The food. The food was incredible. Awesome staff, cute ambiance and extremely affordable. I was shocked that every entree was available in half portions. Turning a $30 dish into $15, and the sizes were still generous. Its a great way to sample everything! And everything tastes INCREDIBLE. Reserve early!
(5)
Beth G.
We found it on yelp, since it had 4 1/2 stars we thought we'd try it. We were not disappointed. The ubiquitous salad was amazing with a poached egg and crisp bacon. The soups were fabulous. The lobster risotto was excellent, and we had the duck, which was cooked to perfection with a wonderful sauce. Our waitress (colleen?) Was very helpful and charming.
(5)
L P.
Wonderful. Absolutely delicious food with exceptionally well balanced flavors. Kind and friendly servers, very sweet and friendly patrons and the bar. Their simple green salad with beets, asparagus, goat cheese and sunflower seeds was finished with a light dressing that I would love to have the recipe for! :) There was the perfect amount of every ingredient. Lobster Risotto had plenty of lobster, a great balance of vegetables! It was fantastic. The hanger steak was incredibly tender and flavorful. Rice pudding with port wine cherries to finish of the meal was lovely, not too sweet. Impressive!!!
Tonight my mom, dad and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Duckworth's. We started by sharing the Caesar salad with anchovies. It was just salty and fishy enough. Perfect. My mom had the seared scallops with mashed potatoes (she doesn't like sweet potatoes), it was wonderful. It arrived, as did all the entrees, hot and fresh, right from the kitchen. The dish was fresh, tender and excellent. We all had the half-sized portions which were perfect. I had the lobster risotto, again, it arrived freshly prepared and steaming hot, nicely spiced, with wonderful sauteed greens. Dad had the seafood stew, it was prepared fresh, hot, nicely spiced with just the right amount of salt and garlic. We all enjoyed our entrees and dad couldn't help but order the almond pastry with berries and vanilla ice cream. Three forks took care of the piping hot dessert and melting fresh vanilla. We were thrilled with the experience and will be returning next year during our annual fall trip to Gloucester. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)
Michael F.
We were fortunate to get a table as we were a walk-in. Ingredients are locally sourced and great care is taken during the preparation of the food. You can also mix and match plates and get the half plate size. Had the mushroom soup and hanger steak and my wife had the scallops cooked with duck. Her main course was their lamb dish which was also great. Finished off with the banana cake which was awesome! Colleen our server was also very nice.
(5)
Yi-Wen J.
Visiting Rockport and bam!! Hit a jack pot!! This restaurant is an absolute gem not only in the area but for anyone from everywhere. I do not mind driving 4.5 hours to come here to dine. Food with love with sophistication.
Dined there recently with the Mrs. We sat at the bar and got great service. I had a small Caesar which was good, but not great. Then, I got the duck breast and my wife got the salmon. Both were NO LESS than outstanding. We will be back and soon, even if it is a one hour+ drive from my home.
(5)
Delvina K.
Everything about my experience here was amazing. I was visiting from out of town and looked up restaurants in the area. This one had the best reviews and I 100% agree with them. The place gets full easily given how small it is so I recommend making a reservation in advance (even for bar seating). First, I had the asparagus soup which was creamy and has the perfect amount of Parmesan. Second, I had the Boston salad which I already knew I would love because of the cranberries, walnuts and goat cheese. Third, I had my main course which was the duck confit. It was absolutely superb- perfectly cooked and seasoned and plated with spinach and potatoes. Finally, I finished with a cappuccino and the banana cake. The banana cake was delicious. Everything I had was unique and flavorful and I walked out of there having spent only $60. Aside from the food, everyone that works there genuinely loves being there. The combination of reasonably priced (yet high end) dining along with a friendly and efficient staff makes this place worthy of so much more than 5 stars.
(5)
Geoff And Jenni G.
There was a bit of a mess up on our reservation, but the staff sorted it out without much fuss. The cocktail special was awful and I sent it back (spicy pickle martini or some derivative thereof)... other than that the service was pretty good and the food was extremely well presented and very tasty. We would have come back, but didn't have enough days in town with the other restaurants we wanted to try. It's upscale, so if you are looking for somewhere casual, this is not the spot... worth dressing up for though :-) definitely a recommend!
(4)
Mardi F.
Exquisite. We sat at the bar and received amazing service while chit-chatting with the bartenders and waitstaff. The duck breast was incredible: moist, tender, well-balanced. Local mixed green salad was salty but delicious. Can't wait to come back here.
(5)
Tashina B.
Visiting from the west-coast, we stopped by this town on a sleepy mid-week afternoon. The decor is charming, a little rustic and cozy. With only a few tables, I heard reservations are normally a good suggestion. The food was utterly delicious. We had a white-fish based entree and a pasta entree. The dishes had unique flavors and creative ingredients. Both plates were cooked perfectly. Some of the orders can be halved, which is a great way to order a number of items off the menu between you and a friend. Must visit.
(5)
Beth S.
Having enjoyed ourselves each previous visit, we took some friends for dinner last weekend as a "Thank you" for a kindness they had extended to us. When we arrived, the place was full and the diners were clearly enjoying themselves and in no rush to leave after finishing their coffee and desserts. As appropriate, they were not given the bum's rush, but that extended our wait. It is a very small space and the waiting area not much bigger than a phone booth. After a while, the bartender unprompted and clearly sympathetic to our situation comped a round of wine. Exactly the right thing to do! While we were not upset by the wait, the gesture ensured our evening was not marred by the prolonged wait in such a tight space. Once a table was ready, we were promptly seated and enjoyed the same leisurely and DELICIOUS meal as the diners who preceded us. The mushroom and squash soups were fabulous; the lobster risotto very good (for me, it did need a bit more cheese which was immediately delivered when requested); the steak cooked perfectly; and, the fried chicken was crisp and juicy. It is easily the best restaurant Cape Ann.
(5)
Jim W.
Gosh. Lived on north shore all my life. Summer I'm Gloucester. Can't believe I've never been here. What a great experience. Food excellent. Sat at bar. Michelle a delight. This is part of my circle of dining now.
(5)
Sarah F.
We ate here after a great day in Rockport ages ago. Can't remember what we had but loved the small plates and thought it was better than half the restaurants in the South End. Next to the water in neighborhoody Gloucester, it's a great little find. Also remember we were able to be dressed fairly casually after a day of sight seeing. Service was friendly and very knowledgable. Wish I could remember what we had but I'm getting old. Highly recommended.
(5)
Pat D.
Half a star at best. Disappointed to say the least. This place was over hyped up. Not a tough crowd to please but the service was extremely inattentive and the food was okay at best. Lobster risotto way over cooked and we waited way too long for everything from our drinks to our bread to our entrees and then our bill. Won't be back but understand a decent restaurant on cape ann is slim Pickens. Good luck.
(1)
Caroline S.
Absolutely the best restaurant in Gloucester! Duckworth's has now become a staple in my diet ever since I first ate here last year. The pricing is similar (if not slightly cheaper depending on what you order) to the rest of the Gloucester's restaurants. Think 'Latitude 43' and 'Alchemy'. It can get busy on weekends so I would recommend making reservations a week in advance. Wait staff are wonderful and accommodating and great at making recommendations. The menu offers smaller portions for most of the dishes which makes ordering a bunch of dishes to share for a larger party easy. Now on to the food aspect. I've never had a dish here I wouldn't order twice. I always start with the bistro salad (a must order in my opinion), and lately I've been ordering the seared duck breast as my main. You really can't go wrong with this menu. They always have wonderful options for dessert. The banana layer cake is spectacular. Essentially, I'm saying if you live in the area or are stopping by I would make it a priority to come here.
(5)
Tim W.
If this were rated on food only it would be 5 stars. However, the service was not at all up to the standards I have seen in the past and I have eaten there at least 8 times. The food was outstanding and cooked to perfection., we had 4 different meals and appetizers plus an unbelievable banana cake for dessert We were seated promptly, but that's where the service stopped. We reviewed the menu and the stared at them on the table for at least 15 minutes while at least 4 different staff walked by as if we were invisible. Finally a waitress came with water and said our waiter would be right over he was busy mixing some drinks, I'm not sure why since they had a bartender that didn't happen right away. He was friendly and knowledgable but that's where it ended. Drink orders were taken and bread promised but neither came without a long wait. Finally dinner orders were taken and they actually came out in a reasonable amount of time but delivered by other waitstaff since our waiter seemed to busy off at the bar again. Drinks were never offered a second time which is odd since it's their highest profit margin. Dinner plates took forever to remove. We finally ordered dessert and coffee, coffee came quickly but dessert was at least 20 or more minutes, coffees were completely finished before he even went to look for the dessert. Getting the bill was equally irritating and took at least another 15 minutes. In all dinner took about 2:45 minutes and nearly every table turned over at least once while we there. I'm all for no pressure to leave restaraunts and enjoying a long evening but it is supposed to flow with attentive timely service. The other waitstaff at least filled our water glasses regularly. This won't stop me from returning because the food is so outstanding but I highly doubt if the owner was around this would have happened, it looked to me like no one was in charge. As we were leaving and putting our coats on at the door I was trying to catch the bartenders eye who I thought might be the manager to let her know, But she was just talking to the bar patrons and was indifferent that we were leaving, 4 of us left disappointed.
(3)
Hannah L.
The place is small and cramped, however the food was delicious and our waitress was wonderful. Food to prepare the dishes is from local fisheries and farms. I had the lobster and vegetable risotto which was wonderful. We ate a late dinner about 8pm and after I got my food I overheard that the lobster was gone. So don't wait too late. My sister got a chicken dish which was also delicious. The chef is also the owner and his wife makes the desserts. We had the chocolate toffee cheesecake. Definitely tasted homemade and was soo good!!!!!
(5)
Victoria G.
Fan effing TASTIC. i love the servers the food, the ambiance, everything there is to want and love. one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. so amazingly gourmet with huge portions. they offer half or whole portions of each item and the half portions are huge!!! my boyfriend and i love it because we can have a few of several things on the menu and it's incredible. wine list is phenomenal, wonderful size pours, and dark sext lovey atmosphere. the only downside is it's a very small restaurant and very limited seating- so it's hard to get it. i made my birthday rezzie 5 months in advance :-) i love this place so, so , so much!!!!!
(5)
Michael V.
We have been here a number of times. Drive 35 miles just to be here. Food usually outstanding. May I ask why the lamb is still on internet menu with chic peas, mint, etc. IT IS NEVER AVAILABLE. Don't understand why restaurants don't pay attention to what they have on internet. You arrive at the place and they don't have it. Sometimes service is slowish, sometimes fastish. Place is too small. These problems can be overlooked because the food is pretty damn good almost always. If you want romance and intimacy, this may not be the place because it's too cramped. You are on top of everyone. If you want intimacy and romance, go to Rockport's 'My Place By The Sea.' But you will pay nearly double, food is not creative, service is never the same twice, a crap shoot. You're there for a view, romantic drinks, etc. Food is secondary.
(4)
Bill B.
Had dinner two weeks ago. The service was absurdly slow. When I asked the waiter if there was a problem in the kitchen he stated that the pace was European style. Nonsense really. Can they really be this full of themselves that bad service is their "style" and that is ok? Food was ok, but devoting 3 hours to a dinner left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
Matt L.
Just have the chicken liver salad. Period. Just drive from wherever you are, take a seat and have the chicken liver salad. So great. FYI -- so was the halibut, the root soup and the lamb (so says my wife). Did I mention the chicken liver salad? Why not a perfect score? Parking is complicated, especially when it snows. And if you're over six feet, seats packed so tight you'll feel like you're on flight to LA. But overall, wow! Added bonus, helpful and knowledgable wait staff.
(4)
Ted S.
Disappointed tonight! Waitress said oysters Blue Point were medium to large, smallest ever had and no taste Caesar salad just fair. Breast of Duck was outstanding, Lamb Shank was delicious! Dessert was terrific. Requested window table two weeks ago but had to sit in middle of room next to a very loud mouth man.Headache within an hour. Requested to move but mgr wouldn't help. Woman sitting as a single at window took her sandels off and put her bare feet on chair across from her. Disgusting They take care of their summer regulars. Suggest Fall and Winter.
(3)
Jason S.
I am a transplant to this area and a foodie of the highest regards. There is no restaurant in Gloucester or Boston that can hold a candle to this establishment. I have been going here for years and the food is always perfect and the wine sublime! You have no worries here the food is always consistent. The only drawback to this place, and still I'd have it no other way, is the size, it is very small. You must get past being close to the next table and hearing the conversation. I often call well in advance to ensure we get the table in the window of the resturant. On a fall or winter night the view is like a. Postcard of New England. Yes they are priced higher than most places but not near as expensive as they could be. Substantial multi course meal with drinks for two is about 130 dollars very well spent.
(5)
Debbie B.
great local farm fresh produce for menu. amazing food, nice portion size. amazing and knowledgable staff. a nice night out!
(5)
Dmf D.
Great chef and service. I've lived on Cape Ann since 1998, and this is still the best restaurant in the area in my view. I've tried some of the newer establishments in Gloucester, including The Market. Make sure you reserve in advance. This one is always booked on weekends.
(5)
Serrano H.
At 3pm we left a phone message, which is how they do things, requesting a 6pm reservation. At 6pm we showed up and they had rejected our request because we had not left a phone number. (We had said we would be inaccessible by phone because we were off canoeing.) They would not even take us at the bar because they had booked those seats as well. It was frustrating because we'd driven so far, and the restaurant was nearly empty. Hats off to them for being so busy, but we will not return.
(1)
Allison G.
We absolutely LOVED this place!!! Best restaurant we have been to on the North Shore! Amazing food, great atmosphere-very cozy! Duck breast and lobster risotto were perfect and then a pumpkin walnut bread budding for the win to finish! one of my favorite things is you can get half portions if you're not as hungry, or if you are like we were and can't decide you can try multiple things! LOVE DUCKWORTHS! we will be back.
(5)
Paul A.
Wonderful restaurant with terrific service and prepared food. Their bar stocks local purveyors of liquor including vodka, gin, scotch, and wine. Their menu changes with the seasons and offers nightly specials. I had the lobster/vegetable risotto. My wife had the steak. Each was perfectly prepared and served. The bread which they ran out of after our first delivery was house baked by the owners wife. Ken the owner/chef prepares the dinner. The waitress was friendly and knew the menu and explained in detail the questions we raised. The desserts were phenomenal. Each entree was priced in half and full portions. Each of us ordered the half which was more than enough to fill us after our appetizers. I would ave given 5 stars but as noted they ran out of bread which I would have enjoyed to dunk in the heavenly broth. Located in Gloucester, Mass. This was a most pleasant evening. Will return.
