The deck at Smuggler’s Wharf
During a day trip to visit Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie in neighboring Erie, Pa, we headed over to State Street where we found the “Smuggler’s Wharf” (3 State Street, Erie, Pa 16507). In restaurant reviews everyone always seems to focus on the food and never the atmosphere so let me just begin by saying that this is the place to go if great summertime atmosphere is important to you. Since we didn’t go inside I have no idea what that is like, but the circular deck around the outside of the restaurant is topped with a pergola that is completely draped with grapevine making for a lovely shaded deck with dappled sunlight popping through. Hanging flower baskets and planters dress the deck. It was lovely, quiet and relaxing. A number of couples were already seated on the deck but we had no problem getting a table for two next to the railing early on a Saturday afternoon.
I ordered the batter dipped and fried perch dinner with fries and a salad and Doc ordered coconut shrimp with potato salad and salad and we ordered a couple of drinks from the bar. Everything was great! The menu is mostly seafood but there are some other selections including a huge design-your-own-sandwich option. Even a non-seafood eater would be able to find something on the menu. No complaints about the service either.
After lunch, we walked over to the viewing tower — just a short ways down the street. They sell ice cream in the ground floor snack bar and we bought a cone to share. You can ride an elevator to the top to look out over the city and the lake.
Sunny Sky Blue Ohio 