Me and my boyfriend LOVEEE Oak to Ember! Since it has opened we've probably been here 8-10 times. We make excuses whenever we can to eat here. I love the half smoked chicken, and he usually gets the steak la grand. We always get the clam chowder before our entrees too. Usually I'm taking home leftovers and chess pie . The cocktails are wonderful, servers and staff have always been friendly and attentive, and I love the layout of the restaurant. Opposing some other reviews, we always make a reservation online and are always sat within 30 seconds of walking in the door. We like the high tops to see the open kitchen and the hostesses are usually accommodating and seat us there unless it's incredibly busy. Favorite restaurant in town :) read more

We had the steak frites which were cooked perfectly, the baked cod which was classic and excellent, and the brisket ragu which was terrific.

We have been to this restaurant many times but tonight everything we got was so bad :( we started with the wings which were overcooked and then got the French onion soup which tasted like dish water.. it had absolutely no flavor at all. I also got the farm salad which was a bowl of wilted arugula with no dressing and huge pieces of tomato tossed in a bowl. It looked like the chefs absolutely gave up.. We also got a burger after the soup and salad because nothing else was eatable and it was raw in the middle (ordered med). I'm not one to leave reviews but this was the most disappointing meal I've had in a long time. No effort or care went into anything we got. read more

We met friends last Saturday night for dinner and the restaurant was full and very welcoming. The staff greeted us with smiles and led us to the table. I got the last piece of the haddock that was fresh off the dock and it was spectacular. The fish had a nice roasted texture that was set on an assortment of roasted vegetables which was unique and delicious. The restaurant is very clean and you can watch the chef prepare the food! When we left we were again greeted with thoughtful well wishes of safe travels. We cannot wait to go back to see what is cooking next! read more

The service at Oak and Ember is poor. Entrees were brought to our table before the appetizers were removed and they weren't our entrees. When ours did come we were told certain ingredients were not available for the dish. That should have been mentioned while ordering. Steak and burgers were both over cooked. I had eaten in this location when it was a brewing company and restaurant. The food was better then and the ambiance, particularly on the deck, has not changed since. A restaurant in this price range needs to be much better. There are plenty of fine restaurants in Gloucester who care more and it shows. I will not eat at Oak and Ember again. read more

I really wanted to like Oak to Ember unfortunately we will not be back. Came as a large party to try and really want to support the new restaurant however the food was just not good. The drinks were subpar, very small wine pour and very expensive for a house glass. I understand this is a smoky feel with char however we got the market steak that was $95 and it came with brocolini and potoatos both were burnt. The steak was not a 24 ounce, maybe if you weighed the big platter it came on. The steak was not juicy and had a dry rub and funky butter sauce to a $95. My sister got the chicken and it was not charred it was black. Again wanted to like but we will not be there again. Its too bad, it has a large neat bar and would like another intown place to grab a glass of wine and a small meal or split apps, but again food was less than middle of the road, and prices are New York City prices. read more

We attended the food and wine pairing. The entire experience was wonderful! The food was fabulous, the pairings of drinks with food were perfect and the service was top notch. We will definitely be going back read more

Went here on Valentine's night for a very nice dinner. Careyann got the Filet . Well let's just say that they gave her a knife..... it was not needed.. fork cut it easily cooked to perfection as was the seasoning. I got the whole Bronzino, something I have never had, it too was fantastic. Drinks were very diverse and well made. The appetizers were fantastic. The staff was very knowledgeable and engaging our waitress was Ila (sp) ?.. she was great. The interior, well let's just say very warm,open,clean and bright, truly unrecognizable from the previous establishment. The bar area looked very nice . Hope to sit there as well. I did not believe that such a large interior was possible in this location. We will most definitely be a frequent visitor to explore the vast menu and looking forward to our next visit read more

Lila was the BEST. And the food was, too! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Fish tacos, WOW! Chowder, amazing!

