Ask the help about the Dickens-like conditions that they work under. It evidently shows in the service and the quality.
Posted by: WER at December 29, 2008 05:18 PM 
People think this resteraunt is deceint....
It is not .... a waitress hit me hard and shouted at me saying about her husband or something at me just because I asked them for cheese....nothing else.
Lucy Bale
What a nightmare ! It's like something out of a weird 1960s horror film. Dark room (it was an evening meal) and very old-fashioned (that's polite) furniture. Possibly the worst service this year anywhere: although she was polite the poor waitress could not even pour wine without spilling (every time) and had no idea about the dishes served. We tried the special best of Boston set meal and it was so poor we had to order more food. It seems to me that this place survives on repeat customers that are happy with mediocre food and service and keep going back for more punishment. Too poor to be even described as a tourist trap. Truly awful.
The GRAND CAFE' is grand and the foods so rich and bursting with flavor.When the new owners took over 10 years ago we had hoped they would whip it into shape and they have.It's difficult to have such a grand establishment survive in a town with a 3 month season and maintain quality, but they have done it.Since deleting another local establishment from our nightly quest for food the treasure of The Cafe holds a special place for foodies & after taking foodies from the city here even they agree the foods phenominal and not over hyped like other establishments that never deliver.It's worth it to spend a little bit more for a REAL DINING EXPERIENCE.The Grand Cafe' IS THE BEST IN ROCKPORT.
We were very pleased with our recent (1st) visit to Cape Ann. Our experience at The Emmerson Inn Grand Cafe was the best! The dinner choices my wife and I had were not only good tasting but were culinary masterpieces of art! Very well presented. Our server was pleasant. We ate on the veranda and there were 7 other tables with guests. We were there at 6pm when they open for dinner. We are sending friends there!
We went for our anniversary - what an absolute disaster!
It took nearly 40 minutes to get a glass of water. Our appetizers were brought before our drinks - the calamari was totally overcooked. When it finally arrived, the wine by the glass was wooden - we sent it back and ordered a bottle, which arrived more 45 minutes later, as we were finishing our entrees. The rest of the food was mediocre.
In summary, we had a terrible meal - the service and food were awful - but the bill was high!
Posted by: food lover at March 16, 2007 05:32 PM 
We were warmly welcomed by their personable "guest" chef, Melissa, who whipped up an incredible chocolate bread pudding. Lamb chops were uniquely seasoned and cooked to perfection. And how wonderful to have this little gem right downstairs from your bedroom! Worth a visit, for sure.
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