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Gibbet Hill Grill
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
61 Lowell RdGroton, MA 01450
(978) 448-2900
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 4 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 4 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
77 reviews for Gibbet Hill Grill
Review Highlights
"...dinner of the potato crusted haddock over corn chowder..."
(in 5 reviews)
"Everything is always cooked perfectly."
(in 8 reviews)
"...recommend that with some garlic mashed and creamed spinach."
(in 6 reviews)
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77 reviews in English
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Review from Sue D.
Waltham, MA
2/1/2012
The highlights:
complimentary homemade potato chips at the bar, served WARM.
grilled cheese is an appetizer and is somehow made hip! so good.
Menu seems to have something for everyone. Ok, maybe not a vegetarian's favorite place, but otherwise, even a picky person like me had options.
I had the filet mignon which was delicious. Of course, having filled up at the bar on chips and grilled cheese, there wasn't much room for my dinner (oops). But I did manage a few bites of the mac n cheese (sigh) before I had to pack it in. It reheated excellently the next day!
The only negative part of the experience was the wait - 2 hours on a Saturday night. We called to make reservations first thing in the morning, but all that was available was 4pm. We took our chances as walk-ins, prepared to wait. Next time we will definitely call a few days ahead. The bar area was VERY crowded, but we weaseled our way up close enough to order some drinks and eventually sit at the bar.
The ambiance was great and tables weren't too close to each other which was nice. I hate sitting on top of other people! Dress code was pretty open. Jeans are fine with shoes and a decent top (maybe not a tshirt). Was much less expensive than we were prepared for, which was great. -
Review from Eric R.
West Boylston, MA
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
This restaurant is precisely what I think 5 stars is for. I've given other places 5 stars for nailing their genre, or being outstanding, but this is the pinnacle.
Best meal I've ever had anywhere ever. Ever.
Amazing food. Amazing environment. Amazing service.
The actual restaurant is physically very warm and inviting with mellow wood tones everywhere. Outside of the giant stone hearth, I would say that there is no other texture then exposed wood. It never got loud, and I never noticed anything wrong with the place physically.
We started with some drinks, and the BBC beer they have is their own special brew. It's really amazing, with a deep stout taste and still an amber color to the ale. I kind of wish they sold growlers of it.
The appetizers were all great, with the grilled cheese plate being the knockout (who would have thought it?) and the crap dip being a close second. I'm a complete dairy and carb whore, so take it for what it's worth.
The entree I had was prepared impeccably, and the other people I were with all gushed over their respective meals. I would tell you what we had, but it doesn't matter. The entrees are all supremely amazing and you'll be fine with whatever you pick. I really just don't want to ruin anything accidentally.
I was completely stuffed when dessert rolled around, but everyone else liked what they got. I don't know, I was seeing stars at that point.
This place is awesome, and is now my default answer to "where do you want to go?"
Perfection.Listed in: You need to get yourself…
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Review from Dawn E.
Mr. Champion and I were fortunate enough to be invited on what would be the best double date/birthday dinner ever.
We arrived on a blustery winter night freezing and a touch car sick (or maybe that last part was just me) to be instantly greeting with warmth and joy both in the faces of our hosts and the atmosphere of the space.
Although we had a reservation, I popped over to the bar to get a round for my group ('twas a celebration after all) and discovered not only did they have beer from the Berkshire Brewing Company, they had their OWN BBC Branded beer and it was DELICIOUS. Champion and I both drank this exclusively for most of the night (I say most because I had coffee with dessert).
Our server was enchanting through and through. I think it's possible I enjoyed the service more than the food, and the food was excellent.
We started with the grilled cheese (it's fancier than it sounds) and crab dip appetizers. Although the crab dip is apparently a favorite at Gibbet and was very delicious, the grilled cheese won the first race. Amazing local cheeses of the day (this was cheddar on sourdough and sun-dried tomato goat on - I think - ciabatta) with a reduced tomato bisque for dipping. I think the crab dip would have been higher on the list had it been served with crusty bread or crisp veggies or pita chips instead of the boxed crackers it came with, for me, anyway.
I really wanted to try the butternut squash and apple soup so Champion and I shared a cup (lots of food on the way, you see) and not only was it excellent, it was light and fresh and a perfect palate cleansing in-between choice.
For dinner we all ordered as follows:
Me: Steak Frites - Med Rare
Champion: Meatloaf
Birthday Boy: Filet Mignon with salad wedged and mac and cheese (subbing the full starter salad for a side was $2 extra)
Dr. Handsome: Dry-aged Bone-in Sirloin with mashed potatoes and mushrooms.
My steak was cooked perfectly throughout and, even know Mr. C prefers his a bit more well done, he enjoyed it immensely as well. I'm not exactly sure what makes up "bone marrow butter" except, of course, bone marrow and butter, but omg. Yes. The little arugula salad (with onions marinated in awesome) it came with was a great contrast to the most perfect fries ever. Let me say that again. The most perfect fries ever.
