The huge, historic building is surrounded by private homes and looks like an elegant Maine cottage with a cupola and lovely arched windows along the first floor. Todd, a bellman, greeted us and the friendly front desk staff checked us in with a genuine welcome. They told us the inn’s rooms have a cottage feel, and indeed the sea colors of our room matched that description.

The furnishings included an antique desk and dresser, a king-size bed with a supremely comfortable mattress and exquisite linens. Our windows looked out on the ocean.

We took pre-dinner drinks to the porch of the Chart Room, the inn’s casual restaurant overlooking the private Sand Dollar Beach. As we drank in the view, I wasn’t ready to tear myself away, so I asked to look at their menu. The hostess said that customers in either the Chart Room or the more formal dining room can order from either menu.

I did not want to miss out on outside seating on such a pleasant evening. So we switched our reservations from the formal dining room to the Chart Room and began a dinner I will long remember seated at a table on the outside deck.

Our server, Joe, made this dinner even more enjoyable. He has worked here for six years and was training a new server that evening. When I told him my dinner choice was a little crazy, he said “We love crazy!” I ordered the Mediterranean plate ($10), clearly an appetizer meant to be shared, and the French onion soup ($10) for my dinner.

So with a bottle of red wine and a view of the sun setting over the bay and beach, I enjoyed one of the best late summer dinners ever. Joe informed us they have fleece blankets for guests who are chilly. I had dressed for the formal dining room inside, so I took him up on that offer.

My Mediterranean plate had crostini and tasty housemade hummus, roasted red pepper slices, a grilled vegetable salad, Kalamata olives and a goat cheese fritter which had been crusted and fried. The wide array of flavors all went well with a glass of Malbec.

It had indeed cooled off as the sun set, and I don’t know when a bowl of hot soup tasted better. I usually don’t order French onion soup because it is too filling. But as my meal, it was just the ticket.

George

From the local policeman, Peter Nappi, to the inn’s manager, Landace Porta, to the maintenance supervisor, Larry Dore, everyone here is friendly and helpful. We actually scheduled this visit after meeting Larry at Macannamac Camps in the north woods last summer.

We really enjoyed the 2-mile Cliff Walk all along the ocean, and the beaches here are very special, too. The residents of Prouts Neck actually own the inn, so its guests are able to use the private beach club and beaches. At the end of the peninsula, the inn is located in a very quiet neighborhood, unlike most places we’ve visited in the busy southern Maine coast.

Dinner was spectacular and not just because of the wonderful view and sunset. My appetizer, Parisian style rosemary gnocchi ($12), included locally-raised lamb bolognaise, parmigiano reggiano and toasted brioche crumbs. Yes, it was as tasty as it sounds. I especially loved the sauce, and the gnocchi were tender, as they should be.

I’d planned on ordering the bacon-crusted pork tenderloin ($25), but when Joe told me about a special, I had to have it. Bay scallops, shrimp and mussels pan-seared with linguini and a marinara sauce with garlic bread ($28). It was fantastic and filling.

We could see Mount Washington in the distance 72 miles away. All around us, customers were raving about their food. The dessert menu is awesome, too, but Linda insisted we share a cinnamon creme brulee ($9), which was a cranberry orange compote smoked almond crisp.

As the sun set and Joe returned to visit with us for a few minutes, I had to apologize for my cloth napkin covered in bolognaise sauce. He didn’t see it as a problem.

In the morning, a copy of U.S.A. Today was at our door, making me a happy man. Linda ventured down to the lounge and returned with hot coffee and a chocolate muffin, which I enjoyed in one of the inn’s super-comfortable silk robes, as good a start to my day as I could have imagined. I took my second luxurious shower before heading down to the Chart Room for what turned out to be a breakfast of eggs Benedict ($10).

Prouts Neck once sported a dozen inns, but the Black Point, in business for 138 years, is the only one remaining. I love pampering and history, so of course I loved this place. You will, too.