After I bought my ticket to see Amazing Grace, an Aretha Franklin documentary showing at the Madison Art Cinemas, my friend Nancy got a reservation at Café Routier in Westbrook, for after the movie. This is rather exciting, since getting a group of about seven people a table at this wonderful restaurant isn’t an easy ticket on a Saturday night. But it was the second day of Passover (often called the “second Seder”) and Easter Eve, so many people spend those nights with family. Why had so much time elapsed since my visit here? We had some of the staples—friend oysters remoulade, camp trout, desserts like crème brulee and profiterole—and usually risotto. That evening I had the risotto, with fresh fiddleheads, baby carrots (not those fake baby carrots you see in supermarkets), and baby greens. With a pinot noir, the risotto was as dreamy and creamy as that crème brulee. Café Routier, itself a shoreline staple, is as good as ever. Maybe even better

Café Routier • 860-399-8700

1353 Boston Post Road, Westbrook