Yup, mediocre & inconsistent. One of the places open all year round, but doesn't matter . . . stopped
going there. All style, no substance.
WE WERE THERE FOR DINNER RECENTLY AND IT WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. FROM THE APPETIZERS ALL THE WAY TO DESSERT, WE ALL LOVED IT
WE WILL BE GOING BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN
Posted by: BJ at September 24, 2008 05:01 PM
I like the atmosphere; and I thought the food was good, and I have been there a few times Excellent vegetarian choices and great salads. They have "half portions" so I like to order a half salad and half meal.
Posted by: Dar at August 29, 2008 11:35 AM 
not as bad as some of the bad reviews on here would make it seem, but not recommended. i agree that they need to pare down the menu a bit and decide what they want to be. i must admit there were indeed some hot waitresses in this place.
Posted by: g stacka at June 28, 2008 11:48 PMI went to this restaurant thinking i was in for a good meal. i was wrong, you would think that a restaurant in Gloucester would know how to cook seafood but they proved me wrong. I got a tuna steak and it was terrible it was way over seasoned and the fish was dry probably because of the over seasoning it made me feel sick after eating three bites
Posted by: john haker at May 15, 2008 06:42 PMThe menu is way too long. The food is mediocre. But this is made up for by the smoking hot chicks who work there. I forgot about the long menu. I forgot about the food. My mind was focused on the the smoking, smoking, smoking, smoking...whoa it's in flames....smoking hot chicks. From whence do they come? Lanesville? I doubt. Smokingville? Oh yeah.
You would think that the owner's of Alchemy would read reviews on sites like this and make some changes. I have been going to Alchemy on and off since it opened. The food is consistly good but the service leaves much to be desired. One reviewer expressed it perfectly - the waitstaff seems like they want to be somewhere else. It is difficult to get their attention and my wait person almost never comes over to check in and see how things are or if something else is needed. Why bother to operate a restaurant in this manner?? I am crossing my fingers that the new restaurant (at the former Mc T's) does not bring any of the Alchemy staff along. I have given Alchemy so so many chances and I am just down and out disappointed.
Posted by: Ann at December 26, 2007 02:23 PM We went there recently for lunch and had crab cakes, quesedilla and California wrap. Been there half a dozen times before, always inconsistent. I still have indigestion. Too spicy and overcooked. Disconnected waiter. Not much satisfaction for a $60 lunch (drinks included)
My wife and I had a decent dinner in this attractive restaurant nestled in downtown Gloucester. I had their "Uptown Mac and Cheese", which was a little rich. Portions were HUGE. Alchemy is kid-friendly, so if you dine there early (as we did), you might be bothered by kids bouncing off the wall. They have a seating area of sofas and chairs with toys and building blocks amidst the dining tables, so I could see how this might be a problem, although it wasn't for us.
Alchemy, you are slippin like your cd players skippin'!!! Either buy/burn new cd's or spring for satellite! Ate there tonight (Sat). Food is just mediocre. Had the beef tenderloin. OK but nothing spectacular. Appreciate the new menu. I hope you make things less sweet & not all about the sauce. & please add more than 3 small pieces to the tuna appitiser. It is one of my favorites...but I'd like more than a few bites for my $13(???).
PS You were so great 9 months ago....please step back up to the plate. This town needs the Alchemy I remember!
Posted by: jimmythelocal at June 10, 2007 02:10 AM 
Food: excellent
Servers: Excellent
Martinis/specialty drinks: so-so, stick with wine, beer and mixed drinks
Friday night hostess: Horribly rude and condescending. Have been on Friday night about 5 times now, and the same hostess every time has been rude, like we're interrupting her life for wanting to be seated and condescending. She gave us a very disdainful look for not having a reservation - and there were 3 people in the restaurant.
