Ports of Italy restaurant in Boothbay Harbor is one of many local businesses that are feeling thankful this holiday season. Manager Jeff Teel spoke recently of the town rallying behind the Boothbay Festival of Lights, a first-time event for the harbor, with more than 23,000 lights bringing the town to life at a time when it is normally settled in for a long winter's nap.

“It seems like everybody got on board, and the fire department helped people put their lights up. You should take a stroll around town after dark. It's very impressive.”

Teel said Ports of Italy is organizing a party to take place at the restaurant sometime between Christmas and New Year’s Day, for the merchants, volunteers and fire department, to thank them for a job well done.

Starting last year, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 30, the popular restaurant has offered specials at lower than normal prices, as a way to ensure that local people have an opportunity to sample its coveted Italian cuisine. “Last year we made the decision to stay open before we even knew that Gardens Aglow was going to happen,” Teel said. “We were open for the locals and people who don't come into Boothbay Harbor when it's crowded (during the summer).”

Teel said some people are coming two or three times a week. “We have people coming from Bath, Nobleboro, Newcastle and Damariscotta who have never been here.”

The specials are: Monday - lasagna; Tuesday – steak; Thursday – spaghetti & meatballs (meat or vegetarian); Friday - “Double Magnum Night” (Chef Fabrizio's Four-Course Tasting Menu); Sunday – chicken or eggplant parmigiana. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays and there are no specials offered on Saturday.

Last Friday night, Dec. 2, Teel and Ports of Italy owner Sante Calandri were making their way around the tables pouring Chianti from three and five-liter bottles for the diners who had opted for the Double Magnum Night.

The four-course tasting menu started with pasta and Fagioli soup, followed by Gnocchi al pesto — handmade potato dumplings in a classic genovese pesto sauce, then the main course of pollo al limone — boneless breast of chicken sauteed with lemon, wine and fresh herbs. Dessert was torta di zucca – pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

Other specialties at the restaurant include homemade pasta, homemade ravioli, bread, focaccia and desserts — all made daily using free-range eggs.

Teel said Ports of Italy is also offering a promotion in conjunction with local inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels, that are providing guests with vouchers to “enjoy a free dessert” at the restaurant. Participating lodgings include Russell House, Cod Cove Inn, Tugboat Inn, Greenleaf Inn, Topside Inn and Harbor House Inn.

The large deck at Ports of Italy, that was closed off last season due to lack of heat, is open this year, after being winterized with baseboard heat and plastic covers over the windows, thus expanding the seating capacity by 40 seats.

Ports of Italy is open every day except Wednesday, 4:30 to close. Call 207-633-1011 for reservations. The restaurant will close for the winter on Jan. 2.