport to Manhood program at dinner at Chaval. Others pictured, from left, are Esa Antonio, Eliel Otshudi, Abdullahi and Mohamed Elmi.

Server Jeff Krowne delivers drinks to members of the Passport to Manhood program at Chaval in Portland on June 6. Food is a big part of the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, which provide after-school snacks and dinner for many of their nearly 3,000 members.