Posted by: Tee at May 10, 2007 10:16 AMI have a company whose clientele are people who work and live globally, and are therefore difficult to impress. When they visit us at our HQ in Gloucester, we know that it is always a safe bet to take them to Alchemy. The food is absolutely delicious, with a vast array of items on the menu prepared in a creative way with unique combinations of ingredients. The service has been in our experience wonderful as well and the staff have bent over backwards to squeeze us in, even when we forgot to make reservations and the place is packed already. The prices are not low in my opinion but you do get your money's worth so the value is good. We spent $100 for 4 people although one had dessert only. If you try this place once you will become a regular so be careful!
Posted by: Kirstin Elaine Myers at March 26, 2007 11:53 AM
I am in love with and crave the thai beef salad- the banana foster is amazing as well, and the folks who serve are wonderful!
Posted by: shauna at March 16, 2007 09:57 PM
I usually love this restaurant, but I went on Saturday & the service was off. They also use very sweet sauces on the fish dishes...so much that it over powers the food. That was the case with the bake stuffed haddock. But I will return & just be more cautious of the sauces.
I am local & eat out several times a week. Alchemy is absolutely one of the top three restaurants in Gloucester. I haven't had any problem with the waitstaff. Actually, I have always found them very friendly & accomodating. Try the calamari salad & tuna (rare). The pizzas are incredible. You can't go wrong with most things. Just be sure to read the full menu description, because they sometimes put a weird spice or sauce on an entree. Cheers!
PS My other 2 favorites are Duckworth's & The Franklin.
Posted by: jimmy at January 21, 2007 04:29 PMAfter going to Alchemy's several times for lunch (and enjoying every visit) my husband and I went for dinner recently. Hostess had a lot of attitude (this is Gloucester, not New York, missy!) Sat us at a lousy table when asked for best available/cozy in a half-full house. Food was good, not great as I'd been accustomed to. Perhaps just a bad night for them.
Sorry Alchemy, I've tried almost everything on your menu at least once (we need more restaurants in Gloucester!!) just hoping that if I tried one more something would be good. So far, nothing is all that great and all over-priced. I'd only order the Nachos or a salad....but for now, my friends and I have agreed - no more Alchemy until the good improves.
Posted by: Locke at January 10, 2007 01:36 PM
I am in the food business. The meals I ordered were very good and looked wonderful. I think the menu is a bit to big.
Your pizza is great, BUT-Service was so, so bad.
Twice I have eaten there and the waiter should come back to clear the app plates right away since the table we were on was a tiny table. So I put them on your cushioned bench instead.
Second time we were the only ones in there and had to ask waitress for ketchup, water, and the bill. Just to long for service.
Here's my take on Alchemy. I had dinner there with my wife for the first time while we were visiting Gloucester on our 1st. anniversary. Being a chef, some might think I am more criticle than others. Well, you are right. I think Alchemy is great. This doesn't mean it lacks flaws. The atmosphere is great, the food was spot on, but some parts of the service need to be addressed. The girl who brought us our "bread and oil" was very stand offish. She had the personality of a robot. On the other hand, our waitress Jenn was awesome. She was attentive, personable and was so good she didn't need to write our order down. She was kind enough to give us some history about this fine restaurant and warrented the much larger tip maybe someone else would not have commanded. All I can say is that I would go back to Alchemy again and again...and I would hire Jenn in a heartbeat...even if she didn't fill out the application.
service has been bad every time... i think the last time i was their i may have been served by a robot...
damn good food that time though... but its not a guarentee... you want a guarentee and better seating (i hate loud places that sit you far across from your date, friends, family, whatever)... FRANKLIN
service has been bad every time... i think the last time i was their i may have been served by a robot...
damn good food that time though... but its not a guarentee... you want a guarentee and better seating (i hate loud places that sit you far across from your date, friends, family, whatever)... FRANKLIN
Posted by: Judson Abts at October 13, 2006 12:47 AMservice has been bad every time... i think the last time i was their i may have been served by a robot...
damn good food that time though... but its not a guarentee... you want a guarentee and a better atmosphere, franklin
Posted by: Judson Abts at October 13, 2006 12:46 AM
Went there Fri at lunch with a party of 10. I ordered the Alchemy Greens salad which has nuts and candied berries in it with a vinigrette of their own invention. Very good. Some of us had a green tea with mango and "palm sugar". It had a delicate flavor. Reactions were pretty neutral. The atmosphere is great. I've never had an issue with th service. The alchemy greens salad is always great.
