Very happy to see this thread! Some great recommendations on food as well as suggested site-seeing.

Frodnesor, I went to Moody's about three years ago, and me, my husband and two daughters were very underwhelmed, in fact not one of us came close to eating half of our dinner. We were shocked as we stopped off there after reading a number of good reviews.
Jordan Pond House is not to be missed. Memsahib is spot on with the popovers, and if you are bringing a dog, they will let well-behaved dogs sit under your table, if you sit outside. They will even bring over a bowl of water!
Also, if you want a snack or quick bakery breakfast, Standard Baking (which I believe is part of the Fore Street group) is behind the restaurant and down one level. As I remember their raisin pecan bread and sticky rolls were very good.
There are also rides on the Mail boat in both Casco Bay, leaving from Portland Harbor, and another that leaves somewhere in the vicinity of Southwest Harbor in Acadia. Ticket prices weren't that steep either.
Based on the recommendations here I have put Duck Fat and Conte's on our itinerary!

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Fore Street
288 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101

Duck Fat
43 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

RoyRon...I have been going to Louies for many, many years...25+ to be not so exact. My family used to either go to Louies or Bellino's in Winchester (the old location on Swanton Street). It really is a great pizza...my favorite is the garlic & roni.

I agree with carpebeerium, La Carreta in Nashua is worth trying. The dining area can get very busy. We always ask to be seated at one of the booths. The service is faster if your seated in the dining area, so if you want to linger I would suggest grabbing a high-top table in the bar. I have heard a couple people from California give it good reviews, I'm sure they were not comparing it to their favorite place back in California, but I do know that La Carreta is where they will go for Mexican if they don't want to drive to the Boston or Waltham area.

I lived in Wakefield for a few years and I'd have to second the suggestion on Morena's Pizza on Broadway. If we didn't go to Morena's we would drive to Regina's in Boston (this was before Polcari's in Saugus).
One suggestion is that we would always ask to have our pizza "well done". The ZaZa pizza is worth trying, chopped fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic for the sauce. It's good as a regular pizza and Sicilian style. They used to let you BYO, and with a liquor store two doors down, it was a cheap night out. I believe Morena's and Caruso's in Melrose are owned by the same family. We had pizza at both, and I think that Morena's was a bit better. Must be the water from Crystal Lake.

IMHO Tosca at 14 Noth Street in Hingham is very difficult to beat. Great combination of seafood & meat and a great wine list to boot.
I have been there 4-5 times now and have always come away saying..."That was the best dinner out I have ever had".

The Westford Regency may be just outside of your 20 minute radius, but is a nice location for a brunch/party that you described. I think you can book a semi-private room adjacent to the main room.

For a buffet there is the Westford Regency. You'll need to call on price, but I believe it is around $25-27/person. You are about 35 minutes away, coming from the Woburn Stoneham area.
For a very good and very funky breakfast try The Friendly Toast in Cambridge or Portsmouth. You'll need to get to either location on the earlier side, as there can be a wait that goes out the door, crazy, but it's worth it.

maria lorraine, I appreciate your comments and would like to know which recommendations you liked