Our dinner last evening was one of finest we've had in all the years we've visited Cape Ann. The food was outstanding and the ability to select half portions of both food and wine allowed us to enjoy several dishes without ending the meal uncomfortably stuffed. The service was also first rate. I would highly recommend Duckworth's to anyone who enjoys creative and wonderfully prepared recipes. We look forward to a return visit soon. 
Our dinner last evening was one of finest we've had in all the years we've visited Cape Ann. The food was outstanding and the ability to select half portions of both food and wine allowed us to enjoy several dishes without ending the meal uncomfortably stuffed. The service was also first rate. I would highly recommend Duckworth's to anyone who enjoys creative and wonderfully prepared recipes. We look forward to a return visit soon.
Our dinner last evening was one of finest we've had in all the years we've visited Cape Ann. The food was outstanding and the ability to select half portions of both food and wine allowed us to enjoy several dishes without ending the meal uncomfortably stuffed. The service was also first rate. I would highly recommend Duckworth's to anyone who enjoys creative and wonderfully prepared recipes. We look forward to a return visit soon.
I loved this place..the seafood stew was awesome..would def. go back again..Just wish it were a bit bigger..but then again if it were bigger I would wonder if they could keep the quality the way it is...Pricey but well worth what you get our check was $100 for 2 people but that is with a bottle of wine..:)
If they only had a little bit more space to move around in (and particularly for the bar), it would be better than it already is...which would be hard. The 1/2 portion of the risotto should be illegal; it's better than drugs. (I'd guess...)
In response to Ms, Slater;
I cannot imagine why your request for the recipe was ignored. We are more than happy to share recipes; there is generally the matter of having Ken write them down but I have the risotto reciped saved on my PC as we have shared it before. If you are still interested in the recipe please call the restaurant and I would be happy to either fax or email it to you.
Sincerely,
Nicole Duckworth
There was no lobster in the grandchild's Lobster Risotto. I asked for the recipe for this risotto since it appears to be quite an economical dish but was ignored. The service was maddening. 
Excellent Excellent Excellent!!!!!
We ate at Duckworth's on a snowy Friday night. The Seafood Stew and the Lobster Paella were outstanding as 1/2 portion appetizers. The steak and chicken entrees were spectacular. Dan is the GREATEST! Once again, Duckworth's delivers as the premier dining experience on the North Shore.
What a meal! Such fun. My wife and I ordered half portions each of the shrimp, monkfish, duck and veal. Our first fish course/meat course dinner in a long time. All four were great. Nicole's bread pudding was a real New England way to end a perfect dinner.
I do like this restaurant, and hope the service issue experienced recently was just an off night for them. Reservations were for 8pm we were kept waiting for 10 minutes for a table without apology or explanation, when the party left the table we were to occupy it was slowly cleaned and set. The hostess acting as bartender, food runner and bus person does not work. Once drink orders were taken the drinks sat on the bar for at least 5 minutes while the server had to bus and clean a table. The food was quite good but must say the steak served with two cold sides could've used another hot item, since it is now September.
A true gem. The food takes you to another world. Thoughtful wine list. Great service. Owner/chef buys local & supports our fishermen...even donating a percentage of sales to those who have lost a family member at sea. Wow, a true class act! Thank you.
Fantastic Dinner and Incredible Service! The seafood stew was amazing and the steak excellent. Thanks Dan for a great dining experience!
Simply the best on Cape Ann. I have eaten there six or seven times with family and friends and have never been disappointed. The fish is fresh and never overpowered by heavy or over spiced sauces. I love the appetizer sized options for all of the dishes…they all sound so wonderful I can never make up my mind. Thank you Ken!!!
Eric - Gloucester
Posted by: Eric at August 9, 2006 03:53 PM
Had my third wonderful meal at Duckworth's last night. Oysters were wonderful, as were the seared scallops and the venison. Desserts were very good, too. Excellent service and great atmosphere made it a night to remember. Go with someone you really like for a special treat.
Is this what used to be The Raven?
My husband and I ate their last night and had a very pleasant experience. The atmosphere is great. It's actually a little loud, but that makes it feel more informal. Food was great--and the half portion option was really amazing. I actually contemplated having two half portions of my main entre to try two different things, but came to my senses--and saved room for dessert! Wine was lovely. The idea that we could order small or large glasses of wine by the glass, great, too. My appetizer, a corn soup, was delicious. My husband had the bouillabaise and thought it delicious, though there was barely any soup in it--all shell fish, etc. We weren't sure if that was design or mistake. He had to dip to the bottom to get it. But it was good. My course I had the pork tenderloin with watermellon and really enjoyed. He had a fish course. I think, perhaps, the only disappointment was dessert. It was good, but not amazing. ANd I'm a dessert person (I had peach crumble, he had lime cheesecake.) Overall, a very good experience. ANd we're NY food snobs, so this is high praise!
