Great Groceries at Willow Rest

Published on Wednesday, August 5, 2009, by Joyce Slaton / Edit Post

Gloucester residents got pretty nervous when Willow Rest closed last year; for a while it looked like the former gas station and brick-oven pizza purveyor was to become a Dunkin’ Donuts. Instead, after the Dunkin’ deal went south, former farm stand proprietor Melissa Donati took over and turned the place into a wonderland of good things: foccacia, breads, and pastry from the brick ovens, as well as prepared food, packaged gourmet items, sandwiches, salads, wonderful cheeses, fresh herbs (kept out back in a fridge), and homemade pies.

eriberri says it’s like a cross between Ned’s Groceria and Marshall’s Farm Stand, and had “fabulous” Ipswich butcher chicken breasts. eriberri also drooled over the great produce and cheese. capeanne says the place is mobbed, and that the sandwiches are good: “The lettuce and tomato actually tasted like lettuce and tomato.”

Willow Rest [Gloucester]
1 Holly Street, Gloucester
978-283-2417

Board Link: Willow Rest-Gloucester

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  • Yes, great place! Chow should also check out the new Diva's Land & Sea Restaurant right around the corner in Annisquam! Previous owners of this cafe bailed out year before last and a young lady from Ohio that was a Private Chef for an estate in downtown Boston came in and transformed the cafe and menu in less then a week, unreal! Food is fantastic! She has signature menu items you don't see in...+READ

    Yes, great place! Chow should also check out the new Diva's Land & Sea Restaurant right around the corner in Annisquam! Previous owners of this cafe bailed out year before last and a young lady from Ohio that was a Private Chef for an estate in downtown Boston came in and transformed the cafe and menu in less then a week, unreal! Food is fantastic! She has signature menu items you don't see in this area, food is gourmet but simple and prices are great for waterfront dinning! Every seat has a view, especially the open patio dinning right on the busy mariana, we literally eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there several days a week! I urge everyone to take the drive, you wont be disapointed! 33 River Road, Gloucester, MA 01930, Lobster Cove Marina!-COLLAPSE

  • Yes, great place! Chow should also check out the new Diva's Land & Sea Restaurant right around the corner in Annisquam! Previous owners of this cafe bailed out year before last and a young lady from Ohio that was a Private Chef for an estate in downtown Boston came in and transformed the cafe and menu in less then a week, unreal! Food is fantastic! She has signature menu items you don't see in...+READ

    Yes, great place! Chow should also check out the new Diva's Land & Sea Restaurant right around the corner in Annisquam! Previous owners of this cafe bailed out year before last and a young lady from Ohio that was a Private Chef for an estate in downtown Boston came in and transformed the cafe and menu in less then a week, unreal! Food is fantastic! She has signature menu items you don't see in this area, food is gourmet but simple and prices are great for waterfront dinning! Every seat has a view, especially the open patio dinning right on the busy mariana, we literally eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there several days a week! I urge everyone to take the drive, you wont be disapointed!-COLLAPSE