Griswold Inn, Essex

We stayed at the Gris over the weekend, we arrived on Friday night. On check in 2 very nice ladies where assisting us. Let's start with the positive: Great suite, spacious, big 4 poster bed, very nice employees', very helpful most of them, Food very good both at dinner and at Brunch. Great location, easy parking, nice atmosphere, Employees willing to adjust rate with no issue when problem arise. VERY CLEAN When we went to our suite, the fire place was not working so I went back down stairs and was told there was a person on call and I had to wait until the morning. The bed was cool but if a short person would stay there he/she would need a footstool to get in and out of bed. It was very soft and did not feel like a Queen size bed we both had a hard time sleeping. Saturday morning after breakfast what is basic and okay we asked for some advice at the front desk and where told both girls did not live in town and had no clue.... and ended up in a terrible place for lunch. Evening front desk person very friendly and had knowledge of the area. The place has communications Issues, no one shift ever forwarded to the next one about the fireplace issue and so we had none all weekend. Or anyone offering to come upstairs and check it out Did not help that at Brunch one of the waitresses was loudly complaining about the owner not listening to concerns of staff and another person stating that they had layoff and doing the best they can. Maybe it was because its January and its quiet season Sunday morning, ice cold water greeted me as I was trying to take a shower, I called down stairs and after a couple of minutes received a call back informing me to let the water run for 5 minutes, A switch h had been pulled by mistake. Had hot water after 10. The grist is a Old inn that has issues, it is not a modern place and you take that with the charm. I would definitely recommend it for a stay.

The Griswold Inn has a great location and good atmosphere in Essex CT, it is not matched by the poor quality of the food. I had an appetizer of Clams Casino, expecting the traditional with chopped onions & peppers etc topped with bacon I instead received what appeared to be baked stuffed clams with flavorless bread crumbs piled high on the barely cooked clams underneath. My companion had the Cod special and it arrived overcooked and quite flavorless. The shrimp cocktail and beef carpacio were ok but not exceptional. Even the bread plate was rather average. This historic old Inn really has to upgrade it's very disappointing kitchen

The waitress was very young and not well trained. Because I do not care for fennel, I asked not to have it included with my entree,with the understanding(I thought) that there would be other veggies. I was delivered a plate with a hunk of meat that was too salty to eat--nothing else! How could something like that ever leave the kitchen? I could not say anything as we were guests of my brother who has recently moved to Essex. We live in San Francisco and dine out frequently. I was really excited about having dinner in the charming Inn, and felt like crying when I left.

The historic background and scene of this inn/resteraunt is what pulled me into it. It is definatley a place that I won't forget. Also the service at the resteraunt was wonderful. A very appealing menu.