Gleaming wood, comfortable chairs, imaginative menus and award-winning wine lists make dining at the lovely Griswold Inn in equally picturesque Essex Village a romantic experience you will want to repeat. From the historic dining room to the award-winning bar at the Tap Room to the elegant Wine Bar, dining venues at “The Gris” are designed so you will feel you are stepping back in time (the inn began operating in 1776, after all). The menus showcase fresh seafood, aged beef – and house-made desserts that make you want to linger just a bit. The wine list at the Wine Bar, where tapas are served, is regularly given Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. (Check the website for updates on openings and health regulations.)