(4)
Robert D.
By far the best Restuarant in Gloucester. The food is so fresh and delicious! Our favorite spot.
(5)
Will T.
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(3)
Vicki B.
Very charming bistro, but extremely limited parking! The food was excellently prepared. Between the 3 of us we had scallops, monkfish, seafood stew and quail. It was decided that the seafood stew and the scallops were the standouts for entrees. Banana cake won the dessert wars. I love that you can get either a full portion or half portion serving. What a great concept! Service was pretty good. Although we sat a long time with dirty dishes in front of us and then waited a long time for our check after we asked for it. They were very busy, but I think they always are and should be able to anticipate that they might need more help.
(4)
Kathy M.
We have been wanting to come here for several years now and just never get it together to make a reservation far enough in advance to snag a table. However, I really wanted to come here for my birthday this year and made sure that we had reservations several weeks in advance. I've read some earlier comments about the prices being steep, but really, we thought that things were priced extremely well. There were three of us and we had two appetizers as well as two salads. My husband had a full sized steak, while my son and I both had the half-sized crispy polenta. We followed that up with two pieces of the spice cake (which was orgasmic, by the way!). We had a bottle of sparkling water and no alcohol. My son and I both had tea with dessert. Our bill was just under $100 which we found to be very reasonable. By the way, the bread and pastries are made in house and are to die for. Service was attentive without being annoying. My son and I are vegetarians and my only suggestion for the menu is to have more than two vegetarian possibilities. Both he and I had the mushroom soup which was absolutely ah-maz-ing! Then we both had, as I mentioned above, the crispy polenta which also has mushrooms. As a result, we had a sufficiency of mushrooms--acknowledging that that was our choice. However, I would have chosen something other than the polenta if the alternative had not been risotto which is not one of my favorites. The risotto has received good reviews from others though, so perhaps I should have braved it. My husband's steak was cooked perfectly and he rated his meal as "absolutely delicious." The only other thing which rather disappointed (and it was just me, not my son or husband) was their cutlery. One goes to Duckworth's Bistro to enjoy excellent food in a great atmosphere. The china is white and allows for a very nice presentation, but the cutlery is cheap and light. Come on! You can do better than that! Of course, I'm not so petty to say that a silly thing like cutlery would ruin a dinner, but for me, it took away from the experience for which Duckworth's Bistro obviously strives. My husband and I will definitely be back. Thank you for a very delicious meal. (Note to self: Must make those reservations!)
(5)
Jerry P.
My wife and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with dinner at Duckworth's and a fine and delicious celebration dinner it was! Since I can never remember the exact names of dishes I order, I can only tell you that my swordfish was done perfectly and flavored the same. The wife's steak ... while not the most tender piece of beef ... was done as ordered and also was very flavorful. The cocktails were substantially fortified and that chocolate whatever-they-called-it cake for dessert was fantastic. My only objection is that the half dozen oysters for an appetizer were so small I felt a pang of guilt eating the little fellas. And, believe me: I've never felt guilty about eating oysters in my life! But, please, don't misunderstand. We thought the service and food was top notch. We visit Gloucester fairly regularly and while it was our first visit to Duckworth's it will not be our last.
(4)
Tony S.
What a wonderful experience! I had the ubiquitous bistrot salad, Frisee lettuce topped with bacon and poached egg with a wonderful dressing. It has to be tasted to be believed. The lobster risotto was just as good. They offer small and large portions which is nice. I had the "small" risotto portion and it was what I would consider a normal sized plate. Their super-crusty rolls are excellent. If you are in Gloucester you should dine here, but make a reservation well ahead.
(5)
M.J. C.
A MUST!! So happy to have gotten a reservation. Parking was a bit challenging in the beginning because the designation of spots is not very clear. Go to the water and park in front of the harbor. You'll be safe there! The meal was excellent but the dessert was superb! Peppermint Stick ice cream cake with a chocolate graham cookie crust. I want to go to there again! The service was excellent and the warm bread from Iggi's, just the perfect way to start a great dinner service.
(5)
Rick G.
Small, intimate - one might call it crowded - but I wouldn't. Great food - at least go here once.
(5)
Tom D.
As of this writing, Duckworth's holds the accolade of being my favorite restaurant. Not my favorite on the North Shore, or in metro Boston, or even in New England. My favorite restaurant period. Everything about this place is top notch. Superior food served by personable servers in a completely unpretentious setting that fits the bill for a random weekend night dinner or celebrating a special occasion. And I'm clearly not the only one who feels this way, as there has never been an empty seat in this place on any visit I've had. If I counted correctly, the whole restaurant seats only about 30 people, including six seats at the bar, so clearly the moral of the story is to plan ahead and make a reservation. Be advised that even the bar seating is by reservation, so don't think you can weasel your way into a seat that way! I can't tell you how many times my partner and I have had a sudden desire to go here on a Friday night and make that fruitless phone call to inquire about any availability. They'd be right to laugh at us for even asking, but we are always given sincere apologies and thanked for thinking of them. Classy people at Duckworth's. As far as food, I've never had anything that's not exquisitely prepared, so I'll just list a couple of my favorites. First, do yourself a favor and start your meal with the ubiquitous bistrot salad (their name, not mine). Frisee topped with bacon lardons and a poached egg with a mustard dressing. So simple, so delicious. I had seared sea scallops with a fennel/grapefruit salad entree some time ago, which was divine. As with most restaurants, the menu is constantly evolving, so this isn't listed anymore, but I'm sure the current incarnation of the scallops entree is just as good. Most recently I had their New York strip, of course cooked perfectly to my requested medium rare, and the accompanying sauce had me wanting to lick the plate. Lastly, if you're a poultry person, there's no better place to try quail. For you locavores out there, the website lists several local farms that supply produce and cheese, and they also proudly serve Gloucester-produced liquors. Break free from Grey Goose for a night and try the Beauport vodka. Prices here overall are high, but the quality of the food, level of service, and atmosphere demand them. The one drawback is that parking is atrocious (street only), but it's worth the struggle to find a space!
(5)
Dan A.
I'll make this simple: Duckworth's is incredible. It is tied (with Oleana, in Cambridge) for most incredible dining experience I have had since moving to Boston. My girlfriend and I went for the second time last night, to celebrate her graduation from her Masters program and her new job offer. We started with a mixed greens salad with goat cheese, beets and sunflower seeds. It was great, the sunflower seeds providing a really nice texture. For dinner, my girlfriend got the soft shell crab, while I got the duck leg confit (I almost got the lobster risotto again, because it was unbelievable last time, but I figured I should try something new). They were very different, and both phenomenal. The crabs were large and meaty, and incredibly flavorful. Meanwhile, the duck was the best I have ever had, perfectly prepared and very flavorful. Finally, we splurged for two desserts. The banana layer cake was good, but the bourbon chocolate pecan pie with vanilla ice cream was UNBELIEVABLE. Some other helpful info: Both times we've been, the wait staff was both friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. And the restaurant itself is small, intimate and romantic without feeling at all crowded. A word of warning: Duckworth's is easily the most expensive restaurant I've ever visited. I'd likely go broke if I visited more than once a year. However, as a place for celebrations, Duckworth's is about as special as it gets. I very, very much hope it's not another two years before I make it back.
(5)
danielle r.
Amazing. We were in town for a wedding but will return to Gloucester for this restaurant. Don't skip the salad!
(5)
Kalu C.
This place is awesome. a very cozy place, maybe 10 tables only, but the food was fantastic! Even the bread was so good that I can't stop eating. Ordered mushroom soup and lobster risotto. The soup was very creamy and smooth, great mushroom flavor. The Lobster risotto was very good as well. I only ordered the half size, but it has a lot of lobster in it and they are very fresh. The creaminess of the risotto and the freshness of the lobster made the dish perfect. Will definitely come back to try more other dishes.
(5)
Lynne F.
Duckworth Bistrot is my favorite restaurant in Gloucester! The food is fabulous and very consistent - never an off night! The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. Waiter even has a pickle business on the side - which reminds me - try the Maitland Mountain Mary (Great Bloody Mary)! The scallops on sweet potato puree as an app. was mouthwatering, the Panfried Fluke was moist and delicious, the Lobster Risotto was excellent! I never have room for dessert but you must try the Flourless Chocolate Cake and the Banana Cake! They will bring tears to your eyes! Best restaurant in Glosta!!!!
(5)
Mark B.
Great restaurant. I was not expecting such a great meal. Prices were a bit steep but one of the best meals I have had. Give it a shot, Casual dress and a pleasant waiter made for a great experience. Try the lobster risotto the app portion is a meal in itself. The presentation was great and a very talented chef.
(5)
Paul D.
Was lucky enough to have dinner at Duckworths- had and 830 rez and was seated by 830. Waiter was charming and professional. we ordered a nice French sauvignon blanc - $38- on the lower end of the wine list- very easy. we had frisee, bacon and egg salad- delish- bacon lardons were meaty and tasty, the egg ran all over the salad =sopped up with a good crusty bread. also a caesar salad- good not great but the parmesan croutons were excellent. Half a dozen oysters- fresh and clean. We looked at each other- this was a great meal so far- far better than anyplace we had been in the area (this was our 4th dinner - and we were there 3 more nights) so we made a reservation on the spot for our last night. anyway,- then we had 1/2 order of mushroom/asparagus risotto- I never really got risotto until this version- tasted every bite of the veggies and the rice was perfectly done- a little creamy, earthy. Nice. half order of scallops and a half order of roast chicken - both excellent. No dessert . No coffee- $150 with tip. so we go back 3 nites later- have the same frisee salad and oysters- equally as good. also had a mushroom bisque-like the risotto a few night s before- earthy and added some cracked pepper- worked nicely. half order of strip steak- perfectly tender, tasty and excellent quality. homemade fettucine bolognese- robust, meaty and tasty. had the same bottle of sauvignon blanc. no dessert, no coffe $150 again. wish we lived closer so we could go tonite.
(5)
lauren f.
Very good. The lobster risotto was one of the best I've ever had. I thought Davio's lobster risotto was good, until I tried Duckworth's. You can order half orders of just about everything and that is what we did. The fish, I think it was cod or some other white fish, was delicious. It was topped with a simple lemon sauce, but it was delicate and delicious. The only drawback is that the food took soooo long to come out of the kitchen. Very busy, so make reservations. There is a small bar but it is very small, sitting only 4 or 5 people.
(5)
Danielle W.
If you're considering Duckworth's: 1. Place is teeny - make a reservation a few days in advance. 2. Plan on the lobster risotto for dinner. 3. The banana layer cake is a MUST for dessert. 4. Make an excuse to talk to the bartender, aka Mrs. Duckworth, aka the woman who made your banana layer cake. Sweetest, most unassuming owner (co-owner) of a restaurant I've ever encountered. Cozy, unpretentious, delicious food, WONDERFUL dining experience.
(5)
Matt C.
I have been there many times- fantastic!! Absolutely my favorite place. Sitting in the bay window is best. Colleen the waitress is AWASOME I try to go there a couple times a year only draw back- YOU NEED RESERVATIONS- even in the off season. Once you eat there you will understand and I cant say enough about everyone that works there..
(5)
M S.
Duckworth's Bistrot is still going strong. Several meals later ... romantic dinner for two ... or group of six ... everything is the very best: price, food, service, atmosphere.
(5)
Otis H.
So happy to report that the accolades are well worth it. We have lived in Gloucester for almost 6 years and never tried this place. Wow...our loss. The ambiance is our French bistro with a New England flair. Loved how quiet and intimate it was. Food was 9/10. Wife had the grilled shrimp appetizer, I had oysters (Wellfleet) on the half shell. Shrimp was perfectly grilled with a perfectly complimented slaw. The aoli was a little much, but thankfully was on the side. For mains I got the grass-fed pan fried steaks cutlets wi th broccoli rabe, mashed celelry root and red wine reduction. Wife got the pan roasted local chix with mashed potatoes. The only thing keeping the review from a perfect 5 was the bitterness of the broccoli rabe. It's supposed to be be somewhat bitter, but this was like eating a mouthful of braised hops. Completely in edible. Steak and chicken were exceptional though. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Dessert was made onsite and was superlative. Wife had chocolate ganache cake. I had the cranberry/apple crisp. Amazing. Great place and we'll worth the premium price.
Not sure what the hubbub is about with this place. The place was very busy last Saturday. We made our reservations more than a week in advance and our only options were 5:30PM (i believe) and 8:30PM. We chose the latter. Maybe this was a mistake because when got around to ordering, the croquette, the lamb and the oysters were no longer available. Then, I heard that some of the items from the bar were also no longer available. This was really disappointing-- this means that almost 20% of the menu was unavailable! There was a slight wait when we arrived because other patrons were still finishing up/chatting. There is no place to wait. We stood in the stairwell near the front door behind another waiting group. The bar is SMALL and there's nowhere to stand. We heard that the Duckworth's was casual but it didn't seem so casual. I guess the term casual is subjective. Some people were wearing suits, some people were wearing slacks/khackis, the waitstaff may be wearing jeans but no sneakers, really. I felt like I could've used a better heads up about the attire. Generally, the service was friendly and good. Great salads and warm bread. I had the scallops with duck confit, yukon potatoes, and asparagus. Husband had the duck breast with sauteed apples. We shared the banana cake for dessert-- the cream cheese frosting was a little much- there was a lot! The meal was better than average but I wasn't wowed. I would go back again but perhaps make an earlier reservation. If you have two items on your menu that call for oysters, please be sure you have plenty of oysters on hand. I mean, you ARE in Gloucester!! People come here to eat sea food!
I thought it would be a lot better from the reviews. The restaurant itself is very, very small. Our reservation was very early, and there were only a couple of other parties there. It took forever for the waitress even to bring us bread (two small rolls) Although our server was nice, she seemed more interested in chatting it up with the regulars. We had the other waiter bring out our first course, and the BARTENDER came out and brought us out our second course. I will say the lobster risotto was really good. We got the chicken dish as well that was just okay, didn't WOW me at all. Didn't stay for dessert since I was not pleased with our service, and the food was just okay. Everything took WAY too long!!