My wife and I were on a romantic post season getaway weekend last week. I did my restaurant research on the web. I made a reservation at Alchemy and at Duckworth's. When we rolled into town in the afternoon and we did a walkthrough of each restaurant on our way to the Bass Rocks Ocean Inn. Based on the menu selections, atmosphere and friendliness of staff we chose Alchemy and were rewarded for our choice. We were seated right away - it was 8pm on a Sept Sunday - so the place was only one third full.
The waiter was helpful, friendly and attentive.
The dining room is nicely decorated in wood tones with an open kitchen, stylishly upscale. I had the scallop appetizer and the lamb loin entree. Both were great and cooked to order. My wife had a salad and the seafood Ciopino pasta. She loved hers too. Although, she wreaked of garlic in the AM (still adorable though). With a bottle of red wine and a glass of white the check came to $100 before tipping $20.
I fully recommend this restaurant based on my experience but it could be different on a sunny July Saturday evening when the place is cranking full steam with customers.
I really like the food at Alchemy. I have been several times and really enjoyed the calamari salad. When it came out everyone at our table went "oohhh" because it even looked as good as it tasted. I have to say that I tend to agree with the other people about the behavior of the waiters and waitresses. They congregate together and sometimes it is difficult to get their attention for a legitimate thing like water. But, I really like the food so I am willing to deal with that.
YUCK. I had the porter house steak, my fiancee had a pasta dish, both were ruined with conflicting flavors, poorly cooked, and poor service, and the service was the best part. Also this is a loud restaurant. Good luck holding a conversation with your inside voice...
Posted by: jo at July 12, 2006 03:02 PM
We struggle a little with Alchemy. The atmosphere is wonderful for enjoying a glass of wine with friends. However, it's quite apparent they're trying too hard to differentiate themselves food-wise. Unfortunately instead of showcasing the chef's talents, it's like someone just tosses in any and every seasoning, or flavoring, without ever trying to figure what works together. Creativity is great, uniqueness is needed. BUT--wow us with high quality ingredients, cooking perfection, seasoning/flavoring that enhances instead of trying to shock us with those that should never be paired together. And really, just how many ways do we need bitter sweet potatoes served to us?
We've watched what people order during our visits and everyone is usually eating one thing... PIZZA. Exactly what we recommend. Hopefuly it will dawn on someone and changes to the menu will be made before we lose what has potential of becoming a great restaurant.
The four star rating is not for food quality. It is based on Alchemys great atmsophere, good wine selection (widest selection compared to Passports or the Franklin), and general overall experience.
Posted by: Rockporters at April 9, 2006 10:08 AM
Once again, awful service. The bartender w/ the short blonde hair is the most horrible bartender I have EVER encountered in my life. Alchemy should be ashamed to have her as part of their staff. I don't need to be yelled at to hurry up and order, she should have thanked me for coming in.
I dont know what to say. This was the worst expiernce I have ever encountered.
The Cook with red hair was yelling in the wait station at a waitress. The food was bad! I meen bad. The fish stunck of strong odder. Two tables next to us and complained. No wounder the chef was upset. It seems that tempers are getting the best of this place and Ill never trust the food again.
anyone.
I have always enjoyed Alchemy. It relaxes me after a long week to just go and have some martini's along with some pizza or a salad, which are great by the way. I don't know or even experienced what some people are talking about with poor service. I love it and reccomend it to anyone. Good job guys...there will always be people that you can't satisfy no matter how hard you try!
