Periwinkles   

I have eaten here many times and each meal I've had has been the best. The waitresses take care of you without being asked, they always know when to approach you to see if you need or want more. Simply the best!

We spent a day at Crane's and we were starved. We showed up at Periwinkle's -- my 2nd visit -- and at 7:00pm on a Saturday night only needed to wait 30 minutes. It was perfect -- just enough time for a drink. After our drink, we sat down for dinner and were confronted with a waiter who rushed us with everything, but more importantly, seemed so rushed himself that you might have thought we were in a NYC diner. The food there is OK -- better than average -- but not so amazing as to warrant putting up with horrendous servous. Ultimately, the evening ended when the waiter spilled an entire glass of red wine on my white sweater and favorite pants -- everywhere. He apologized, but seemed more concerned with getting us up and out than expressing his concern with the mess he just made. He provided me with seltzer, but I was so seriously covered in wine that if I tried to wet it all down with seltzer I would have been soaked. They removed the cost of the glass of wine that had been spilled and promptly presented us with a bill -- without asking if we wanted coffee and/or dessert. The manager offered to pay my cleaning bill -- but also seemed more concerned with getting us out than expressing a sincere apology. Nothing was comped, no warm gesture was offered. They were so rude as to be bordering on odd. We were not offered anything to make us feel better about what happened -- I was soaked. The manager seemed confused when I expressed that I was less than satisfied. "What do you want me to do?" Hmmm . . .

Periwinkles is by far the best restaurant on Cape Ann. The atmosphere is lovely and romantic and the food is out of this world. We visit Gloucester once a year and always look forward to at least one meal at Periwinkles. Matter-of-fact, we're waiting for Southwest Airlines $29 fare to Boston to start so we can fly up from Philadelphia just for dinner!!!