The 1640 Hart House

The 1640 Hart House is a favorite!  I love the ambiance of this antique building with the tavern like bar.  Big comfy chairs, fireplaces and exposed beams all add to the warm atmosphere that make you feel like you're a guest in someone's lovely home.  The employees as well make you feel like you are a welcomed guest every time you are there.  Whether it's Rose with a funny joke, Julie with her beautiful smile, Barry with a wave from the bar or Sully coming out from the kitchen to say hi, I feel like it's a second home.

Now to the real importance of a restaurant, the food and drinks.  You know how when you look at a menu and you want over half a dozen of what they are serving and it's impossible to make a choice?  Yeah, it's awesome and happens to me whenever I open their menu.  The best part is, I know that whatever my choice may be, it will be seasoned and cooked to perfection EVERY time. As for the drinks, no tiny martini glasses here, they do it old school and their cosmos are fantastic!

If you go for the first time, try to arrive early so you can get a seat in the tavern.  Best clam chowder in New England, so definitely order a cup of that.  And if you are overwhelmed by all the delicious choices, the Hart House Chicken is my go to.

Sorry Hart House. This is my mothers favorite Resturant, she eats here once a week. Every birthday and Christmas I buy her a gift certificate to this restaurant. The place is super cute and has a lot of history. The food was very good but the service was terrible! Our waitress was rude from the beginning. Brining us wrong food and giving us attitude about it. She obviously didn't like our kids for some unknown reason, they were very well behaved watching their iPads quietly the whole time. Half way through the dinner she changed her attitude to condescending and started calling us Hun. The ultimate sin was dropping our check and leaving. It was handwritten and hard to read in the dark room. We were 4 adults and 2 kids. My stepfather grabbed the bill and was prepared to tip on the amount. I called the waitress over and asked if she included the tip. Ina rude tone she said Yes it's clearly written on the check. Well it wasn't clear and she added 20%!!!! Food was great, experience Sucked!

It's nice to live in Ipswich and have such a great restaurant to go to.  When you eat here it is like going back in time.  We've been to the 1640 Hart House 5 times in the past year.  Their American menu is robust.  Their steaks are huge, cooked to perfection and are mouth watering.   All around great atmosphere and phenomenal food.  When friends come to visit us in Ipswich they always want to go back to the Hart House.  No surprise here 5 BIG STARS!