(2)
Danie R.
Definitely one of my top 5 restaurants in Gloucester. I came here for my birthday dinner and basically enjoyed the experience. Our server, Colleen (I think), was really sweet, friendly, helpful, and also a vegetarian. She was a dream when it came to help us ordering. We ordered the mushroom soup, beet salad, a mushroom/polenta dish (half portion), and a cauliflower fritter dish (half portion). The salad was fresh and clean tasting. It had apples in it, so I got to eat most of it. I love the bitterness of endive, so the salad could do no wrong. The soup was really great too, very creamy and mushroomy, but kind of tasted bready. I wonder if the soup had been thickened with bread. The mushroom polenta dish was good, but the mushroom sauce it came with tasted exactly like the mushroom soup. Somewhat disappointing. The cauliflower dish was good too, but the last time I checked the menu, it had been replaced with a falafel dish. Sounds much more boring.... Dessert is a MUST HAVE! Their bread pudding is to die for! Their wine selection is amazing. I wish they were broaden their beer list a bit, for Pete's sake ;). Also, I really hate most of the "Gloucester" spirits. I decided to have a dirty martini made with one of the local vodkas, and it was a big disappointment. Decor-wise, not so impressive. But that's not really a huge factor in this review... It's great, but they're not doing anything crazy different. Once you have tried something, and assuming you're not a complete idiot, it would be easy to replicate any of their meals at home. It's delicious and simple.
(4)
Sam S.
we had our first Duckworth's experience last night and we loved it. If this review were for the food only, it would easily be 5 stars. The food was perfect. We had the mushroom soup, scallops, lobster risotto, duck and bread pudding. Yes, it was only two of us-don't judge! Hubby's favorite was the soup, my favorite was the duck. This is ironic because he usually doesn't care for mushrooms and I don't usually care for duck but both of these dishes were phenomenal, as was everything. So why not 5 stars? Service was a smidge slow in the beginning, the time in between courses was pretty long (I understand though, food this delicious does take time. Our meal took 2.5 hours) and lastly, when the hub made the reservation he let them know it was my birthday and there was no acknowledgement of that while we were there but we did see another table with a candle in their dessert and they did confirm that they would put a candle in the dessert when he made the resi #endcandlerant :( one last note, the mixed drinks were spectacular as were both of our wines. Regardless of the hiccups, we will be back and the day can not come soon enough. Yum!
(4)
Mark C.
Staying in Rockport for a few days. Our innkeeper recommended it as her first choice. I was a little intimidated by the menu when we first got there, but decided on the Flank Steak. One of the best steaks I have ever tasted. They have half plate pricing which is good if you have a small appetite. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked fantastic. Highly recommend. You will need reservations, it is a small place and there were several people who tried to just walk in but there were no tables available.
(5)
Tammie P.
Oysters, duck, quail, lobster risotto, banana layer cake. So good!
(4)
Jean J.
I wrote a very detailed review/ letter about a very disappointing evening at this restaurant, however it has disappeared. Does anyone know how this happens?
(1)
Melissa L.
Duckworth's Bistrot was a pleasant surprise. I would go back again. Make sure to make a reservation a few days in advance, we had a tough time getting a reservation for four, maybe it's easier for couples to get a table. The food and the service was very good. I love that you have the option to buy a half-portion. The dining area is smaller than most other places but it didn't bother me. The banana cake was delightful.
(5)
Rick S.
OK I know I say it in all my ratings...but FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS TO GET SOMEONE TO THE TABLE ASAP TO TAKE A DRINK ORDER! We waited 10-15 min to place the order. This started us off with a nervous thought about the slow service to come. However once we got a drink everything smoothed out and we had a nice time. Cozy atmosphere and delicious food. Also liked that you can order half portions...wives got salads and half orders while husbands got full portions. Another positive is that the staff is not pretentious and taking themselves too seriously. Fun had by all :) VERY SMALL bar. Go for drinks somewhere else before or after as you will not have space to hang out at the bar
(4)
CJ B.
Best food north of Boston! Great menu, staff, owners and friends! Awesome wines by the glass.
(5)
Gina A.
What a find! I had the best dining experience! I love that this restaurant is small and it feels like the wait staff and chef are cooking a personal meal just for me! The food is seasoned perfectly to bring out the flavor of each ingredient. They serve a full-plate meal as well as half-servings, which make for a great way to order an appetizer, soup, or salad; an excellent means to taste a little of everything. I had the sauteed shrimp with smoked bacon, white-bean stew, and wilted arugula as my appetizer. The food jumped off the plate and awakened the taste buds! These distinct flavors enhanced each component of the dish and you could taste the freshness of every ingredient. Food like this keeps you wanting more... so for dinner I ordered the pan roasted halibut with hash brown potato cake, creamy kale, and bearnaise sauce. So, could the dinner receive such high praise as the appetizer? "You betcha' baby!" The halibut wasn't overcooked, the potato cake held a different texture than your typical mash or baked, and the kale was awesome! I do mean awesome! The ambiance of this place feels like an older building in San Francisco modernized to fit as many people as possible in a little place. If you want the feel of a personal dining experience without the crowds, go on a weekday. I requested a carafe of water, which they do not offer. Is that a bummer? Not really, our waitress, Hilary, was a most tentative server. If you ever find yourself in Gloucester, or anywhere near this part of New England, make a point to eat dinner at Duckworth's Bistrot. You won't be sorry.
(5)
John L.
My wife and I have eaten here twice and haven't been disappointed. Half plates are great because you can eat more things and their things are worth eating. I sometimes dream about the ubiquitous bistrot salad.
(5)
Bob C.
Thomas Keller doesn't have anything on this place (and I've eaten at one of his restaurants); my wife and I ate at Duckworth's Bistrot last night and the food was exquisite: duckworthsbistrot.com I had the Boston Lettuce Salad, and the Vermont Quail. Bread was from Iggy's bakery and served with olive oil, which I prefer to butter. My salad was served with a Balsamic Vinagrette; right portions of each. Some places use too much vinegar, Duckworth's was just right. Beets complemented the fresh lettuce in the salad. The quail was served over grilled sweet potatoe and brussels sprouts; the flavor combination worked and the quail was moist and tender and fell right off the bone. My wife had the Caesar Salad and the Grilled Bell & Evans Chicken Breast. And we split the Flourless Chocolate Brownie, which was served with chocolate ice cream. One of the best meals we've ever had. Parking is on street and limited; you'll have to walk. It's a small restaurant so make reservations. Service was exceptional -- attentive yet unobtrusive. And shame on us for not eating here before -- it's a 10-minute drive from our house.
(5)
Kristin R.
everything about this place is fantastic!!! We get the 1/2 plates so we can try more of the menu. You must try the banana cake- it is amazing!!!
(5)
Michael S.
Superb. Amazing food.
(5)
Victoria G.
Amazing; from top to bottom!
(5)
James G.
A must try destination in Gloucester. Wonderful food. Great staff. Try the banana cake! and be sure to make a reservation.
(5)
Edith G.
Absolutely amazing dinner, perfect ambience. Lovely staff. Had an amazing chicken dish with the best red wine sauce I've ever had. The banana cake is to die for. Perfect getaway on a quiet street in East Gloucester.
(5)
Nick N.
went hear with my wife a few moths ago and I will tell you the food and service was perfect !!! I found this place through yelp and will tell you it was one of the best I have had out of the north shore area....I have to give it a 5 star because they deserve it ! YOU MUST get reservations !!!! or forget it !!! small place that fills up so so fast and the reason is that it is great from the drink to the food to the desert ! TRY IT!!! YOULL LIKE IT !!!!!!
(5)
Helen D.
Duckworth's bistrot was absolutely fabulous. Cozy, warm and friendly staff, delicious food. Lobster risotto and the quail were our favorites, the salads were perfect and the banana cake yummy, certainly lived up to its reputation. Great thing about this restaurant is you can order 1/2 plates of almost everything: you can taste more, or have a smaller dinner if you want. We ate more!
(5)
Lindsey B.
One of my absolute favorite restaurants. Small, cozy, romantic, and utterly delicious -- plus I love that you can buy entrees in half portions, so that you can have several courses without utterly stuffing yourself. The fish stew is absolutely amazing. I've eaten here at least ten times, am quite exacting about food, and have never ordered anything that was less than delicious. This is hands-down the best restaurant in Gloucester.
(5)
Rick L.
We read about this cozy little spot on Yelp, and decided to give it a try. It was fantastic! A warm atmosphere with excellent food. We are from Chicago and have pretty high restaurant standards--Duckworth's passed our test with flying colors. It was a genuine and delightful surprise. We found the 1/2 plates were a great way to try a few more items while saving room for dessert. We'd go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
Edward S.
I had a late reservation for Duckworth's on a Friday night. Even though our reservation was at 9PM, we were not seated until closer to 9:30. I realized that this was not the fault of the restaurant as a large table of women were taking a bit longer than expected to finish up their drinks. After we were seated, the host comp'd us our initial round of wine that we had ordered at the bar. I was not expecting this nor did I think it was necessary, but it was a very nice gesture that was appreciated. It only got better from there. My date and I split a 1/2 order of a scallop dinner as an appetizer and it was very good and fresh. For dinner, she had the half order of the lobster risotto while I had a half order of duck. Both to die for. Half orders are very decent in size and if you order an appetizer, you should be satisfied. We normally do not order dessert, but we were feeling pretty good about the experience and heard good things about their chocolate offerings. Again, they did not disappoint. By far the best restaurant in the area.
(5)
Ben B.
Take the trip. This place is awesome. Make a day out of it, visit Gloucester, walk around, get hungry, and go to Duckworth's to eat everything on the menu. We went here for our four year anniversary after seeing the review in Zagat. In the back of my mind, I thought that the incredibly high food rating must have been a mistake. Could this place really be better than all of the restaurants in Boston, food wise? I am not sure, but the food was darn good. We are both vegetarians, so I called ahead to make sure that there would be some options for us (the menu only lists one option, but Zagat had mentioned that it was a vegetarian-friendly place). I talked to the chef (!) and he assured me that he would have some vegetarian specials for us that night. We sampled everything that we could. They allow you to get half portions of every dish that are still huge! We sampled two appetizers: salad and soup and three entrees: polenta with mushrooms, risotto, and a platter of grilled vegetables. The grilled vegetable platter was amazing and everything else was very good. The service was great, and the space is very cozy and romantic. We felt a bit young there, but the food more than made up for it. And desserts? Ooooh man. They have an in-house pastry chef and the banana layer cake that I had was a great ending. Prices are very reasonable when you order half portions and it gives you plenty of food and the ability to try a lot of different food. A very unique idea.
(5)
Hungry C.
We arrived on time for our dinner, but our table wasn't ready. Unfortunately, the modest bar was fully occupied leaving us absolutely no place to wait but pressed against a wall of coats. Then, of course, owing to the tiny size of the room we had to do the bistro shuffle as guests came and went. Think rush-hour at Park Street station. Before long, though, we were seated at a table for two in front of one of the windows. Although we prefer to sit side-by-side on account of our desperate and hysterical love, our table afforded probably the most private milieu available. The food we settled for was excellent, so we can't help but wonder how sublime the meal would have been if they'd actually had the food we wanted. Sure, it was an 8:30 reservation on a Saturday night, but isn't that the night for which a restaurant should be most prepared? Sadly, they were out of the cauliflower soup with mussels and crouton; the bibb and iceberg lettuce salad advertised on Duckworth's website was no longer on the menu; Swiss chard was not available with the veal so broccoli rabe was substituted; and the banana layer cake was long gone by the time we were ready for it. We started with a half-order of seared duck breast with apples and fennel in a cider reduction. It was perfect - an amazing dish. Mrs had two tender medallions of veal, but reported a lack of lemon in the butter/lemon sauce. I had the NY strip and it was everything a strip should be. For dessert we had a rum-soaked fruit-ed bread pudding with crme anglaise. It was good enough to make us forget our disappointment over the missing banana layer cake; however, the rum was undetectable. Anyway, that's all just nit-picking. Duckworth's was downright charming and served superior food. Prices were at the higher-end of high-end and they charged Mrs for every soda, but we'd certainly go back - if only for a taste of that banana layer cake. *Update 04/03/2008: We recently heard from Mrs Duckworth who shared with us that soda refills are now free and she apologized that the evening we were there was their first night open following an extended winter break, thus the various shortages of ingredients. While we appreciate the generous sentiment, no apology was necessary. In fact, we returned last night and the banana layer cake was superb!
(4)
Karen B.
Amazing service, and incredible food. REALLY incredible food. Charming location. A must-do when in Gloucester. Wish we'd saved room for dessert but couldn't resist ordering appetizers and soup and salad because everything was so fabulous. Suggest getting half orders of everything and sharing because it all is so delicious.
(5)
Tom H.
One of the best meals we've had in New England! Small and cozy atmosphere. Lobster and vegetable risotto was delicious and the risotto was cooked to perfection, not mushy like oatmeal, but al dente as it should be with lots of lobster meat chunks and just enough veggies to balance it all out. My wife had the seafood stew (Cioppino) which she said was also one one the best she's ever eaten. Half servings are a great option as you can try 2 dishes if you'd like. If you're in the area and would like a special meal, I'd highly recommend trying this place. Make reservations as the place is on the small side. As other reviewers mention, this place is nowhere near the waterfront and has street only parking. Service was a little slow the night we were there, but there was a larger party at another table who was hogging all of our waitress's attention.
(4)
Lance S.
Best place on Cape Ann. Small, hard to get into but worth the effort. Parking - on the street where you can find it. Food - stellar. Service - great. My advice - Go.
(5)
Glenn D.
One of the best meal experiences my wife and I have had in years! Incredible food, great service. The half portion idea is great -- we got three half portions and were thus able to try more entrees. We had the lobster risotto (perfectly prepared, creamy, delicious, and chock full of lobster), duck breast (tender, perfect, sauce that made me want to lick the plate after), and grilled lamb shank (incredible). The banana layer cake was insanely good. Not cheap, but perfect for that special occasion. Fantastic, memorable meal!
(5)
Jessica M.
