The Front Room Restaurant & Bar (located at 73 Congress Street,  Portland, ME) is a restaurant I should have visited long ago.  This website is not designed to review all restaurants, only some that deserve special attention - the Front Room should have been one of them.  Although, I must admit, I wanted to burn all the clothes I wore that day - the smells of the restaurant penetrated every fiber - the food was fantastic and the menu ambitious.

The Front Room is located on Munjoy Hill, an area that has several great places to eat.   However, because it is outside of the main cluster, I've rarely ventured in the direction.   To my surprise, The Front Room was packed when we got there, and continued to be that way until we left.

The menu took some time to get used to.  A large selection of small dishes for every budget - all of which sounded wonderful - along with an extensive list of specials.  Fried quail and grilled cheese sandwiches (made with local camembert, apple, and cranberry chutney) appetizers, shepard's pie and braised lamb shank entrees, and an enchanting brownie sundae for dessert.

All the dishes with packed with flavor and visually enticitng.  Special mention goes to the surprisnlgy light gnocci.  Desserts were made in-house and prepared by our servers.  It was surreal - almost - to see staff put so much effort to the last piece of the meal.  That, by itself, speaks so highly of The Front Room;  they must have good staff, trust them, and also offload a kitchen activity which I am sure is a good business move.

The Front Room instantly became one of my favorites and I look forward to going back.   Again, I will caution over the permeating smell of the kitchen which will soak into your clothes - so consider your post-dinner activities before choosing The Front Room. If you are looking for a good meal, you will not be disappointed.  I look forward to going back.

UPDATE: Since I visited the Front Room I had gone back twice, including one visit where I requested take-out. Each time I was equally impressed.  Their service is great, their food delicious.   All this before I even got a chance to publish my review.