A Village Guide to Eats and Treats
Bistros and Cafes:
Top Dog (2 Doyles Cove Road)
How about a fresh Chihuahua? This dog is steamed or grilled and topped with jalapeno peppers, salsa, and cheese. This innovative restaurant serves all-meat, turkey, or veggie dogs just the way you like them.
Beach Street Bistro (18 Beach Street)
Just across the street from Front Beach. Start your day with the strawberry pancakes, head over for a lunch of grilled chicken salad, or stop in for an elegant dinner featuring Tuscan herb-rubbed pork wrapped in prosciutto.
The Greenery Cafe &
Restaurant (15 Dock Square)
You can pop in for a fresh, made-from-scratch pastry and cappuccino in the storefront style cafe, or return for a lunch or dinner menu that features fresh lobster, steamers, steak, and a first-rate salad bar.
Lograsso’s Cafe & Bistro
(13 Railroad Avenue)
This daytime deli turns into an Italian-American bistro at night with a menu that includes puttanesca over ziti and “Extreme Pasta Chicken Salad”.
Porticello (32 Bearskin Neck)
Pan-baked specialty pizza and great pasta dishes. Try one of their oven-baked extravaganzas like the “Hot Sicilian”, and wash it all down with a root beer.
Flav’s Red Skiff (15 Mt. Pleasant Street)
Everyone’s favorite, hands down. Just go.
Dining with a view:
The Grand Cafe at Emerson Inn by the Sea (One Cathedral Avenue)
Named the “Editors Pick” by Yankee Magazine. Jumbo shrimp martinis and the Grand Cafe Lobster, are my favorites.
Brackett’s Oceanview Restaurant (25 Main Street)
Fish lovers and carnivores will both enjoy Brackett’s diverse menu. You’ll find traditional seafood favorites like clam chowder and fish cakes, but also lasagna and baked stuffed chicken. Don’t leave without ordering grape-nut pudding for dessert!
My Place By-The-Sea Restaurant (68 Bearskin Neck)
There’s something about dining in the fresh ocean air that makes dishes like poached mussels in white wine taste even better. Watch the 4th of July fireworks and Rockport bonfire from the outdoor deck, fabulous!
Ellen’s Harborside Restaurant (1 T-Wharf)
Three generations of the Balzarini family have been serving up memories in this beautiful restaurant featuring daily specials. Aside from seafood, this restaurant boasts the best pit barbecue in the area.
Roy Moore Lobster Company (39 Bearskin Neck)
This is what I call “roughing it” to the max. Stop in for a traveling dinner of lobster, and eat it on the rocks at the far end of the Neck while enjoying the panoramic ocean view. The experience is priceless!
Lobster Pool Restaurant (329 Granite Street)
Enjoy deep-fried seafood, fresh lobster, hearty salads, chicken, and home-baked pies. Extra large picnic tables outside, inside accommodations are comfy and warm if there is a sea breeze. Kids love to climb the rocks while adults linger over a glass of wine and watch one of the best sunset views in Rockport.
The Blacksmith Shop Restaurant (23 Mt. Pleasant Street)
This historic restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with special delights like crab cakes Benedict and pan-seared salmon drizzled with lemon wine sauce. Don’t want seafood? Try the fresh veal Marsala or a nice sirloin steak.
The Sea Garden Restaurant at the Seaward Inn (44 Marmion Way)
This breakfast-only restaurant is off the beaten path but well worth the drive. Try the Granite Pier French Toast or the Gap Cove Omelet.
Helmut’s Strudel (69 Bearskin Neck)
Strolling with sweets and snacks. Been walking and need a unique treat? Try a flaky pastry or Austrian strudel with an espresso or fresh-squeezed orange juice. A must in your travels through Rockport.
Tuck’s Candy Factory (7 Dock Square)
A variety of incredible chocolates, truffles, and treats of the finest quality. Don’t leave without some buttercrunch, and grab a box of taffy for the folks back home.
Rockport Fudgery (4 Tuna Wharf)
Hand-whipped copper-kettle fudge. Buy it by the piece or the pound but buy enough, because it may not make it home. A wide variety of flavors, but there’s something to be said for simple chocolate fudge made well.
Sundays (3 South Road)
Creamy and rich, ice cream never tasted so good. Stop in for a cone or dish to stroll with, or linger over a big hot fudge sundae with all the fixings, and don’t forget the cherry!
Places to shop…
With the vast array of specialty shops lining Main Street, School Street, Dock Square, Bearskin Neck, and Whistlestop Mall plenty of retail therapy is available in Rockport. But don’t forget to look out at the water once in a while!
