THE PORTHOLE

20 Custom House Wharf, Portland, 780-6533, portholemaine.com

Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Food: American

Reasonably priced breakfast and lunch favorites in an atmospheric location right on Portland’s waterfront. Seafood, sandwiches, omelets and other casual fare, with fast and friendly service. Fish and chips coated in Shipyard beer batter is just $5.99. Deck seating during warmer months.

Wait: 5 to 10 minutes

Cheapest Grub: Breakfast sandwich $4.99

Rating: ****

Date of Review: April 8, 2010

 

FEDERAL SPICE BISTRO

360 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, 774-6404

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

Food: Caribbean-flavored burritos with healthy, fresh ingredients.

This funky, urban-flavored bistro in Scarborough extends the Portland’s restaurant reach into the burbs. Federal Spice serves creative, fresh tacos, burritos and similar fare.

Wait: Five minutes

Cheapest Grub: Soft taco, $3.29

Rating: ****

Date of review: April 15, 2010

 

UNION HOUSE PUB & PIZZA

2 Main St., second floor, Biddeford, 571-8065, unionhousepubandpizza.com

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday

Food: Pizza

Located on the second floor of the renovated North Dam Mill, Union House has replaced the sounds of machinery with jovial lunch-table conversation and the hunger-inducing scent of pepperoni, onion and cheese. The pie offerings include buffalo chicken pizza ($8.95) and the Caprese, with its mozzarella, tomato and basil ($8.50). Or the super Hawaiian, with ham, pineapple, bacon and tomato ($8.95). For folks in a lunch-hour rush, Union House offers a lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, including deli sandwiches and wraps.

Wait: When busy, expect a wait of 30 minutes

Cheapest grub: Caesar salad, $5.50; BLT, $5.75; 12-inch cheese pizza with soda, $6

Rating: ****

Date reviewed: April 22, 2010

STONYFIELD CAFE

240 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth, 781-8889

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

Food: Soups, sandwiches, Asian noodles

This cafe is the former O’Naturals and has virtually the same menu. A welcome addition is the tart frozen yogurt that comes with three toppings, including fresh blackberries, flaked dark chocolate, mint, honey, basil, balsamic sauce and spicy peanut sauce. Be sure to try the Sunday brunch, which features everything from buttermilk pancakes to egg sandwiches made with the cafe’s popular flatbread.

Wait time: 5 to 10 minutes

Cheapest Grub: “Wild Toast” sweet panini, $3; egg-and-cheese sammy $4; tart soft-serve frozen yogurt, $4

Rating: ***1/2 stars

Date of Review: April 29, 2010

 

DANIELLE’S SEBAGO DINER

1265 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302), Raymond,

655-2900

Hours: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Food: American.

Cozy homestyle diner focusing on comfort food and breakfast all day. The $6.99 breakfast combo plate includes a choice of one pancake or piece of French toast, two eggs, three bacon slices or sausages, plus homefries. The place looks like a vacation cabin on the outside, your grandma’s kitchen inside.

Wait: Five to ten minutes.

Cheapest grub: Two eggs, homefries, and toast, $3.50.

Rating: ****

Date of Review: May 6, 2010

 

MR. SANDWICH AND MRS. MUFFIN

3 Deering Ave., Portland, 772-0841

Hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday

Food: Baked goods, soups, sandwiches

Homey atmosphere at Portland’s Bramhall Square. Restaurant serves breakfast items like homemade muffins and scones and light lunch items, such as salads, soups and sandwiches.

Wait time: About 10 minutes

Cheapest Grub: 75 cents for cinni-minis

Rating: ***

Date of review: May 13, 2010

 

— Based on a 5-star scale