Bintliff's American Cafe in Portland seems to need no introduction. While you wait for 20 minutes in a five foot space on top of downstairs diners, you get a chance to survey it's celebrity a la magazine covers and articles of national reknown hanging from wall/ceiling/all other ornate wooden surface. The lit. drives home the point that this is the best -voted brunch (by every poll) in Portland.

While the chipper maitre'd works hard to smile your face off so you don't leave, he'll hand you a mug and lead you to the free coffee bar while you wait (serving local Coffee By Design, custom roasted). Or if a Bellini, Bloody Mary, or Mimosa's more consoling, a waitress is usually happy deliver before you're seated. Small gesture for waving all the bacon under your nose as she runs by, up and down the stairs, drivenly serving. Everything's tight in cozy, little boothes throughout. Though I still recommend waiting for the upstairs (down will clear faster). There's always a slight chill and distraction from the front door. Plus, you're practically sitting in the kitchen. There's a nice bar upstairs, and if you are willing to stake out, the sunny back deck's the real treat, where there's room to throw up elbows and the Mimosa does it's magic a little faster in the heat.

It's hard to miss this bright purple Art Deco facade, but should you follow the crowd to Bubba's Sulky Lounge the night before (see next post) for 80's night, you'll only have to drop two doors down for breakfast--hair of the dog-style. 207-774-0005