My favorite restaurant in the area, bar none. Although on some visits I get the sense that I've got the lowest net worth in the room, I've never felt out-of-place eating here! The service is unobtrusive and attentive all at once and will even converse with you. It's an understated, comfortable atmosphere to spend several hours over a really great meal. The food: delightful. An excellent selection of wines. An attractive feature is the fact that all food is available in half-portions, so if you're like me and prefer smaller portions you don't have to pay for and pack up a full one -- or you can try several things without overgorging yourself. And if you're also a cheap date like me, there are many wines available by the half-bottle -- and even some by the half-glass! The quality of the food is extremely high, and is sourced locally when possible -- one recent evening, the dessert special featured strawberries collected at a nearby farm by the chef and his small children. It may not be the least expensive meal you've had, but I feel the prices are an excellent value... You'd pay a lot more for this meal in Boston, and honestly if I still lived in the city I'd make the trip to eat here. Reservations are pretty much required during the summer; call a day or two ahead.
(5)
Bob K.
Had a great meal with my wife tonight. I won't go into the food much as other reviewers have covered that, except to say that I LOVE the idea of having optional appetizer size items for all the entrees and 3 oz. pours for quite a few wines. I'm no fan of oversize portions, obviously. Also, there don't seem to be any gloppy sauces or soups in the mix, another plus for those who like tasty but relatively light foods. Service was excellent in every respect, worthy of a 25% tip tonight. Not inexpensive: tab was $90 exclusive of tip for two small entrees for each of us, and a glass and a half of wine for each. But we both left full, pleased with the experience and the food. Excellent!
(5)
Elizabeth L.
We love Duckworth's so I was thrilled to have reservations for last night. But we were disappointed! My duck confit was good, though not fabulous. My husband's shrimp entree, however, was very far from what we've come to expect from Duckworth's. It was so fishy-tasting it was nearly inedible. The polenta with it was dry, had little flavor, and really added nothing except some relief from those very bad tasting shrimp. We might have mentioned our disappointment but our server never asked us how we were enjoying our meals. Thank goodness for the deserts which were as delicious as usual -- both the banana cake and the bread pudding. We're hoping our experience was just an aberration. We usually leave raving about our wonderful meals.
(3)
Maria A.
The Duckworth Bistrot was amazing! The atmosphere, the service and especially the Food was wonderful. It was a treat from the usual take out places in the area, the price right especially when they give you a choice between small portion or full portion, I had the flour less chocolate cake " Really Yummy". Is a must if you are in Gloucester!
(5)
Rosy R.
Absolutely the best food on. Oath shore..bar none. Worth the drive.the owner needs to check his staff though. Our Waitress, a bit heavy, had on a dirty shirt and frankly looked like a slob. The hostess was so long on the phone with reservations we stood at door for 10 minutes before she acknowledged us. BUT..the food.. Just unreal! We will return,-And hope the staff has cleaned up their act
(5)
Diane D.
The food is fabulous, and we keep trying to like the restaurant. But, alas, it is not the place two people can go to enjoy quiet conversation over dinner. No matter what time you go (and we've tried them all!), you are packed into a tiny table amongst several large parties. They don't have the right space to host these kinds of parties in the main dining area. You'll notice that the best reviews are by parties larger than two. Hope they will expand!
(2)
James B.
We just left I wanted to let everyone no it was wonderful. Hillery, was wonderful Dan too. Oh the food was great too. We got the grass feed hamburgers. Outstanding"....
(5)
Mark R.
We have eaten at this restaurant several times during our vacations on Cape Ann. We reside in Northern NJ, right outside NYC and there are excruciatingly few restaurants that can deliver a meal like this one. Each time we have eaten here it continues to get better and better. I am typically fairly critical of our dining experiences but touted our friends on Duckworth's who came up to the North Shore to meet us on our vacation. They looked forward to dining at a place that I actually highly recommended. Started the meal with the Spicy Pickle Martini which ended up being a perfect pairing for the raw oysters. Sweet and briny they were served with 2 sauces, one spicy and the other a mignonette. We all shared the Cold Asparagus Soup and Lobster Risotto which suggests just how difficult it is to decide what to have from their incredible menu. Both dishes did not disappoint. Entrees followed the same pattern and the ability to order a half plate provided the opportunity to sample more of Chef Duckworth's creations. The haddock served on a bed of succotash all sitting on top a luscious corn sauce was outstanding. My wife ordered the chicken with creamed kale and mashed which I was lucky enough to grab a taste before it disappeared. I was not so lucky with our dining mates whose lamb and quail made what seemed to be a cameo appearance. Just when you think it can't get any better, arrives their Banana Cake surrounded by rounds of sliced banana in a silky syrup. To die for ! All of us came away with an incredible dining experience in every way. The food is phenomenal, the service warm and attentive, the ambiance casual but classy. The wine list is well appointed. We will be back the next time we return to New England, hopefully sooner than later.
Incredibly delicious. I had the corn soup, lobster risotto, aaaaaand the Bell and Evans game hen. The menu offers half and full portions, so you can sample a variety of features. They also have a great selection of wine. You will need to make reservations in advance. It's one bistro you've got to experience when in the area. 5 stars for the chef, service, and food.
(5)
Michelle D.
I'm happy to say I have found a place that made me smile at the end of my meal! I went to Duckworths with my family for a birthday dinner and everything about the night was great! This restaurant is totally tiny so you will need a reservation! We were greeted by a pleasant woman who was going to sit us right next to the open door, however when we asked to move to another open table she did move us....with a forced smile! We had a very attentive server who was more than happy to let us take our time looking over the wine menu! We are not the in and out kind of people, and did not feel rushed! Everything we had was great! I have food allergies and the calamari salad had nuts on it... I didn't see them in the description and our server was all apologies and made me another order! All the main courses were great! The pork chop was perfect, not dry or over cooked! My dad had the duck and it was not greasy and cooked just as he wanted it! My sis had the fluke and she said it was perfect too! We all had a great night and will go back again soon!
(5)
m b.
do not let prior ratings fool you- this is NOT anything other than a 3 star restaurant. i dont care what zagats says, or what other reviewers are saying- this place was a BIG letdown! heres why: to me- ratings should be based upon a composite score- taking into acct all aspects of the dining experience. so this review reflects that. we drove by on the way to another restaurant- and i spotted this place. i told my girlf i thought the place had "the look"- meaning one of these kinda hidden gem type qualities- like a small plce with great food, a real "find". so we made a plan to try THREE restaurants instaed of one or two, including duckworths bistro. we walked in & the place was crowded as expected. nice atmosphere. a little bar area too. our first second in there, some hoity toity chick was all annoyed bc we kinda cut in front of her. we were agressive &; she wasnt, oh well. i could tell she was all annoyed, but screw her! she kinda hung back while we stepped up &; asked questions in order to try to get a spot at the bar or a table. her bitchy demeanor was a bad start! im glad we took charge & got in front of her! anyway- we were greeted by a hostess who was wearing at least 5 hats- greeter, bartender, phones, serving, etc., and in doing so- she kinda sucked at everything & was clearly overwhelmed by things! she had this seating chart &a was struggling with it, claiming the restaurant was full, the bar was full, etc. she told us it would be an hour before we could be seated, but we didnt think so. we got some wine at the bar until we had to give up our bar seats for a reservation (bar seating) that came in. within 20 minutes we sat down at a table, and we noticed all along that there were a few to several tables that werent occupied. what a waste! the hostess was so worried about her reservation sheet that she didnt see the big picture- they had a bird(s) in hand ready to go, but were holding off waiting for reservations that turned out to not show in some cases! didnt maske any sense! we even heard her answering some annoying cordless phone & tellig the person on the line- sorry were full. anyway- on to the food! we ordered the ONE steak on the menu: a ny strip steak. it came out just a bit less rare than it should have been, but i still had hope. it was joined by a serving of carrots and potatoes. me & my girlf each ordered the same thing- "small" plates for approx half the cost of the full dish. the steak was sumwhere between average and very good. it WASNT excellent, wasnt first-rate beef, and ive had tons of steaks that were WAY better than this!! portion size was a pleasant surprise, as i feel they served more than the 3.5 ounces they had indicated for their small plate serving. but the steak itself was a huge disappoin tment! the carrots- flavor was really good, but they were overcooked & wound up with a failry mushy texture. potatoes- they were these lame half-assed small diced potatoes, just a throw-in that didnt enhance the meal in any way. wine pricing was a bit high, and the restaurant did a bad job of providing less-than-$35 selections. one positive- our waitress was pretty good, personable, etc. i think her name was colleen. i think the greeter/bartender/phone person/server, etc. was also named colleen. there was another waitress in the place- she looked about 16- who had the personality of a chopping block.- what a drip, and just another negative in a place that to me is BADLY overrated!!!! im leaving out a couple other things about this place, but theres enuff in here already to let ya know this is NOT the place to go!! my girlfriend summed it up nicely: she said this is one of these places where you WANT to like it so badly, but it just doesnt live up, and the positive reviews most likely reflect the idea that other people also WANT to like this place. but if they were truly honest & experienced, they wouldnt give this place such high praise. one last comment: this was our one & only & last dining experience here, so who knows- MAYBE we caught it on a bad nite?- but in my experience & instinct- this place is likely just an overhyped joint . oh and two more things- we werent overly impressed with the menu. we ordered a spinach salad with walnuts that was pretty good, and a nice portion as well!
(3)
Joanne F.
Fabulous. Off the beaten path, small & casual/comfortable, the service was wonderful, as was the food, martinis & wine! We were looking for something special for an anniversary dinner and didn't feel like trekking into Boston, so followed a recommendation and were lucky enough to get a reservation only a day ahead. I had the ubiquitous salad, and duck - phenomenal dinner, couldn't have been more pleased. Both the waitress & the bartender were genuinely friendly & attentive, but also the timing of food coming out was great, we never felt rushed. We will be back!!!!
(5)
J M.
Long overdue review actually. I think we've probably been here at least seven or eight times over the past few years. It's hard to believe that we are so fortunate to have such an outstanding place as this on Cape Ann. I can't imagine having a less than perfect meal at Duckworth's, the servers are always very attentive, as is Ken's wife. They'll do absolutely anything to please their guests. I could certainly tell you all about the food, but the positive reviews here reflect my experiences, excellent food, excellent service. We love the half order option, and the 3oz wine option for pairing... They also opened a Gourmet grocery in Gloucester about a year ago, that's definitely worth the visit as well.
(5)
Allie L.
This place is THE fanciest place to eat out in Gloucester especially because Chef Ken Duckworth was the head chef at the highly acclaimed Maison Robert in Boston before starting his own restaurant. I just went to Duckworth's for the first time today with my mom and it was wonderful. The ambiance was lovely especially once it started to get dark and the candle light glowed. Our waitress was wonderful and knew a lot about the dishes. She even helped me decide on a few of them because I had such a hard time deciding. The shrimp avocado salad I ordered was wonderful. The avocado was perfectly ripe and the shrimp were delicious. They offer half sizes of things which is great because I'm not a very big person. I ordered quail which I've never had before and it was fantastic, grilled just right. And the "very chocolate cake" was awesome! It was just the right kick of chocolate for a chocolate addict like myself. It was just very nice and friendly and relaxing. Mom and I had a wonderful time.
(5)
W Q.
this is no doubt the top spot in gloucester and one of my top 10 favorite restaurants in Boston. the food here is top notch. you can order a full entree or half the price for appetizer portion. we did about 10 appetizer portions and did it tapas style, the monkfish is my favorite, and then the quail. the lobster risotto is in generous portions, the duck breast is perfect ten. some of the best mushrooms i've had are in these entrees. love every bite. for the quality of the food you get here, this is well worth every penny. their website is great, tells you a nice story of how the husband/wife owner came about, and i am happy their restaurant is doing so well. it'll be tough to get reservations, so definitely call in advance before your trip to make sure you can get a spot. p.s. eating here takes time, it'll be awhile to get your food once you are seated, i went through two glasses of wine before the first plate came out. well worth the wait.
(5)
Sean M.
The restautant is fabulous. One I don't get to often enough, but love it every time I do. The Duckworths and their staff do an excellent job. The food is always excellent and service is spot on. I find it very hard not to have six or seven courses with the half portion option. Another wonderful feature that I don't see mentioned enough in reviews is their wine list, which is a very reasonable and extensive list that happily isn't 99% cabernet and chardonnay. Highly recommended.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate, Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jessica H.
The food. The food was incredible. Awesome staff, cute ambiance and extremely affordable. I was shocked that every entree was available in half portions. Turning a $30 dish into $15, and the sizes were still generous. Its a great way to sample everything! And everything tastes INCREDIBLE. Reserve early!
(5)Beth G.
We found it on yelp, since it had 4 1/2 stars we thought we'd try it. We were not disappointed. The ubiquitous salad was amazing with a poached egg and crisp bacon. The soups were fabulous. The lobster risotto was excellent, and we had the duck, which was cooked to perfection with a wonderful sauce. Our waitress (colleen?) Was very helpful and charming.
(5)L P.
Wonderful. Absolutely delicious food with exceptionally well balanced flavors. Kind and friendly servers, very sweet and friendly patrons and the bar. Their simple green salad with beets, asparagus, goat cheese and sunflower seeds was finished with a light dressing that I would love to have the recipe for! :) There was the perfect amount of every ingredient. Lobster Risotto had plenty of lobster, a great balance of vegetables! It was fantastic. The hanger steak was incredibly tender and flavorful. Rice pudding with port wine cherries to finish of the meal was lovely, not too sweet. Impressive!!!
(5)Lindsey E.
Ok, this place was amazing. I live in Magnolia and go to a lot of restaurants on the North Shore. I grew up in Manchester, MA and have lived here all my life but never tried it here until tonight on suggestion of a friend. Reservations are a must, even mid-week. We called days in advance and they only had a spot for two at 5:30 and 8:45. We took the earlier spot and we're glad we did as our leisurely meal lasted two hours. This was no fault of the quick kitchen or our very attentive server; we just chatted a lot and dragged out our courses. To start, I had the boston lettuce salad. I could drink the dressing. It was topped with the perfect amount of goat cheese and fresh, crisp vegetables. So good. A half portion was plenty. Next I chose the salmon, which came with a red pepper cream sauce, grilled corn, and roasted potatoes. I got a full portion and the piece of fish was huge. It was perfectly cooked, lightly accompanied by a flavorful sauce, and the corn had a ton of fresh herbs in it. I ate every morsel. To complete my indulgent meal, I had the banana cake. Previous reviewers raved about it and they were right. A light, fluffy cream cheese frosting within and over a triple layer cake accompanied by sautéed bananas. Ridiculous. I also had a cup of earl grey tea, served piping hot. I could go on forever, but I won't. My friend raved about her choices too - a salad with poultry livers and poached egg, scallops with duck confit, and a s'mores ice cream cake. I'll post pics of her meal too. Small and quiet, lovely background music, off the beaten path. I'll be back sooner than later.