Then there was the meatloaf (yay sharing). Holy crap. This is something your moth needs to experience on it's own. And mashed potatoes.... yes please. I also had a chance to sample the mac and cheese which was really great as well and the mushrooms ride (shiitake, portobello and oyster) which was light and allowed the individual flavors of the mushrooms come through. I did not taste the other cuts of meat but the boys seemed terribly pleased with their choices. I did get to taste the Madeira au jus (which was less au jus and more gravy) and didn't much care for it, and sadly, I went the entire meal without trying blue cheese compound butter.
And then there was dessert. Although I didn't need it, I ordered coffee. It was "good for restaurant coffee" but I was a bit disappointed. Here we have a place that goes out of it's way to locally source delicious fresh meats and veggies and dairy and the coffee is unexpectedly generic. There are several amazing local roasters (Karma Coffee, Terrior Coffee, Armeno Coffee Roasters, Armeno Coffee Roasters - they're so good I had to list them twice, even Red Barn and I'm sure more I haven't discovered), I'm baffled as to why Gibbet Hill hasn't partnered up with one of these folks. COME ON! Oh, but the dessert I had made me forget about the coffee.
Chocolate Pots de Crème (with salted caramel). Dr. Handsome had carrot cake, which I tasted and it was good. Birthday Boy has the milk and cookies, which I tasted and they were good. But the Chocolate Pots de Crème was this rich layered pile of deliciousness the likes of which I rarely find outside of my own kitchen. It wasn't a big portion but I couldn't finish it. I REALLY WANTED to finish it, but there was simply no more room. Next time, and there will be a next time, THIS will be my appetizer. -
Review from Exsquid B.
Watertown, MA
Updated - 1/9/2012
We were in the mood for another "road trip" yesterday to take advantage of the snow free driving and tax free shopping across the border. Took a chance and got reservations at the grille.... was not a mistake because it was crowded when we go there and folks without reservations had to wait awhile. (of course the small bar and space by the fireplace is not a bad waiting area.
There were four of us this time, but only two of us had app's... the clam chowder (pretty good but not spectacular) and those devilishly yummy grilled cheese dealies...there are enough for three people to share a few each... Main courses....well who goes out for meatloaf? Well apparently two of our diners did and were happily surprised by the huge block of meat (beef and lamb)... Definitely not like mom made, much better. Two of us had steaks... I had the huge 32 oz porterhouse and another diner had the 20 oz cowboy cut... Both done to perfection. I knew in advance that the huge steak I ordered would be going home hardly touched, but I love taking that cut of meat home for dinner for the next two nights....
Since we were all too full from the the app's and the bread and of course the entrees, we passed on dessert.... Oh well, something to look forward to the next time.....1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/27/2011
Talk about meat coma...... four of us made the trek to the wilds of Groton the other night… Read more »
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Review from Robin G.
Lunenburg, MA
7/3/2011
I had been wanting to go here for a long time and had heard such good things. I think we'd tried to go twice but the wait was so long we couldn't get in. This time we made a reservation and the food was as great as expected. I got a filet minon, which was utter heaven especially with the mediera au jus sauce. We got the grilled cheeses and the mussels appetizers, both beyond delicious.
At the end we got the S'mores and carrot cake dessert (though we were too full to eat much) but both were seriously yummy.
We can't afford to go there on our own but are happy to go with my parents. We all loved our meals. -
Review from Tom B.
Methuen, MA
7/11/2011
Took the opportunity on beautiful, July Sunday to have dinner at Gibbet Hill Grill. This was the fourth time we have eatern here and each time the food, service and ambiance has been wonderful. Two in the party had the potato crusted haddock and instead of the corn chowder had two wonderful sides, with the meal. Thank you for being flexible with the menu. I had the meat loaf with potato and sweet carrots. A large portion of excellent, tasty meat. A comfort food winner!
Our server was attentive without being overbearing and we always had filled glasses of water and ice tea. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an excellent meal, in a wonderful setting. -
Review from Elizabeth B.
Brookline, MA
5/30/2011
The hills are aliiiiiive with the sound of.... my stomach grumbling for delicious steak. And probably some mooing, too.
Delightful service, generous portions, quality meat (and some darn good Caesar salad as well). Bread and butter was actually WARM Italian bread and cornbread, paired with whipped butter.
Special props to the crab dip - who knew crab + cheese = heaven? Gibbet Hill, that's who. While I'm sure the salmon and the burger are tasty, please do yourself a favor and get steak. Porterhouse, filet mignon, it's all good. Ask the waitress what you feel like ordering - she'll know.
They have an extensive wine list, and also several beers on tap (including Guinness) and a small cocktail list - I had a home-made strawberry-kiwi vodka gimlet - mmm fruity.
The grass is really greener over here - at least until the sun finally sets and you can't really see it anymore. The atmosphere is a bit rustic, which may lead to sleeping in the car while sobering up enough from the "Cashmere" wine to be able to drive the many miles back to Boston.
So go on: take a walk through the hills of Gibbet, and stuff your face. You'll be glad you did. -
Review from Nate C.
