Perrihouse

735 Main St., Bangor

941-0112

Since I first dined there last fall, the Perrihouse has been my go-to place for upscale but not stuffy dinners. I’ve enjoyed the lobster and crab ravioli, the hearty mushroom soup, and the fried calamari served ever-so-stylishly in a martini glass.

Just imagine my excitement when I saw Perrihouse was open for lunch. It’s practically next door to the Bangor Daily News, plus it has an outdoor deck overlooking the neighbor’s pretty gardens.

It’s the perfect venue for sipping iced tea on a sunny afternoon, and that’s just what a colleague and I did recently. We both opted for the Avocado and Shrimp Salad ($9.50), a cool, crisp presentation with fresh greens, pineapple, half a grilled avocado and marinated shrimp served with cucumber aioli. The portion, with two giant shrimp, was just right for us, but it may leave people used to eating larger portions a little hungry.

No matter, because there are plenty of filling options, including a half-pound Angus beef burger and a barbecue chicken Cheddar melt on a kaiser roll. For lighter fare, we were tempted by quiche of the day with a side salad and a chicken Caesar wrap ($7.50).

Of course, you could just fill up on dessert. We chose the sampler, which on this day boasted a tiny cr?me brulee, flourless chocolate torte and a mini strawberry turnover ($5). A sweet ending to a lovely lunch.