Hot Suppa - Portland, Maine

Instead of the usual Monday morning alarm, it was my husband who woke me out of my slumber. The problem was, it was my day off - a glorious holiday meant for sleeping late and going for a long run. But my husband had other plans; he wanted to go out for breakfast and had been awake for awhile thinking of all the places we could go. Despite my resistance, it was evident that he was not going to take no for an answer.

And so we ended up at Hot Suppa for breakfast.

Located at 703 Congress Street, we have had Hot Suppa on our list of places to try ever since Amy (front-of-the-house manager at Five Fifty-Five) raved about their breakfast. Hot Suppa doesn't look like much from the outside, in fact, it's a place I would have otherwise avoided if not for the recommendation.

So much for first impressions - Hot Suppa exceeded my expectations.

I arrived just a little grumpy from having my perfect morning disrupted, but the cheerful waitress and strong coffee quickly altered my mood. Wooden booths and formica tables line the front and side walls inside the restaurant which seats approximately 36 patrons. Tall ceilings give the tiny restaurant a feeling of openness.

I was expecting more simple fare at Hot Suppa and was surprised to find both Eggs Benedict and Espresso on the menu. My husband and I started with a grilled blueberry muffin that was wonderfully moist, not too sweet, and loaded with Maine blueberries. The Lobster Benedict special was tempting, but my husband (a Benedict lover) decided to try the Eggs Benedict with Fried Green Tomato ($9.95) instead. Served with fruit and a side of homefries, the Benedict was excellent. The green tomatoes were not at all mushy, and the batter was light, crisp and not overly-greasy. The hollandaise sauce was thinned to exactly the right consistency, with just the right amount of lemon juice. Unfortunately, the homefries - though made on premise - were void of moisture and spice, tasting as though they had been previously frozen.

My sweet tooth was strong the morning we dined so I chose a single blueberry pancake ($3.00 for one or $5.95 for two) and a piece of french toast ($3.00 for one or $6.29 for three pieces). For $1.75 surcharge I was given real maple syrup. The pancake was fluffy, while the french toast was wonderfully flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Both were fabulous and very filling.

The service at Hot Suppa was attentive, with numerous offers to freshen our coffee (critically important given the early hour). The atmosphere was laid back and relaxed; we lingered over breakfast and didn't feel at all rushed. Hot Suppa is a perfect place for a casual breakfast. The menu is diverse and offers something for everyone, the food is well prepared, and the portions are generous.

I rarely dine out for breakfast, given my preference to run in the morning, but the next time my husband drags me out of bed and insists on going out for breakfast, Hot Suppa will definitely be on my short list.