In the quest for interesting weekend brunch menus, Tiqa’s unique lineup of dishes is worth exploring.  At other times, the vast rooms fill up in the evening hours with sundry assemblages of partygoers, from wedding soirees to large-scale groups dining out. Even the outdoor patio is outfitted for winter dining with towering heat lamps ready to ward off the chill.  Management plans to keep it open through the holidays.  Though I think they’d have to supply more than heat and fire pits; chinchilla throws and muffs might be more like it especially as winter winds whoosh off the harbor.

Eggs on focaccia with spiced potatoes; chocolate babka and walnut spinach fatayeh

But on a gorgeous Sunday, yesterday was a good day to sit in the restaurant inside or out.  The restaurant held an informal gathering for a few food writers to come in and sample the food and acquaint ourselves with the menu.

Most everything is paired with eggs, but the underpinnings are definitely from the Middle East.  Turkish cuisine played a big part in the dishes on the menu.  Typical breakfast/brunch items are often fruit, yogurt with honey, baked eggs with sausage and Tiqa’s menu reflects that to some degree.

Lamjun flatbread: slow-cooked lamb with tomatoes

One of my favorite dishes was the walnut spinach fatayeh, very similar to a spanakopita, the popular phyllo pastry filled with spinach.

A main course of pastirma beef hash was comprised of slow cooked brisket with roasted tomatoes—it was a great crispy hash. Other highlights included lamjun flatbread, the house-made pita topped with braised lamb and tomatoes.  An unusual dish on the menu was a tomato hot pot with a poached egg floating in the sauce with feta.

Clockwise: pepper pot; pastirma beef hash and katayef, crepes filled with honeyd cream cheese and topped with berries

Breakfast pastries, an interesting list of bloody Mary drinks and delicious side dishes such as the house sausage contribute to the unique flavor profiles that make Tiqa’s menu so different.

Tiqa, 327 Commercial St., Portland, ME 207-808-8840  www.tiqapm.com

Brunch rating: 4 very good stars

Ambiance: sophisticated

Tables: well spaced

Noise: good acoustics

$$$: moderately expensive