The hotel is beautiful and very clean, the food is excellent. We had dinner NYE and since we live in CT we have eaten here often. But it was our first time staying at the inn. It was a nice room but the inn is old so for elderly and disabled people (there are no elevators) most of their rooms are second floor rooms. What was not good was the staff and NYE manager. Very cold and unfriendly. We realize at this time of uncertainty with Covid-19 people are uncertain and a little on edge. We decided since we could not leave our state to travel we would try it here. In times like these people need friendly, helpful staff members. When we would ask a simple question, like, (can we take food and or drink back to our room), our questions were met with cold, unfeeling responses. Each time, not just once. The only staff member whos first name is Mattea, was so kind and friendly and helpful. The rest acted as though we were being bothersome. Then when we went to check out, our bill was higher then expected. It was due to being charged twice for one night. When making a reservation here they take the first night and charge the credit card but they tried to get it through again. I fixed that situation. I was not happy by the way they acted towards guests and ourselves. We also asked for a room facing the water when making the reservation, we didn't get that.…
Although a limited menu, the food was really good. We were sat in an alcove and other diners were far away. The service was impeccable and we felt really comfortable. We stayed for almost 3 hours and were never hassled about the amount of time we were there.
We chose the Griswold Inn for our annual family get-together this year and really glad we did! The meal this past Saturday night was outstanding from the appetizers to the drinks to the dinners, oooh and the deserts! We had the full range from steak to scallops (fab!) to pasta, honestly everything was THAT GOOD! The staff waited on us very attentively which made the whole time even more enjoyable. The Chef readily handled our special requests, and we topped it off with a round of House Special hot-buttered rum. We also stayed that night at the Griswold in one of it's buildings across the street (above the Coffee Room) & it was a gift! In reality, it was a suite with a fireplace that we continued our annual family trip into the wee hours the next day. Sunday morning came with fresh coffee and continental breakfasts all boxed up for us ready within 5 minutes of my phone call. Truly, truly a memorable weekend and we spent the rest of Sunday exploring the shops and museum all along Main Street. Thank-you Griswold Inn for making our annual family trip a most excellent time!! John & Debbie Sedor, Branford, CT …
We were shopping in Essex and stopped at the Griswold for lunch. It is a nice Inn with a great history. The food and service were very good. We ate outside on a patio across the side street and the tables were spaced out properly and everything was very clean.
We have dined at the Griswold Inn Wine Bar on several occasions. It has always been very, very good. However, when we heard that the chef in charge when we had visited previously was no longer at the Wine Bar we were apprehensive about going back. Not to worry! Chef Ferrisi is on top of it. Tonight we enjoyed one of the best meals we have had in a very long time. You may have a better recipe (but I doubt it) for a scallop dish (on a potatoes cake with curried cauliflower puree) but you will never find better preparation of a scallop; perfectly seared and crusty on the outside and creamy on the inside. I raved to my wife as much about the potato cake as I did about the perfectly cooked scallop that she risked anaphylactic shock ( she is allergic to mollusks) to try the potato. She thought that it was worth it and yes, she is ok...thanks for asking. We also shared the Potato gnocchi with carmelized onion, gorgonzola and blue cheese and the white asparagus risotto. Both were very, very good. The only issue is white asparagus. I have never had white asparagus that was not tough and stringy. This was not the exception. But if you are looking for a truly exceptional meal at a very reasonable price, this is the place to go. Actually, it would still be worth it if the price were less reasonable. …
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