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Harbor’s Edge at Sheraton Harborside
Portsmouth, NH

In the heart of downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire is the Sheraton Harborside Hotel and their Harbor’s Edge dining room which looks out over Portsmouth’s busy harbor. Diners may see a pair of tugs guiding a large vessel out to sea, a graceful sailboat floating past, or just the swift-flowing Piscataqua streaming by. The warm ambience of the dining room provides the perfect setting for a relaxing breakfast buffet offered every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., year-round. On Sundays in December, bring the family for a special brunch with Santa. Starting this fall, live entertainment will again be featured at brunch.

Classic breakfast fare is very popular with all diners, and includes eggs any style, omelettes made to order, Eggs Benedict, French toast, pancakes made to order, and Belgian waffles, made to order with your choice of fruit toppings. Bacon and sausages can accompany any choice.

If you’re looking for something more substantial, try their roast sirloin or apple-glazed ham. Or, on the lighter side, choose from a complete array of breakfast pastries and scones, fruit blintzes, fresh fruit, or smoked salmon with bagels and cream cheese.

"We have many local regulars and recommend reservations," says Traci Schaake, food and beverage director. "It is important to remember a hotel restaurant when searching for the perfect brunch spot. Our view is outstanding; our food is delicious, our service is wonderful, and the value is exceptional."

OUTSIDE LINK: Sheraton Harborside and Harbor’s Edge, call (603) 559-2626 or

Stage Neck Inn
York Harbor, ME

Located on a lovely point in York Harbor, Maine is the Stage Neck Inn, a classic hotel is surrounded by stunning views of York Harbor and York Harbor Beach. The restaurant doesn’t offer a classic brunch, but instead serves a regular lunch menu with a variety of brunch specials. This option is available year-round from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and reservations are required. The dining areas are elegant yet comfortable, with mesmerizing ocean vistas year-round.

Stage Neck Inn’s luncheon menu is extensive, with the full complement of salads, entrees, desserts and seasonal specials. But save room for the brunch offerings. These include Smoked Salmon Benedict, Maine Crabmeat Benedict, the classic Eggs Benedict, and a Seafood Omelette made with shrimp, crabmeat, and sea scallops in a parmesan cheese veloute sauce.

Clay Hill Farm
Cape Neddick, ME

A bit further up the Maine coast is Clay Hill Farm on the York/Ogunquit line. Clay Hill Farm looks out over 30 beautifully landscaped acres. The rolling sweep of lawn and careful plantings provide lovely views each season, whether the grounds are vivid with foliage or blanketed with snow. The restaurant offers seasonal, themed brunches which vary from year to year. Past favorites include the Holiday Brunch with Santa, New Year’s Jazz Brunch, Gospel Brunch for Martin Luther King Day, Valentine’s Brunch, Irish Brunch and Spring Fling. Brunches are usually offered monthly from November to April, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The food is tied into the theme, so offerings differ from month to month. The brunch is a sit-down meal, as opposed to a buffet, and is very hearty. "We plan our brunch like the old days, when the main Sunday meal as at midday," explains Jennifer Lewis, marketing manager. "We try to please as many palettes as possible, and we make sure that no one leaves hungry."

TASTE TIP: Petit fours are small cakes that may have a variety of filling and are usually iced decoratively. Though according to Larousse Gastronomique, they can also be sweet biscuits or even savory. They are typically bite-sized.