(5)Leyla K.
Tonight my mom, dad and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Duckworth's. We started by sharing the Caesar salad with anchovies. It was just salty and fishy enough. Perfect. My mom had the seared scallops with mashed potatoes (she doesn't like sweet potatoes), it was wonderful. It arrived, as did all the entrees, hot and fresh, right from the kitchen. The dish was fresh, tender and excellent. We all had the half-sized portions which were perfect. I had the lobster risotto, again, it arrived freshly prepared and steaming hot, nicely spiced, with wonderful sauteed greens. Dad had the seafood stew, it was prepared fresh, hot, nicely spiced with just the right amount of salt and garlic. We all enjoyed our entrees and dad couldn't help but order the almond pastry with berries and vanilla ice cream. Three forks took care of the piping hot dessert and melting fresh vanilla. We were thrilled with the experience and will be returning next year during our annual fall trip to Gloucester. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)Michael F.
We were fortunate to get a table as we were a walk-in. Ingredients are locally sourced and great care is taken during the preparation of the food. You can also mix and match plates and get the half plate size. Had the mushroom soup and hanger steak and my wife had the scallops cooked with duck. Her main course was their lamb dish which was also great. Finished off with the banana cake which was awesome! Colleen our server was also very nice.
(5)Yi-Wen J.
Visiting Rockport and bam!! Hit a jack pot!! This restaurant is an absolute gem not only in the area but for anyone from everywhere. I do not mind driving 4.5 hours to come here to dine. Food with love with sophistication.
(5)Jerry H.
Another great dinner! I had the frisée salad and scallops, both excellent. And the key lime pie was a good finish. We have been to Duckworths many time and have always found it to be "six stars" if I could award that many.
(5)Ken S.
Dined there recently with the Mrs. We sat at the bar and got great service. I had a small Caesar which was good, but not great. Then, I got the duck breast and my wife got the salmon. Both were NO LESS than outstanding. We will be back and soon, even if it is a one hour+ drive from my home.
(5)Delvina K.
Everything about my experience here was amazing. I was visiting from out of town and looked up restaurants in the area. This one had the best reviews and I 100% agree with them. The place gets full easily given how small it is so I recommend making a reservation in advance (even for bar seating). First, I had the asparagus soup which was creamy and has the perfect amount of Parmesan. Second, I had the Boston salad which I already knew I would love because of the cranberries, walnuts and goat cheese. Third, I had my main course which was the duck confit. It was absolutely superb- perfectly cooked and seasoned and plated with spinach and potatoes. Finally, I finished with a cappuccino and the banana cake. The banana cake was delicious. Everything I had was unique and flavorful and I walked out of there having spent only $60. Aside from the food, everyone that works there genuinely loves being there. The combination of reasonably priced (yet high end) dining along with a friendly and efficient staff makes this place worthy of so much more than 5 stars.
(5)Geoff And Jenni G.
There was a bit of a mess up on our reservation, but the staff sorted it out without much fuss. The cocktail special was awful and I sent it back (spicy pickle martini or some derivative thereof)... other than that the service was pretty good and the food was extremely well presented and very tasty. We would have come back, but didn't have enough days in town with the other restaurants we wanted to try. It's upscale, so if you are looking for somewhere casual, this is not the spot... worth dressing up for though :-) definitely a recommend!
(4)Mardi F.
Exquisite. We sat at the bar and received amazing service while chit-chatting with the bartenders and waitstaff. The duck breast was incredible: moist, tender, well-balanced. Local mixed green salad was salty but delicious. Can't wait to come back here.
(5)Tashina B.
Visiting from the west-coast, we stopped by this town on a sleepy mid-week afternoon. The decor is charming, a little rustic and cozy. With only a few tables, I heard reservations are normally a good suggestion. The food was utterly delicious. We had a white-fish based entree and a pasta entree. The dishes had unique flavors and creative ingredients. Both plates were cooked perfectly. Some of the orders can be halved, which is a great way to order a number of items off the menu between you and a friend. Must visit.
(5)Beth S.
Having enjoyed ourselves each previous visit, we took some friends for dinner last weekend as a "Thank you" for a kindness they had extended to us. When we arrived, the place was full and the diners were clearly enjoying themselves and in no rush to leave after finishing their coffee and desserts. As appropriate, they were not given the bum's rush, but that extended our wait. It is a very small space and the waiting area not much bigger than a phone booth. After a while, the bartender unprompted and clearly sympathetic to our situation comped a round of wine. Exactly the right thing to do! While we were not upset by the wait, the gesture ensured our evening was not marred by the prolonged wait in such a tight space. Once a table was ready, we were promptly seated and enjoyed the same leisurely and DELICIOUS meal as the diners who preceded us. The mushroom and squash soups were fabulous; the lobster risotto very good (for me, it did need a bit more cheese which was immediately delivered when requested); the steak cooked perfectly; and, the fried chicken was crisp and juicy. It is easily the best restaurant Cape Ann.
(5)Jim W.
Gosh. Lived on north shore all my life. Summer I'm Gloucester. Can't believe I've never been here. What a great experience. Food excellent. Sat at bar. Michelle a delight. This is part of my circle of dining now.
(5)Sarah F.
We ate here after a great day in Rockport ages ago. Can't remember what we had but loved the small plates and thought it was better than half the restaurants in the South End. Next to the water in neighborhoody Gloucester, it's a great little find. Also remember we were able to be dressed fairly casually after a day of sight seeing. Service was friendly and very knowledgable. Wish I could remember what we had but I'm getting old. Highly recommended.
(5)Pat D.
Half a star at best. Disappointed to say the least. This place was over hyped up. Not a tough crowd to please but the service was extremely inattentive and the food was okay at best. Lobster risotto way over cooked and we waited way too long for everything from our drinks to our bread to our entrees and then our bill. Won't be back but understand a decent restaurant on cape ann is slim Pickens. Good luck.
(1)Caroline S.
Absolutely the best restaurant in Gloucester! Duckworth's has now become a staple in my diet ever since I first ate here last year. The pricing is similar (if not slightly cheaper depending on what you order) to the rest of the Gloucester's restaurants. Think 'Latitude 43' and 'Alchemy'. It can get busy on weekends so I would recommend making reservations a week in advance. Wait staff are wonderful and accommodating and great at making recommendations. The menu offers smaller portions for most of the dishes which makes ordering a bunch of dishes to share for a larger party easy. Now on to the food aspect. I've never had a dish here I wouldn't order twice. I always start with the bistro salad (a must order in my opinion), and lately I've been ordering the seared duck breast as my main. You really can't go wrong with this menu. They always have wonderful options for dessert. The banana layer cake is spectacular. Essentially, I'm saying if you live in the area or are stopping by I would make it a priority to come here.
(5)Tim W.
If this were rated on food only it would be 5 stars. However, the service was not at all up to the standards I have seen in the past and I have eaten there at least 8 times. The food was outstanding and cooked to perfection., we had 4 different meals and appetizers plus an unbelievable banana cake for dessert We were seated promptly, but that's where the service stopped. We reviewed the menu and the stared at them on the table for at least 15 minutes while at least 4 different staff walked by as if we were invisible. Finally a waitress came with water and said our waiter would be right over he was busy mixing some drinks, I'm not sure why since they had a bartender that didn't happen right away. He was friendly and knowledgable but that's where it ended. Drink orders were taken and bread promised but neither came without a long wait. Finally dinner orders were taken and they actually came out in a reasonable amount of time but delivered by other waitstaff since our waiter seemed to busy off at the bar again. Drinks were never offered a second time which is odd since it's their highest profit margin. Dinner plates took forever to remove. We finally ordered dessert and coffee, coffee came quickly but dessert was at least 20 or more minutes, coffees were completely finished before he even went to look for the dessert. Getting the bill was equally irritating and took at least another 15 minutes. In all dinner took about 2:45 minutes and nearly every table turned over at least once while we there. I'm all for no pressure to leave restaraunts and enjoying a long evening but it is supposed to flow with attentive timely service. The other waitstaff at least filled our water glasses regularly. This won't stop me from returning because the food is so outstanding but I highly doubt if the owner was around this would have happened, it looked to me like no one was in charge. As we were leaving and putting our coats on at the door I was trying to catch the bartenders eye who I thought might be the manager to let her know, But she was just talking to the bar patrons and was indifferent that we were leaving, 4 of us left disappointed.
(3)Hannah L.
The place is small and cramped, however the food was delicious and our waitress was wonderful. Food to prepare the dishes is from local fisheries and farms. I had the lobster and vegetable risotto which was wonderful. We ate a late dinner about 8pm and after I got my food I overheard that the lobster was gone. So don't wait too late. My sister got a chicken dish which was also delicious. The chef is also the owner and his wife makes the desserts. We had the chocolate toffee cheesecake. Definitely tasted homemade and was soo good!!!!!
(5)Victoria G.
Fan effing TASTIC. i love the servers the food, the ambiance, everything there is to want and love. one of my favorite restaurants on the planet. so amazingly gourmet with huge portions. they offer half or whole portions of each item and the half portions are huge!!! my boyfriend and i love it because we can have a few of several things on the menu and it's incredible. wine list is phenomenal, wonderful size pours, and dark sext lovey atmosphere. the only downside is it's a very small restaurant and very limited seating- so it's hard to get it. i made my birthday rezzie 5 months in advance :-) i love this place so, so , so much!!!!!
(5)Michael V.
We have been here a number of times. Drive 35 miles just to be here. Food usually outstanding. May I ask why the lamb is still on internet menu with chic peas, mint, etc. IT IS NEVER AVAILABLE. Don't understand why restaurants don't pay attention to what they have on internet. You arrive at the place and they don't have it. Sometimes service is slowish, sometimes fastish. Place is too small. These problems can be overlooked because the food is pretty damn good almost always. If you want romance and intimacy, this may not be the place because it's too cramped. You are on top of everyone. If you want intimacy and romance, go to Rockport's 'My Place By The Sea.' But you will pay nearly double, food is not creative, service is never the same twice, a crap shoot. You're there for a view, romantic drinks, etc. Food is secondary.
(4)Bill B.
Had dinner two weeks ago. The service was absurdly slow. When I asked the waiter if there was a problem in the kitchen he stated that the pace was European style. Nonsense really. Can they really be this full of themselves that bad service is their "style" and that is ok? Food was ok, but devoting 3 hours to a dinner left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Matt L.
Just have the chicken liver salad. Period. Just drive from wherever you are, take a seat and have the chicken liver salad. So great. FYI -- so was the halibut, the root soup and the lamb (so says my wife). Did I mention the chicken liver salad? Why not a perfect score? Parking is complicated, especially when it snows. And if you're over six feet, seats packed so tight you'll feel like you're on flight to LA. But overall, wow! Added bonus, helpful and knowledgable wait staff.
(4)Ted S.
Disappointed tonight! Waitress said oysters Blue Point were medium to large, smallest ever had and no taste Caesar salad just fair. Breast of Duck was outstanding, Lamb Shank was delicious! Dessert was terrific. Requested window table two weeks ago but had to sit in middle of room next to a very loud mouth man.Headache within an hour. Requested to move but mgr wouldn't help. Woman sitting as a single at window took her sandels off and put her bare feet on chair across from her. Disgusting They take care of their summer regulars. Suggest Fall and Winter.
(3)Jason S.
I am a transplant to this area and a foodie of the highest regards. There is no restaurant in Gloucester or Boston that can hold a candle to this establishment. I have been going here for years and the food is always perfect and the wine sublime! You have no worries here the food is always consistent. The only drawback to this place, and still I'd have it no other way, is the size, it is very small. You must get past being close to the next table and hearing the conversation. I often call well in advance to ensure we get the table in the window of the resturant. On a fall or winter night the view is like a. Postcard of New England. Yes they are priced higher than most places but not near as expensive as they could be. Substantial multi course meal with drinks for two is about 130 dollars very well spent.
(5)Debbie B.
great local farm fresh produce for menu. amazing food, nice portion size. amazing and knowledgable staff. a nice night out!
(5)Dmf D.
Great chef and service. I've lived on Cape Ann since 1998, and this is still the best restaurant in the area in my view. I've tried some of the newer establishments in Gloucester, including The Market. Make sure you reserve in advance. This one is always booked on weekends.
(5)Serrano H.
At 3pm we left a phone message, which is how they do things, requesting a 6pm reservation. At 6pm we showed up and they had rejected our request because we had not left a phone number. (We had said we would be inaccessible by phone because we were off canoeing.) They would not even take us at the bar because they had booked those seats as well. It was frustrating because we'd driven so far, and the restaurant was nearly empty. Hats off to them for being so busy, but we will not return.
(1)Allison G.
We absolutely LOVED this place!!! Best restaurant we have been to on the North Shore! Amazing food, great atmosphere-very cozy! Duck breast and lobster risotto were perfect and then a pumpkin walnut bread budding for the win to finish! one of my favorite things is you can get half portions if you're not as hungry, or if you are like we were and can't decide you can try multiple things! LOVE DUCKWORTHS! we will be back.
(5)Paul A.
Wonderful restaurant with terrific service and prepared food. Their bar stocks local purveyors of liquor including vodka, gin, scotch, and wine. Their menu changes with the seasons and offers nightly specials. I had the lobster/vegetable risotto. My wife had the steak. Each was perfectly prepared and served. The bread which they ran out of after our first delivery was house baked by the owners wife. Ken the owner/chef prepares the dinner. The waitress was friendly and knew the menu and explained in detail the questions we raised. The desserts were phenomenal. Each entree was priced in half and full portions. Each of us ordered the half which was more than enough to fill us after our appetizers. I would ave given 5 stars but as noted they ran out of bread which I would have enjoyed to dunk in the heavenly broth. Located in Gloucester, Mass. This was a most pleasant evening. Will return.
(4)Robert D.
By far the best Restuarant in Gloucester. The food is so fresh and delicious! Our favorite spot.