Concerning Alchemy, a reviewer said "people are not looking for a Boston experience but they are looking for a new experience" then said right after "there's a big push to be different... there's nothing wrong with the basics" So should they be new and innovative or basic? You can't have it both ways. Maybe you're too picky Listen. Go out to eat here it's good -- not perfect but what in life is?
Posted by: Jb at January 26, 2006 11:43 AM
Another pleasant evening for us at Alchemy....Food very good, service attentive. Modern but cozy design makes for comfortable dining experience.
Posted by: misterclam at January 23, 2006 01:20 PMI've been to Alchemy's with my husband, my girlfiends, and guests from Australia nearly 20 times since its opened. Although somewhat pricey, I've always found the meals to be exceptional. I love the funky decor, art work, soft couch corner seats and the nooks and crannies as well as the extensive menu. There was only 1 of those 20 visits that the wait staff would rate poorly. Obviously not enough of a deterent to return. Overall it has a five star rating from this local. And, I can't wait for its sister restaurant taking over old McT's restaurant to become another choice in town. It's also great to have something that you can rely on and know its open 12 months of the year for the locals. I go back, and I take out of town guests. Bravo to Alchemy's!
Came back three times this month (weekdays), all were good experiences. Sat in a round booth by the door with a street view, that seems to be a much nicer spot. Hostess was polite and helpful, waitresses on all occasions were charming and helpful, with frequent check-ins on water and drinks. Excellent steak. Salad not very artful, although it tastes good. Seemed like they just dumped too many ingredients on it. But I'm happy with the improvements. Menu is simpler now. Price is comparable to what's happening in all restaurants, it's hard to find a meal for under $25 pp anymore.
Decided to give Alchemy another try after two previously poor experiences-big mistake! While my grilled tuna steak salad was fair, I could not believe the way my waitress yelled at me when I told her my mixed berry crisp dessert was not hot (it wasn't even like warm). She snapped "Yes it is!" and when I stated that it was not, she grabbed it, stormed away, stopping to complain to another waitress. I sat in shock for a moment, then got up and asked the hostess for my check after telling her of my server's response. The hostess stared blankly at me as if nothing had happened and said "I'll be right back with your check". Needless to say, I walked out and will NEVER return.
Posted by: Donna at October 25, 2005 02:19 PMDecided to give Alchemy another try after two previously poor experiences-big mistake! While my grilled tuna steak salad was fair, I could not believe the way my waitress yelled at me when I told her my mixed berry crisp dessert was not hot (it wasn't even like warm). She snapped "Yes it is!" and when I stated that it was not, she grabbed it, stormed away, stopping to complain to another waitress. I sat in shock for a moment, then got up and asked the hostess for my check after telling her of my server's response. The hostess stared blankly at me as if nothing had happened and said "I'll be right back with your check". Needless to say, I walked out and will NEVER return.
Posted by: Donna at October 25, 2005 02:19 PM Our first time at Alchemy as a family was not very good. There is no other word to say that the food was disguting. I ordered a Veggie platter for $19 and there was no taste at all. The plate was overcrowded with different mixed vegetables and there was no flavor at all. I did not even eat half the plate. My husband had a Blackened Mahi Mahi for $20 and he was also very upset by the taste. Even my child Mac and Cheese did not pass the OK. We were also seated next to the kitchen like we had to be put far aside because we had 2 children and our server had nothing knowledgeable about the food and had hair all over his face. $58 to dine out at the Alchemy is very expensive when you are treated like that. I won't recommend this place for anything and won't come back for sure. I would not even give it a star.
I love this place. Comfortable, funky, interesting menu options prepared with a creative flair. Also with all the nooks and crannies for seating you can bring small kids and not worry about disturbing others (unless they get completely out of control of course) I'm surprised at the comments about bad service and poor attitudes of staff. I think the restaurant business by nature has a high turnover rate so there is always that risk. However I've been there 5 or 6 times and always had very good polite service.
