Fork & Spoon

On a recent visit to Bangor, I sought out the Fork & Spoon, a place we discovered at the Bangor Harvest Festival last fall. As I entered the downtown restaurant, I instantly felt that this was the perfect spot to have lunch by myself (George was speaking to the Bangor Rotary that day). It’s a welcoming space with high ceilings, lemon-yellow walls and a cheery vibe. You can hang out here as long as you want without bothering anyone. There is even a couch and comfortable chair in one section of the room.

You’ll notice a chalkboard listing all the local products on the menu. There was a choice of soups and sandwiches, and since it was a blustery day, I ordered a panini and a hot cup of tea. My name was called to retrieve the huge beautiful mug and teapot while I waited for my sandwich.

The chickpea tuna melt with avocado, sprouts and tomatoes was delicious, but I have to say I regretted not ordering one of their eight impressive salads. They covered the whole plate and everyone around me was raving about them. Next time. This is the place for healthful smoothies as well. It is a real bright spot in downtown Bangor.

Home Kitchen Cafe

The Home Kitchen Cafe, in Rockland, is a great spot for breakfast or lunch, both of which are served all day. They have quite a selection of burgers and sandwiches, and many dishes with an Asian or Mexican flair.

I’d had a terrific Reuben here once before, but this time I branched out to try their Thai cobb salad ($11.99). I was having a hard time deciding what to order when I looked to my right to see this beautiful dish. It is a hearty salad that covers your plate. Fresh greens and cabbage are finely chopped and mixed with hard-boiled eggs, grilled chicken, croutons and roasted corn. All this was tossed in a Thai peanut sauce. What a salad! We found ourselves back here about two weeks later, and I did indeed order that same delicious salad.

George’s Bahn Home Vietnamese-style sandwich was very tasty. I don’t know what the bread was for this one, but it made the sandwich. I’d give them the prize for the best use of pork meatballs in a sandwich ever.

This is a popular breakfast place, renowned for their huge cinnamon buns. We got a glimpse of them when we enjoyed breakfast there recently. Several varieties of eggs Benedict are on the menu. My Garden Bennie ($10.49) added spinach, roasted red peppers and tomato to the poached eggs. Now, that’s a way to start your day.

George

Home Kitchen Cafe

I guess you can tell from Linda’s column that we eat here often, including the three visits she wrote about, all within the space of a few weeks. They offer lengthy and creative menus for both breakfast and lunch.

For breakfast I had one of their “home specialties,” huevos rancheros, billed as the “real deal.” And indeed it was. Two poached eggs finished in a spicy homemade ranchero sauce, topped with pepperjack cheese over savory black beans with house-made salsa, cilantro, sour cream and avocado on their hand-made corn tortilla ($10.99). I joked with Kim, our server, that they ought to serve this dish with a fire extinguisher. It was spicy — and I loved it. I actually ordered it after hearing a lady at the next table raving about the ranchero sauce.

Kim was a bartender elsewhere for 22 years and a customer here for several years before she started working at Home Kitchen 3 1/2 years ago. She wanted a day job, and she loves it here, including the food and the customers. It is a friendly place.

I do love the Ruebens and haddock sandwiches here, but for our most recent lunch I branched out to try the Bahn Home, their version of a classic spicy Vietnamese pork meatball sub with pickled dikon and carrots, fresh jalapenos and cilantro, on their housemade grilled sub roll with hot chili mayonnaise ($10.99). Now I have a new favorite.

Other lunch favorites

In the last five years, we’ve enjoyed lunches at many restaurants. Among our favorites: The Red Barn, in Augusta; Front Court Deli, in Winthrop; Chase’s Daily, in Belfast; Vittles, in Pittsfield; Selah Tea, in Waterville; Geaghan’s, in Bangor; Calzolaio, in Wilton; Broad Arrow Tavern at the Harraseeket Inn, in Freeport; Hot Suppah, in Portland; Black Horse Tavern, in Bridgton; Liberal Cup, in Hallowell; Sea Dog Brewing Co., in Topsham; Village Tavern, in Kennebunk; Morse’s, in Waldoboro; The Badger, in Union and, most recently, the Starlight Cafe, in Bath. Check them out.