ROCKPORT — Mr. Wat Sushi & Noodles at 106 Commercial St. in Rockport celebrated its one-year anniversary this past month. Opening in 2012 after extensive remodeling, Mr. Wat faced the hardship of a winter economy to get his business off the ground. Mr. Wat has been a sushi chef for 19 years and previously operated a successful restaurant in Rockland for many years.

Mr. Wat's restaurant has prospered over the last year and attributes its success to a loyal base of local customers to help the business thrive. It serves up a good mix of fresh sushi and prepared dishes for the lunch and dinner crowds. The dishes are Thai-themed, with some Japanese dishes thrown in for good measure. He is closed on Tuesdays.

“The last year has been good,” said Wat. “I think this year we will see a good summer, too. Pad Thai is the most popular noodle dish we serve and spicy tuna rolls tops the sushi list. We get many local customers and there is a couple from Augusta who come over frequently.”

Dumplings and soups are a staple of the menu. Appetizers, main courses and desserts are just a few of the reasons people return to Mr. Wat. Do they need more?

Mr. Wat employs his wife as cook and a staff of four waitresses to handle the busy lunch and dinner crowds. Charlie Oaks, of Tenants Harbor, said he visits the restaurant two to three times a week for lunch.

Sean Carlson, a lobsterman also from Tenants Harbor, was eating in the restaurant when we stopped in.

“I come here all the time,” Carlson said. “The sushi is great and the lunch specials are the best. Best of all it’s affordable.”

Garrett Thorbjornson, a scallop fisherman from New Bedford, Mass., was dining with Carlson and declined to be photographed, but said he agreed with Carlson on the affordability of lunch.

“We followed him [Mr. Wat] here from Rockland,” he said. “We have to drive an extra five miles, but it’s worth it.”

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To contact Chris Wolf, email news@penbaypilot.com.