Posted by: Mar at September 21, 2005 02:47 PM
I have been 7 or 8 times over the past year and the food has always been between really good and wonderful. 3 times we've brought groups of friends who all continue to rave about the place. Service has always been very good also. One time I got a stale piece of bread but my husband had a nice fresh piece. I asked if I could get a different piece when I saw the bread person again and it was no problem. (I do think it's the kind of bread that you have to get really fresh right out of the oven). It seems to me they may have shortened their menu from this time last year too but there are still alot of creative seafood selections, which I love. The pizza is very good as is the Seafood Martini. Lots of value for the $$ in my opinion.
Humbug! To all those who posted a negative review... eat there again, you'll enjoy every aspect of dining out. I'll try to be consise. Seating service, fast, no wait. Yes, we had reservations for a party of eight, but nevertheless, as soon a we arrived, "come right in."
Pre-meal wet your pallete on hot/warm, just right fresh onion pastachio bread, with sweet olive oil, to die for.
Once again fast service with the waitress, Shannon, bus womansn were fast, helpful, friendly and helpful to each other as well.
Up- Town Mac and Cheese, fist full of Halibut with once again pastachio nuts and other tremendous flavors to share amoungst friends. Everyones dishes came out hot with a frindly, smile, no attitude person. Large portions. Not one single complaint from the fussiest lady in town, my wife, and any other one at the table.
Quick clean-up, water glasses refilled and its off to dessert. Three chossen, one a cheeses cake, which I sensed a bit sour rather than sweet, maybe it's me but I don't think so said the other seven. The bread pudding was great. Warm plus heat, sweet bread wrapped in pudding, chocolate, and love, just the very best pudding I've had in a long while and creme brule, blah, boring and tiny, although the sauce around the plate was very very good.
All meals, desert, and drinks ($60.00) came to a total of $360 with a 25% tip includded with in the total, you do the math.
I rate this restaurant five star plus five rating. Overall experience is awarded to this restaurant.
Posted by: peter seltser at August 7, 2005 01:06 AM After reading many mixed reviews I still wanted to try Alchemy . . .I shouldn't have. The manager on Wednesday evening was anything but friendly, in fact she had an enormous attitude from the moment my party walked in the door. Why people with no personality choose the service industry is beyond me. Once seated it took a good 10 minutes before we were asked if we would like anything to drink. Next came the bread service. The bread was stale, our waitress told us it was baked freash that morning. I wouldn't want to be hanging since it had seen an oven. The menu is way too long and way too ambitious. The food was less than mediocore, and the service was poor at best. The folks at Alchemy should consider shortening the menu, offering fresh bread, taking a course in manners, and tasting the food before serving it.
My husband and I finally tried this place tonight. We ate early, so it wasn't crowded. I got the California Cobb Salad which wasn't too bad. It would have been great if there weren't so many chopped pears. I have never had pears in a Cobb salad, and the flavor overwhelmed everything else. Hubby got the barbeque platter. Dessert took forever to come out for some reason, but the bread pudding was perfect, as was the chocolate flourless torte. I would probably go back. Too much seafood on the menu and that isn't what they pitch. I don't eat seafood though, so I am probably in the minority.
Inconsistent food quality, menu too long, atmosphere is nothing extra. I've lived in Gloucester 24 years, this restaurant tries too hard to be something it is unable to achieve. Hopefully they'll figure out what their food/restaurant identity is, and stick to it. There is talent there.
I feel as though for the price of the dishes and the ambiance that is provided that the food would be a little better than it was. I have only been to alchemy one time, but I was not entirely impressed. I will try alchemy again to give it a second chance, but my first impressions were not 100% positive.
I'm keeping my reivew short. Fabulous on all accounts! I believe "Jen" was our server and she is awesome. Gloucester needs more updated places like this!!!!
