Lighthouse Picnics was one of the best and utterly unique meal experiences I’ve had. An old lighthouse that sits on a crest of rock overlooking the tattered coast of Newfoundland was restored recently and made into this great restaurant by two women – one of whom went to organic cooking school in Ireland, and the others’ family had been the lighthouse keeper’s years before. The food is fantastic, though there is not a huge selection – each day there are three specials and three cakes.

What makes this place incredible is its location and its concept. You go into the lighthouse to order and then they give you a picnic blanket and a patterned flag that symbolizes your order, saying, “Go find a place.” You ask, “Anywhere?” They respond, “Yes.”

Then you go out onto the greenest grass and look for your spot on the rolling hillside or the rocks, lay your blanket out and relax. Someone brings you a large picnic basket with the food served on real plates with real silverware and the drinks in Mason jars with screw on lids so they don’t spill. Ferryland has a fairly deep bay, so frequently you can see whales breeching and blowing right from your cozy spot on the shore.

We had the crab cakes and freshly squeezed lemonade – which were both delightful. For dessert we tried the luscious chocolate cake and a lemon-lavender-pistachio loaf – again, delicious and indulgent. The food is very fresh, tasty, and even healthy (OK, maybe not the chocolate cake).