Sara Elizabeth (5 Whistlestop Mall)
If you haven’t seen these graphic textile prints, you’re in for a treat. Trained by the renowned Folly Cove Designers, Sara Elizabeth has retired, but Isabel Natti carries on the tradition in this tiny shop tucked away in Whistlestop Mall. Isabel will happily explain the process of block printing on paper and cloth using her 19th century Acorn press.
J.M. Syron and Bonnie Bishoff (31 Poole’s Lane #20)
Syron and Bishoff have been collaborating in designing and making furniture since 1987. By combining polymer clay surfaces with wood and carved elements, they create unique yet practical furniture.
Village Silversmith (27 Dock Square and 20 Bearskin Neck)
Are you looking for a signature piece of jewelry? This family-owned business has been making stunning pieces for over 30 years. From green tea turquoise pendants to contemporary silver pieces from Tucson, you’ll find something for every outfit you own.
Mark, Fore & Strike (5 Dock Square)
Who needs the Hamptons? Stop in for fun, casual apparel and accessories for women and men. Really great shirts, shorts, and resort wear. Jackets, belts, jewelry, and flip-flops fill out this upbeat store.
La Provence (21 Dock Square)
Jacquard linens are a staple here, but you’ll also find Henriot toiletries, Quimper Faience pottery, and gorgeous Roger & Gallet gift boxes. 100% all natural vegetable based fragrance-free soaps.
Good Dog Gallery (6 Dock Square)
Every dog lover knows Stephen Huneck’s whimsical prints of canines in action. A great selection of his work, along with dog collars, leashes, pillows, lamps, rugs, books; you get the idea.
Bearskin Neck Leathers (7 Old Harbor Road)
Don’t let that old seventies feel fool you. When you step into this terrific leather shop, you’ll see a selection firmly in the new millennium with a huge selection of coats, jackets, handbags and accessories. Naot and Dansko orthodic footwear, and Minnetonka sheepskin slippers.
Butlers Haberdashery (39 Main St.)
Wonderful men’s and women’s clothing and sportswear and a fine selection of accessories. If you’re traveling and need anything for beach, town, or dining out, you’ll find it here.
Toad Hall Bookstore (47 Main St.)
Founded in 1972 as the direct result of Earth Day, Toad Hall has always given 100% of its profits to environmental projects. A charming bookstore with a terrific selection.
Hanna Wingate of Rockport (11 Main St.)
Antique and reproduction furniture, with a focus on French Provincial. Small selection of unique linens and accessories for the home. The fabulous George Anderson prints of Rockport are also available.
John Tarr (49 Main St.)
Since 1887, this venerable clothing store has supplied locals with some of the best brands of all-weather clothing available. A huge selection of comfort shoes and the socks to match, and sunhats, rain gear, polar fleece, and chinos.
The Pewter Shop (16 Bearskin Neck)
Called the oldest gift shop in Rockport, the Pewter Shop offers high quality pewter from their own workshop on Bearskin Neck, as well as fine pewters from all over the world. Danforth, Empire, Hampshire, Royal Selangor and Woodbury are just of the pewterers they represent.
Demetra (6 Smith St.)
Joanne Demetra’s artfully designed jewelry of semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, and metals is rightfully called “wearable art.” One-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces only. Commissioned designs are welcome.
Cynthia Curtis Pottery (80 Pigeon Hill St.)
Cynthia’s high-fire stoneware will remind you of the foamy seashore no matter where you live. You’ll never tire of looking at the local beach glass melted into some of the glazed pieces. Vases, lamps, pitchers, and platters.
Rockport Quilt Shoppe (2 Ocean Avenue)
Over 100 antique quilts from the late 1700s to the 1940s fill this charming shop. Also available are pillows, linens, custom quilts and textile restoration. Call ahead, they are open seven days a week, by appointment or by chance. 978-546-1001.
Lesley Wind (338 Granite Street)
You may have seen Lesley’s work in the Peabody-Essex Museum shop. Fine handcrafted jewelry in gold, sterling silver and bronze. Her fluid shawl and sweater pin designs are exquisite. Call 978-546-6539 to ask about custom orders or to visit Lesley’s gallery.
Places to stay…
Bet you didn’t know how many choices exist in Rockport for overnight stays. You can rest your head on the pillows found in award-winning historic hotels, quaint bed and breakfasts, charming inns or colorful cottages. We are sharing some of the accommodations listed in the 2007 Map and Visitors’ Guide produced by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. At press time the Chamber confirmed that each of these listings are current. Other resources available to you for planning your stay include CapeAnnVacations.com, massvacations.com, rockportUSA.com, and innsofrockport.com.
