"Scales, set in a bustling, post-industrial warehouse space on a wharf in Portland’s Old Port neighborhood, sports a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook one of the city’s busiest working waterfronts. In front of a sprawling open kitchen, ice falls from a ceiling-affixed metal chute—fish packing-plant-style—into a large open bin. The cubes keep the raw bar—a striking display of freshly caught whole fish, including octopus, oysters, and clams—appropriately icy cold. Even with 150 seats and a huge bar open to first-come first-serve diners, reservations are strongly recommended." - Alexandra Hall