Stoneham, MA
6/23/2011
I have been here several times. I discovered it by driving by.....first I noticed the barn, then I noticed the sign. That was about 2 years ago, and I have since had issues with daydreaming about Gibbet Hill at least 2x per week.
The food, the ambience, and the story of how it came to be all contribute to what in the end equates to a very reasonably priced, high quality dining experience. Groton is a beautiful town, and having a restaurant in this setting where all of the food is from local sources(which is now a fast growing trend in the Greater Boston Area) kind of makes me want to move there! If I didn't live 40 minutes away I would probably come here at least once a month.......It is without a doubt worth the drive....make an afternoon of it and walk the trails! -
Review from Liz P.
Shirley, MA
5/14/2011
My husband and I have been here twice. The place gets such rave reviews, but we just don't see it.
I don't like paying more money for average food. While not super-expensive, it's pricey enough and the food just doesn't match up. Both visits were underwhelming. The last visit I ordered a grilled tuna special - it was way overcooked (asked for medium rare) and they gave me literally a dot of vegetable and starch, certainly not enough to accompany the fish. They must have scraped the bottom of the pot or something.
When your favorite part of the meal is complimentary bread, that's saying something - something not good. I do like the ambiance of the restaurant, but it's not enough to bring me back. Really wanted to like it here, but we just can't. My money can be spent on better meals elsewhere.Listed in: Never Again
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Review from Beverly S.
Woodbury, NJ
6/15/2011
This has become one of my favorite restaurants when I tag along with my husband who often travels to this area for work. His work group frequents this fine restaurant, and he attests to its consistent high quality offerings.
My second trip was this past Monday. We had a delightfully simple dinner of the potato crusted haddock over corn chowder along with salads. I had the Gibbet Hill Salad (I love the goat cheese on top, but find I have to ask for extra goat cheese.) My husband had the iceberg wedge with bleu cheese -- his personal favorite.
We both loved our entrees; my husband has had it on several occasions. I felt it was some of the best haddock I've ever had. This New England staple isn't readily available in other parts of the country, so this was a huge treat for me. The preparation is unique and delicious. If you love haddock, you'll love this dish!
I also love the setting of Gibbet (pronounced Jibbet) Hill. Groton is a picture-postcard New England town with salt box houses, a fancy private school campus, and a rolling terrain that features green meadows and tree-lined roads. The interior of the restauant looks like a barn-converted-to-a restaurant although it is probably new construction. The open soaring space with bare beams manages to be both architecturally interesting and warm. I've been here in both in early winter and the spring time; I'm really looking forward to autumn. -
Review from AB H.
Brookline, MA
10/10/2011
Solid steak house type place: lots of meat, lots of sides made out of potatoes, mac and cheese, creamed spinach, etc. We had the grilled cheese app that you dip in tomato soup, then steaks. Everything is good, not phenomenal. Great views of their rolling pastures. Good service. Although "The Farm", the building next door for special events, has outdoor seating, Gibbet's does not, which is too bad. Would probably be a cozy place for a winter dinner.
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Review from Raymond P.
Lowell, MA
9/5/2011
I've been here 4 times now and it just keeps getting better. As always prepare for a wait. But who wants to go to a place with an empty parking lot right. My best advice is to make reservations regardless of the night. They have an amazing wine section as well as great specialty mixed drinks. I had the 20 oz bone in rib eye. This is one of my favorite steaks and its a hard one to find. Most places do not serve this amazing flavorful steak. It was cooked perfectly and they have a great selection of side items. The outside scenery is picture perfect and the rustic look inside screams New England. This is an amazing place for a very special night.
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Review from Jim F.
Concord, MA
12/26/2010
Gibbet Hill is one of my favorite restaurants. It has an upscale steak house ambiance, and the natural surroundings are rather beautiful. On nearly every Saturday that I've gone there, there has been a wedding going on next door, with people dressed their finest in a party atmosphere. I happened to go there when the restaurant was having a anniversary of some kind, so it was a little extra-special, but only a little.
Before we order, they served us some homemade potato chips to enjoy while we made up our minds. The sax playing softly in the background, and the fireplace blazing next to us helps to set the mood. The atmosphere is warm, upscale, classy in a country sort of way, and quite relaxed.
The service is prompt and good. Soon after we order, fresh warm sourdough bread and cornbread is brought to our table. The sourdough has a chewy crust and delicate crumb, and the cornbread melts in our mouths. When the opening act is this good, your anticipation of the main event starts to build.
For this occasion they offered us a wine flight of three wines:
(1) Row Eleven "Vinas 3" Pinot Noir 2007, which they aptly described as balanced and complex, with notes of cherry/smoke/pepper
(2) Mitolo "The Jester" Shiraz, 2007. Big bodied, with berries, mocha, nutmeg, and coffee overtones
(3) Clos du Bois Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006. Described as "luscious and ripe... deep plub, blackberry, and licorice flavors... and an oaky finish"
All three wine selections were excellent.
For the appetizer I had the giant Jonah crab, with shell on, whole shrimp w/cocktail sauce, plus Gibbett Hill chili sauce and chili peppers. Ok, good wine and a great appetizer. I'm in a good mood already.
