We wound up for dinner at The Front Room by default. Our first pick was the convenience of Roustabout, a few minutes from home. It was closed for a private party. Second choice, up the hill to Lolita. And that, too, was closed for a private party. It was as though we had spiraled into a conspiracy to keep us from enjoying the dinner hour. But it’s holiday time and many restaurants in Portland are enjoying increased dining traffic with seasonal fetes.
We found a parking space, however, near Lolita—a near miracle since the arcane parking rules on Munjoy Hill, Portland’s most trendy neighborhood, defy urban ease, probably the most difficult place to park in the city with No Parking signs everywhere.
Then it occurred to us to repair to the Front Room, a few blocks away. As we approached the restaurant it looked dark. Oh, no. Closed too? It was just the angle of light and darkness that gave that impression. But as soon as we walked in we were so glad. What a warm and welcoming room, with its beamed ceilings and open kitchen lauding over the room.
The dining room is warm and welcoming
