Under the guidance of chef Ken Duckworth and his top-notch staff, Duckworth's Bistrot has earned its place as one of the finest small restaurants on the North Shore. There is simply nothing more to say about Duckworth's other than the cuisine is world-class, the service is exceptional, and when you walk in the door you feel like a member of the family. Duckworth's is the restaurant of choice for an intimate dinner marking a special event. When my wife and I were eating dinner at the bar on Valentine's Day, the couple next to us made a reservation for Valentine's Day 2020! That's how devoted regular customers are - it's their home away from home. After one visit, you'll feel the same way. read more

We have wanted to try Duckworth's for years and were finally able to secure a reservation during our last visit to Gloucester. Unfortunately, we were deeply disappointed with our visit. The service is incredibly slow and the waitress takes her time making small talk with customers she knows, rather then serving those that she doesn't. The food was mediocre, nothing stellar. The option for a smaller plate being a plus. As a restaurant boasting their French influence, why would they serve Italian bottled water and olive oil with their bread. French use butter, not oil. And I need to agree with an earlier reviewer with the concept that this is the 'place to be seen'. Since I care little about status or what strangers think of me, I did not get the rush of being with the 'it' crowd. There are too many other great restaurants in the Gloucester area to waist you money here. read more

We thoroughly enjoyed Duckworth's Bistrot for its outstanding food, friendly service (server Colleen), and ambiance. We plan on returning often! read more

Great atmosphere, great food, great options. Wonderful upscale vibe inside and best part, they have half dishes in case you're being indecisive. I tasted every dish at our table and each was better than the previous. Good drink selection, great apps and we even got dessert (which we never do). Reservations can be hard to get so make sure to book a few weeks in advance. read more

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. read more

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. read more

This very special place has incredible food and the staff is all super friendly. The only downside is they are booked up often weeks in advance. It's worth it to make advance plans because everything on the menu is superb - corn soup with lobster, and the mushroom soup are so delicious, amazing fish, duck, lobster risotto. The desserts are amazing too - made by the wife and co-owner of the chef. Best food on the north shore. Considering that the food is so good it's not stuffy at all. Staff is all charming and super helpful. Make a reservation and go. You will be glad you did! read more

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! read more

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!!!!! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Excellent experience. Our waitress Kristy told me I was ordering too much and she was right. You don't get waitstaff doing that often! The have half portions of everything and my two halves of Lobster Risotto and lamb filled me up. They also offer half glasses of wine and my wife took advantage. Both great ideas. The glass list is extensive. Both dishes I had and my wife's Duck Confit were outstanding. If I lived closer I'd go often! read more

Duckworth's Gloucester - Half portion of Lamb. Plenty of food! - New American Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

What a great restaurant. We had the Ubiquitous salad, duck confit and seared scallops. We then finished up with the pumpkin cheesecake. All were expertly prepared and delicious. The staff was fantastic and interested in us having a great experience. read more

We had a great Dining experience at Duckworth Bistrot! Food so fresh and different ... fried green tomatoes , yummy leek and onion soup , scallops and fresh carrot cake! You could order half portions so amount and price very reasonable. Plus our server was darling and most friendly ! We highly recommend this out of the way restaurant in Gloucester read more

My boyfriend and I made a 5:15 reservation for dinner on a whim, and we were so pleased with our choice in restaurant. The service is genuine, friendly, and meticulous, and our food was carefully prepared and presented. I ordered a half portion of the Chicken Schnitzel and my boyfriend ordered a full portion of the Faroe Island Salmon alongside their take on a Dark and Stormy cocktail. The size of my half portion meal was equal to that of my boyfriend's full portion, and we both agreed that we ordered the proper sizes for our meals. Having the available option of a half portion entrée was a welcome alternative for me, and I left feeling quite satisfied. While we did not order dessert, we saw a number of options leaving the kitchen that looked delicious, and we vowed to come back and try them sometime soon. read more