I have gone here four times and the food and service have gotten progressively worse. We were there on a night when there were maybe two other parties, and the service was horrendous. I gave it four chances, and will now pass on my experiences with all. Too bad
Posted by: Amy at April 16, 2005 03:18 PM
i went three times. the first was good, the second time it was okay, and the third time it was inedible. maybe if they pared down the list they could consistently prepare a fewer number of dishes that would be enjoyed,
Posted by: sue at March 23, 2005 03:58 PM
I have few complaints about Alchemy. My husband and I have been for dinner several times, and I've enjoyed nice luncheons as well with family and friends. The atmosphere is funky and inviting and the staff (different each time) has always been friendly and enthusiastic. My only complaint about the food mirrors KES's, that I expected much more peanut sauce in the Thai chicken pizza (and possibly a bit less cilantro), but I have experienced a different meal every time, from different pizzas to meat dishes to pasta dishes to salads, and I haven't seen the dryness or tastelessness that previous posters had the unfortunate luck to experience.
A friend sensitive to spices accompanied me once and her requests were promptly met with the one exception of the discovery of an overwhelming use of black pepper in the otherwise delicious butternut squash soup (which I was happy to finish for her while she chose an alternate selection!). The place has always been pleasantly crowded but not to the point that my party was ever refused service (the closest seating problem was being seated at a tiny table right next to two tee-shirt clad gentlemen preparing pizzas, but with one request we were promptly moved to a cozier table).
I can't say I'm qualified to predict whether Alchemy will stay or go, but although I miss the Sunny Day like anyone else, I do plan on eating there as long as it's here in town.
I don't think people who eat here are looking for a Boston experience, but they are looking for a new experience and the experience here has always been inconsistent. While the quality of the food is certainly first and foremost the sign of a good restaurant is the WHOLE package. Eating out is expensive and people should get what they expect. Some dishes are hit or miss, you order one thing and are totally surprised by what you actually receive - and not in a good way. There is a big push to be innovative and different when there is nothing wrong with the basics. I think that the Franklin has set a definite precedent and many of the new places are trying to be better or just as good, when they should simply be themselves. If all the restaurants are modeling themselves after the same type of food and atmosphere than there is nothing to set them apart and they might as well just be another pizza and sub shop – of which we have plenty.
Posted by: Jessica at March 9, 2005 12:40 PM
I've been here three times: The first was very good, the second was fair, and the third was good. I guess it's not consistency, but just how you hit it.
Posted by: M.T. at February 8, 2005 01:10 PMFor all of you snobbish, condescending, cantankerous grouches, please construct reviews that are more about food quality and less about wordy text that rambles. I have no allegience to this place but have eaten there at least a dozen times with different people. The food is inventive, fun, and fresh. The service although young also tries hard to please. Good food and kind service. If you want a Boston experience then try Boston -- the Oak room awaits. Alchemy is the best new place in the Gloucester.
my wife and i went there on a saturday night about 6:00. we were told they were fully booked for the night and could not accomadate us although there were several empty tables. sorry, i won't try again.
Posted by: BRIAN at January 25, 2005 12:35 PM
I fall somewhere in the middle or reviews here: Had a really yummy lunch with several sisters-in-law, felt the selections we tried, a pizza, a salad with lobster, the avocado BLT, were all well-prepared and ingredientd fresh. Cost vs. portion vs. quality made me think Alchemy was good, but a tad higher than other comparable choices on my lunch budget. Still good, but not a meet you there biweekly spot for me as Sunny Day often was (or even weekly).
When a comparision is made, Alchemy is bound to fail in my book. Sunny Day welomed all sorts of people, and mad everyone feel at home. I wanted to go there as often as possible: with my child, husband, friends, to meet neighbors, etc. Children were very welcome and it was the only place in town where I felt truly comfortable taking my child. The increased beauty of the space has the tradeoff of a newly beautiful living room: Won't be taking the likely to burp baby or two minute meal Preschooler in there. I wish them well, but if Sunny Day were there, we would have been a dozen or two times not once.