(5)Will T.
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(3)Vicki B.
Very charming bistro, but extremely limited parking! The food was excellently prepared. Between the 3 of us we had scallops, monkfish, seafood stew and quail. It was decided that the seafood stew and the scallops were the standouts for entrees. Banana cake won the dessert wars. I love that you can get either a full portion or half portion serving. What a great concept! Service was pretty good. Although we sat a long time with dirty dishes in front of us and then waited a long time for our check after we asked for it. They were very busy, but I think they always are and should be able to anticipate that they might need more help.
(4)Kathy M.
We have been wanting to come here for several years now and just never get it together to make a reservation far enough in advance to snag a table. However, I really wanted to come here for my birthday this year and made sure that we had reservations several weeks in advance. I've read some earlier comments about the prices being steep, but really, we thought that things were priced extremely well. There were three of us and we had two appetizers as well as two salads. My husband had a full sized steak, while my son and I both had the half-sized crispy polenta. We followed that up with two pieces of the spice cake (which was orgasmic, by the way!). We had a bottle of sparkling water and no alcohol. My son and I both had tea with dessert. Our bill was just under $100 which we found to be very reasonable. By the way, the bread and pastries are made in house and are to die for. Service was attentive without being annoying. My son and I are vegetarians and my only suggestion for the menu is to have more than two vegetarian possibilities. Both he and I had the mushroom soup which was absolutely ah-maz-ing! Then we both had, as I mentioned above, the crispy polenta which also has mushrooms. As a result, we had a sufficiency of mushrooms--acknowledging that that was our choice. However, I would have chosen something other than the polenta if the alternative had not been risotto which is not one of my favorites. The risotto has received good reviews from others though, so perhaps I should have braved it. My husband's steak was cooked perfectly and he rated his meal as "absolutely delicious." The only other thing which rather disappointed (and it was just me, not my son or husband) was their cutlery. One goes to Duckworth's Bistro to enjoy excellent food in a great atmosphere. The china is white and allows for a very nice presentation, but the cutlery is cheap and light. Come on! You can do better than that! Of course, I'm not so petty to say that a silly thing like cutlery would ruin a dinner, but for me, it took away from the experience for which Duckworth's Bistro obviously strives. My husband and I will definitely be back. Thank you for a very delicious meal. (Note to self: Must make those reservations!)
(5)Jerry P.
My wife and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with dinner at Duckworth's and a fine and delicious celebration dinner it was! Since I can never remember the exact names of dishes I order, I can only tell you that my swordfish was done perfectly and flavored the same. The wife's steak ... while not the most tender piece of beef ... was done as ordered and also was very flavorful. The cocktails were substantially fortified and that chocolate whatever-they-called-it cake for dessert was fantastic. My only objection is that the half dozen oysters for an appetizer were so small I felt a pang of guilt eating the little fellas. And, believe me: I've never felt guilty about eating oysters in my life! But, please, don't misunderstand. We thought the service and food was top notch. We visit Gloucester fairly regularly and while it was our first visit to Duckworth's it will not be our last.
(4)Tony S.
What a wonderful experience! I had the ubiquitous bistrot salad, Frisee lettuce topped with bacon and poached egg with a wonderful dressing. It has to be tasted to be believed. The lobster risotto was just as good. They offer small and large portions which is nice. I had the "small" risotto portion and it was what I would consider a normal sized plate. Their super-crusty rolls are excellent. If you are in Gloucester you should dine here, but make a reservation well ahead.
(5)M.J. C.
A MUST!! So happy to have gotten a reservation. Parking was a bit challenging in the beginning because the designation of spots is not very clear. Go to the water and park in front of the harbor. You'll be safe there! The meal was excellent but the dessert was superb! Peppermint Stick ice cream cake with a chocolate graham cookie crust. I want to go to there again! The service was excellent and the warm bread from Iggi's, just the perfect way to start a great dinner service.
(5)Rick G.
Small, intimate - one might call it crowded - but I wouldn't. Great food - at least go here once.
(5)Tom D.
As of this writing, Duckworth's holds the accolade of being my favorite restaurant. Not my favorite on the North Shore, or in metro Boston, or even in New England. My favorite restaurant period. Everything about this place is top notch. Superior food served by personable servers in a completely unpretentious setting that fits the bill for a random weekend night dinner or celebrating a special occasion. And I'm clearly not the only one who feels this way, as there has never been an empty seat in this place on any visit I've had. If I counted correctly, the whole restaurant seats only about 30 people, including six seats at the bar, so clearly the moral of the story is to plan ahead and make a reservation. Be advised that even the bar seating is by reservation, so don't think you can weasel your way into a seat that way! I can't tell you how many times my partner and I have had a sudden desire to go here on a Friday night and make that fruitless phone call to inquire about any availability. They'd be right to laugh at us for even asking, but we are always given sincere apologies and thanked for thinking of them. Classy people at Duckworth's. As far as food, I've never had anything that's not exquisitely prepared, so I'll just list a couple of my favorites. First, do yourself a favor and start your meal with the ubiquitous bistrot salad (their name, not mine). Frisee topped with bacon lardons and a poached egg with a mustard dressing. So simple, so delicious. I had seared sea scallops with a fennel/grapefruit salad entree some time ago, which was divine. As with most restaurants, the menu is constantly evolving, so this isn't listed anymore, but I'm sure the current incarnation of the scallops entree is just as good. Most recently I had their New York strip, of course cooked perfectly to my requested medium rare, and the accompanying sauce had me wanting to lick the plate. Lastly, if you're a poultry person, there's no better place to try quail. For you locavores out there, the website lists several local farms that supply produce and cheese, and they also proudly serve Gloucester-produced liquors. Break free from Grey Goose for a night and try the Beauport vodka. Prices here overall are high, but the quality of the food, level of service, and atmosphere demand them. The one drawback is that parking is atrocious (street only), but it's worth the struggle to find a space!
(5)Dan A.
I'll make this simple: Duckworth's is incredible. It is tied (with Oleana, in Cambridge) for most incredible dining experience I have had since moving to Boston. My girlfriend and I went for the second time last night, to celebrate her graduation from her Masters program and her new job offer. We started with a mixed greens salad with goat cheese, beets and sunflower seeds. It was great, the sunflower seeds providing a really nice texture. For dinner, my girlfriend got the soft shell crab, while I got the duck leg confit (I almost got the lobster risotto again, because it was unbelievable last time, but I figured I should try something new). They were very different, and both phenomenal. The crabs were large and meaty, and incredibly flavorful. Meanwhile, the duck was the best I have ever had, perfectly prepared and very flavorful. Finally, we splurged for two desserts. The banana layer cake was good, but the bourbon chocolate pecan pie with vanilla ice cream was UNBELIEVABLE. Some other helpful info: Both times we've been, the wait staff was both friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. And the restaurant itself is small, intimate and romantic without feeling at all crowded. A word of warning: Duckworth's is easily the most expensive restaurant I've ever visited. I'd likely go broke if I visited more than once a year. However, as a place for celebrations, Duckworth's is about as special as it gets. I very, very much hope it's not another two years before I make it back.
(5)danielle r.
Amazing. We were in town for a wedding but will return to Gloucester for this restaurant. Don't skip the salad!
(5)Kalu C.
This place is awesome. a very cozy place, maybe 10 tables only, but the food was fantastic! Even the bread was so good that I can't stop eating. Ordered mushroom soup and lobster risotto. The soup was very creamy and smooth, great mushroom flavor. The Lobster risotto was very good as well. I only ordered the half size, but it has a lot of lobster in it and they are very fresh. The creaminess of the risotto and the freshness of the lobster made the dish perfect. Will definitely come back to try more other dishes.
(5)Lynne F.
Duckworth Bistrot is my favorite restaurant in Gloucester! The food is fabulous and very consistent - never an off night! The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. Waiter even has a pickle business on the side - which reminds me - try the Maitland Mountain Mary (Great Bloody Mary)! The scallops on sweet potato puree as an app. was mouthwatering, the Panfried Fluke was moist and delicious, the Lobster Risotto was excellent! I never have room for dessert but you must try the Flourless Chocolate Cake and the Banana Cake! They will bring tears to your eyes! Best restaurant in Glosta!!!!
(5)Mark B.
Great restaurant. I was not expecting such a great meal. Prices were a bit steep but one of the best meals I have had. Give it a shot, Casual dress and a pleasant waiter made for a great experience. Try the lobster risotto the app portion is a meal in itself. The presentation was great and a very talented chef.
(5)Paul D.
Was lucky enough to have dinner at Duckworths- had and 830 rez and was seated by 830. Waiter was charming and professional. we ordered a nice French sauvignon blanc - $38- on the lower end of the wine list- very easy. we had frisee, bacon and egg salad- delish- bacon lardons were meaty and tasty, the egg ran all over the salad =sopped up with a good crusty bread. also a caesar salad- good not great but the parmesan croutons were excellent. Half a dozen oysters- fresh and clean. We looked at each other- this was a great meal so far- far better than anyplace we had been in the area (this was our 4th dinner - and we were there 3 more nights) so we made a reservation on the spot for our last night. anyway,- then we had 1/2 order of mushroom/asparagus risotto- I never really got risotto until this version- tasted every bite of the veggies and the rice was perfectly done- a little creamy, earthy. Nice. half order of scallops and a half order of roast chicken - both excellent. No dessert . No coffee- $150 with tip. so we go back 3 nites later- have the same frisee salad and oysters- equally as good. also had a mushroom bisque-like the risotto a few night s before- earthy and added some cracked pepper- worked nicely. half order of strip steak- perfectly tender, tasty and excellent quality. homemade fettucine bolognese- robust, meaty and tasty. had the same bottle of sauvignon blanc. no dessert, no coffe $150 again. wish we lived closer so we could go tonite.
(5)lauren f.
Very good. The lobster risotto was one of the best I've ever had. I thought Davio's lobster risotto was good, until I tried Duckworth's. You can order half orders of just about everything and that is what we did. The fish, I think it was cod or some other white fish, was delicious. It was topped with a simple lemon sauce, but it was delicate and delicious. The only drawback is that the food took soooo long to come out of the kitchen. Very busy, so make reservations. There is a small bar but it is very small, sitting only 4 or 5 people.
(5)Danielle W.
If you're considering Duckworth's: 1. Place is teeny - make a reservation a few days in advance. 2. Plan on the lobster risotto for dinner. 3. The banana layer cake is a MUST for dessert. 4. Make an excuse to talk to the bartender, aka Mrs. Duckworth, aka the woman who made your banana layer cake. Sweetest, most unassuming owner (co-owner) of a restaurant I've ever encountered. Cozy, unpretentious, delicious food, WONDERFUL dining experience.
(5)Matt C.
I have been there many times- fantastic!! Absolutely my favorite place. Sitting in the bay window is best. Colleen the waitress is AWASOME I try to go there a couple times a year only draw back- YOU NEED RESERVATIONS- even in the off season. Once you eat there you will understand and I cant say enough about everyone that works there..
(5)M S.
Duckworth's Bistrot is still going strong. Several meals later ... romantic dinner for two ... or group of six ... everything is the very best: price, food, service, atmosphere.
(5)Otis H.
So happy to report that the accolades are well worth it. We have lived in Gloucester for almost 6 years and never tried this place. Wow...our loss. The ambiance is our French bistro with a New England flair. Loved how quiet and intimate it was. Food was 9/10. Wife had the grilled shrimp appetizer, I had oysters (Wellfleet) on the half shell. Shrimp was perfectly grilled with a perfectly complimented slaw. The aoli was a little much, but thankfully was on the side. For mains I got the grass-fed pan fried steaks cutlets wi th broccoli rabe, mashed celelry root and red wine reduction. Wife got the pan roasted local chix with mashed potatoes. The only thing keeping the review from a perfect 5 was the bitterness of the broccoli rabe. It's supposed to be be somewhat bitter, but this was like eating a mouthful of braised hops. Completely in edible. Steak and chicken were exceptional though. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Dessert was made onsite and was superlative. Wife had chocolate ganache cake. I had the cranberry/apple crisp. Amazing. Great place and we'll worth the premium price.
(4)Dave K.
Everything about this restaurant is the best, the best, the best. My wife and I shared the summer goat cheese salad and each had 2 half-plates (which I made sure to jot down the next day): goose and chicken livers in wine sauce w/ whipped mashed potatoes and spinach line caught striped bass w/ risotto in a creamy corn sauce and asparagus grilled lamb tenderloin in a creamy pesto mint sauce w/ fingerling potatoes and haricot verts seared all natural duck breast w/ sautéed apples and fennel in a sweet and sour cider sauce The atmosphere was perfect, and our waitress was helpful - her wine suggestions were spot on. I could not recommend a restaurant more highly. It was the best "food experience" I've ever had.
(5)Rachel S.
Not sure what the hubbub is about with this place. The place was very busy last Saturday. We made our reservations more than a week in advance and our only options were 5:30PM (i believe) and 8:30PM. We chose the latter. Maybe this was a mistake because when got around to ordering, the croquette, the lamb and the oysters were no longer available. Then, I heard that some of the items from the bar were also no longer available. This was really disappointing-- this means that almost 20% of the menu was unavailable! There was a slight wait when we arrived because other patrons were still finishing up/chatting. There is no place to wait. We stood in the stairwell near the front door behind another waiting group. The bar is SMALL and there's nowhere to stand. We heard that the Duckworth's was casual but it didn't seem so casual. I guess the term casual is subjective. Some people were wearing suits, some people were wearing slacks/khackis, the waitstaff may be wearing jeans but no sneakers, really. I felt like I could've used a better heads up about the attire. Generally, the service was friendly and good. Great salads and warm bread. I had the scallops with duck confit, yukon potatoes, and asparagus. Husband had the duck breast with sauteed apples. We shared the banana cake for dessert-- the cream cheese frosting was a little much- there was a lot! The meal was better than average but I wasn't wowed. I would go back again but perhaps make an earlier reservation. If you have two items on your menu that call for oysters, please be sure you have plenty of oysters on hand. I mean, you ARE in Gloucester!! People come here to eat sea food!
(3)Eamon K.
