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 While looking for a sunny place to have late Sunday lunch in Portland, my mom and I were in for a surprise. All of our favorites were closed at that time! So, my last hope was a new “bistro” by Borealis Bread on Ocean Avenue, near Cheverus High School. I knew that Borealis doesn’t mess around when it comes to quality bread but the bistro is new territory.
The location is convenient to downtown, but is nestled in a pretty neighborhood and stands alone. The sun pours in the many windows and highlights the yellow interior, creating a very inviting and cheerful feel.
 If something a little different is what you crave, you can find it at Borealis. There are salads with chicken livers, paninis with cooked apples and cheese, a breakfast sandwich with salmon, dinner entrees with arugula and roasted squash. The menu was eclectic and healthy and portions of it change daily. The bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu is now online at http://www.borealisbreads.com/menu/index.php and worth checking out in advance to get a feel for all of their offerings.
 I chose the roasted turkey sandwich on multigrain brain with the garlic
and herb spread ($7). I also had the roasted tomato and garlic (cream)
soup ($4.50). The bread was so delicious, but I think some lettuce and
tomato would have enhanced it as it seemed a little bland. No
vegetables or cheese were offered at the time and I suppose I thought
they would just be included. I see now on their website that they
offer a selection of “sandwich add-ons” (some at a charge).
My mom got the ham, gruyere and cooked apple panini ($7.50) and we
thought it looked a little too skimpy. As it turns out, the ham was
missing. Once that was fixed, we both agreed it was a tasty, unique
sandwich. Both sandwiches had a flavorful garnish of thinly sliced
cucumbers with vinegar and dill.
For dessert, I had the brownie and my mom chose the Maine blueberry pie
with whipped cream. Both had the taste and texture of quality homemade
desserts and were complemented by the gourmet coffee.
Unfortunately, the dinner entrée menu (served while we were there) was
not visible when we ordered so when we noticed it later propped on the
table, we wish we had known about it. I also think it would be more
enjoyable to have the food delivered to the tables as opposed to
someone yelling out names to come pick it up.
 There is also a large section of items for purchase that would make great gifts – jams, jellies, spreads and teas.
Borealis Bistro got my attention with the sturdy white dishes and mugs,
the local coffee, the fresh chives in my soup, the pendant lighting,
the focus on local products, the wood fired oven, the big display of
crusty baguettes and fancy artisan breads, cookies and scones, the big
windows and the cheerful colors. I’m not sure that I’d make the same
food choices next time and I think a few kinks in the service may have
to be worked out, but I know I’ll be back to sample some of the various
breads and baked goods, perhaps with a hot coffee and a good book.
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