Our first time here and oak to ember did not disappoint! We arrived for our reservation and were greeted and asked if a high top Table was okay,not big fans of that we were told it was no problem and they would accommodate us at a regular table,no fussing or eye rolls occurred. Friendly service followed with drinks and appetizers which included steak tartare, perfect balance of flavors done right.foie gras and chicken liver mousse with pickled strawberries was delicious also. Entrees of duck leg confit,a lobster pasta special and wood roasted lobster with fries and Bernaise were all on point, with just the right balance of that live fire smoke. The menu was full of great choices so now I have to go back for the pork chop!! Parking is usually available in the lot next door making it that much easier to enjoy a great dining experience all around. read more

Reservation made for 4 people for 6:30 on a Saturday night. Walked in and by 6:40 we were seated at a great view table. Good start. Server arrived right away. Was VERY knowledgeable about their beers and somewhat knowledgeable about their wines but way better than most. She rattled off the specials with no notes so we knew right then we had a keeper as our server. All four of us had dinner salads. We shared the smoked tuna crostini (wow) and the calamari (very tender with a crispy coating). Two of us had a seafood dish, one had steak, another a pork chop special. The scallops were a tad tough, had to send the pork chop back to cook a little longer. This did not kill our vibe as we were all on our second round of drinks by then and the people watching and moderately loud atmosphere is great. We chose to skip desserts and opted for another round of drinks and some hummus on their grilled pita. The waitress was cool with this. I think she knew she was in for a sizable tip. Well worth the trip and the sometimes hard-to-get reservations. Parking is street parking but I heard they've now secured some spots at a nearby lot. read more

Excited to try a new...to us...dinner spot. We knew the prior 'brewery' incarnation but this appeared to be a bit more upscale. Seated next to an older couple, we began looking through our options. Their waitress returned to announce "we're out of clam chowders and dinners" point blank. They got up and left...Should we stay or should WE go? Our waitress - Hannah, arrived with a welcoming smile, a reassuring manner and took our order for a Garden G&T, La Kluva Rosso, Monk Fish Burnt Ends, Shishito Peppers and the Pork Chop to split. The atmosphere seemed a bit tight and casual for their menu...but, once the food arrived the focus clearly shifted to THAT pork chop. And, I was only looking at HALF - thanks to the kitchen. The meal - over the top...thank you Chef Steve. The view - over the water. The experience of having a 'HALF' glass of wine...like dining on the good ship Lollipop. Who doesn't want to be there? read more

Spent nearly $150 here and was quite disappointed by the food, though the service and ambiance were quite good. The clam chowder was rich and extremely salty and definitely could have used a note of something else to cut it. The tuna tartar was boring and did not have that melts-your-mouth texture. Something on the dessert menu was exceptional, though-- it was basically a hybrid between a cheesecake and an apple pie! If only the rest of the food weren't so lackluster.. read more

The service was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Amanda is truly a gem--by far the best waitress I have ever had, attentive, friendly, and made the entire experience unforgettable. read more

I thought the food was really good. The oysters were great, the cooked dishes tasted amazing, we left very satisfied. Our favorite dishes were the fish and chips, raw bar oysters, and whipped ricotta. read more

Excellent service with plentiful water. The Prince Edward Island Mussels were extraordinary, a combination of plump bellies in a creamy bisque sauce was absolutely divine. The Kale salad was not just your ordinary adventure it was the combination of sweet Kale with finely grated fresh Parmesan cheese. The Buzz drink had a combination of honey and cinnamon and the cranberry mocktail with literally Christmas in a cup. One of my favorite all time food experiences! read more

Elegant setting and fantastic wait staff!! They food was a bit too 'deconstructed' for us, but it was well presented! read more

Oak to Ember - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Wonderful food, drinks, and service. If you are in town this is a must stop! Highly recommend the clam chowder! read more

Oak to Ember - The Livie (Oct 2024) - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Went for Sunday Brunch today on this gloomy rainy morning . Our spirits were immediately lifted as we were warmly greeted by Abby! Next came the atmosphere with the gorgeous lighting, spectacular floral arrangement at the service desk, and of course the small individual fresh flower arrangement along with the warm glowing center candle holder. We started off with the best brunch Bloody Mary's that were perfectly spiced ! Ok, to our brunch selections; we ordered avacado toast with 2 poached eggs and a side of bacon and smoked salmon on sourdough bread with a side salad . My smoked salmon was served on delicious sourdough bread, made in house and was so tender and delicious ( they must be using a great starter !) , their own smoked salmon was superb along with their own smoked bacon , the micro greens were local and fresh and the side salad was deliciously dressed. Quality throughout could not be more superb ! Our recommendation if you are looking for a great Sunday Brunch , Oak to Ember will not disappoint! A bonus to consider, the deck on the harbor will be open for additional seating as warm weather soon arrives! read more

The food was excellent. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was good. We liked it enough to go back a second time while we were in Gloucester for four days. read more

This was a pleasant surprise. We came in to have a drink and apps on the deck overlooking the water. The drinks we really good. Loved the deck outside. The surprise was the clam chowder which wasn't traditional but wow. The broccoli rabe was outstanding as well. Will definitely have to come back for dinner. read more

