We went to Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton today to meet friends for lunch. It is perfectly cromulent if you happen to already be in the area.
We both had non alcoholic cocktails to start. I had the Amalfi Spritz (non alcoholic limoncello, a non alcoholic elderflower modifier, and non alcoholic prosecco) and he had the rum Old Fashioned (with a NA spiced rum). I liked my drink a bit more as the ice melted into it. It started off a bit more sweet than is my thing, but it grew on me. His Old Fashioned was fine, but I didn’t detect any spice in the “rum” (some vanilla notes, though).
There was fresh bread (sourdough and a cornbread) brought to the table at the top of service, with a house made maple butter. Very nice! Then we split a cheese and charcuterie board, which had a nice selection of things, although I don’t know that you need a brie and a truffled goat brie (also, I don’t like truffled anything) on the same board. Candied walnuts were nice though and BF really enjoyed the horseradish condiment.
Three of us at the table got the steak frites, although only one of us actually got the frites. BF and I both subbed mushrooms, which were fine. The frites come truffled by default, if that is your thing. You can get them without. I liked the bread, so was sticking to that as my carb at that point. The salad that came with it also was topped with the same pickled onions from the charcuterie board. They were fine. My steak looked promisingly rosy, but turned out to be medium well instead of medium rare, and a touch overseared (which probably contributed to the doneness issue). It tasted fine, especially with the bone marrow butter (that tasted mostly of butter), so I just ate it. The non steak person got the organic salmon and enjoyed it.
From various points in the room, you can kind of see into the open kitchen, which is nice.
We had desserts. Our companions got the honey lavender creme brulee with shortbread and the seasonal fruit crumble (strawberry rhubarb - it was immense and, according to her, tasty). I got the pot de chocolat creme and BF got a nice square of carrot cake (very powdered ginger and molasses forward for those that like that flavor profile. Like gingerbread, but cake.). My pot de creme also had a bit of caramel sauce and whipped cream. I liked it. It was, possibly because of the caramel sauce, a little richer than I expected. I had some black tea to finish. Much needed caffeine after so much food!
We’d meet friends if they wanted to go back here again. The grounds are lovely and the service was very attentive without being overbearing. I’m not sure I would risk ordering steak again though.
