**** ½

WHERE: U.S. Route 1 just north of Route 109 (1637 Post Road), Wells; (207) 646-3355. www.joshuas.biz

HOURS: Dinner nightly: 5 to 9 p.m., 7 days a week

CREDIT CARDS: Yes

PRICE RANGE: Dinner: first courses, $6-14; entrees, $22-36

VEGETARIAN: Yes (some dishes)

GLUTEN-FREE: Yes (some dishes)

KIDS: Yes, welcome (over 8 years of age recommended)

RESERVATIONS: Yes

BAR: Full bar

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes

BOTTOM LINE: As one of the stars of southern Maine dining, this charming farm-to-table style restaurant offers carefully prepared food without being fussy or complicated. Every dish is prepared from scratch and some stand-out dishes include the crab cakes, duck pate, tempura-fried artichoke hearts and grilled beef tenderloin brochettes, as starters. For entrees, the daily specials are superb, as are the preparations from the standard menu that include grilled duck breast, fillet mignon, rack of lamb, roast chicken and local haddock, among others. Desserts are a specialty, made from old family recipes. The fudge pie with house-churned ice cream and the maple walnut pie with house-churned maple ice cream are not to be missed. In the summer and fall the dessert lineup includes preparations with local berries and fruits. There is ample parking onsite.

Ratings follow this scale and take into consideration food, atmosphere, service and value: * Poor ** Fair *** Good ****Excellent ***** Extraordinary. The Maine Sunday Telegram visits an establishment twice if the first dining experience was unsatisfactory. The reviewer dines anonymously.