The fire in the fireplace is blazing, eyes are starting to glisten, and the conversation is good. This is going well...
My entree was a dry-aged bone-in salmon, with an impressive combination of shitake, portobello, and oyster mushrooms complemented in color and texture by butternut and acorn squash.
Unfortunately I didn't write down what we had for dessert. I think I had a chocolate creme brulee, but I could be wrong. All I remember is that it was great, and that we had a great time.
Put it on your list if you happen to be in the vicinity of Groton. It's a 5-star place for me. -
Review from Marcy K.
11/4/2010
We were invited to dinner at either Gibbet Hill or the Capital Grille, our choice, and being that we had never been to the former for dinner...and it was closer to us...we decided that Gibbet Hill would be great. Our reservation was for 7:15, and we were seated almost immediately.
The ambiance is beautiful, the service excellent. We had a nice window seat overlooking the gorgeous grounds, but being that it was pitch black and rainy, we couldn't see anything beyond the window.
I am not a big wine drinker, but I did partake a bit of the bottle of red Malbec Mendel, Mendoza, Argentina 2007, which my husband said was "smooth" and not too dry. I guess that means it was good. Our friend enjoyed it as well. The bread selection, especially the moist corn bread, was tasty.
Our meal consisted of crab cakes with hot red pepper puree; clam chowder; porterhouse steak with baked potato and squash; pan-roasted lamb rack with sugar pumpkin puree, succotash, and red wine soaked cranberries; and seared sea scallops, celery root slaw, and pan-fried green tomatoes. For dessert we shared five right-out-of-the-oven choc chip cookies and ice cold milk. Of course we sent home the leftover cookies with our kind host.
The chowder had a respectable amount of clams, but it could have been hotter, and after the fact, I realized that the pumpkin puree never made it onto my plate. I had to add a micro-sprinkle of salt to bring out the taste of my lamb, which was otherwise delicious. The porterhouse steak was cooked perfectly--melted in your mouth--and our friend enjoyed his scallops.
We'd definitely return, perhaps during the day or earlier in the evening when we could appreciate the surroundings a little more. -
Review from Andrea Q.
Milford, NH
11/7/2010
3.5 stars (4 is too many but giving 3, I feel like I'm knocking them unintentionally).
I heard really great things about Gibbet Hill Grill so I'm a little bummed that my experience didn't live up to my expectations. J and I showed up around 6 on a Saturday night. We did not have a reservation and I knew from the reviews here, to expect a wait without a reservation. Not a big deal since we're actually late eaters and we just happened to be in the area and thought we'd take our chances. It was packed and the hostesses (yes, plural, there were 3) said to expect to be seated between 7:00 and 7:15. That was okay with us, there was a wedding going on outside and the restaurant was crowded so there was ample people watching to do (even a man wearing pale coral colored pants!! a man! CORAL! NO!).
The restaurant is beautiful. It felt homey and comfortable without being stuffy or uptight. Overall, like others have said here, there's a very pleasant ambiance and I enjoyed having a look around while we waited.
Around 7, we noticed that it seemed as though a few couples who put their names in after us, were ushered ahead to a table. Huh? At 7:15, we noticed another couple being seated who definitely came in much later than us and put their name in and I remember hearing the hostess tell them that they would likely be sat about 7:45 or 8pm. Finally, we confirmed with one of the hostesses that our name was indeed on the wait list and it was but for some reason was at the very bottom of the list. We weren't given a table until 8:00. I am really patient when it comes to restaurants being busy but this was ridiculous. I'm not saying it was intentional, but clearly someone goofed up and made us wait a lot longer than we should have. The only reason we stayed was because I wanted to see what the fuss about this place was all about.
J and I started off with the Crap Dip. It came with ritz-style crackers and had large lumps of crap in it but it tasted like nothing more than crab and cream cheese. Didn't taste bad of course, but I felt it needed a little zing.
For dinner, J had the Meatloaf and I had the Haddock. The meatloaf was really bland and salty, which J was really disappointed with. It needed some worcestershire, tomato paste, garlic, etc. Just something to give it flavor other than salty ground beef. His maple glazed carrots and mashed potatoes were very good though.
My haddock was crusted with tiny pieces of crispy potato crumbs and it was resting in a corn and bacon chowder. The whole meal was very good. The fish was cooked perfectly and the chowder had the right balance of smokiness and creamy buttery corn.
For dessert, J and I shared the blueberry lemon tart. They were out of almost every dessert except for this and the pots de creme. We were glad we chose the tart because it was very good. Sweet, cool and just a little tang of lemon.
I'm hoping they were just having an off night with the bland meatloaf and uninspired crap dip. I hope that their usual practice isn't to move people around on the wait list. I love that they use local ingredients when available (many from their own garden) and it is a beautiful restaurant. I will give Gibbett Hill Grill another chance to wow us but next time I will make a reservation! -
Review from Jacob R.
Minneapolis, MN
9/17/2011
Great New England atmosphere!
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Review from Matthew H.
Braintree, MA
11/22/2010
Awesome.
Wife and I returned here to celebrate our 1 year anniversary (we were married on the lawn and had our reception in the barn.