My fiancé and I sat at the bar on a Saturday night. The place was busy, but the staff had everything under control, and we were seated on arrival for our reservation. The menu is awesome, everything sounded so good. The best thing about the menu is they offer all of the dishes in full & 1/2 portions. We ordered a handful of small plates, sharing the seafood stew, lamb, & duck. These dishes were all prepared perfectly and were delicious. We ordered an excellent Pinot Noir that was very well priced. Actually, I noticed all of their wines were well chosen and well priced. Don't even think about it - call now and make a reservation!
(5)Leah M.
I thought it would be a lot better from the reviews. The restaurant itself is very, very small. Our reservation was very early, and there were only a couple of other parties there. It took forever for the waitress even to bring us bread (two small rolls) Although our server was nice, she seemed more interested in chatting it up with the regulars. We had the other waiter bring out our first course, and the BARTENDER came out and brought us out our second course. I will say the lobster risotto was really good. We got the chicken dish as well that was just okay, didn't WOW me at all. Didn't stay for dessert since I was not pleased with our service, and the food was just okay. Everything took WAY too long!!
(2)Danie R.
Definitely one of my top 5 restaurants in Gloucester. I came here for my birthday dinner and basically enjoyed the experience. Our server, Colleen (I think), was really sweet, friendly, helpful, and also a vegetarian. She was a dream when it came to help us ordering. We ordered the mushroom soup, beet salad, a mushroom/polenta dish (half portion), and a cauliflower fritter dish (half portion). The salad was fresh and clean tasting. It had apples in it, so I got to eat most of it. I love the bitterness of endive, so the salad could do no wrong. The soup was really great too, very creamy and mushroomy, but kind of tasted bready. I wonder if the soup had been thickened with bread. The mushroom polenta dish was good, but the mushroom sauce it came with tasted exactly like the mushroom soup. Somewhat disappointing. The cauliflower dish was good too, but the last time I checked the menu, it had been replaced with a falafel dish. Sounds much more boring.... Dessert is a MUST HAVE! Their bread pudding is to die for! Their wine selection is amazing. I wish they were broaden their beer list a bit, for Pete's sake ;). Also, I really hate most of the "Gloucester" spirits. I decided to have a dirty martini made with one of the local vodkas, and it was a big disappointment. Decor-wise, not so impressive. But that's not really a huge factor in this review... It's great, but they're not doing anything crazy different. Once you have tried something, and assuming you're not a complete idiot, it would be easy to replicate any of their meals at home. It's delicious and simple.
(4)Sam S.
we had our first Duckworth's experience last night and we loved it. If this review were for the food only, it would easily be 5 stars. The food was perfect. We had the mushroom soup, scallops, lobster risotto, duck and bread pudding. Yes, it was only two of us-don't judge! Hubby's favorite was the soup, my favorite was the duck. This is ironic because he usually doesn't care for mushrooms and I don't usually care for duck but both of these dishes were phenomenal, as was everything. So why not 5 stars? Service was a smidge slow in the beginning, the time in between courses was pretty long (I understand though, food this delicious does take time. Our meal took 2.5 hours) and lastly, when the hub made the reservation he let them know it was my birthday and there was no acknowledgement of that while we were there but we did see another table with a candle in their dessert and they did confirm that they would put a candle in the dessert when he made the resi #endcandlerant :( one last note, the mixed drinks were spectacular as were both of our wines. Regardless of the hiccups, we will be back and the day can not come soon enough. Yum!
(4)Mark C.
Staying in Rockport for a few days. Our innkeeper recommended it as her first choice. I was a little intimidated by the menu when we first got there, but decided on the Flank Steak. One of the best steaks I have ever tasted. They have half plate pricing which is good if you have a small appetite. Everything coming out of the kitchen looked fantastic. Highly recommend. You will need reservations, it is a small place and there were several people who tried to just walk in but there were no tables available.
(5)Tammie P.
Oysters, duck, quail, lobster risotto, banana layer cake. So good!
(4)Jean J.
I wrote a very detailed review/ letter about a very disappointing evening at this restaurant, however it has disappeared. Does anyone know how this happens?
(1)Melissa L.
Duckworth's Bistrot was a pleasant surprise. I would go back again. Make sure to make a reservation a few days in advance, we had a tough time getting a reservation for four, maybe it's easier for couples to get a table. The food and the service was very good. I love that you have the option to buy a half-portion. The dining area is smaller than most other places but it didn't bother me. The banana cake was delightful.
(5)Rick S.
OK I know I say it in all my ratings...but FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS TO GET SOMEONE TO THE TABLE ASAP TO TAKE A DRINK ORDER! We waited 10-15 min to place the order. This started us off with a nervous thought about the slow service to come. However once we got a drink everything smoothed out and we had a nice time. Cozy atmosphere and delicious food. Also liked that you can order half portions...wives got salads and half orders while husbands got full portions. Another positive is that the staff is not pretentious and taking themselves too seriously. Fun had by all :) VERY SMALL bar. Go for drinks somewhere else before or after as you will not have space to hang out at the bar
(4)CJ B.
Best food north of Boston! Great menu, staff, owners and friends! Awesome wines by the glass.
(5)Gina A.
What a find! I had the best dining experience! I love that this restaurant is small and it feels like the wait staff and chef are cooking a personal meal just for me! The food is seasoned perfectly to bring out the flavor of each ingredient. They serve a full-plate meal as well as half-servings, which make for a great way to order an appetizer, soup, or salad; an excellent means to taste a little of everything. I had the sauteed shrimp with smoked bacon, white-bean stew, and wilted arugula as my appetizer. The food jumped off the plate and awakened the taste buds! These distinct flavors enhanced each component of the dish and you could taste the freshness of every ingredient. Food like this keeps you wanting more... so for dinner I ordered the pan roasted halibut with hash brown potato cake, creamy kale, and bearnaise sauce. So, could the dinner receive such high praise as the appetizer? "You betcha' baby!" The halibut wasn't overcooked, the potato cake held a different texture than your typical mash or baked, and the kale was awesome! I do mean awesome! The ambiance of this place feels like an older building in San Francisco modernized to fit as many people as possible in a little place. If you want the feel of a personal dining experience without the crowds, go on a weekday. I requested a carafe of water, which they do not offer. Is that a bummer? Not really, our waitress, Hilary, was a most tentative server. If you ever find yourself in Gloucester, or anywhere near this part of New England, make a point to eat dinner at Duckworth's Bistrot. You won't be sorry.
(5)John L.
My wife and I have eaten here twice and haven't been disappointed. Half plates are great because you can eat more things and their things are worth eating. I sometimes dream about the ubiquitous bistrot salad.
(5)Bob C.
Thomas Keller doesn't have anything on this place (and I've eaten at one of his restaurants); my wife and I ate at Duckworth's Bistrot last night and the food was exquisite: duckworthsbistrot.com I had the Boston Lettuce Salad, and the Vermont Quail. Bread was from Iggy's bakery and served with olive oil, which I prefer to butter. My salad was served with a Balsamic Vinagrette; right portions of each. Some places use too much vinegar, Duckworth's was just right. Beets complemented the fresh lettuce in the salad. The quail was served over grilled sweet potatoe and brussels sprouts; the flavor combination worked and the quail was moist and tender and fell right off the bone. My wife had the Caesar Salad and the Grilled Bell & Evans Chicken Breast. And we split the Flourless Chocolate Brownie, which was served with chocolate ice cream. One of the best meals we've ever had. Parking is on street and limited; you'll have to walk. It's a small restaurant so make reservations. Service was exceptional -- attentive yet unobtrusive. And shame on us for not eating here before -- it's a 10-minute drive from our house.
(5)Kristin R.
everything about this place is fantastic!!! We get the 1/2 plates so we can try more of the menu. You must try the banana cake- it is amazing!!!
(5)Michael S.
Superb. Amazing food.
(5)Victoria G.
Amazing; from top to bottom!
(5)James G.
A must try destination in Gloucester. Wonderful food. Great staff. Try the banana cake! and be sure to make a reservation.
(5)Edith G.
Absolutely amazing dinner, perfect ambience. Lovely staff. Had an amazing chicken dish with the best red wine sauce I've ever had. The banana cake is to die for. Perfect getaway on a quiet street in East Gloucester.
(5)Nick N.
went hear with my wife a few moths ago and I will tell you the food and service was perfect !!! I found this place through yelp and will tell you it was one of the best I have had out of the north shore area....I have to give it a 5 star because they deserve it ! YOU MUST get reservations !!!! or forget it !!! small place that fills up so so fast and the reason is that it is great from the drink to the food to the desert ! TRY IT!!! YOULL LIKE IT !!!!!!
(5)Helen D.
Duckworth's bistrot was absolutely fabulous. Cozy, warm and friendly staff, delicious food. Lobster risotto and the quail were our favorites, the salads were perfect and the banana cake yummy, certainly lived up to its reputation. Great thing about this restaurant is you can order 1/2 plates of almost everything: you can taste more, or have a smaller dinner if you want. We ate more!
(5)Lindsey B.
One of my absolute favorite restaurants. Small, cozy, romantic, and utterly delicious -- plus I love that you can buy entrees in half portions, so that you can have several courses without utterly stuffing yourself. The fish stew is absolutely amazing. I've eaten here at least ten times, am quite exacting about food, and have never ordered anything that was less than delicious. This is hands-down the best restaurant in Gloucester.
(5)Rick L.
We read about this cozy little spot on Yelp, and decided to give it a try. It was fantastic! A warm atmosphere with excellent food. We are from Chicago and have pretty high restaurant standards--Duckworth's passed our test with flying colors. It was a genuine and delightful surprise. We found the 1/2 plates were a great way to try a few more items while saving room for dessert. We'd go back in a heartbeat.
(5)Edward S.
I had a late reservation for Duckworth's on a Friday night. Even though our reservation was at 9PM, we were not seated until closer to 9:30. I realized that this was not the fault of the restaurant as a large table of women were taking a bit longer than expected to finish up their drinks. After we were seated, the host comp'd us our initial round of wine that we had ordered at the bar. I was not expecting this nor did I think it was necessary, but it was a very nice gesture that was appreciated. It only got better from there. My date and I split a 1/2 order of a scallop dinner as an appetizer and it was very good and fresh. For dinner, she had the half order of the lobster risotto while I had a half order of duck. Both to die for. Half orders are very decent in size and if you order an appetizer, you should be satisfied. We normally do not order dessert, but we were feeling pretty good about the experience and heard good things about their chocolate offerings. Again, they did not disappoint. By far the best restaurant in the area.
(5)Ben B.
Take the trip. This place is awesome. Make a day out of it, visit Gloucester, walk around, get hungry, and go to Duckworth's to eat everything on the menu. We went here for our four year anniversary after seeing the review in Zagat. In the back of my mind, I thought that the incredibly high food rating must have been a mistake. Could this place really be better than all of the restaurants in Boston, food wise? I am not sure, but the food was darn good. We are both vegetarians, so I called ahead to make sure that there would be some options for us (the menu only lists one option, but Zagat had mentioned that it was a vegetarian-friendly place). I talked to the chef (!) and he assured me that he would have some vegetarian specials for us that night. We sampled everything that we could. They allow you to get half portions of every dish that are still huge! We sampled two appetizers: salad and soup and three entrees: polenta with mushrooms, risotto, and a platter of grilled vegetables. The grilled vegetable platter was amazing and everything else was very good. The service was great, and the space is very cozy and romantic. We felt a bit young there, but the food more than made up for it. And desserts? Ooooh man. They have an in-house pastry chef and the banana layer cake that I had was a great ending. Prices are very reasonable when you order half portions and it gives you plenty of food and the ability to try a lot of different food. A very unique idea.
(5)Hungry C.
We arrived on time for our dinner, but our table wasn't ready. Unfortunately, the modest bar was fully occupied leaving us absolutely no place to wait but pressed against a wall of coats. Then, of course, owing to the tiny size of the room we had to do the bistro shuffle as guests came and went. Think rush-hour at Park Street station. Before long, though, we were seated at a table for two in front of one of the windows. Although we prefer to sit side-by-side on account of our desperate and hysterical love, our table afforded probably the most private milieu available. The food we settled for was excellent, so we can't help but wonder how sublime the meal would have been if they'd actually had the food we wanted. Sure, it was an 8:30 reservation on a Saturday night, but isn't that the night for which a restaurant should be most prepared? Sadly, they were out of the cauliflower soup with mussels and crouton; the bibb and iceberg lettuce salad advertised on Duckworth's website was no longer on the menu; Swiss chard was not available with the veal so broccoli rabe was substituted; and the banana layer cake was long gone by the time we were ready for it. We started with a half-order of seared duck breast with apples and fennel in a cider reduction. It was perfect - an amazing dish. Mrs had two tender medallions of veal, but reported a lack of lemon in the butter/lemon sauce. I had the NY strip and it was everything a strip should be. For dessert we had a rum-soaked fruit-ed bread pudding with crme anglaise. It was good enough to make us forget our disappointment over the missing banana layer cake; however, the rum was undetectable. Anyway, that's all just nit-picking. Duckworth's was downright charming and served superior food. Prices were at the higher-end of high-end and they charged Mrs for every soda, but we'd certainly go back - if only for a taste of that banana layer cake. *Update 04/03/2008: We recently heard from Mrs Duckworth who shared with us that soda refills are now free and she apologized that the evening we were there was their first night open following an extended winter break, thus the various shortages of ingredients. While we appreciate the generous sentiment, no apology was necessary. In fact, we returned last night and the banana layer cake was superb!
(4)Karen B.
Amazing service, and incredible food. REALLY incredible food. Charming location. A must-do when in Gloucester. Wish we'd saved room for dessert but couldn't resist ordering appetizers and soup and salad because everything was so fabulous. Suggest getting half orders of everything and sharing because it all is so delicious.
(5)Tom H.
One of the best meals we've had in New England! Small and cozy atmosphere. Lobster and vegetable risotto was delicious and the risotto was cooked to perfection, not mushy like oatmeal, but al dente as it should be with lots of lobster meat chunks and just enough veggies to balance it all out. My wife had the seafood stew (Cioppino) which she said was also one one the best she's ever eaten. Half servings are a great option as you can try 2 dishes if you'd like. If you're in the area and would like a special meal, I'd highly recommend trying this place. Make reservations as the place is on the small side. As other reviewers mention, this place is nowhere near the waterfront and has street only parking. Service was a little slow the night we were there, but there was a larger party at another table who was hogging all of our waitress's attention.
(4)Lance S.
