ne
Food
review
Bistrot
Buzz
One nearly decade-old
Gloucester eatery continues
to charm patrons with its
hearty dishes.
By Anna and David Kasabian
duckworth's bistrot came about
Plat du Jour
Chef Ken serves panroasted Atlantic monkfish
in a rich corn sauce.
24 nshoremag.com December 2013
KJ NBDec13 FoodReview.indd 24
when two passionate and talented people
set out to find happiness in the restaurant
business and brought an entire community of diners, neighbors, farmers, families, and friends on the journey with them.
It's been nine years since Ken and
Nicole Duckworth opened their charming 42-seat restaurant in an old house on
Gloucester's East Main Street, and business has flourished for many good reasons.
It starts with the savory side of the
menu, conceived and prepared by chef
Ken in a manner he says is built on a
French foundation, but swiftly steers
in directions driven by his passions, the
seasons, and the appetite of his guests
for quality and thoughtful variety. Many
dishes, for instance, can be ordered in full
or generous half portions.
The creamy mushroom soup, garnished with fresh herbs and a drizzle of
olive oil, tastes earthy, rich, and fresh. The
crispy polenta, which shares a plate with
marinated portabellas and wilted spinach
in a pool of mushroom sauce, shows off
the chef 's mastery of contrasting textures
and tastes.
The lobster and vegetable risotto is
impressive, served in a handsome copper
pot and chock-o-block with sweet lobster
meat in creamy Arborio rice. Despite the
intensity of the roasted vegetables and the
lamb demi reduction, the grilled lamb leg
is milder and more refined than one might
expect. Another unexpected delight is the
pan-roasted Atlantic monkfish, served
photographs by anthony tieuli
10/25/13 2:25 PM