We had a 9:30pm reservation and had to wait about 15 minutes because the place was absolutely packed with lively "squatters" but we were seated as soon as someone departed.
We had 2 waitstaff and the waiter was hilarious. He peppered us with random trivia (e.g. what is a gibbet, who was the youngest person to sign the declaration of independence, etc.) As a great waiter always is he was there when we needed him and otherwise disappeared.
I had the braised short rib which was to-die-for (could be in part because I hadn't had red meat in about 10 days - a serious turn of events for me I assure you).
For dinner I got some kind of free-range chicken and it was perfect (I think it was braised in the signature "Gibbet Hill Brew" - an IPA made by Berkshire Brewing Company).
To our pleasant surprise, our deserts were taken off the bill because the hostess felt badly we had to wait when we arrived.
Perfect night in my book. -
Review from Pam K.
Salem, MA
10/26/2010
Love this place. Big rustic barn, great atmosphere, had a wondow seat so we could watch the cows wander by. Seriously. There were cows. Wandering by. We mused upon the concept that we were eating soem of theri family members, but we're carnivores, so that's just how it has to be.
Service was fantastic. We brought Mum there for her 90th birthday dinner and were not disapoointed. Steaks were cooked perfectly, sides fantastic, and the apple dessert thing I got was applicious.
Though we sat at table, dinner at the bar woudl be lovely. Big fireplace, nice bar. This woudl be a gre place on a wintry evening. Love it! -
Review from Barbara B.
Stow, MA
11/15/2011
Lovely setting, excellent food ... I only wish this restaurant was closer so that I could eat there more often. You definitely need a reservation on weekends, and at full capacity the dining room can be a bit loud. Overall, an "A."
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Review from Laura H.
Groton, MA
2/22/2011
Gibbet is definitely a favorite in my book! Yes, I live in Groton and there are not a ton of restaurants out here but this place gets an A in my book!
I love the upscale country feel of this place! The steaks and burgers are always good and usually what I go for. The bread basket is always a favorite too!
I would highly recommend Gibbet for a special family dinner or couples date night out. -
Review from thomas n.
Townsend, MA
7/28/2011
THe place is beautiful, both inside and out especially with the sun light slanting across the fields......drinks were ok, appetizer fried cheese very good, haddock in chowder different, pretty good, filet done as orcered, pretty good, not too much flavor but perhaps i should not be ordering filet, service pleasant and attentative, pretty busy place for a wednesday evening......they screwed up the check so that was an unpleasant ending..
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Review from Marissa S.
Salem, MA
9/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
One of my favorite restaurants mainly because everything is grown locally and fresh. The meats are unbelievable. We live in Salem,Ma and this place is definitely worth the drive.
I always get the meatloaf - it is a huge portion and comes with veggies and mashed potatoes. Amazing. Hubs gets the filet usually. Everything is always cooked perfectly.
It is a great meal for a good value. -
Review from Deepa C.
Somerville, MA
11/24/2007
Came here for the pre-fix Thanksgiving with the in-laws (my MIL's kitchen was being remodeled) and it was quite nice. Gibbet Hill itself is very New England pretty - even more so on a misty fall day. My mom started planning my sister's wedding upon arrival (she is currently single).
The inside has a cozy, rustic atmosphere. The staff was friendly and helpful; I really liked the warm vibe the place had - from the owner to the wait-staff.
The food itself was simple and well prepared. Us carnivores went for the turkey dinner (turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, and squash) but they had tons of options if turkey wasn't your thing. The array of starters was impressive, as were the desserts. They kept everything simple, because they were feeding the masses, but didn't compromise anything else.
I would def come back here for dinner -great presentation, fantastic service and a scenic setting. If you are up for a drive and have some money to spend, take the trip. I can see it being especially nice during foliage season and in the spring.Listed in: Dining Diva
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Review from Bill O.
Westford, MA
10/6/2006
I know a lot of people love this place, but I don't see the charm. While it is a beautiful rennovation on a nice setting (especially at sunset), the service is mediocre and the food was rather dull. Salads my wife and I had were drab, and the dessert menu was particularly lacking in chocolate. The steak I got was not memorable, and was slightly overcooked.
The wine list was a complete joke. One of those that doesn't print the vintage on the list, and mostly third-tier California wines. Virtually no Bordeaux (which should be illegal for a steak place, IMHO.)
I've only eaten there one time, and I probably will give it another shot or two.
I went in with high expectations, so maybe that's part of why I'm so down on the place. After reading this, maybe you'll have the opposite experience. ;-) -
Review from Chris F.
Boston, MA
4/27/2009
Yeah, it's in a converted barn. So the open, two-story ambiance is nice.
But beside that, the menu is chock full of unbelievably fresh and delicious options. The filet is like you're eating a meaty cloud. The steak tips were off the chart, and the meatloaf was so good it nearly caused my friend to dance on his chair. The meat is, from what I understand, supplied locally by a legendary farmer.
Great selection of wine, too.
