Since the 15th century the first morning meal has been known as breakfast, or break fast, the fast the body had while sleeping. Cereals for breakfast came along four centuries later. The first cold cereal was Granula made from graham flour. The flour was baked and crumbled, and baked again before eating. When I read this, researching for this column, all I could think of was the Saturday Night Live commercial for Quarry Cereal - “Better because it’s mined.” Remember Jane Curtin and I forget who else, all sitting around the table with small stones in their bowls crunching, chomping away … Good stuff – the commercial skit, that is. Couldn’t vouch for the cereal! It was a hysterical takeoff on Grape Nuts – and you know how super crunchy those nuts are.

There were so many great cereal slogans in the ’60s and ’70s – do your remember these (I hope you hear them in the voices that said or sang them, too): “He likes it, Hey Mikey!” “Oh, I can’t get enough of that Sugar Crisp;” “They’re grrrrrrreat!” “I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs” and, my favorite “They’re magically delicious!” Man, we had some great commercials decades ago … before product marketing started relying on rock ’n roll songs to sell everything from cars to beer and everything else in-between.

Going out for breakfast is such a treat. And chances are good you won’t be eating cereal! It’s March – get a spring in your step and check these open breakfast spots out! There are many options right downtown on Commercial Street in Boothbay Harbor.

Waves has been in the old Ebb Tide building for many years. In fact, they are reopened after a break on Wednesday, March 4! How timely, right? Chef Ian Ronan and wife Jie (Jenny) Chan opened the place back in 2015. Ian just happens to come from a family of chefs. His mom, Amy Ronan, and dad, Sean, have been chefs for decades … they even met at cooking school! I know this little tidbit because I worked with Amy at Maxfield’s Harbour High.

Some tasty Waves offerings: eggs Benedict – the widest variety of which you’ve never seen, or maybe even tasted – with lobster (hey, it’s Maine), crab, or whatever they are offering when you go there; and the hollandaise is sensational. Melt in your mouth fluffy, huge blueberry pancakes, blueberry stuffed French toast (again, it’s Maine – known for lobster, blueberries and potatoes) … check out the menu online. Oh, and the seafood chowder? Very reminiscent of the Maxfield’s ca-yum-ba recipe … gotta have it.

Red Cup Coffeehouse – the seductive aroma of coffee is the first thing that draws you in to this popular coffeehouse. An excellent variety of free trade coffee, straight up or maybe in the warming and yummy latte, macchiato, cappuccino, espresso … how about nitro cold-brewed? You say you’re a tea drinker? You, too, have decisions to make: chai, green, Earl Grey … a soul-satisfying cupper awaits to wake and warm you. There’s even hot chocolate, too. You’ll want to try one of the pastries, and/or breakfast sandwiches, pizzas and burritos and more as your “go-with.”  Red Cup: home of good brews, food and vibes!

Blue Moon Café – This little breakfast spot – also with harbor or street view outdoor seating – has a most extensive menu. For a tiny kitchen, Blue Moon serves up delicious breakfast fare. The breakfast burrito is flavorful, but not too spicy; Texas toast French toast (dipped in a vanilla nutmeg – ca-yum-ba – batter); plain, blueberry or banana pancakes; smoked salmon in an omelette and sandwich; and how about some oatmeal (“It’s the right thing to do”) with brown sugar, raisins, nuts and low-fat milk. You’ll love this: On the menu, the oatmeal is called “The Ice Cream of Breakfast.”

Baker’s Way – Breakfast sandwiches rule! Have your egg with choice of bacon or sausage, with or without cheese on toast, croissant, or bagel even. I can’t imagine how many of these are made every day. Cutting back on carbs? Eggs are also cooked up scrambled, over easy, and as omelettes. In the mood for a sweet breakfast? There is a good selection of donuts, croissants (including chocolate), cinnamon buns, apple fritters, muffins … Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juices and … chocolate milk! Get yours to go or stay in. Baker’s Way is the home of Vietnamese dishes in Boothbay Harbor, but that’s more lunch and dinner fare. If there are any warm March days, there’s a fantastic outdoor seating area in the back.