Very delicious food and drinks. Great options for both carnivores and vegetarians, which is unusual in this town. Creative dishes and excellent service. Can be a little noisy in the back, so ask for a table up front if you want something a bit more quiet. read more

Central location, delicious local fare with artful preparation and nice variety of menu. Delicious seafood and very fresh local vegetables. Friendly and polite waitstaff. We arrived early and they were able to accommodate us without any fuss. read more

Excellent lunch today. Tess and Lyla were on top of things today being extremely attentive. We enjoy their French onion soup, smash burger, pastrami sandwich and the enticing smoked Beef Cheek taco ! All so flavorful ! Their Margarita and pale ale went so well with the food. 3 cheers to Neal & staff. Lou Scarpa. read more

Hands down the best pork chop I've ever had. I had the Steak Frites (delicious!) but had a few bites of my wife's pork chop. We're already planning a return visit for my pork chop. Fortunately it's on the regular menu and not a special. There are at least four other dishes that caught our eye so it's safe to say we already feel like regulars after one visit. Daniel was our server and he effortlessly redefined customer service. Never hovered but was always available and responsive. Got to know him a bit since it wasn't too busy on a Wednesday night. Atmosphere was perfect for us locals looking for a place to eat where conversation was still possible without yelling over the din or the game. Oh, did I mention the pork chops? read more

Great place in downtown Gloucester. The staff was incredibly friendly/welcoming, and our waitress was fabulous. The bread & folded butter was very tasty. We ordered the ricotta appetizer, which was plentiful; we asked for more bread and still had cheese left over. My wife ordered the braised beef in pasta, I ordered the scallops & mushrooms. The scallops lacked much flavor, but the mushrooms and corn were top notch. Price was reasonable, food was good, staff was excellent. read more

Late in the afternoon, my sweat started to get greasy and smell like the fried dough I had immoderately consumed in the afternoon. Surrounded by the cacophonous sounds of pop music of days past and the acrid smoke of cigarettes, I came to my senses and found myself in a self-inflicted inferno, alone without a guide. I came to eat here with my family for two reasons: 1) it wasn't too crowded and 2) it had A/C and didn't smell bad. As you can see, dear reader, I had high standards. Although, I needed a place to exorcise the carnival grease coursing through my veins, closing my arteries and filling my heart with guilt...I was just content that they weren't blasting pop hits from the early 2000s. As a mere shell of a man, I ordered a kale salad. The first bites of shredded kale and fresh asparagus was like a spiritual awakening. The creamy dressing washed away my sins like a baptism. I was reborn! I celebrated my second coming with a few of Athletic Brewing offerings and entered the world rejuvenated. Also noteworthy: they were able to seat us immediately and were very accommodating to our toddler, finding room for her stroller snd bringing her food out first along with our appetizers. The service was welcoming and attentive. I'll be back. read more

Great atmosphere and drink selection. The food was incredible, will definitely need to go back to try other dishes. Everything was so fresh and cooked to perfection. Service was top notch...fast, efficient and friendly. Very attentive though let us move at our own pace. Wish I could have given this place 6 stars. read more

Oak to Ember - Halbut special - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Great experience! Friendly bartenders, delicious food and drinks. We will make it a regular stop!

First time there. Great experience.... friendly and welcoming bartenders.. John was great and the food was amazing. We had the scallops Risotto and it was excellent. The atmosphere is relaxing and great waterfront views. May be our new favorite restaurant! read more

My wife had dinner at the Oak and Ember the other night. The food was terrific. The baked haddock and sauce was delicious. We had clam chowder that was also very good. Great service ( Thx Danielle) The night could not have been better! read more

The ambiance and atmosphere here are wonderful! Lots of windows, cool décor and great view of the harbor. The host staff and waitress were also attentive & friendly! The kitchen needs to step-up their game: Everyone who ordered steaks at the table were all overdone. The Filet mignon special was not only overcooked, but was served with an overly-sweetened parsnip puree and pile of what appeared to be sautéed leeks/green-onions that were a stringy, inedible mess. read more

Menu has plenty of options. We had the peppers appetizer, scallop dinner and a burger. Food is good, but a bit overpriced in my opinion. Service was good. The tables and seating are really tight, like about a foot away from eachother so you end up feeling like your having dinner with strangers. Overall good restaurant, but the tight seating was off putting enough i probably won't return. read more

Great food! It has such a unique and great flavor. The salads were not my favorite but anything with meat they do not fail to impress! The service is pretty good, some servers aren't too friendly but they are cordial and have fairly good response time. Nice and clean place to eat but there were one or two flies that buzzed around us at one point of our meal, I blame the coastal location for that however. Overall some fine cuisine food in a family friendly location. read more

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Had a really delicious dinner here, great seafood! Our table had a shrimp+pasta dish, fish and chips as well as a couple of appetizers. Everything was a step above the usual. Great cocktails, as well. Special shoutout to the fish and chips, the most crispy fish I've had! read more

