Borealis Bakery and Bistro - Portland, Maine

The new Borealis Bakery & Bistro was our choice for lunch on a recent Saturday afternoon. Located at 182 Ocean Avenue in Portland, inside the bakery is bright and sunny. With yellow walls and floor to ceiling doors and windows, the bakery has a dozen blond wood tables and a counter that seats four. Chairs are rather uncomfortable and remind me of the type found in classrooms when I was a kid. In fact, with the commercial grade linoleum tile floors, the bakery has a rather cafeteria-like feel.

My husband ordered the Roasted Turkey with Garlic & Herb Spread ($7) on a baguette ($0.75 surcharge). For condiments, he requested lettuce (which was not on the sandwich), red onion, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, sour mustard pickles and Swiss cheese ($0.50 surcharge). Borealis may be the Van Gogh of Dough, but they certainly have not mastered the art of sandwich making. The pickles were not sliced appropriately, and the garlic herb spread was only on the bottom slice of bread, resulting in a sandwich that would not stay together. The ingredients were fresh enough, though the slightly-sweet, chewy bread was by far the best part of the sandwich.

I didn't fare much better with my Veggie Melt ($7). With shredded carrot and purple cabbage as the only vegetables, this sandwich lacked both substance and flavor, despite the addition of Chive Pesto and Rosemary bread.

I was hoping for a soup and sandwich combo on the cold afternoon, but none of the soups (haddock chowder, potato leek and ginger carrot) sounded intriguing. Instead, my husband and I shared a slice of Three Cheese Pizza ($3) with our sandwiches. A flavorful sourdough crust was topped with chunky tomato sauce and mozzarella, provolone and ricotta cheeses. The pizza was rather ho-hum, with a sparse amount of sauce and no identifiable herbs or spices.

I was looking forward to indulging my sweet tooth with one of the treats in the glass case. Brownies, cookies and my favorite - macaroons - were among the temptations, but I was so disappointed with our lunch, that I passed on the opportunity.

Though the Borealis Bakery & Bistro serves breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, soups, cheese plates and desserts, the only reason I would stop in again would be for a loaf of bread. If you're in the area and looking for a breakfast or lunch spot, you'll find far better fare a half a mile down the road at Big Sky.