I love the atmosphere food is decent I hate the fact that your kitchen closes like an hour before…read moreyou close. If your kitchen is going to close an hour before you close just say that's when you close.

This small tavern, located in a barn, was right along our 'avoid highways' route. The building is…read moreset back from the road with a large gravel parking lot. They have a good amount of outdoor seating to the right of the entrance. Inside is a small bar with about eight seats (didn't count) and several high tops. There is also a loft with more seating overhead. We walked up a few steps to enter the building from the parking lot. I'm not sure if the side entrance also has steps so if you have mobility needs, call ahead to check. We sat at the bar and as it was a hot day, I asked for a water before ordering a drink. The water was refilled several times during our visit without my needing to ask. I really appreciate that! The bartender seems to be the owner from the way he was talking and let us know they have live music two night a week plus some nights they offer a special menu like Prime rib night or dogs eat free night. Yes, besides the kids menu, they have a menu for your pup. The interior is very much a barn, with lots of fun, metal signs and train memorabilia all around. Two TV's were on in the front corners of the room so you may be able to watch your game (golf the day we went) but it's not really set up as a sports bar. There is one fair sized restroom for everyone that is clean and locks with a hook and eye latch. They have a good size drinks menu which includes a variety of cocktails, a selection of draft and bottled beers and wine. The bar has quite a collection of whiskeys and tequila's. A separate menu is available for their pub fare foods. The menu is very well crafted. Lots of chicken options, sandwiches and wraps, burgers, hotdogs and salads. My SO got the spicy chicken sandwich. When asked, our bartender let him know it was spicy, but not too spicy and they have hot sauce behind the bar if he wants more heat. Which of course he did. He enjoyed the sandwich; crispy chicken, tasty sauce, fresh veg and bread. Messy to hold, after using several napkins he finished it off w/his knife and fork. Table ware set on the bar after ordering is in small paper sacks. I went for a burger. The patty is quite large, cooked to order and juicy. Fresh veg on there, soft bread and tasty. I enjoyed this burger and it was large enough I almost couldn't finish it. I opted for a side salad (for an up charge) instead of fries. The salad is a good sized side, the veg were fresh and the dressing is on the side. I did try the fries that came with the chicken sandwich and those are really good fries. Fresh potato, crispy outside, fluffy inside, salted. Really good. This was an excellent stop. Chatted with some friendly locals and the barkeep. Had a beverage. Grabbed a tasty sandwich. We left stuffed and happy. What more could you ask.

THE BLACK SEAL is such a vibe in Essex! I go here each Christmas after walking around the town. The…read moredecorations are beautiful, and it's so cozy in there. They have a bar in the first part of the restaurant, but in the second part of the restaurant they have more of a tavern vibe. This time, I tried the Blizzard of 78, which is more of a coffee stout by WormTown and that was amazing! The Chicken Parm has generous portions with two HUGE garlic breads, a HUGE chicken, and spaghetti. This is among the best chicken parms I have had this year. I WILL BE BACK BLACK SEAL!!!!

Love the seal! Just here for beer today with the amazing Kevin! Subduction IPA. Great ambience…read moreand Essex is so wonderful! Love everything about this place. I've eaten here a lot over the years and the food is very good. This place and the Gris are mandatory stops when in town so be sure to check it out if you've never been here!

Went here on Saturday for an early dinner with my cousin. We didn't have reservations but they do…read morerecommend them. We were seated immediately and we had the best waitress. She was so good about explaining some of the questions we had. And her recommendations were spot on . We tried the mushroom Swiss burger on a ciabatta roll so fresh . Juicy. And my cousin had a braised short ribs with a red wine reduction and mashed potatoes and asparagus. Amazing how tender . Then she suggested the beignet with butter pecan ice cream delicious very light and airy . Beautiful inside . It started getting busy when we were leaving. Our waitress said the menu will change to a spring summer and they will have outdoor seating as well . Can't wait to go back again and try other menu items ..Handicraft ramp lover level seating as well.. Highly recommend!!! Enjoy Chris

While the ambiance was nice and the band was very good (The Bernadette's), we had a terrible meal…read more Both of us ordered the scallops. The fries were soggy and under cooked and the scallops were cool and nearly raw inside. After eating 2 of them we had to send them back to be re-cooked. They came back with the outside hard and crusty but the inside was still nearly raw. Sent them back again and told them to forget it. The raw scallops didn't sit well and had to make a run to the bathroom. They did take off the charge for the scallops but I'll never eat here again.

Excellent meal. Excellent service. my son has a dairy allergy and it was no problem at all. They…read morealso had a non-dairy dessert on the menu!!!!! Amazing. We have never been to a restaurant (other than a vegan place) that had a non-dairy dessert on the menu and it was delicious! others got it and ate every bit of it. Great place!!!