Best place on Cape Ann. Small, hard to get into but worth the effort. Parking - on the street where you can find it. Food - stellar. Service - great. My advice - Go.
(5)Glenn D.
One of the best meal experiences my wife and I have had in years! Incredible food, great service. The half portion idea is great -- we got three half portions and were thus able to try more entrees. We had the lobster risotto (perfectly prepared, creamy, delicious, and chock full of lobster), duck breast (tender, perfect, sauce that made me want to lick the plate after), and grilled lamb shank (incredible). The banana layer cake was insanely good. Not cheap, but perfect for that special occasion. Fantastic, memorable meal!
(5)Jessica M.
My favorite restaurant in the area, bar none. Although on some visits I get the sense that I've got the lowest net worth in the room, I've never felt out-of-place eating here! The service is unobtrusive and attentive all at once and will even converse with you. It's an understated, comfortable atmosphere to spend several hours over a really great meal. The food: delightful. An excellent selection of wines. An attractive feature is the fact that all food is available in half-portions, so if you're like me and prefer smaller portions you don't have to pay for and pack up a full one -- or you can try several things without overgorging yourself. And if you're also a cheap date like me, there are many wines available by the half-bottle -- and even some by the half-glass! The quality of the food is extremely high, and is sourced locally when possible -- one recent evening, the dessert special featured strawberries collected at a nearby farm by the chef and his small children. It may not be the least expensive meal you've had, but I feel the prices are an excellent value... You'd pay a lot more for this meal in Boston, and honestly if I still lived in the city I'd make the trip to eat here. Reservations are pretty much required during the summer; call a day or two ahead.
(5)Bob K.
Had a great meal with my wife tonight. I won't go into the food much as other reviewers have covered that, except to say that I LOVE the idea of having optional appetizer size items for all the entrees and 3 oz. pours for quite a few wines. I'm no fan of oversize portions, obviously. Also, there don't seem to be any gloppy sauces or soups in the mix, another plus for those who like tasty but relatively light foods. Service was excellent in every respect, worthy of a 25% tip tonight. Not inexpensive: tab was $90 exclusive of tip for two small entrees for each of us, and a glass and a half of wine for each. But we both left full, pleased with the experience and the food. Excellent!
(5)Elizabeth L.
We love Duckworth's so I was thrilled to have reservations for last night. But we were disappointed! My duck confit was good, though not fabulous. My husband's shrimp entree, however, was very far from what we've come to expect from Duckworth's. It was so fishy-tasting it was nearly inedible. The polenta with it was dry, had little flavor, and really added nothing except some relief from those very bad tasting shrimp. We might have mentioned our disappointment but our server never asked us how we were enjoying our meals. Thank goodness for the deserts which were as delicious as usual -- both the banana cake and the bread pudding. We're hoping our experience was just an aberration. We usually leave raving about our wonderful meals.
(3)Maria A.
The Duckworth Bistrot was amazing! The atmosphere, the service and especially the Food was wonderful. It was a treat from the usual take out places in the area, the price right especially when they give you a choice between small portion or full portion, I had the flour less chocolate cake " Really Yummy". Is a must if you are in Gloucester!
(5)Rosy R.
Absolutely the best food on. Oath shore..bar none. Worth the drive.the owner needs to check his staff though. Our Waitress, a bit heavy, had on a dirty shirt and frankly looked like a slob. The hostess was so long on the phone with reservations we stood at door for 10 minutes before she acknowledged us. BUT..the food.. Just unreal! We will return,-And hope the staff has cleaned up their act
(5)Diane D.
The food is fabulous, and we keep trying to like the restaurant. But, alas, it is not the place two people can go to enjoy quiet conversation over dinner. No matter what time you go (and we've tried them all!), you are packed into a tiny table amongst several large parties. They don't have the right space to host these kinds of parties in the main dining area. You'll notice that the best reviews are by parties larger than two. Hope they will expand!
(2)James B.
We just left I wanted to let everyone no it was wonderful. Hillery, was wonderful Dan too. Oh the food was great too. We got the grass feed hamburgers. Outstanding"....
(5)Mark R.
We have eaten at this restaurant several times during our vacations on Cape Ann. We reside in Northern NJ, right outside NYC and there are excruciatingly few restaurants that can deliver a meal like this one. Each time we have eaten here it continues to get better and better. I am typically fairly critical of our dining experiences but touted our friends on Duckworth's who came up to the North Shore to meet us on our vacation. They looked forward to dining at a place that I actually highly recommended. Started the meal with the Spicy Pickle Martini which ended up being a perfect pairing for the raw oysters. Sweet and briny they were served with 2 sauces, one spicy and the other a mignonette. We all shared the Cold Asparagus Soup and Lobster Risotto which suggests just how difficult it is to decide what to have from their incredible menu. Both dishes did not disappoint. Entrees followed the same pattern and the ability to order a half plate provided the opportunity to sample more of Chef Duckworth's creations. The haddock served on a bed of succotash all sitting on top a luscious corn sauce was outstanding. My wife ordered the chicken with creamed kale and mashed which I was lucky enough to grab a taste before it disappeared. I was not so lucky with our dining mates whose lamb and quail made what seemed to be a cameo appearance. Just when you think it can't get any better, arrives their Banana Cake surrounded by rounds of sliced banana in a silky syrup. To die for ! All of us came away with an incredible dining experience in every way. The food is phenomenal, the service warm and attentive, the ambiance casual but classy. The wine list is well appointed. We will be back the next time we return to New England, hopefully sooner than later.
(5)Tracey K.
So I have been spending a lot of time dining out and I have discovered a few gems. This one is amazing. Do not let the quaint small dining/bar area through you off. The food is incredible and the waite staff works as a team...which I just think is brilliant. Even though our reservation was not located right away, she finally found it and that could have been because the phone was ringing off the hook. This lovely little place has 1/2 portions which are enough for dinner which makes a taste of everything from your appetizer to wet your palette...may I suggest the scallops on top of duck hash....Mmmmm or the mushroom soup...yum...from your entree to your dessert! You will have room for it all and you will not leave feeling as if you devoured too much. Their wine selection is impeccable...I will leave that up to you to choose. For main course....their seafood stew is more than you will ever imagine...filled with fresh seafood and again I recommend a half portion so that you may leave room for dessert. The beet salad is delicious as you bite into their toasted brushetta with goat cheese along with orange segments, local baby arugula, shallots and olive oil and my friend got the Ubiquitous Bistrot salad Frisée with farm fresh poached egg; all natural bacon, whole grain mustard vinaigrette...I have to say...I almost ate all of his salad. Oreo cheesecakes...do I need to say more?! That was their sweet treat of the day. They use fresh ingridients form local farms and that was so wonderful to hear and read. The chef is from Maison Robert, where I use to go as a young adult for dinner with my family. This is one of the best places I have been to in MA. You will enjoy any dish you decide on. MUST GO!
(5)Linda S.
Incredibly delicious. I had the corn soup, lobster risotto, aaaaaand the Bell and Evans game hen. The menu offers half and full portions, so you can sample a variety of features. They also have a great selection of wine. You will need to make reservations in advance. It's one bistro you've got to experience when in the area. 5 stars for the chef, service, and food.
(5)Michelle D.
I'm happy to say I have found a place that made me smile at the end of my meal! I went to Duckworths with my family for a birthday dinner and everything about the night was great! This restaurant is totally tiny so you will need a reservation! We were greeted by a pleasant woman who was going to sit us right next to the open door, however when we asked to move to another open table she did move us....with a forced smile! We had a very attentive server who was more than happy to let us take our time looking over the wine menu! We are not the in and out kind of people, and did not feel rushed! Everything we had was great! I have food allergies and the calamari salad had nuts on it... I didn't see them in the description and our server was all apologies and made me another order! All the main courses were great! The pork chop was perfect, not dry or over cooked! My dad had the duck and it was not greasy and cooked just as he wanted it! My sis had the fluke and she said it was perfect too! We all had a great night and will go back again soon!
(5)m b.
do not let prior ratings fool you- this is NOT anything other than a 3 star restaurant. i dont care what zagats says, or what other reviewers are saying- this place was a BIG letdown! heres why: to me- ratings should be based upon a composite score- taking into acct all aspects of the dining experience. so this review reflects that. we drove by on the way to another restaurant- and i spotted this place. i told my girlf i thought the place had "the look"- meaning one of these kinda hidden gem type qualities- like a small plce with great food, a real "find". so we made a plan to try THREE restaurants instaed of one or two, including duckworths bistro. we walked in & the place was crowded as expected. nice atmosphere. a little bar area too. our first second in there, some hoity toity chick was all annoyed bc we kinda cut in front of her. we were agressive &; she wasnt, oh well. i could tell she was all annoyed, but screw her! she kinda hung back while we stepped up &; asked questions in order to try to get a spot at the bar or a table. her bitchy demeanor was a bad start! im glad we took charge & got in front of her! anyway- we were greeted by a hostess who was wearing at least 5 hats- greeter, bartender, phones, serving, etc., and in doing so- she kinda sucked at everything & was clearly overwhelmed by things! she had this seating chart &a was struggling with it, claiming the restaurant was full, the bar was full, etc. she told us it would be an hour before we could be seated, but we didnt think so. we got some wine at the bar until we had to give up our bar seats for a reservation (bar seating) that came in. within 20 minutes we sat down at a table, and we noticed all along that there were a few to several tables that werent occupied. what a waste! the hostess was so worried about her reservation sheet that she didnt see the big picture- they had a bird(s) in hand ready to go, but were holding off waiting for reservations that turned out to not show in some cases! didnt maske any sense! we even heard her answering some annoying cordless phone & tellig the person on the line- sorry were full. anyway- on to the food! we ordered the ONE steak on the menu: a ny strip steak. it came out just a bit less rare than it should have been, but i still had hope. it was joined by a serving of carrots and potatoes. me & my girlf each ordered the same thing- "small" plates for approx half the cost of the full dish. the steak was sumwhere between average and very good. it WASNT excellent, wasnt first-rate beef, and ive had tons of steaks that were WAY better than this!! portion size was a pleasant surprise, as i feel they served more than the 3.5 ounces they had indicated for their small plate serving. but the steak itself was a huge disappoin tment! the carrots- flavor was really good, but they were overcooked & wound up with a failry mushy texture. potatoes- they were these lame half-assed small diced potatoes, just a throw-in that didnt enhance the meal in any way. wine pricing was a bit high, and the restaurant did a bad job of providing less-than-$35 selections. one positive- our waitress was pretty good, personable, etc. i think her name was colleen. i think the greeter/bartender/phone person/server, etc. was also named colleen. there was another waitress in the place- she looked about 16- who had the personality of a chopping block.- what a drip, and just another negative in a place that to me is BADLY overrated!!!! im leaving out a couple other things about this place, but theres enuff in here already to let ya know this is NOT the place to go!! my girlfriend summed it up nicely: she said this is one of these places where you WANT to like it so badly, but it just doesnt live up, and the positive reviews most likely reflect the idea that other people also WANT to like this place. but if they were truly honest & experienced, they wouldnt give this place such high praise. one last comment: this was our one & only & last dining experience here, so who knows- MAYBE we caught it on a bad nite?- but in my experience & instinct- this place is likely just an overhyped joint . oh and two more things- we werent overly impressed with the menu. we ordered a spinach salad with walnuts that was pretty good, and a nice portion as well!
(3)Joanne F.
Fabulous. Off the beaten path, small & casual/comfortable, the service was wonderful, as was the food, martinis & wine! We were looking for something special for an anniversary dinner and didn't feel like trekking into Boston, so followed a recommendation and were lucky enough to get a reservation only a day ahead. I had the ubiquitous salad, and duck - phenomenal dinner, couldn't have been more pleased. Both the waitress & the bartender were genuinely friendly & attentive, but also the timing of food coming out was great, we never felt rushed. We will be back!!!!
(5)J M.
Long overdue review actually. I think we've probably been here at least seven or eight times over the past few years. It's hard to believe that we are so fortunate to have such an outstanding place as this on Cape Ann. I can't imagine having a less than perfect meal at Duckworth's, the servers are always very attentive, as is Ken's wife. They'll do absolutely anything to please their guests. I could certainly tell you all about the food, but the positive reviews here reflect my experiences, excellent food, excellent service. We love the half order option, and the 3oz wine option for pairing... They also opened a Gourmet grocery in Gloucester about a year ago, that's definitely worth the visit as well.
(5)Allie L.
This place is THE fanciest place to eat out in Gloucester especially because Chef Ken Duckworth was the head chef at the highly acclaimed Maison Robert in Boston before starting his own restaurant. I just went to Duckworth's for the first time today with my mom and it was wonderful. The ambiance was lovely especially once it started to get dark and the candle light glowed. Our waitress was wonderful and knew a lot about the dishes. She even helped me decide on a few of them because I had such a hard time deciding. The shrimp avocado salad I ordered was wonderful. The avocado was perfectly ripe and the shrimp were delicious. They offer half sizes of things which is great because I'm not a very big person. I ordered quail which I've never had before and it was fantastic, grilled just right. And the "very chocolate cake" was awesome! It was just the right kick of chocolate for a chocolate addict like myself. It was just very nice and friendly and relaxing. Mom and I had a wonderful time.
(5)W Q.
this is no doubt the top spot in gloucester and one of my top 10 favorite restaurants in Boston. the food here is top notch. you can order a full entree or half the price for appetizer portion. we did about 10 appetizer portions and did it tapas style, the monkfish is my favorite, and then the quail. the lobster risotto is in generous portions, the duck breast is perfect ten. some of the best mushrooms i've had are in these entrees. love every bite. for the quality of the food you get here, this is well worth every penny. their website is great, tells you a nice story of how the husband/wife owner came about, and i am happy their restaurant is doing so well. it'll be tough to get reservations, so definitely call in advance before your trip to make sure you can get a spot. p.s. eating here takes time, it'll be awhile to get your food once you are seated, i went through two glasses of wine before the first plate came out. well worth the wait.
(5)Sean M.
The restautant is fabulous. One I don't get to often enough, but love it every time I do. The Duckworths and their staff do an excellent job. The food is always excellent and service is spot on. I find it very hard not to have six or seven courses with the half portion option. Another wonderful feature that I don't see mentioned enough in reviews is their wine list, which is a very reasonable and extensive list that happily isn't 99% cabernet and chardonnay. Highly recommended.
(5)