Now with spring and warmer days upon us, there's a strong desire to spend more time outside, and after months of cooking and eating at home, people are ready to venture out for a glass of wine and a great meal at one of the area restaurants. The luxury of being served the wine and food only adds to the pleasure.
Several restaurants remained open throughout the winter, but a lot more were closed and are starting to open their doors for the summer. If they aren't open now, you can look forward to them opening soon.
The Red Cup Coffeehouse closed shortly after Christmas and reopened March 12. Owners Wendy and Paul Johnson are back serving their delectable pastries and espressos, cappuccino and fine coffees. They feature paninis and other fresh-made sandwiches for lunch, and specials every day. They will be open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Whale's Tale on Atlantic Avenue opened April 3. Head over for a bowl of their award-winning seafood chowder. They were first place winners in the chowder cook-off at HarborFest last September. Whale's Tale is open 7 days a week, serving lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner 5-9 p.m.
Pier One Pizza opens April 4. On April 3 you could find owner Korey Lewis on the wharf outside the pub with skill saws and a hammer. He is working on updating the pub, which he said will be opening along with the pizza area.
Here's a list of other area restaurants and their planned opening days:

• The Rocktide Inn: May 23
• Fisherman's Wharf Inn: Around May 16
• Herringbone's (formerly Knot Gray's): Planning a “soft opening” around Memorial Day weekend, May 21 or 22.
• Mine Oyster: Opening for Fishermen's Festival on April 25, 26 and 27 for oysters, sushi and nightclub with music; opening full-time May 22.
• Chowder House: Mid-June
• Boathouse Bistro: May 15
• Andrews’ Harborside: May 22
• Spruce Point Inn: May 30; Brooks Roberts will be the new executive chef at the resort's three restaurants.
• Lobster Dock: May 23, for the restaurant’s 22nd summer! Owners Dawn and Mitch Weiss will be introducing some new specials this summer.
• Dockside Grill: May 3, serving breakfast only until May 22, then full menu.
• Tugboat Inn: April 18, closed Mondays and Tuesdays until the beginning of May.
• Boothbay Lobster Wharf: May 23
• Kaler’s Crab & Lobster: Opening around May 16. Kaler's will be emphasizing happy hour food specials this summer.
• Brown's Wharf: June 12
• Boothbay Harbor Country Club: May 22. Lunch & dinner will be served daily, and dinner wed. to sat.
• Oliver’s: May 20, open every day but Monday. Sunday brunch will feature specials and cocktails. (New chef Thomas Conboy will oversee both Oliver’s and the Country Club restaurants.

If you’re a restaurant owner or manager and would like to be added to the list, call Reporter Suzi Thayer at 207-633-4620, ext. 119 or email suzithayer@boothbayregister.com.