Turning off Commercial and onto Union Street in the Harbor … you’ll find Mama D’s where Mama D herself, Lorie Demers (yep, that’s the “D”) is cooking up her delish breakfasts in this most eclectically decorated, friendly place. Quiche, about 10 different omelettes to choose from, Belgian waffles, regular-sized waffles, pancakes, hot and spicy breakfast sandwiches – including a hot and spicy choice; granola, fruit bowls … You can’t go wrong. And, if it’s specialty coffee (all organic fair trade, of course) you’re looking for over on the east side, this is the place. Lorie has mucho Torani syrup flavors – Amaretto, blood orange, blackberry … one shot’ll do ya. Or perhaps you prefer a mimosa – or two – if it’s a late breakfast – or not, no judgment here. As CoCo Chanel was quoted as saying, “I only drink champagne on two occasions: When I’m in love, and when I’m not.”

Hometown Convenience is also on the east side over on Eastern Avenue. Eat in or take out breakfast pizza – sausage, sausage and bacon, ham and onion … and breakfast sandwiches. Either way, it’ll be a tasty way to start the day.

At the Eastern Avenue stop sign Farm 23 is directly in front of you. Stop in for one of the breakfast burritos, pastries - cinnamon buns and danish are always yumsville. A super selection of coffee and tea will be a satisfying go-with for anything you break your fast with at this incredibly delish bakery.

Hang a right at the stop sign at the end of Eastern Avenue and you’re on Route 96, the only way to get to East Boothbay by car. Catch some breakfast at East Boothbay General Store to eat in or take out – either way, you’ll want to stop for a breakfast sandwich or one of the scrummy breakfast wraps. Check these out: There’s the spicy maple sausage wrap: scrambled egg with sausage cheese and EBGS’ maple chipotle sauce – finished in the pizza oven; or how about the apple, brie, bacon wrap – also finished in the pizza oven? And the breakfast pizza: white sauce, egg, mozzarella, American cheese, sausage and bacon. Like I said, scrummy.

If you’re out Southport way pop in to the Southport General Store for a breakfast sandwich on English muffin or biscuit; or pizza - provolone and mozzarella cheeses, eggs, cream and bacon ... Have a sweet tooth first thing in the morning? Pastries, scones, donuts .. all baked by staff daily. And don’t forget that cuppa joe - Seacoast Coffee is the brand here.

You say you’re headed off the peninsula and want to catch some breakfast? No problem. Even in March. Heading south, just across the bridge, you’re on Main Street in Wiscasset. Treats is up first. You’ll find an extensive coffee selection and teas. Eye roll-inducing pastries – how does chocolate brioche aux amandes grab you? Or a Maine blueberry, coconut, pecan scone? There are quiches, tarts – the rustic tart I had awhile back with sausage and veg was delish; croissants, muffins, biscuits, breads … The aromas envelop you as soon as you open the door.

Still in Wiscasset you’ll find The Cracked Egg Diner on Gardiner Road. Breakfast specials include Boston cream French toast – sure to have your sweet tooth a-tingling; how about chocolate chip pancakes? Belgian waffles, egg sandwiches … hearty dishes include steak and eggs; or baked beans, eggs and smoked sausage. And, of course, there’s the various Cracked Egg plates featuring two eggs with an assortment of sides.

So many places to choose from. Good thing there are seven days in a week!

And before I end this week’s column (and go out for a late breakfast) I was remiss in my dinner column to not have the Carriage House Restaurant on Route 96 in East Boothbay in my list of open eateries. So, here goes … The entrées here are deliciously inventive: dishes like roasted cast iron salmon with white corn grits, gulf shrimp, sofrito brodo (a special blend of herbs and spices), tasso ham and spinach – ca-yum-ba, yes? And the seared duck breast with duck confit, shiitake mushrooms, farro, wilted spinach and blackberry au jus? Mmmmm.

Virginia Woolf said it best: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”