Jake’s

220 Norwich-Westerly Road, North Stonington

(860) 415-9095

Search Jake’s restaurant North Stonington to find their website and social media.

Jake’s is a popular stop on the busy Norwich-Westerly Road that shuttles passersby to the tribal casinos, Rhode Island beaches, and other places along the way.

Open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jake’s serves breakfast and lunch all day. On our recent visit, we enjoyed blueberry pancakes and have decided on our next top, we will order the apple cinnamon version. Prices are reasonable at Jake’s, with most items in the $8 to $13 range, and the steak and eggs the most expensive on the breakfast menu, at $16.99.

The coffee is good, too.

For lunch, there are burgers, chicken tenders, BLTs, wraps, a Philly cheesesteak, salads, and much more. Again, the prices are reasonable. With many offerings $10 to $12 or less.

Jake’s is a casual place with friendly, efficient waitstaff that’s a good choice when you’re in the mood for hearty and tasteful breakfast or lunch.

– Ann Baldelli

Paperback Café

210 Main St., Old Saybrook

(860) 388-9718

Paperbackoldsaybrook.com

At Paperback Café, every day can be a brunch day. Who needs to wait until Sunday to dig in on noon-time omelets and French toast? At Paperback Café in Old Saybrook, breakfast is available all day alongside a great lunch menu ALSO served all day. Even better, you can grab a quick coffee and a tasty treat to go, right at the counter.

We recommend the Cappuccino Chocolate Chunk bread ($3.75; other flavors available) and Cinnamon Sugar Muffin ($3), but many other options await every day. Other items that topped our list include the Salvadoran Scramble ($14; includes toast), a big plate of scrambled eggs with cheddar, plus avocado, cilantro salsa and diced bacon on top of a mound of tasty, shredded hashbrowns.

On the lunch side, we loved the Tropical Chicken Salad sandwich ($13.50), from the buttery croissant roll to the chunky, cranberry-rich chicken salad (apples and celery added an enjoyable crunch). But be aware that both menus offer many, many choices, so if you’re ready to turn a page on your next brunch out, Paperback Café might be for you.

— Marisa Nadolny

Pokémoto

255 Route 12, Groton

(860) 440-8651

pokemoto.com

Every once in a while, I like the fresh, clean feeling of eating something healthy that also tastes good. Then I remember it’s me and I go get a hot dog at Cumberland Farms. On even rarer occasions, when I DO summon extraordinary discipline and forego the wiener, I aim for Pokémoto in Groton.

Plus, I like to look at the surfy, islandy pictures on the walls — which are as close to a tropical vacation as I’m likely to get in this lifetime.

Pokémoto is a New Haven-based franchise operation that focus on Hawaiian style poké bowls, which mix raw, chopped and marinated seafood, various types of rice, vegetables and spices and toppings. The customer selects the ingredients for each bowl, or newcomers can try the concept via signature bowls.

Seriously: These creations are delicious, and the combination possibilities are plentiful. A lot of the business seems to be takeout, but there is table seating and Pokémoto is a clean, bright, pleasant place. Nothing’s over $16.95, and you’ll be more than satisfied with the flavors and amount of food. Highly recommended.

— Rick Koster