My husband & I have been twice. Tuna Au Poivre and Scallops were amazing. I grew up with a neighbor who was a tuna fisherman and my close friend's dad was a scalloper - we had the freshest seafood you could imagine so I am typically skeptical ordering either when out - but Oak to Ember was INCREDIBLE and cooked to perfection. Our server was wonderful too. MANY Thanks. We will be back. read more

As a frequent diner at Oak to Ember, we always appreciate the attention to detail. The menu is varied with many choices to suit our tastes. We always find it delicious and well prepared. We also appreciate the always friendly service . Today they started brunch so we knew we needed be there and we couldn't have been more pleased. It was a beautiful sunny day and the view off the deck was everything Gloucester. We had the Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros and both were delicious. Oysters and Bloodies made it all perfect. Service, as always was friendly and timely. We will be back! read more

My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful birthday dinner at Oak To Ember tonight. The food, service, and atmosphere were flawless. We shared the grilled oysters, I had the duck confit and my husband had the tuna au poive. The rosemary bread pudding finished our meal perfectly. Thank you to Danielle for excellent service and great recommendations. We were recommending Oak To Ember to our friends before we even stood up from the table. Can't wait to come back! read more

Great menu! Great service! The whipped ricotta... holy moly! The shrimp and grits was a thing of beauty!

One of the best restaurants in the north shore. The vibe and service are excellent. The wood-fire/open flame cooking makes the smokiness of the dishes fantastic. From the apps to the main dish, the food my wife and son had was great. I'm usually not a dessert person, but this is a spot to bring your appetite and save room for dessert. read more

Very disappointed in the newest restaurant in Gloucester. Way overpriced!!!!! The menu offered burgers for $22.00 with American cheese the only option. It came with string fries and if you wanted real fries it was $10 more. Burgers were raw after ordering medium. $15 for a small glass of red wine and $8 for a beer. Dessert was $10 for a passion fruit tart which slid around the plate and had to be held down to break off a piece. Our friends ordered the shrimp and to me their portions were very small. The total bill for us was $90 including tip. Our friends paid substantially more. Wait staff was very attentive and the decor was well done. I'm giving a 2 hoping they can improve as they settle in. There should be recalculation of the prices as well. We will not be going back there anytime soon. read more

Just did not love it here. Food all veered on bbq even when it was far off (ragu pasta). Kale salad was inedible and that says a lot coming from a kale lover. Odd crowd - ranged from folks straight from a boat to dressed up elderly. Didn't give off the higher end vibe we were seeking for our anniversary. read more

We liked the ambience and the staff was friendly and checked in not too little and not too much. We had the haddock sandwich which was excellent. read more

Needs improvement, but I'll go back. Steak and frites were cooked well but the bearnaise sauce was like hot butter, no tarragon or shallot taste to it. The seared pork was good but the cabbage sounded good, but wasn't a good pairing. The paté was served way too cold, lacked flavor and the bowl it was in was very hard to get it out of. Get rid of the bowl and let it get to room temp. Also, the place lacks any kind of atmosphere. Lots of local artisans. Get local, support the arts, be part of the community not some urban annonymous restaurant on such a great location! read more

Absolutely worth going to during our visit to Gloucester. Friendly attentive service and good music that was not too loud as we ate outside on their beautiful patio. My husband and I shared the decadent cheese fondue appitizer for lunch. Then I had a delicious fresh tuna tartare which was just filling enough for me. He enjoyed the steak and hand cut french fries with the skin on. read more

Stopped in on a Saturday night, limited menu. Salad was soggy, cocktail sauce had way too much ginger. Inedible. Expected better!