Posted by: Sara and at January 5, 2005 04:53 PM
I have to agree with the earlier review of having the ability to give no stars; if Alchemy were a waiter I would have left no tip. The menu encompasses too many items and genres to contain fresh ingredients, and to that note our waiter told us the spring rolls like many dishes are FROZEN (sadly). Our waiter opened our overly priced bottle of wine (if you are going to charge Boston prices have a sommelier on staff), left the foil on, and put down the bottle like a beer and walked away. The staff was standing 4 feet away at the registers complaining about going off duty soon, other customers, snapping towels and pouring ice water down each other's backs. Our meals consisted of the seafood risotto and a forgettable, dry chicken dish that was overly salted and poorly prepared (left uneaten). The risotto was disappointing to say the least. The "seafood" risotto claimed to have lobster in it though to date no lobster has appeared at this culinary crime scene. Overall the facility was clean and the ambiance enjoyable, unfortunately that is where it ends, we have been there twice in total and the service has been fair to incredibly unprofessional, the food quality while may have begun with decent ingredients died a fateful death enroute to our table. This is only further perpetuated by their consistent ability to be "OUT OF" menu staples on a regular basis. On the night of our "last supper" at Alchemy Jeff a co-owner in the establishment was dining adjacent to us and witnessed the most of the debacle that was our dinner. Jeff was entertaining a friend and overheard the exchange between my wife and I about our unfortunate meal. Unassumingly he asked, "How was our meal?" After a lengthy discussion about what needed to be resolved with regards to our earlier aforementioned issues. Jeff finished writing and provided us with little satisfaction. The impression with which he left us was that this was an isolated experience of poor service, and a bad night for "cook". No apology was made, nor were we given the impression that Jeff was going to make attempts to correct the matters we addressed. Apparently from reading other's reviews our attempt was correct. Jeff a word of advice, you were an unbelievable proprietor when it was a coffee shop, you make a lousy restaurateur.
Too much going on...need to simplify menu and dishes. Using too many "faddy" or hip ingredients is not cool. Have been twice, horrible service once and ok service the 2nd time. Food is inconsistent. Fries over salted.
Posted by: j at November 27, 2004 04:23 PM
We've eaten multiple lunches and dinners and I keep thinking it's going to get better, but it never is. I recently had a tuna steak over a salad, and the mixed greens were the highlight of this dish. The tuna was hard and had absolutely no flavor. The fish and chips were average, the fries soggy. A co-diner had their fisherman's stew (not sure if this is correct menu name) which he said was delicious. There was a copious portion of fruits de mer. I love the concept of Alchemy (apart from the overwhelming menu, which makes me wonder if it can all be fresh), the environment is fabulous and their pizzas are really good. Pizza can not carry this restaurant however, and I pray that they slim down the menu and focus on consistency. Maybe it's a pet peeve of mine, but if you don't eat what's on your plate shouldn't the waiter/waitress ASK if there is something wrong with the dish?
We went with the intention of having a cozy romantic dinner for two,thinking that that was what the atmosphere displayed, but instead we were seated next to a large party of obnoxious loud people. The service started out good, but quickly turned poor. Our server paid little attention to us.Beverages and meal courses were unevenly timed. The food was average and I do not recommend the chicken lasagna. The chicken was very dry. Maybe we'll try one more time for lunch, because every restaurant has a bad night.
Posted by: Miranda at October 31, 2004 02:15 PM
I loved it! The menu is a little ecletic for Gloucester, but everything I've had so far has been excellent (4 times) The seafood risotto is the best I've ever had.