Gloucester is a great place to visit . Oak and Ember is a beautiful creative restaurant with great staff and atmosphere . The food is creative and delicious . Unexpected flavor combinations are wonderful !! read more

Oak to Ember - Bar area - Seafood Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Great food, great service and a nice choice of inside or outside dining. The food is something different. They specialize in smoked and grilled food and the flavors are amazing! We had Smoked Monkfish Burnt Ends. I know, it wasn't something I would normally try but I wanted to experience their specialties. It was delicious, flavorful and accompanied by cole slaw like I've never had (quite yummy). I had haddock for my main course and, again, wonderful flavor and so different from all other haddock dishes. Michael, our waiter was attentive, informed and charming. Will definitely go back and plan to tell others, too. read more

Really impressed with our first experience here. Great atmosphere; food, drinks and service all excellent too.

Delicious cocktails & food! Anything you get on the menu would be a great pick, I doubt you could go wrong. We would highly recommend the ribs- some of the best that we have ever had! read more

Freshest ingredients expertly prepared. Mains bit pricey but worth it and plenty of starters and salads that can make a meal at lower price. I had panzanella salad with beets, bouchon and steak for $30. Apple crisp cheesecake with candied walnuts one of best desserts I've had. Waitstaff great. read more

Three stars for the waiter who kindly took my wife's entree off the bill as it was, we all agreed, a complete miss. Shrimp and grits submerged in pool of butter. Three stars because Oak to Ember is new, and stuff happens when you're new and my burger was really pretty good. Three stars because I want them to succeed. Everyone I've talked to in town does. That said, a fire roasted lobster for $50 and a $90 steak are for 'Summer folk.' Set that bar in the off-season and after a couple weeks Gloustafarians will retreat to comfort food nearby till Talise opens in the Spring. read more

Love this restaurant! Hostess, waitstaff so friendly and nice. Very professional. The food is terrific as are the NA drinks we tried. Their smashburger is the best I've had. It's our new favorite place to eat. Relaxing fun atmosphere too. read more

Very disappointed in my Crispy Eggplant hoagie with housemade chips. Other than the bread, the sandwich fixings were meager.....about 4 round slices of eggplant that were anything but crispy. Also included were a few pieces of chopped un-ripe tomato, a bit of roasted red pepper, and a minimal amount of cheese. The housemade chips were equally disappointing. They were undercooked and greasy. All in all, noteworthy the $22. read more

Delicious wood fired food. Try the grilled calamari appetizer in romesco and the yummy mussels in coconut. There were 4 of us and 2 enjoyed the scallops while one had the pork chop. Service was friendly and drinks were generous. We sat outside and enjoyed the view of the harbor. A great new addition to Gloucester. read more

We reserved a table with a note that it was our anniversary, got two amazing cocktails and was waited on by two great employees. One was our server and we assume the other was a manager type. Both were tentative, timely and very kind. It was great getting to experience this place when it was not mobbed. And not complaining that it was ever "too busy". Busy is a good sign. However, we ordered the $95 steak cooked medium rare...it was very well done. I hate being put in a position where I have to send something back or ask for it to be cooked differently. Our server came to check on us after food got to our table and she noticed right away that the steak was no where near med-rare, promptly asked if I wanted another and got that going so fairly painless. It did throw off our entire meal unfortunately. We weren't able to eat our meals at the same time and by the time the steak came back out, we were both full from the absolute delicious other food that was on our table. It was a bummer to see that no compensation whatsoever was given for the $95 meal that wasn't cooked properly or served to us in a way that we could eat together. A drink, a reduced price, or how about knock off that, after dinner coffee from our bill? It's not about getting free stuff, it would have just been nice for some accountability to be taken for one of our meals being so expensive but cooked so poorly. Everyone was very kind, just seemed like it was more of a priority to NOT lose a big ticket item, rather than making sure the customer was comfortable paying for something that was not eaten read more

This is an update to a previous review from a couple of months back. My wife and I decided to try Oak and Ember again and it was absolutely fantastic! First, I want to acknowledge Shannon, the bartender, who gave us great service, and made us fantastic drinks like the martini that you see in the picture here. I ordered a wedge salad that was delicious (see pic) and the Steak LeGrande which was cooked perfectly and absolutely yummy! Ambiance was electric. We will be back! 5 stars! read more

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Have been vacationing in Gloucester for 20+ years and it's always nice to see a new restaurant to try! Oak to Ember was very busy, but they managed to move things around to fit our party of 7 quickly! They also had plenty of staff to keep up with the rush. Food was all enjoyable and they accommodated many food sensitivities and allergies and a table full of eclectic palates was satisfied. It was also very modern and clean inside with really nice interior design. It was also very fun being able to see the cooks! read more

Service was great. Food, Urgh. Gorgeous piece of tuna served rare but the delicate flavor of the fish was blown out by wood and I mean WOOD SMOKE. Yuck. Took my son for ice cream to get the taste out of my mouth. read more

Very nice bar! Had the clams and oysters with a Bloody Mary and beer, bartender was attentive and pricing was on par. Will definitely return. read more