A unique menu! The food - Delicious, fresh and flavorful! The staff couldn't have been more courteous and customer service was superior. I've was vacationing for a week in Maine and decided to spend a couple of nights in Gloucester. My friend and I ordered take out on a very busy night. They do not offer take out on a regular basis when busy. The woman who answered the phone was patient and accommodating. Don't miss this restaurant!! read more

I'm so happy that we waited for a 9 o'clock reservation to eat here instead of going somewhere else. The staff was welcoming and our food was delicious - I love that they offer the option of small portions. All the good things that the other reviewers have already said are true! read more

Danish couple stayng i town for three days. (Sorry for bad spelling). It was our last day and we wanted it to be a bit above average for dinner. We had tried other restaurants and dining places in town the other days and had not been disappointed, so with the amounts of recommendations we had had for Duckworth we expected a bit of a treat... We were not disappointed. We decided on a two course dinner each at half size, since our experience and waitress Kelly told us full sizes were large (for us inexperienced europeans "huge") and staying at a motel without a fridge doesnt make doggybags a real option. My wife had seafood, and since i dont have the palate for that ordered more terrastrial. Aswell as pre-dinner drink. (Their equivalent to a dark and stormy is excellent). The food was clearly freshly caught or locally produced and of high quality The dishes themselves were simple but made so every ingredience had been given their own worth, nothing was out of place, and every single simple beet or potato seemed nessecary. Oh.. And the sauces... I will dream of those for weeks... Any restaurant should be judged on their sauces, and Duckworth is a real contender. After dinner we even found room for desserts (I dont know how) and you should not cheat yourself here either. If I was forced to find a downside it was that the kitchen had a hard time timing when the main course should be ready and we ended up having it a bit before we had finished our starters. It was only a minor discomfort, but I would rather have another glass of wine and wait a bit for the main course, than having both starter and main in front of me at the same time. (This alone lowers the stars given from five to four, to some it might be a positive, and it still wasn't anything grivious for our experience). Everything was priced in the higher end of the commonly affordable spectrum and justly so. (2 times three courses, cocktail, wine for each dish and coffee at just under 160$) The restaurant itself is relaxed and kinda small (reservations seemed advicable). Service was attentive, cheerfull and seemed genuinly friendly. We felt at home, even though we were so far away. If we ever find ourselves near Gloucester again we would without doubt drive the extra mile to dine here. A big thanks goes to Kelly (our friendly waitress), the other waitresses of whom we never got their name and to the kitchen... Especially to the one who is in charge of the sauces. Yummy. Tim read more

Just enjoyed one of the best meals of my life!! Ken Duckworth's Restaurant deserves a Michelin Star!! You have to experience it to believe it....Thank you Kelly for the excellent service and for making my birthday one I'll never forget!! read more

There's a reason this place was booked from 4-9 PM! Food and service were both outstanding -- we're still talking about it weeks later. Don't miss out on an espresso at the end, either! read more

We've patronized Duckworth's during our last three visits to Gloucester over a period of six years, and this year was only a repeat of our wonderful experiences each time. Food and service have been the best. And for such high quality the prices are very reasonable. The duck confit I had this year was cooked perfectly. Many have written about the banana cake, but despite all our previous visits I'd never tried it. I tried it this year and it lived up to its reputation. All the other desserts, however, which I've had during previous visits have been fabulous. This is a very high class place, but is small, informal, and without any snootiness. As long as we come back to this area we will return to Duckworth's. Reservations recommended. read more

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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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? read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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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!!! read more

I haven't been to the bistro for many years, almost four according to my last review. It was wonderful to see the same people I remembered from my previous visits. The food was spectacular as per the usual and simply nothing had changed . Many times you hope for a changing menu but when correct is correct - I see no reason to change it. The oysters were perfect - the duck in all its ordered forms was like butter and best of all they still had banana cake. There are many many restaurants to choose from in the area and most have the same price point, Spend your money in the best way possible and this bistro continues to be it. read more