It was also funny when the rack of glasses on the left side of the bar fell and caused a twenty-second waterfall of shattering. -
Review from andrew s.
Brighton, MA
1/20/2009
Love this place - classy, great food, great price.
I highly recommend making this a dining destination for you folks in Boston. We were seated in the upstairs loft section, you get a bit of noise from the bar and waiting line below, but not enough to spoil what is really a special ambiance. The rustic setting, complete with fireplace, was a great place to go for a birthday celebration (which this was).
I got the Butternut Squash Bisque to start, along with a 10oz Hangar Steak, Creamed Spinach and Mac and Cheese. Everything was cooked perfectly and was amazingly good. The steak had that great "steak house char" on the outside that you get for $20 - $30 more at other places (without sides). The spicy arugula salad delivered before the meal, compliments of the chef, was a very nice touch.
My father's steak tips did lose their temperature up the flight of stairs, and had to be sent back twice. They got it right the 3rd time, and the waiter and manager both dealt with the situation professionally.
All in all, it was a great experience and plan to go back as soon as possible.
Sidenote - they bring warm cornbread to start the meal...........did you hear that? WARM....CORN....BREAD............ -
Review from Tom D.
Beverly, MA
4/26/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Wow, this place was amazing. It was my boss' birthday, so in her honor the work crew ventured out to the rolling pastures of Groton for a celebratory dinner. Despite being an hour ride from my town of residence, I would make the drive here any day of the week to have a meal like this again. I am dying to go back here!
Our party had made reservations well in advance and thank God we did. This place was packed when we arrived! Even with a reservation we still had to wait awhile for our table. Ordinarily, this isn't a problem, you just go to the bar and have a pre-dinner cocktail, right? Well, the bar was mobbed, too, so that wasn't quite an option so we just had to wait awkwardly by the hostess stand and constantly shift around as people needed to get by. The lack of a good waiting area is my only complaint about this place.
After we were seated everything was top notch. Our server was excellent and made great recommendations. He really knew the menu well. I started with something called the Executive Decision cocktail. I can't remember was the base liquor was (I know it wasn't vodka or gin), but I'm a sucker for any drink with blue cheese stuffed olives, so I thought it was fantastic.
Following the pre-dinner cocktail, the grilled cheese appetizer was magnficent. An upscale grilled cheese sandwich cut into shareable portions with a small cup of tomato soup to use as a dipping sauce. How great is that? As a second appetizer, the oysters on the half shell were big and super fresh. A little pricey, but hey, this restaurant isn't exactly seaside. We have to consider transportation costs, right?
I remember there was fairly sizeable time lag between appetizers and entrees, but boy, was it worth the wait. My steak was perfectly cooked, juicy, well-seasoned. Absolutely dynamite. And in addtion to that, it was affordable! I felt $25.50 for the sirloin with two sides was a great deal. Also, you can do add ons to the steak for a small upcharge. I opted for caramelized onions. Those coupled with the sauteed mushrooms I had for a side...I tell you it was heaven in my mouth.
To round out the meal, I asked the waiter for a dessert recommendation and he suggested the pot de creme with salted caramel. I wasn't steered (Get it? Steered? Because it's a steakhouse!) wrong. A wonderful end to this wonderful meal.
As you can probably tell by now, I loved everything about this place. The ambiance, the food, the service, it was all superb. Yes, the Gibbet is quite a hike from, well, pretty much everywhere but it's worth the drive. If you're a city-dweller, do yourself a favor and rent a car for the evening and make the trek out here for an unforgettable meal in a beautiful setting. -
Review from warren w.
Concord, MA
Updated - 12/21/2009
Back again for a function I put for 30 managers and guests. The same room was ordered up with a 7:30 start time. I knew in advance we would be delayed just with Christmas parties etc and the restaurant was packed. So we all gathered as best we could at the bar and I relayed drink orders to two very fast, efficient pro's and they made martinis of all flavors, very genrerous glasses of wine, beers and mixed drinks. The delay was only 15 minutes as the staff cleared the previous party. Up the stairs we go to a wonderful atmosphere of fire burning, post and beam and just a great setting that took us away from the crowd downstairs.
Service was impeccable as waitstaff climbed the stairs all evening. Appetizers consisted of a display of dips including the well-known hot crab spread, home made onion dip, and various cheeses and crackers. Passed appetizers were small grilled cheese sandwiches to be dipped in a very thick and creamy tomato bisque, scallops in the best bacon ever, and more and more.
We chose 4 options for dinner and one vegeterian for a couple of guests. Osso-bucco (spelling I'm sure), NY sirloin, haddock encrusted in a crispy potato outer layer over corn chowder,and salmon. Every guest remarked how nicely hot and perfect each entree was served and the wonderful quality of each dish. I ordered the haddock and would frankly ask for the haddock to be served separately the next time as the chowder mad my dish sweet but that's just me. No taking away a star because of my taste.
So dessert was a sorbet and apple crisp and by the look my partner gave me and the near perfectly cleaned plate I would say the crip was a winnah!
So yet to come by for dinner without a large group but for now 2 functions that have been more than perfect.
