Neighborhood restaurants orbit in their own world. Warm, cozy and familiar they tend to eschew trendiness and other social hysterias. They’re everywhere around Greater Portland, for better or worse. But the most revered remain Caiola’s in the West End; Hot Suppa, Local 188 and others around Longfellow Square; Lolita, the Front Room and Blue Spoon on Munjoy Hill. These are some of the city’s standard bearers of dining in the hood. Now you can add Abilene to the group. Opened since June, it holds sway in the Woodford’s area. The difference is that this part of Portland doesn’t attract foodie preeners or make way for the next Central Provisions.
Caesar salad; the dining room at Abilene