We would like you to know that we appreciate your remarks and we have added another server each night so that our staff may not be stretched too thin.
Thank you,
Ken and Nicole Duckworth
Took my hubby here for birthday dinner on Thurs and was mildly dissapointed. The staff seemed to have good intentions, and I realize that good food prepared to order takes a long time -- my issue is that we were without water or our already ordered drinks (wine by the glass) twice for very long periods of time during the times we were eating our meal. I need to have a beverage while I eat, so I stop eating to wait... and what a long wait. Also, when the waiter asked if we had questions about the menu I asked about what was in the Seafood Bouillabase. He described the bread croutons that stick out of the dish with "delishious" rouille spread on them. Those were not even in my dish -- missing completely. I didn't say anything. And when the hostess/bartender/(owner?) set my meal down she said I'll be right back with a bowl for your shells and a spoon. Good thing I did not wait for that! Never came. The pluses, my husband loved his meal (chicken something-or-other) and we both loved the shared appetizer portion of lobster risotto. Still, the service thing was too much and I will not be back.
There are so many things to recommend here. First and most importantly...the waitstaff. They are the real deal. They don't walk around with chemical spray bottles cleaning tables when diners leave. They make informed wine recommendations and don't offer the most expensive wine as the best. The last time I was there, the bottle of wine they brought to me didn't match in year to what they had on the menu. The waiter noted this prior to opening so I could choose whether or not to keep it. Tragic that this is considered exceptional, but most waitstaff here on the island wouldn't have even noticed. I had the full portion of a seafood medley that was encased in a philo-like dough (I can't remember the name of the dish). It was the sauce was delicate yet rich, totally delicious and so full of seafood I could barely finish. I should have ordered the half portion (another plus to eating here). I had the soup du jour as a starter and it too was great...perfectly flavoured and again, I could barely finish. My collegue had a salad which looked perfect. I think it was a nouveau caesar-like salad. I wish I could remember. My mouth is watering just thinking about this meal. I hate to sound redundant, but too I lived in France for several years and agree with other reviewers...Duckworth's is reminiscent of chez Bocuse. I would give it trois fourchettes (the french are stingy with their stars or forks, as the case may be). Duckworth's is on the pricey side, but hey, good food ain't cheap. Take note: You need to reserve if you want to sit at the bar.
My wife and I had the pleasure to live in the south of France for 6 years. We are now back in New Hampshire and have been searching for an exquisite dining experience on a par with what we enjoyed in France. Friends in Gloucester told us about Duckworth's Bistrot and we had the most wonderful dining experience there since returning back to the USA.
There were many choices available and we loved being able to select small or large portions. The small portions allow you to sample several selections, or simply keep the size smaller. The meals were prepared very authentically French and just delicious. Service was not slow but what you would expect it takes to prepare a delicious dinner (and to have time to socialize).
I am sad I live an hour away! But it was well worth the trip. We will be back.
Posted by: Lee at March 29, 2005 07:44 AM
There's a problem with eating at Duckworth's--it spoils you for eating just about anywhere else, anywhere else in the world. It's THAT good!
Posted by: Steve at March 27, 2005 05:25 PM
The food at Duckworth's surpasses anything we have had in Boston and is more on a par with Paris. My husband and I eat here often - at least once a week and have never had a meal that was less than exquisite. From the Lobster Risotto - lots of lobster and the most creamy risotto that almost makes you swoon - to the organic veal that is so melt in your mouth you try hard not to moan out load.
My husband always orders the quail salad to start with - lightly fried quail over greens with scrambled eggs. Now how creative is that!
And the martinis are a must. Kathy shakes them to perfection. Tiny slivers of ice that float and sparkle on top and send shivers down the spine.
Finally, the wine list. Creative and wonderful is simply an understatement. Even offerings by the glass are a delightful surprise. If Ken - the owner and chef - recommends something, don't do anything buy nod your head.
Yes, the service can be slow, but who would ever want to hurry through such a dining experience that one can only be grateful for?
We have eaten at Duckworth's Bistrot many times. The food is the best that we have had outside of Boston. The presentation is excellent and everything is perfectly seasoned. The dishes are imaginative but the chef has obviously had classical training. Everything just tastes good!
The staff is warm and very accomodating. They seem to understand the meaning of the word "service". The service can be a little slow, but when you are having such a nice time who is in a hurry? Every time we have gone it is like one big happy party!
Try it.You will love it.
Posted by: Marie at March 21, 2005 09:05 AM
Have eaten there twice: once for brunch and once for dinner. The brunch was okay, there was a set menu and not a lot of options. The food was good but not worth what they were asking and the service was slow. Had better experince at dinner, the food was wonderful, innovative, tasty and well prepared, but again the service was very slow.
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