Posted by: vicks at October 23, 2004 06:32 PMI was a bit astonished to read Jen's review that the atmosphere was "overly formal and stuffy". I could not disagree more... I thought the atmosphere was cozy, fun and comfortable. This is certainly not a diner, and from what I can tell doesn't bill itself as one - but anyway, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
As for my opinion, I had lunch at Alchemy today and really enjoyed the experience quite a bit. My husband had the fish tacos with coleslaw and thought they were both fantastic (this comes from someone who is quite picky about his fish tacos!). I had the Thai Chicken Pizza. It was good although the peanut sauce only showed up in a limited number of bites. It was sort of an integral part of the pizza so it would have been nice for it to have played a more leading role. My 2.5 year old daughter had a hotdog and french fries. The fries were among the best I have had.
Although the restaurant was pretty crowded the service was above average. Our food came quickly which was important since we were with our young daughter. I felt the restaurant was child friendly - in fact after lunch our daughter played with some of the toys that are stored in baskets under the coffee table (by the couches and chairs that form a living room type atmosphere). We were so comfortable and she was so happy that we ordered coffee and cappucino (which was excellent) and sat for awhile on those VERY comfy couches. Although child friendly, the restaurant was certainly not overrun with children, so fear not, if you plan to visit without them.
I will definitely go back although I agree with others that the menu is too extensive. Also, they could use a graphic designer to work on the layout of the menu. It is not at all attractive or easy to navigate. It is a bit of a brick wall.
The service was great, but the menu was too big, the food overpriced, and the atmosphere overly formal and stuffy.
I ordered the shrimp spring roll appetizer, and for $9 I got one half of a spring roll stuffed with noodles and exactly one piece of shrimp, accompanied by a dipping sauce that had absolutely no flavor. My partner ordered a fish dish that was also unexciting and expensive.
Just not crazy about this place...if I wanted that kind of atmosphere I'd go to Boston, and the quality of the food doesn't match the prices. I miss the Sunny Day.
Posted by: Jen at September 28, 2004 04:07 PM
If I were rating the dining atmosphere, Alchemy would earn 5 stars. The food earns 2, but hoping for improvement, we give it 3. The extensive menu makes one wonder how it can all be fresh. For lunch, I had the smoked BLT with avacado (bacon had been "hanging around")that had been sparingly spread across ordinary supermarket brown bread. It was overpriced, for what it was.
Dinner was a bit better, although a caesar salad should be made with romain not iceberg lettuce. The portion was small and again, overpriced for what it was. The hibachi grouper was ok. The fish was nothing special, and it was literally submerged under the "alchemy" of the accompanying veggies. There was a tuna dish (can't remember the name, because there is just too much to remember on the vast menu)that had a kitchen-sink variety of vegetables and spices that cover flavour, rather than enhnace. The tuna itself was small and not fresh tasting. Here's where Alchemy falls down-mixing flavours and spices should tantilize and seduce the pallette, not overwhelm it.
I have been to Alchemy two times, once for lunch and once for dinner. The newly renovated restaurant is beautiful, a very big change for sure. For lunch the menu is pretty broad, I had the Black Bean Burrito and a piece of the Cheese Pizza. The burrito was ok, but a little bland. The pizza was very tasty - lots of garlic - so be aware if you're going on a first date.
The dinner atmosphere is nice, they set up tea candles all around the restaurant and dim the lights a bit for a cozy feeling. At dinner they offer fresh bread and olive oil, both of which were good. For my dinner I had the Alchemy Green Salad with Chicken. The salad was delicious, with plenty of sun dried tomatoes.
For dessert we had a piece of the peanut butter cake, which was very good, but a little too rich.
The service was great, our server was attentive and pleasant. Our water glasses were filled at least twice. The prices for dinner are a little high, but very similar to the Franklin or Passports.
I would definitely recommend Alchemy for a nice lunch or dinner.
Posted by: Molly at July 29, 2004 10:20 AMPost a review! (Read Posting Guidelines.) The name field is a required field (real name or screen name). Due to an overload of spam, an email is also required to post a review. Only your name or screen name will be displayed in your entry. Cape Ann Web will not use or distribute your email in any manner - it's simply an added measure in our battle against spamming. Thanks for understanding!