10 minutes from route 3 (route 40) and 15 minutes from 495 (route 119). Easy parking, wonderful food and staff followed up the ambience you would expect in Groton!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/28/2009
So in honor of a great staff at one of my businesses, we all got together at Gibbet Hill for drinks… Read more »
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Review from Peg K.
Westford, MA
10/20/2010
We eat here about twice a month. The food is always wonderful and service comes with a smile. One time my husband mentioned the piece of fish was smaller then usual and they brought a whole new piece.
The views out the windows are beautiful and you may get to see a wedding on the side lawn as we did on Sunday. -
Review from Lauren v.
4/18/2008 1 Check-in Here
Gibbett Hill Grill was incredibly talked up. Could be that people in Groton really don't have that much to talk about. True, I had a really good burger with blue cheese and the bread was very yummy. And yes, the view was very pastoral and pretty. But why such a fuss? It certainly wasn't the best burger I have had. The service was pretty good, our waitress was very amiable and super attentive.
I'd give it a whirl now that the fuss has long since died down. -
Review from Erin M.
Peabody, MA
9/25/2011
If I could give this place 0 stars I would. However, I was not able to eat there as the manager was very rude to my family when coming for a birthday party on a Sunday. She was not accommodating to our HUGE party...of six...and was incredibly rude to the members of our party and were not flexible in their seating arrangements. Will never go back.
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Review from Lauren D.
Cambridge, MA
4/5/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Ok, so it's only one of two restaurants in Groton. And yeah, Groton is in the middle of nowhere. This still doesn't mean Gibbet Hill doesn't deserve a 5-star review.
The space is bangin' - pimped out barn-style with exposed beams and plow decor. Sick.
The food is delicious. May I recommend the brussel sprouts and the wedge salad. The steaks are pretty epic as well.
The wine list is fantastic, the food is spot on, and the drive out to Groton makes me want to shoot myself. But hey, at least you get to see a few cows. -
Review from Shanley S.
Groton, MA
2/22/2010
If I had written this 3 years ago, that would have been 5 stars.
I've been going to Gibbet Hill going on 6 years now (I even attended the Friends and Family event before they opened, and was there on opening night). And honestly, it was far better 6 years ago. Usually I find that it takes a couple of years for a restaurant to hit its stride, but GHG has done the opposite. The food has become boring and stale, and even their famous steaks were substandard the last time I dined there. It seems the only thing that has stood the test of time is the Butternut Squash side order (a must order if you are going to dine there).
During my last experience I began to notice the telltale signs of my tenure with a restaurant coming to an end. The wine list had become much more expensive, The servers were not as cheery as I had remembered (one who brought our food was actually downright rude and sighed at me when I asked for extra bernaise) and the managers looked incredibly unhappy to be there. Not to mention my steak was still bleeding... not what i'd call medium.
So if you've never been, or have only been in the past few years, then by all means go and experience what GHG has to offer. They still have a few good attributes (bartenders who remember your name, a great selection of bourbons), but for this girl, the party is over. -
Review from Roger S.
Shirley, MA
8/14/2008 2 Check-ins Here
The atmosphere is great, in their large rustic barn. It has a casual contemporary new england feel that makes you feel at home. The open kitchen gives a good view and the bar is dark and intimate.
I've tried the restaurant over four times and I've left there wanting a better food experience. Not bad steakhouse offerings, but nothing particularly memorable. Rather bland flavors for upscale prices in a wealthy little bedroom community.
I can only recommend the atmosphere and the bar with a very decent selection and excellent staff. -
Review from S D.
Groton, MA
9/22/2010
Last night was the first time my husband visited Gibbet Hill even though we live right down the street. It was our anniversary so we decided it was a perfect time to try it.
We started off with the wonderful cornbread they give you! This is some of the best I've ever had. It didn't crumble like most places I've been to. I would go again for this alone! We moved on to the Grilled Five Cheese with tomato sauce. They did some with cheddar and others with a goat cheese. The waitress told us they always do the cheddar but change up the other. Either way, they were delicious.
We decided to split a meal since we were filling up on the bread items (I mean c'mon....it's BREAD!). We ordered the sirloin tips, garlic mashed red bliss and citrus honey carrots. The tips were cooked perfect, the mashed were tasty, and the carrots were cooked like no others I've had. They were firm, flavorful and not overcooked.
Honestly, I thought the food for the price was okay. The thing that sold me on this place is the atmosphere! It's beautiful inside. The stone fireplace (which I wish they used a real flame fireplace instead of putting glass oil lamps in it) is from floor to ceiling. Maybe they use it as a regular fireplace once the weather gets cold? The decor is barn like but with sophistication. I would love to see this place during the holidays.
All in all, it's on my list of places to return to. Also, for a Tuesday night, it was pretty busy and most tables were full. -
Review from Michelle B.
Pepperell, MA
9/8/2010
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants. It's got it all: fresh, farm raised food (vegetables, meat and homemade breads), great ambiance and very accommodating service. The prices are also reasonable.
