Crescent52 writes-

Congrats on the BONS Award- you do a great job.

Because I love to research best of lists etc, etc, I made this list of Gloucester restaurants that also won- an admirable selection.

Italian

From pasta and meat entrees to paninis and pizzas, La Trattoria & Pizzeria of the west end in Gloucester will make you think you’ve somehow arrived in Italy. The family-run ristorante’s menu is filled with delicious, home-cooked, Sicilian-style dishes. Come hungry, because the portions are huge. Molto bene! La Trattoria & Pizzeria, 64 Main St., Gloucester, 978-281-0790,
latrattoriaandpizzeria.com

Lobster Roll

When it comes to lobster rolls, there tends to be two camps: those who love theirs with mayo, and those who prefer them without. We dare say the version served at the Seaport Grille at Gloucester’s Cruiseport just might unite parties on both sides of the aisle. Seaport Grill’s lobster salad is indeed tossed with a little mayo, but the condiment far from overpowers the meat. Rather, it binds together all those juicy, tender chunks of lobster and crunchy bits of celery. The whole savory mix is piled in heaping spoonfuls onto a freshly baked Virgilio roll, making for what we say is the best lobster roll around. Seaport Grille, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, 978-282-9799, cruiseportgloucester.com/seaportgrille

New Restaurant

With only a few months under its belt, Ohana in Gloucester is off to an impressive start. Ohana (which means “family” in Hawaiian) adds Hawaiian twists to American cuisine, and dishes are as beautiful as they are mouth-watering. With options from sashimi to ribeye, there’s something for everyone. Ohana, 151 Main St., Gloucester, 978-283-3200, ohanacapeann.com

Pizza

For years, locals have flocked to this nondescript roadside spot for a tank of gas and a bite to eat. But what really sets Willow Rest apart from the Gloucester dining scene is its homestyle brick-oven focaccia. Just one slice of the crisp, thin-crust dough topped with herbs and fresh ingredients is a bite of pizza heaven. Willow Rest, 1 Holly St., Gloucester, 978-283-2417,
willowrest.com

Pub Food

If you’re craving some bona fide pub grub, Minglewood Tavern at Latitude 43 in Gloucester is where you should head for the happiest of hours. Order a house starter from the menu, like the infamous nacho pile, Parmesan-truffle fries, or Brian’s chili con carne. Hearth-oven pizzas are also all the rage, and with six different varieties, you’ll definitely want more than one slice of each. Minglewood Tavern at Latitude 43, 25 Rogers St., Gloucester, 978-281-0223, minglewoodtavern.com

Tapas

For the best tapas in town, Gloucester’s Alchemy Cafe and Bistro can’t be beat. The cozy, romantic bistro offers exquisite dining at affordable prices. Try a small plate for yourself or split a sampler plate with a friend. Our fave, the antipasto platter, comes with olive tapenade, grilled vegetables, seasonal fruit, assorted cheeses, arugula and tomato salad, and warm chips. It’s sure to whet your appetite for more. Alchemy Cafe and Bistro, 3 Duncan St., Gloucester, 978-281-3997, alchemybistro.com

Sushi

There’s a reason that Latitude 43 Restaurant and Bar in Gloucester is back for the second year in a row as the top pick for the best sushi on the North Shore: It’s the freshest and best we’ve found. For a well-rounded sampler of the restaurant’s standout sushi, opt for the Lat 43 Sushi Boat—a feast of California rolls, spicy salmon press box sushi, nigiri, and sashimi. Throughout the sushi menu, unique touches— think mango, microgreens, and wasabi goat cheese—put welcome spins on tried-and-true favorites (but there are plenty of those, too). Latitude 43 Restaurant and Bar, 25 Rogers St., Gloucester, 978-281-0223, latfortythree.com

Seafood

Though not octane posh, The Causeway in Gloucester is the place to be if divine seafood is your goal. Favorites like fried calamari, steamed mussels, and clam chowder are served alongside some dishes with interesting twists, like baked coconut-rum haddock. Crowds here are nothing out of the norm, but once seated, you’ll agree your meal was worth the wait.  The Causeway Restaurant, 78 Essex Ave, Gloucester, 978-281-5256

Cape Ann Brewing wins in the PLAY category

Brewery

There’s nothing like a lively pub and a frothy beer after a long day, and Cape Ann Brewing Co.in Gloucester is where we love to go. The brewery, which moved to a new location on Front Street last year and now boasts its own Fisherman’s selection, featuring ales, IPAs, and stouts, among others. Using two-row Barley imported from Europe, the brew crew concocts some of the most memorable flavors on the North Shore. Cape Ann Brewing Company, 11 Rogers St., Gloucester, 978-282-7399, capeannbrewing.com