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. read more

My wife and I live a couple of miles away and come here for special occasions. It's a small place, basically one dining room that seats 25 or so in close if not downright tight quarters. You will hear your neighbor's conversation, desired or not. There's a small bar. Yes, the wait staff wears jeans but they are attentive. The waiting area is nonexistent if you arrive early. If they're short-staffed as they were one time we were there, it will be a long evening. Parking is on the street -- the nearby lots belong to condos or local businesses and are no go zones. Food is cooked to order in a small kitchen so there can be a annoyingly long wait. Food is locally sourced. Mrs. Owner is a pastry chef and the desserts are incredible. Portions are manageable and tasty -- none of the typical "mass quantities prepared badly" fare so typical of American chain restaurants. I've had the duck, which was fantastic, and the pork, which was amongst the best I've had. read more

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 read more

We've been here 4-5 times and consider it a once or twice a year must. We'd go more often if we lived closer. With one minor exception, the food has been consistently great. Definitely recommend the half portions so you can try more things. We get the lobster risotto each time and then experiment with the rest of the menu. It's true the banana cake is usually to die for ... once it came out a bit dry but the other 3-4 times it was a real winner. Once, on a hot summer night, their AC was not working and it was a bit of an oven inside. The small space and bathroom complaints from other reviews are not untrue; but the place is charming and quirky and it's all part of the package. Definitely make a reservation, and plan to wait outside or in your car until the time has arrived. Depending on when you arrive, there is a lovely view of the harbor just a 1 minute walk down the drive to the left, and there is a large art gallery on your right as you make that walk. We have never experienced the slow service I've read about in some of the reviews. I'm a bit puzzled by a few of the comments about the appropriate attire, because you can go neat casual or more formal and fit in either way. It can be a special date night place, or a place for a small group of friends. And yes, the wait staff typically wear jeans. Also, some have been critical of the BARTENDER serving food instead of their waitperson. The bartender (usually) is the one of the owners and is also the dessert chef, so I wouldn't consider that a negative at all. And as for the possible 'locals' bias, that has not yet been an issue. I would give Duckworth's 4.5 stars if I could figure out how. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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! read more

Best food on the North Shore. Service and atmosphere to match! The option to do any dish as a half serving allow one to sample even more of the amazing food here. Just when you thought it couldn't get better, the deserts really deliver. Try the banana cake. Several at our table don't even like bananas but we're blown away with the cake. Must not miss!!! read more

Probably the best restaurant in the area, we've had dinner here four or five times over the last couple years. Generally the food and service are quite good. We recently had an interesting dining experience at Duckworth's. We arrived early and were promptly seated by the hostess. It took a while for water to arrive as the waitress was busy talking with some other patrons, menus came shortly thereafter. This must be the 'relaxed European style dining' referenced earlier. We ordered a mixed & house specialty drink that arrived in large water glasses with big straws. Really? Not even a small cocktail mixer- a large water straw? A martini-type drink in a water glass? Ok. The meatball appetizer was very tasty as was the garlic bread that accompanied the dish. We ordered the lobster risotto, fish special, and pork loin - the server recommended 'medium' for the meat and I confirmed it should be slightly pink (yes, she replied). The meals arrived about 40 minutes later and the pork was overcooked. We mentioned this to the server and she appeared to be taken aback but did return it to the kitchen. Given that our entree was overdone, I would have expected the kitchen to expedite our replacement but that wasn't the case. The lobster risotto has always good but I expected to find a noticeable amount of meat (tail & claw) in the dish to accompany the hefty price tag. The beet salad was average, nothing special. Our other guest ordered the fish special and she said it was flavorful - a good portion surrounded by roasted root vegetables in broth. Our companions finished their meals before the new order arrived (again slightly overdone). Servers at other establishments usually offer a free drink or dessert when these things happen - not the case here. We ordered one chocolate pecan pie to share and it was good. Honestly, we would have expected a more fulfilling dining experience for three meals that cost well over $200 (including tip). read more