OLD TOWN – A relatively new and visually appealing restaurant along Main Street was the target of an Easter eve vandalism incident, though damage to the Chocolate Grille was reported as minimal.

Chefs who came in early Sunday to prepare Easter dinner were startled to see Old Town police officer there already taking pictures of the damage which amounted to a kicked-in fence and some lawn furniture strewn about. A snow blower belonging to restaurant owner George Gervais was tipped over.

Down the street, a barbershop pole was destroyed the same night in an apparently connected incident.

The eatery, which opened 14 months ago, features American food and a spectacular view of the Penobscot River on good days. That view is sullied a bit by a kicked-in fence.

The city’s public works department had spent a considerable amount of time last summer building the fence and a retaining wall. The area serves as a lookout point to the river and dam.

Restaurant spokesperson Julene Britt said, “We all feel so bad here because the city put so much time into this project and spent so much time and effort here over the summer.” She said crews also had to grade and landscape along the retaining wall.

The project still had some work remaining before completion, Britt said.

The restaurant came into existence after the city sold Gervais the land for $1 as part of a riverfront restoration project. It features classical American cuisine including steaks, hamburgers, fish and pasta as well as a large dessert menu featuring an array of chocolate confections.

The outside damage did not deter a booming business at the restaurant on Easter Sunday.

The restaurant featured a brunch buffet. “On Sunday, we were packed and everybody kept asking about what happened outside,” Britt said.

Sgt. Scott Casey of the Old Town Police Department said Monday that no arrests had been made in the incident, which he termed “two cases of criminal mischief.” The case remains under investigation.

Casey said he had received quite a few media calls on the matter. He estimated damage at $600, about $500 to the fence and $100 to the barber pole.