My wife and I have wanted to try The Griswold Inn for many years, and our schedule finally allowed…read moreus to make the trip ahead of a nearby show. Reservations via OpenTable were easy. When we arrived at the hostess station, she verified the reservation and immediately led us to a table in a small room off the main dining area and bar. The entire dining area is old wood -- floor, wall, ceiling -- and the room we were in had narrow floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with hardcover books. I write this to demonstrate that all the decor served to dampen the sound despite nearly all tables being occupied. While you could hear the bustle and conversations around you, you could still have a conversation. Our server greeted us promptly and took a drink order. When he returned with our drinks, we ordered the clam chowder and braised short ribs for my wife and a wedge salad with the dry-rubbed pork chop for me. After entering our order, our server returned with a basket of warm dinner rolls and butter, then minutes later brought out our soup and salad. Both appetizers were terrific, and I think that may be one of the best blue cheese dressings I've had. Water glasses were refilled frequently without being asked and dishes were cleared by other waitstaff. We never wanted for anything, and none of the comings and goings were disruptive. This was a professional and competent team. Our entrees were served shortly after we finished our appetizers, and they were beautifully presented on the plates. My wife loved her short ribs, which she said melted in her mouth. Until this meal, I've yet to find pork chops to surpass the ones I make at home, but this was truly exceptional! While the mango salsa topping the chop was nice, it was completely unnecessary as the chop was well seasoned and juicy. We capped off the meal with desserts, a chocolate mousse pie for my wife, a warm butter caramel cake with berry compote for me. Delicious! We'll be back to this gem of a place!

Thank you helpers for recommending this gem on the way to our beachy destination. Super cute,…read morelittle, hidden and charming cafe. It was bustling with families, but we took or delicious sandwiches and Harney teas to go. We had a turkey blt wrap and grilled cheese with tomato and fig jam; sooooo good!

We had lunch with our friend Mechelle in Chester and she got several things from Savour. Pasta…read moresalad, chicken salad, corn salad and a delicious carrot cake. Everything was top notch quality and tasted very fresh. The carrot cake was just decadent without being too heavy nor too sweet. This is a place that I would easily see myself getting take out from in the future if I am in the area.

Never dissatisfied at Cooked. Very friendly and helpful…read morestaff. Everything we've ordered or picked up here is fabulous! They use the freshest and finest ingredients and really know how to combined them. 4 stars because there isn't enough organic choices for such highly priced items.

Sorry, I tried. Numerous times. It's just not good. $34 a lb for hanger steak, and could only eat a…read morefew bites. Brisket for $25 a lbs, no flavor and gave me more fat than meat. GF chowder...a few bites and tossed. It's been like this with most of their foods. $65 for a bouquet of flowers? Everything is way under seasoned and over priced. I keep saying I'm done and then decide to try something else because of convenience, and end up regretting it. Sorry Cooked. I really did try.

Such a nice place!! I especially enjoyed the ice cream mini flight for only seven dollars. Four…read moresmall cute mini scoops of your favorite flavors! I went with the raspberry coconut, Nutella chip, Essex, mud and pistachio, of course! They were all delicious!! Highly recommended. Service was amazing!!

Some dank ice cream. This place is the real deal. Best ice cream around town. Flavors are all…read moreinsanely good!!!!!!

Yup! . . . one of the best take outs we've been to since landing here in Connecticut. Cute…read moresidewalk diner in Essex with a well oiled crew inside and pretty darn good food. We joked about why is'nt there a Popeye and Wimpy's spinach-burger stand nearby? Hah! Parking was the only challange but it moves in and out fairly quickly and Judging by the patronage we saw there, they should do well. As my friend Arnold Swartznager once said . . ."I'll be back!"

Go in order and then get told to pick up drink at other counter. Wait for a bit and ask. Apparently…read morethey ran out whatever not too pressed about it. We get sandwiches mustang Sally and endevour, sally was absolute garbage had a strong expo market taste like wasabi which is pretty much all you taste. Endeavor wasnt horrible but you could easily make it at home and was dry. Maybe there's better things and what I got was bad but I'll never know not going back.

Great service, a special atmosphere for special occasions. The food is always excellent in an…read moreelegant setting.

Delicious food, menu has a great selection of choices, all served beautifully. Service could not…read morebe better. Cozy, very accommodating, exquisite decorated.

I had the.handcut fries excellent choice Yes, I will…read morerecommend this place anytime!!

We've been here a few times and always enjoy it. Quaint and charming with good food and drinks and…read moregreat service! Parking can be tricky but it works. Last time with my mom I had the Burger my sister the farmer salad and my mom the fish sandwich. We all enjoyed our food but my mom who has eaten thousands of fish sandwiches in her many years thought this was the best she's ever had! I love this place and wish I lived closer so I could go more often!