Our taste buds were awed! We enjoyed a 6 course tasting menu and wine pairing that was excellent. The preparation, the presentation and the palette pleasing dishes were delicious. Elegant dining at its best. Bravo Chef Neal. We are planning a return holiday tasting and would encourage others to do likewise. Oak to Ember will not disappoint. read more

I really can't give the one star because we weren't able to experience the restaurant. We got up and left after a few minutes. To start at the beginning, I made a reservation for my husband for our anniversary. We arrived and walked into a very hot and uncomfortable environment. The hostess sat us down and I said to my husband it's really hot in here. I couldn't imagine trying to eat a hot meal in this heat. We asked if there was seating available outside. The hostess said she wasn't sure but would check and see. She walked by us few times but I guess was busy seating other guests. She didn't seem really concerned to get back to us. No wait staff came over to offer drinks. So we got up and left. We walked by two other hostesses and nobody asked what was wrong or why are you leaving. I was very disappointed. I was hoping to try a new restaurant. Hope I can update this review in the future. read more

We have eaten here twice, once in (I think) May and again just last week. Both times, the food and service were excellent. Our more recent visit was on a Friday, in July, in Gloucester. Although it was easy to place a reservation just a few days before, the place was pretty full when we got there, I assume with walk-in traffic. It took a few minutes after we were seated for our waiter to arrive, but from that point on, the service was flawless: attentive, timely, but not intrusive. We split a grilled oyster appetizer, it was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and cooked just to the point where my oyster-averse wife and I, a raw oyster fan, could both enjoy it. I had the brisket ragu, which was fine, my wife had the grilled chicken, which was delicious, easily the surprise hit of the evening. We shared a strawberry clafoutis dessert, again excellent. Other than the oyster appetizer, portion sizes were generous. Wines by the glass were more varied and better quality than I'm used to seeing at any place but a wine bar, and priced reasonably. read more

Service was attentive. Unfortunately the table near the door was noisy and was not part of the cool vibe of the restaurant. Food was delivered in less than 5 minutes from ordering. Duck was dry and smoked brisket overly smoked. We were looking forward to enjoying a new restaurant in the area - disappointed. read more

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Oak to Ember......and LOVED it! It was lively with a nice stream of dinner goers which made the vibe great. Our server/service was outstanding - she was so friendly/knowledgeable and clearly took pride in her work. (not always a guarantee). The food was excellent - my wife had the scallops and I had the tuna au poivre - 100% recommendation - I will be coming back soon. Thanks Oak to Ember! read more

A great addition to the Gloucester dining scene. We've been with kids, without kids and in a group and it's always been delicious. Looking forward to sitting outside this summer to enjoy the view along with the great food and drinks. read more

Oak to Ember is one of the best spots in the Cape Ann area! They have an amazing menu along with great cocktails. Their burger and fries is so good! Will be back! read more

Overall a disappointment. Went with my wife plus two teens. We had a reservation, and upon arrival, we were told that we would be sat in 5 min, but we waited for about 25 min despite seeing open tables. They only told us why we had to wait after we were seated and I asked the manager. My wife's chicken was good, and my soon's seafood stew was good. The two medium rare burgers we ordered came in well done despite my emphasis w/ the waitress when I ordered that we really wanted it medium rare. They brought us a third burger to compensate for the mistake, even though there were two wrong burgers, to begin with. The waitress was really nice and patient. The manager, despite her dislike of the situation, kept herself very cordial. She gave us a discount on the bill, but what we really needed was just a good experience, which we didn't have. This was a second attempt at this place, but there will be no third one. read more

I never leave reviews but after getting the steak frites It deserves it! Best steak I have had in a long time cooked to literal perfection and so flavorful. The fries and salad were great too! Can't wait to go back! read more

Tried this new spot in Gloucester for the first time last night and loved it. First of all, kudos to the bartender for making probably the best Cosmopolitan I've had outside of my own house in years. Ice cold and light pink - just like it should be (not sweet and red, like you get at some restaurants - yuck). For food, we first had a few raw oysters (yummy) and the wood grilled calamari. The calamari was prepared with a really interesting combination that included almonds, peppers, and olives. It sounds a little odd maybe but trust me it was delicious - highly recommend it. For entrees, my husband had a perfectly cooked Steak Frites and I had the scallops, which were great. The service was also good, and I liked the vibe of the place. It sort of manages to feel both relaxed/cozy and upscale at the same time. A great new addition to Gloucester. We will definitely be back! read more

