The Rudder

Review summary

1. S

   Sara

   Greater Boston

   5 reviews

   2.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on October 5, 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 2

   [n/a I have nothing publicly to report as my reservation was cancelled by the restaurant.]
   

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2. G

   Glenn

   Greater Boston

   13 reviews

   1.0

   13 reviews

   Dined on October 4, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   Received a message several hours before our reservation that they had shut down due to unforeseen circumstances. I'll only beg to differ in that you could see it coming for a long time. Someone in our party had a gift certificate that we were going to use before they closed down. Go figure.
   

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3. M

   Marion

   Dublin

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on September 25, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Walking into the Rudder, the stiffkey-blue like panelled walls and paint and gorgeous long bar immediately felt cosy and Rocky Neck complimentary. The lighting was dim and sophisticated, a fire creating warmth and ambiance in the corner. We sat in the main dining room. We walked into the restaurant on entering and waited for the host. When he appeared, he asked us to walk back to the entrance door to check our reservation. I thought that was odd and not very polite! Our entrees were delicious- crab cakes, a Bibb salad and friend clams. When our main course arrived, our entree plates hadn’t been removed. The young boy just looked at us and left them down on the table haphazardly. He had an attitude and wasn’t client focused. The pepper and salt mill didn’t work. I had a salmon Niçoise salad which was served with a blob of mashed potato on top. I didn’t touch that! There were no anchovies or black olives as served with a traditional salade niçoise and perhaps they were short of green beans as there were hardly any. Cherry tomatoes do not belong on a salade niçoise. Removing plates before everyone at the table is finished eating, is an American practice I cannot understand and was not appreciated by my European friends! The chocolate mousse was delicious. This could be classy but the service needs attention as does the salmon. Almost.
   

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4. TL

   TimothyL

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   12 reviews

   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on September 22, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Second time here. Both very nice food and service
   

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5. P

   Paulette

   Greater Boston

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on September 21, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Always love the warm welcome! The food and service are delicious and creative. Our favorite spot on the Northshore!
   

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6. R

   Ray

   New York City

   5 reviews

   1.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on September 19, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Been to Gloucester multiple times and have been to 10 or so restaurants in the area. Looking forward to a memorable up-scale dinner at the Rudder. Totally disappointed. Worst dining experience ever. Ordered the "Crispy Duck" entree. What I got was the "Rubber Duck", Have ordered Duck in other places and enjoyed it. Seemed that this Duck was most likely pre-cooked and frozen or refrigerated and then re-heated for service. Skin was definitely NOT crispy but rubbery. The duck meat was very dry and stringy. For a $42 meal, it was horrible and only accompanied by a "smear" of whipped parsnips and nothing else. For $42, I would expect at least a few seasonal vegetables , some string beans or maybe a small side salad. My wife ordered the grilled halibut at $38. Also very disappointing. It was overcooked and dry, accompanied by a watery version of ratatouille. Dinner started with a few tiny disappointing bread "knots". In short, it was the most expensive meal we had in Gloucester and the worst experience. DO NOT WASTE YOUR $$ AT THE RUDDER, lots of better places to eat for less $$.
   

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7. P

   Paulette

   Greater Boston

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on September 18, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   As always, great food, service and energy! Love the views. Recommend patio seating.
   

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8. GG

   GiGi

   Greater Boston

   6 reviews

   4.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on September 14, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The ambience is great The service was wonderful There was a special 2 for 1 lobster. They were large Only $22 such a great deal. I had a glass of Bouchée that was divine. Lobster doesn’t tell me if the chef is great so I have to go back for a regular meal. I hope the restaurant is successful. It’s wonderful to have somewhere to go that’s local.
   

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9. P

   Patricia

   Manchester

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on September 13, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Seated waterfront as per our request. Attentive service throughout meal. Cocktails were elegant. Had shrimp cocktail and double lobster special. Bread fresh with exquisite olives for dipping and butter drizzled with agave. Relaxed. Wonderful.
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Poconos

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Wonderful experience all around! Staff was awesome 😎
    

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