Late Saturday morning, my housemate and I drove downtown to eat our brunch and then to visit the Harrisonburg International Festival, not knowing that the location of the festival this year had been moved to downtown rather than in the park, as it had been in years past.

As we crossed over E. Water St., we saw dozens of families and college students covering the road, which was closed off to traffic. We speculated as to the reason for the crowd. Was it an extension of the International Festival? Was the Farmers’ Market hosting an event?

We entered the parking deck and immediately found ourselves behind three other cars waiting for one parking space that would soon be empty.

We watched with fascination as the driver leaving the parking spot eventually, mercifully, completed the six-point-turn that freed them from the confines of the other cars. Unfortunately, the two cars still left in front of us got to the remaining free spaces before we were able. Frantically googling “parking near me” to no avail, and after a third rotation of the garage, we decided to face the traffic and look for street parking.

Downtown Harrisonburg is set up in a grid, with the streets numbered and lettered for easy navigation by even the most sub-par of drivers. I, however, am not sub-par. I am far below even that.

We quickly became lost on the maze of one-way streets and “road closed” signs. Still unable to understand why the roads were closed and the streets were littered with pedestrians in the first place, we waited in traffic at each agonizingly long red light that brought us tantalizingly closer to the prospect of brunch, now more appropriately called lunch.

At the risk of being towed or ticketed, we parked in the lot of a bank a short walk from our destination. We milled about the festival stands for a few minutes before entering the Artful Dodger.

The interior of the Dodger is dark and brooding, with walls that feature local artists each month and a stage set up with couches where DJs often play on weekend evenings.

Though the inside of the restaurant was empty, the outside seating was nearly full, and after retrieving our menus, we chose sidewalk seats under a wide rainbow umbrella.

After a few minutes, a server approached the empty table behind ours. He turned to us and asked, “Do you know if they’re coming back?” My friend and I looked at each other, unsure as to why he thought we had any idea. We speculated that they would not.

The server turned to walk away, then spun back around and said, addressing us as if for the first time, “There you two are! I was looking for you guys… Do you know what you want?” Somewhat startled by the odd interaction, I hesitated before requesting orange juice, black coffee, and two waters. He gathered some dirty dishes from our table and went back inside. The table behind us remained covered in dishes.

After he returned with our drinks, we placed our orders: French toast for her and biscuits and gravy for me, a side of bacon for good measure.

It was a truly beautiful day; the sunlight through the rainbow umbrella above us colored the bubbles in my coffee iridescent. The Dodger attracts all types of customers, from the brooding artistic types to friendly college students looking for a quick bite. Many patrons brought their dogs to sit under the tables during their meals and greet other customers, much

to our delight.

When our food finally arrived, we dug in eagerly. My plate consisted of two flaky, dense biscuits about the size of your fists held together, smothered in gravy and topped with shredded cheddar cheese. The gravy was bland; I was glad to have ordered the bacon to add flavor to the meal, but the biscuits were buttery, soft, and warm. Though the food this time around was somewhat disappointing, I am normally impressed with the quality of food from the Artful Dodger. The menu boasts many creative twists on classic American cuisine, staying true to the artsy nature of the establishment. I would recommend the French toast, which my housemate thoroughly enjoyed, or any sandwich option on the menu during lunch and dinner.

You can find the Artful Dodger Cafe at 47 Court Square, Downtown Harrisonburg.