It's Applebee's and Olive Garden neck and neck, Red Lobster clawing its way from behind

The oddsmakers in Vegas are busy making book on which national chain restaurants will be coming to The Ridge, the Rochester shopping complex set to open a year from now.

The possibilities are of huge interest to folks in the northern Seacoast who are counting the months before they won't have to travel to Dover, Newington or Biddeford to enjoy those mouthwatering entrée as seen on TV.

Lee Ann Klemyk, the director of leasing for Waterstone Retail, the complex's developer, said on Thursday at a ceremonial groundbreaking she'd heard a lot of people are hoping one of them is Applebee's.

We told her we'd heard a lot of people who are desperately praying for an Olive Garden.

One restaurant chain that'll probably bring a great payout but is surely a longshot is Red Lobster. That chain has never had much traction in the Seacoast, being the place is fraught with great seafood restaurants already.

Klemyk told The Lebanon Voice that no restaurants are currently locked in though discussions are ongoing with several and they'll be looking to button those up in the coming months.

She said she hopes the public lets Waterstone know what they'd like. The company is always open to suggestion and public feedback.

Petco, Marshall's and an unnamed arts and crafts superstore along with a multi-screen cinema are the only sure tenants thus far.

Maybe, like American Idol, Waterstone can stage a live five-minute Twitter feed to ascertain which restaurant chain will earn the right to regale us with their menu.

In the meantime, feel free to Google Waterstone and let them know how you feel.

And put those bets down!