Short Main - Gloucester

Very good pizza but doesn’t quite live up to the hype. My wife and I drove here from Salem, about 40 minutes, after reading about it in the NYT. No doubt the pizza was very good, but if you are expecting something transcendent you might be slightly disappointed. If I lived in Gloucester or a neighboring town I would be thrilled to come here all the time, but if you are thinking of driving more than 45 minutes, you might be slightly let down.

Pizza good. A bit cramped. Reservations are strongly recommended if you don't want to wait, or you are more than two people. Pizza is not typical American fare. Come with an open mind. Lots of very flavorful options! Crust is crispy and delicious. Beer and cocktail selection was good.

Terrific restaurant! I'm a local and have been here dozens of times, over the years (done a lot of take-out too). This is one of our favorite places in the North Shore, and possibly the one we've been to most often, as it's affordable. Amazing pizza, with such clean flavors. Salads are first rate; they source the best produce from the region. Oysters are super fresh and there are often half-price specials. You can do just pizza, oysters, and a salad and be happy as a clam. But the entrees are other appetizers are always worth venturing out for as well. Everything is creative and thoughtful, and well prepared. Service is solid. Atmosphere is informal and fun, and some tables look out into Main Street, which is sweet and bustling. The clam pizza that just hopped onto the menu is first rate, and I hope it sticks around!

I sauntered in for dinner this past Sunday having attended the annual St Peters Fiesta. First of, not only were there a lot of people in the city due to the Festival, but this incredible restaurant had just received a nod in a New York Times review as being one of the top 25 Pizza places in the US, the only one in the northeast. Needless to say, I least expected to find even a solo seat, but then I had also not expected to be ushered by a very congenial and amiable host, who I later found out is the co-owner, Matt Cawley. Right from his warm welcome and how he greets and cares to thank each of his patrons, I knew that this place had a special vibe. Having gotten a seat that was amazingly still available at the bar, I couldn’t help but notice the unique custom surface that has a rich veneer filled with Oyster shells patterned in concrete. This is complemented by the very warm ambiance and the friendly service that you will notice all around. Neil and Pat were just the most pleasant folks one could have for a relaxed time at the bar. They made the experience special and inviting. The nice thing is that this place offers smaller portions, so one can try a wider selection from an interesting menu. I started with Oysters that were amazing; see photo with the description. I would say the one from PEI might have had a slight edge over the others, but they were all very flavorful. The next round was a delightful three slice Bruschetta plate which would please any palate; my favorite being the Olive Tapenade. The final course was the acclaimed Pizza, which are all personal sized, and can be shared. I had the Louis Prima, with sausage, red onion, hot peppers, mozzarella and basil. The thin crust is freshly made in the wood fired oven on site, and is as delectable and appetizing as the Times review suggested. From the lean sauce and hardly any grease, to the fresh ingredients you could not ask for a more satisfying taste in a mouth watering pizza bite. Even though I was full, I could not resist finishing the evening with a savory Tiramisu portion. If you are in town, it would be well worth stopping by this restaurant and enjoying the unique set of dishes, and of course the Pizza that catapulted this restaurant to a coveted list in the Times. The ambiance is very cozy and the staff make the place very welcoming. On the way out I could feel the difference when talking to Matt and the pride he takes in running this place, and making sure that everyone leaves satisfied.

Such an amazing vibe at short and main. The food was simple but delicious. The wine list was stunning and the over all feel of the place was perfect. Will return over and over again.