We are wrapping up the 2024 season on the dock in Amazing Grace’s winter home Safe Harbor Plymouth. We started this tradition last year and we are expanding it to several nights.
Plymouth is a great port with plenty of action in the spring and fall. I love all the live music, the variety of restaurants, and the protected harbor.
Last night we tried a new restaurant that I’d label Sophisticated Dock & Dine.
Eric Hynes completely renovated the old Isaac’s restaurant on Water Street and opened 71° West in August 2023.
The website describes it as “Miami meets Nantucket on Plymouth Harbor” in our beautifully re-imagined dining room, designed by Hayward Design House of Milton.
Hynes says it’s a blend of The Capital Grill and Legal Seafoods, but at half the cost.
Sounds like my kind of place!
It’s located across the street from the harbor and halfway between the marina and the Town Pier.
And it’s open for lunch, which makes it a very reasonable dock and dine for those of you in smaller boats. Just grab a town mooring, hail the launch, and make a five-minute walk!
The Renovation
There are two dining rooms on the second floor at the top of the stairs or elevator. They also offer rooftop dining when the weather is nice.
As you might expect, the vibe is totally hip and chic. The hostess told us we had the best table in the restaurant.
The horseshoe-shaped booth was comfortable and the view was spectacular. I will say that the din of the bar was significant and probably too loud for the hearing impaired (like me).
The Food
71° West describes itself as the only steakhouse in Plymouth. I have had some good steaks at the East Bay Grill, but I would agree that 71° feels like an authentic high-end Steak House.
The menu is extensive and includes two things I really like. They offer smaller cuts of Filet (6 oz – $32) and Prime Rib (16 oz – $32).
They also offer an excellent variety of sauces.
- horseradish cream sauce $4
- port wine reduction $4
- bearnaise sauce $4
- black peppercorn sauce $4
- truffle butter $5
- smoked bacon chive butter $5
- bleu cheese crumbles $4
- chimichurri $4
- lobster tail $20
- oscar-style with crab meat & bearnaise $20
Since it was our first visit and our guest’s Birthdays (yes, we were celebrating two birthdays), I suggested that we go large and test the menu.
A very impressive bread service arrived just before we ordered.
The bread was warm, soft, and almost gooey. It was a little small for four adults, so I ordered a second (which cost $5.00, more than fair).
We overordered and shared generously…
pan-seared sesame tuna, mixed greens
red onions, grape tomatoes
mandarin oranges, raspberry vinaigrette
15-year balsamic
sweet and spicy honey-glazed pork
The ribs were spectacular, the portion was more than ample for a meal, and the $18 price was a treat.
Chef’s 48-hour marinate, red bliss garlic
mashed potatoes, and green beans
(included with every steak)
Everything was executed to big-city steakhouse standards. I specifically ordered the 14-ounce strip medium rare because I think it’s the best test of any steakhouse.
The reason is that it is a lean cut, so it has to be expertly prepared, seared quickly, and cooked to the exact temperature of medium rare. It’s also a steak you can’t fake. You absolutely have to start with high-quality beef.
Plymouth is already blessed with a lot of great restaurants. Now it will be our destination for a big city steakhouse by boat without heading to Boston.