Addison Choate Inn
49 Broadway
978-546-7543
Bearskin Neck Motor Lodge
64 Bearskin Neck
978-546-6677
Bulfinch House
96 Granite Street
978-546-9656
Captain’s House
69 Marmion Way
978-546-3825
Eden Pines Inn
48 Eden Road
978-546-2505
Emerson Inn by the Sea
Cathedral Ave.
978-546-6321
Inn on Cove Hill
37 Mt. Pleasant St.
978-546-2701
Lantana House
22 Broadway
978-546-3535
Linden Tree Inn
26 King St.
800-865-2122
Mooring Stone B&B
12 Norwood Ave.
978-546-3111
Motel Peg Leg
10 Beach St.
978-546-6945
Old Farm Inn at Halibut Point
291 Granite St.
Peg Leg Inn
1 King St.
978-546-2352
Pleasant Street Inn
17 Pleasant St.
800-541-3915
Rockport Cottages
8 – 16 Mill Lane
603-688-7001
Sally Webster Inn B&B
34 Mount Pleasant St.
978-546-9251
Sandy Bay Motor Inn
183 Main St.
978-546-7155
Seafarer Inn
50 Marmion Way
978-546-6248
Seaward Inn & Cottages
44 Marmion Way
978-546-3471
Seven South Street Inn
978-546-6708
Suite on Bearskin Neck
978-546-9055
Tuck Inn B&B
17 High St.
978-546-7260
Turk’s Head Motor Inn
Rt. 127A
978-546-3436
Yankee Clipper Inn
127 Granite St.
800-545-3699
Galleries…
Any survey of Rockport galleries is a daunting task. With dozens of galleries to browse, every level of art collector is sure to find something that will add beauty to her home. We’ve highlighted a few shops below, but give yourself a full weekend to stroll and look, look, look. Perhaps the place to start is the Rockport Art Association on Main Street.
Rockport Art Association
(5 Main Street)
Since 1921 the R.A.A. has been an artist’s cooperative, which now includes approximately 250 artist and photography members, with another 800 contributing members. Stop by to see current exhibits. Visit the RAA website rockportartassn.org
An Artful Touch Gallery
(5 Main Street)
American impressionist John C. Terelak has painted subject matter from Boston to Vermont. John is excited about his new project, a limited edition of prints. You’ll also find lovely watercolors by Martin Ahearn.
Nancy Caplan
(5 Gott Street)
Nancy is passionate about flowers, in her garden and on canvas. You’ll love these beautifully detailed works. Purchase one and you’ll feel like you have a vase of fresh cut flowers in the house all year round.
Borsari Gallery
(12 Tuna Wharf)
Award-winning images of the land and sea by photographer Andrew
Borsari, a native New Englander whose photographic career has spanned over forty years.
Fielding Gallery
(12 Dock Square)
You might be reminded of classical painters like Caravaggio when you step into Lauri Fielding’s portrait gallery in Dock Square. Her portraits are natural, informal and warm, and her still life work is meticulous. Oil, acrylic and pastels.
Carlson Gallery
(43 Broadway)
S. Ohrvel Carlson’s inspirations may include haunting music, a Gothic cathedral, or a stormy day on the New England coast. Oil, acrylic, pen and ink, and watercolors fill the gallery with diverse and passionate pieces.
John Caggiano Gallery
(66 Bearskin Neck)
An award-winning artist, John is a plein air painter whose gallery showcases his nationally recognized “impressionistic realism.” New England is his inspiration, but his oeuvre also includes work from his travels overseas. Original paintings and prints available.
Michael Stoffa Gallery
(41 Main Street)
Established in 1964, this gallery features distinctive and different seascapes, landscapes and still life paintings by Michael Stoffa, Dorothy J. Ramsey, and Mary Douyard.
Corey Tevan Gallery
(17 Mt. Pleasant Street)
Fantastic and colorful sculptures and paintings by artist and Corey Tevan. Formerly an image specialist for electronic games, Tevan has put high-tech behind and now paints and sculpts full time. Gloriously creative and uplifting scenes of fantasy and realism.
Thistle Fine Art
(8A Main Street)
American and European paintings, watercolors and prints with an emphasis on English and Scottish works from the period 1850 to 1950. Note: 2007 Spring Exhibition runs through May 27.
Tidal Edge Gallery
(3 School Street)
Features a wide array of oil, watercolor and encaustic paintings in addition to handmade wooden bowls, jewelry, stationery and textiles. Custom commissions available.
John Walker Gallery
(60 Bearskin Neck)
Paintings of the wetlands and marshes of Essex, Ipswich, Newburyport and Plum Island by plein air style artist John Walker.
Wenniger Gallery
(19 MT. Pleasant Street)
Founded by Mary Ann and Mace Wenniger over 20
years ago, this gallery is overflowing with vintage and contemporary prints. Aquatints, etchings, wood cuts, and collagraphs.