A scrapbook on the bar at Robert’s Maine Grill is full of newspaper articles that tell the story of the Kittery restaurant’s long journey, from a gleam in the eye of owner Michael Landgarten to a gleaming space serving up the fresh meals —locally and organically produced seafood, meats, poultry and produce whenever possible—that he’s been dreaming of for two years.

“It seemed like a site that had a lot more potential in it. To me it was a chance … to do a classic Maine seafood restaurant, a new one, in a really ideal location. I wanted to do something fresh, updated, something that felt like Maine, that complemented and respected the site and felt right against that backdrop and ultimately had really great food,” Landgarten says.

Plans for the Route 1 restaurant on the bank of Spruce Creek were halted for an entire year after the adjacent Weathervane Restaurant took Landgarten and the town of Kittery to court over the Zoning Board’s decision to allow Landgarten to demolish the former Quarterdeck restaurant on the site and expand the size of the new restaurant. A court upheld the town’s decision, but after the Weathervane appealed to the Maine Supreme Court, the two later reached an out-of-court agreement.

“It’s a little surreal. I’ve been the steward of this project that’s basically been this incredible money pit, and still holding onto the dream of it. It’s been a long time, two and a half years and a lot of curves in the road I never expected,” Landgarten says. Landgarten also owns Bob’s Clam Hut across Route 1, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

Inside the spacious rooms of Robert’s Maine Grill, pale walls and white trim give the two-story restaurant a summer-porch feeling, enhanced by the view across Spruce Creek. There’s also an outdoor deck upstairs.

The restaurant opened for business on Saturday, June 3.

“To see it here now, it doesn’t feel quite here yet, but it’s really exciting. It’s gone from being a construction site to a restaurant kind of overnight. It’s crazy. I guess I’m nervous with anticipation to see how it’s received.”

Robert’s grand opening will take place on Thursday, June 15, with a parade starting at Bob’s Clam Hut and traveling up Route 1 with music and symbolic gifts. After that, the restaurant will be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.