With something to celebrate, my wife and I decided to try this new Gloucester restaurant that I've been hearing so many good things about, and it exceeded my expectations. This might be the finest restaurant in Gloucester. The owners have really fixed up the interior, it was comfortable and quiet and has a really neat vibe. The martini was good and strong and the wine-pour was generous. Oysters were great with a perfect sauce with a nice little kick, and my steak was cooked perfectly and was delicious, with a tasty but not-too-heavy Bearnaise sauce. My wife loved her app and her fish, and our server was perfect, friendly and attentive. It was a perfect choice for our little celebration. I'll be going back often, and very soon. read more

Amazing food, attentive service and great ambiance! Will be back asap. Get the confit duck; you won't be disappointed!

Oak to Ember is a great experience. Has been the perfect date night spot, as well as for family dinners. The ambiance is very welcoming and chill. Amazing wines, food and service. I also have loved the "Daisy" cocktail every time! The bartenders all know what they're doing. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and make great recommendations. I have gotten the smoked brisket ragu pasta multiple times which is always good, as well as the Steak Frites which is delicious. My boyfriend is obsessed with the burger especially the sauce and the fries! He talked me into trying the tuna tartare as I am not someone who usually eats raw seafood and now I look forward to getting it every time. I can't wait to go in the summer and dine outside! read more

This is a turning point. O2E is a phenomenal restaurant in a hip, fabulous way. The food is next level. Staff are charming and attentive. Great wine list. Phenomenal cocktails. This is a chic Gloucester party & you're invited. read more

A refreshing new restaurant here on Cape Ann. Walking in our party of four was greeted with great courtesy and friendliness by the hostesses. My first reaction was that it was an exploded bistro with various dining areas, large bar, and seating options in a very large space. The lighting and decor were very upscale giving a sense of welcome to all ages. We started with nice cocktails/wine and their fresh artesian bread, along with some pate which we all shared. Three of us had the flat iron steak frits, while another had the tuna Tartar. Everything was prepared and cooked perfectly along with great waitstaff service orchestrated by Joyce. We wish the entire family business great success. - L. Scarpa read more

Been a fan of Tonno for a long time and the chef decided to part ways and open his own shop at Oak to Ember (or as legend goes). Very clean and a nice vibe. Ordered scallops at the bar, returned the first batch as they were only slightly warm to the touch. I like my seafood piping hot. They graciously took them back and presented me with a fresh plate, about 2 degrees warmer. I'll give it another a go given it is just starting up, but was hoping to be wowed. Need to work the kinks out! read more

I'd like to give more stars. The food is excellent, the prices are up there as expected, interior ambiance is pleasing and well thought out. HOWEVER, the bar clientele while we were there was obnoxious and the bar staff was unprofessional for the price point. Guy next to us was clapping, yelling across the bar, swearing, but was apparently friends with the bartenders/managers who were joking around with him, and paying more attention to him than the other patrons. Anywhere else I would have expected the staff to ignore, not encourage someone who is acting like it's their first time out in public. Instead, we had to ask to get the bar staff's attention when they were busy talking to--and airing their personal complaints--with their buddies who were right next to us. When you spend over $100 for two sandwiches and a couple drinks a piece, you don't expect to feel like you're at a local dive bar, and you certainly don't want to hear the staff's grievances. Felt like there wasn't any oversight, and a general lack of professionalism behind the bar for the market that Oak to Ember is trying to capture. read more

just had the beet and feta salad. no beets. plenty of greens, plenty of grapefruit. no beets, and no cheese. second time trying it. they need to either do better job executing or change the description on the menu. read more