First off, the location is great - set on a gorgeous farm on the hill looking over Groton, MA and into Pepperell, MA. The restaurant itself is very inviting all year round, especially cozy in the winter with a beautiful fire place to sit by while you wait to be seated and fully stocked bar to visit with a great wine list (always changing/updating) and good selection of liquor & beers. The decor is updated rustic; exposed beams with a scaled up country feel.
I would highly suggest calling ahead to make a reservation if you plan to go on busy nights (Fri, Sat, Sun) no matter what the size of your group. There can be over an hour wait sometimes, depending, if you don't.
The service is outstanding and timed perfectly. I've never felt rushed or anxious/neglected for even just a moment. Servers are attentive and able to adjust anything on the menu to your liking - or easily swap out sides, etc. They also have good knowledge of the wine list to recommend great pairings.
Dinner starts out with a drink order and a basket of bread (go for the cornbread!). The food itself is absolutely outstanding. I've not sampled the entire menu by far, but everything I've tried (nearly every appetizer, a few salads, and several entrees) has been excellent. My go-to favorite is the Filet because this is just one of those restaurants where you should splurge and treat yourself to an amazingly (farm raised, grass fed) prepared steak. It's a delicious cut, served with any number of toppings and sauces, if you like. Once, mine arrived overcooked and I had to return it - which was not a problem - but did leave me hungry for a bit longer than I had planned!
The sides consist of anything from asparagus to creamed spinach, carrots, mushrooms, a homemade crock of macaroni and cheese, and the list goes on. All are great. Again, go for some of the homemade bread to round out your dinner.
The dessert menu is always changing just a bit depending on seasonal treats and availability of berries/pumpkins/etc. I've tried several of the dessert menu items and never have been disappointed. My favorite, though, to be honest is the warm milk and cookies! This dish comes with a small jug of milk and a bunch of warm cookies to dip. Normally, there are chocolate chip and then ginger snap or another variety. Delish! A perfect way to end a great meal! -
Review from steve s.
Watertown, MA
10/3/2011
Excellent place. The food was really delicious. I got a NY Strip with creamed spinach and a caesar salad. Everything was excellent. Definitely go here!
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Review from Kerri O.
Updated - 2/8/2009
Just went for my Birthday Dinner. Note: if it's your Birthday, or Anniversary, your Dessert is on the House.
We went on a Sunday, which tends to be a little less crazed than Friday or Saturday nights. We did get seated by a couple who had a toddler with them who let out intermittent, earsplitting, and inexplicable shrieks. The floor manager came over, at one point, to ask if we wanted to move. Big PLUS for that. We stayed, because we were afraid we would get another server. Our server was Ryan, and she was marvelous. She was friendly, attentive, and went WAY beyond the norm for service.
She cajoled the chef to allow me to have a cup of their corn chowder as an appetizer. I thank her so much for that. It was wonderful. They really ought to put it on the appetizer list. She even would not let us leave without a little chocolate sample, even though we didn't want dessert.
She even made me cram the last of my luscious Filet Mignon (with Sweetie's urging), before she'd take my plate away. Honestly, she was the best server I've ever, ever had. And she has some competition, there. Dot, at the Mews in Ptown comes to mind.
When we come back, I plan to request her, specially.
Of course, the food was great. As I mentioned, the corn chowder was fantastic. I got the Filet, with Onion rings and Butternut squash. Though I did not completely clean my plate, I did my level best. It was all perfectly done.
On a final note, we sat next to a couple who were there for the first time, for their Anniversary. I'm so glad they got Ryan as their server. She went out of her way to make it a great night for them. It was really sweet to see, and it was apparent that it made a huge impression on them.
When we left the restaurant, we took a couple of minutes to drink in the full moon lighting the fields and fells around the place. It was so peaceful, and worthy of a Yankee Magazine Cover, or a Maxfield Parrish painting. Simply terrific.Listed in: Places for Dawn to Visit, Some of my favorite Dining…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/5/2007
This is my favorite restaurant in the area. I've read through the reviews, and have a few comments… Read more »
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Review from Chad T.
4/23/2009
There are so few good restaurants around the Westford area that it is nice to have a go-to place where you know you're going to get some good eats. I've have been here several times, with groups ranging from 2 people to 20 people, so they do just fine with big groups.
Their porterhouse is consistently good, so if you really love meat I'd recommend that with some garlic mashed and creamed spinach. I don't think the add-ons like the shrimp or bearnaise sauce are that good or worth the money, so just go basic and you'll never be unhappy.
I would have given this place 5 stars if they had a better selection of wines by the glass. That's probably the only thing I wish they did better on.
Oh, and you will not go home hungry. -
Review from Chris C.
6/18/2009
I know everyone says they love this place, but I just don't get it. I've been here a bunch of times and even went on its opening week, but every time I go I like it less.
The food is average for somewhere as expensive as it is and there is nothing interesting on the menu. Its basically country/home cooking that is done well. The wine and beer selection is not very good and the bar is tiny. The only thing that makes it stand apart is the atmosphere as the inside is really pretty and the pastures its in are beautiful. But I would recommend you save your money then drive somewhere else unless you live in Groton and don't want to leave town.
