Cinque Terre, Italy - "five lands"

Cinque Terre, Italy: Five ancient fishing villages, interconnected by walking trails, on the eastern coast of Liguria in the Italian Riviera. Now a UNESCO Heritage site, it is a place where the time-honored traditions of fishing and farming continue. Steeply terraced vineyards and ocean air reflect the scents of wild flowers, herbs and olive groves, welcoming visitors to its rugged coastline.

Portland, Maine: Fresh fish, rocky harbors and the sights and sounds of a vibrant port city. Cinque Terre Ristorante is located in its historic old port district, a restaurant where dining in the Italian tradition is encouraged.

Fresh herbs, organic vegetables, local mushrooms, freshly made pastas; meats and fish dishes are carefully and tastefully prepared. Cinque Terre's pace and it's location in an old ship chandlery building invite guests to linger and enjoy wines from our Wine Spectator award winning selection and sample traditional desserts, bold espresso drinks and Italian aperitifs.

Brick, copper and rustic wood beams with the fabric tones reminiscent of the villages in Cinque Terre, along with the aromas from our open kitchen beckon diners to relax and enjoy an Italian dining experience.

Lee Skawinski, a native New Englander, has earned an increasingly influential slot on the national culinary map. The talented chef continues to earn raves for his Ligurian-inspired cuisine from the likes of The Washington Post, Wine & Spirits, Gourmet, StarChefs.com, Food Network and USA Today. Additionally, Cinque Terre, with Skawinski at the helm, was recently named by Epicurious to its list of "Top 10 Farm-to-Table Restaurants in the U.S."

Skawinski brings over two decades of formal culinary training and experience to his post as Executive Chef of Portland, Maine's Vignola and Cinque Terre restaurants. After graduating from Newbury College's Culinary School, Chef Skawinski travelled throughout Europe to learn firsthand about seasonal cooking and top-tier wines. He went on to make a name for himself by cooking at Boston's Four Seasons Hotel before moving on to chef at Freeport's Harraseeket Inn. Chef Skawinski has also owned his own dining establishment, the Habañeros Tequilaria and Barbeque in Kennebunk.

Known for his commitment to presenting authentic, seasonal Italian ingredients and fine Italian wines, Chef Skawinski travels annually to Italy with Vignola and Cinque Terre staff to meet with Italian artisanal cheese and cured meat producers, as well as with internationally acclaimed winemakers. These Italian "finds" make their way onto the innovative menus at each acclaimed restaurant, and add to what patrons - and food press - rate as a truly authentic Italian dining experience.

Chef Skawinski is a member of the James Beard Foundation and the Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association (MOFGA). He also is active in the Slow Food Movement, and in Gruppo Ristoranti Italiani, a highly regarded national group of influential restaurateurs dedicated to elevating the perception of Italian food and wine throughout the hospitality industry.