Whale's Tale is a casual restaurant with mismatched tables and chairs and a rustic atmosphere. Service is efficient but if you want to linger awhile after your meal, there are books and magazines on a bookshelf to browse through. There are also kids' books which will keep the little ones occupied until the meal arrives.

We found it more fun to look at the decor - original art work (some good, some ??), fishing equipment and a bathroom decorated to resemble the inside of a ship all added to the overall charm of this place.

The menu is quite varied - seafood, naturally but also burgers, sandwiches, salads and fabulous desserts. If you want a sandwich, unless you're really hungry, I'd recommend a half deli sandwich and soup. The sandwich is served on thick slices of home baked wheat bread and is loaded with your choice of filling. I had turkey and cheddar with a bowl of the best golden mushroom soup I've ever tasted - I'm sure it was loaded with sour cream. If you're not a soup fan, you can have fried red potatoes as an accompaniment to the sandwich instead. If you're a chowder head, this is the place for thick, creamy, white clam chowder loaded with clams. Price for 1/2 sandwich and soup is $4.50. Most of the larger entrees are in the $8.00 range, including pastas, fish and chips, steamed clams or mussels - the list is endless.

If you like desserts, you'll have a hard time saying no to their selection of after dinner goodies. The house special is called mousse in a bag and it is worth every one of the millions of calories it must contain. Milk chocolate mousse topped with white chocolate mousse and all enclosed in a chocolate shell - delicious! It is definitely meant to be shared because it's very rich. If that is too much chocolate, try New York cheesecake, blueberry torte or a shortbread square with a peach filling.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. I don't think they take reservations but it's worth the wait if there is a line up.