Muselet Restaurant & Wine Bar in Portland’s South Waterfront is closing July 16th.
An ambitious project for demographic in the South Waterfront that may not have been ready for it, Muselet is closing. Owner Ron Acierto made the announcement yesterday on the restaurant Facebook page.
I am sad to tell you that I will be closing Muselet at the end of service on Saturday July 16.
The Muselet we created and believe in, is not sustainable as a business for reasons mostly related to the location.
We will be accepting reservations all week except for Thursday when we’ll be closed for a private event.
The good news is, with an incredible staff, we accomplished what I set out to do: to create a beautiful, comfortable, sophisticated place where the highest standards of food, wine and service are practiced and perfected every day, at every table, with every guest, with great pride and joy, by smart people dedicated to the enjoyment and sharing of ‘life’s appetites.’ I wish I had a dollar for every sigh, every swoon, every moan of pleasure and gasp of delight, every smile, every rave, every rating-star given by so many ecstatic guests.
Still, I love this work more than anything I have ever done, and I will continue to do it. Muselet was a landmark in my life and I think an important moment in Portland’s restaurant scene. I am so proud of my dedicated staff and what we did together.
I’m going to take some time off, pay attention to lessons learned and move forward. I’m already involved in the conceptual development for an exciting new project which could become Muselet’s next home.
Your appreciation, encouragement, loyalty and support have meant everything to me. I treasure our friendship and look forward to entertaining you soon in a new and better place.
R.
Ron previously managed Bluehour, Departure at The Nines Hotel, and Jory at the Alilison Inn & Spa. Muselet was a nice place, but though it is steadily growing, I don’t think of the south waterfront area when I’m planning dinner. Best wishes to Ron and his staff.
jimster says
Huge bummer. Living just above the SW Waterfront I have been hopeful something would develop there and Muselet seemed like it might be the ticket. The food is/was excellent and unique, the wine program terrific and it had a warm, casual and elegant feel to it. It was also basically the only restaurant that we can walk to (right, Caro Amico is just 4 blocks from my house) that wasn’t a burger or fried fish. It is frustrating that inner SW Portland cannot develop any restaurants. You have to go up to Multnomah Village which is farther away than downtown Portland. Sigh.
Judith Devine says
A lucky few of us had the opportunity to frequent this fine restaurant and sophisticated wine and cocktail bar and what a ride it has been. The food has been exquisite and wonderful and the service impeccable. Many of us who live in SW Portland, a relative food desert, will weep with frustration that this restaurant did not get the attention it so rightly deserved. We will keenly feel this loss.
Jared Hager says
Bummer. I have been meaning to eat there. I will have to hurry up and go before it closes. I have been looking for a place just like this and discovered it a couple weeks back and have been really wanting to go. I will have to take my wife out for dinner this week.