Plymouth, MA
Anytime we get together with old friends, we have such a great time. I have been friends with Carol and Jean since 7th grade. We are so lucky to be able to grow old together (well, not yet, but working on it!). It really helps that all the husbands, Jim, Steve and Jack, have become great friends as well. We love to try out places that we haven’t been to together before, so when Carol suggested 71° West Atlantic Steakhouse we jumped at the opportunity.
Jim and I have already eaten there, me with my sisters for lunch, and together with friends Carol and John for appetizers before the South Shore Food and Wine Fest. Both times we were impressed, so we were happy to try it for dinner.
Because 71° West is part of the Hynes Restaurant Group, that also owns Stockholders and Precinct 10 in Weymouth, Bay Pointe in Quincy and 42° North also in Plymouth, we expected it to be good as their food is quality at their other restaurants as well.
The first thing that grabs you once you climb the stairs to the second-floor restaurant is the gorgeous view. The view of Plymouth Harbor is fabulous from everywhere in the establishment. Next thing to impress is the décor. The soft colors and exquisite lighting fixtures immediately catch your eye and create ambiance. We sat in the main dining room each time we have visited, where the clam shell style, seafoam-colored booths are so inviting. They wrap around the guests giving a feeling of privacy. There is another dining room on this level that has table seating. There is also more seating a couple of steps up from the main dining room in the bar area. We did not check out the bar any of the times were at 71° but we promise we will next time. In the better weather it looks as though they plan to have an outdoor patio off the dining room.
The staff was amazing each time we came, but for this visit they particularly rocked from the time I called for a reservation a week earlier until we left after dinner. This includes the hostesses, Stephen C. our waiter, and the front-end folks who came by to check in on how everything was going.
We started with some cocktails and appetizers. Jim and Steve ordered Smoked Brown Butter Old Fashioneds that were poured at the table into a glass of ice that was covered by an oak smokestack, which once removed left smoke billowing from the glass and a sweet, smokey scent wafting. They both thoroughly enjoyed their cocktails.
For appetizers we ordered the Lobster & Crab Cakes. We had these before and wanted our friends to taste them as well. We also had the yummy Sticky Ribs that were both sweet and spicy and cooked to perfection.
Steve and I ordered the Lobster Carbonara that came with an adequate amount of lobster and lots of bacon crumbles on top of wide noodles with cream sauce. There was no way I could finish it. Jim ordered the Seared North Atlantic Salmon, mostly because he was intrigued by the crab and shrimp fried rice, but he said the whole dish was amazing. Jean got the Chargrilled Swordfish with tomato-leek risotto that she really enjoyed. Jack got a Filet with Truffle Butter that he said was delicious. However, Carol’s dish topped everything (which was difficult to do). She ordered the Haddock Special that came broiled and topped with little necks, shrimp and a seafood broth. I don’t even like haddock, and I was jealous.
You know you have been friends forever when it is just fine to split a dessert by diving into it with 6 spoons. Dessert was a tough call as we wanted everything on the menu. We opted for the 5-Layer Chocolate Cake which said it was for two people. I wish I got a picture from the side so you could see how thick this cake slice was. It fed the six of us without a problem.
No matter where we go, whether alone or with friends, we always have fun. However, it certainly elevates the experience when an establishment fires on all cylinders the way that 71° West does.
Thanks for following us on our adventures near and far,
Patti and Jim Hensley
71° West Atlantic Steakhouse
114 Water St, Second Floor
Plymouth, MA 02360
508-830-0001
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