Cruisin’ for a Great Local Catch

More than a few degrees above the rest in town, Latitude 43 raises the bar for north shore restaurants. 

Located in the middle of historic downtown Gloucester, Latitude 43 is a coastal restaurant with scenic views of the harbor and ship docks.  Fishing vessels, lobster traps and unique local shops surround the restaurant’s deck, which is open for visitors to dine outdoors in the summer months. 

In the doors of the restaurant is a unique experience of high-class ambiance.  From the first step into Latitude visitors will feel the warm invitation by the large yet cozy waiting area, which holds a large stone fireplace and oversized leather couches.  This living room style lobby causes guests to hope that their table isn’t ready quite yet. 

There is a large sushi bar featured in the center of the room where guests can watch their elaborate sushi dishes prepared right in front of them by expert chefs. The rest of the room holds tables and booths situated by large bay windows by the harbor’s edge. 

But enough about the atmosphere, let’s talk about the food!  Asiago and herbed topped focaccia bread starts the meal off on the right foot.  Taste buds will begin to crave more as diners nibble while looking over the seasonal menu items.

Keeping with the theme of local favorites, the menu has a variety of excellent choices for diners to enjoy.  Local seafood dishes include Seared Diver Scallops with truffled mushroom cream and roasted fingerling potatoes with a red wine reduction.  Recommended by the chef, this is an unbelievable choice that does not disappoint. Other favorites for regular comers include the Braised Shortribs or the Fisherman’s Fried Platter.

However, one dish that is a must try is the original sushi menu’s Nori’s Roll.  Nori’s Roll is a unique and highly structured artistic dish that combines sweet and spice flavors with king crab meat and crunchy tempura crumbs that even the non-sushi fan will enjoy.

Partnered with the decadent flavors, the presentation of each dish is an art in itself.  Bright colors and local ingredients make for quite the beautiful plate. 

Local flavor is not limited to the culinary experience; local artists throughout the north shore have their art featured.  Original pieces include nautical themed paintings of the Gloucester harbor and life-size glass-blown ocean creatures and structures.  Above the open kitchen, the ceiling holds a large, rescued boat hull that was found rotting in a shipyard.  Restored and refurnished to its original beauty, the hull is now back in service as a full-time decoration.  

Local musicians and bands are featured almost every night in the offshoot of Latitude’s main dining room.  Minglewood Tavern is a rustic scene, combining the beloved sushi menu items with classic pub food.  This room is a more down to earth hangout for locals, but just as elaborate with its ambiance.  The pub is lined with wooden beams from floor to ceiling and antlers are hanging from the walls giving visitors the sense that they’ve stepped into a backwoods tavern. 

Whether you’re looking for a first class experience in the main dining room where you can watch the fishing boats pull into the harbor, bringing your lobster fresh from the sea, or your more comfortable in the bluesy tavern scene, Latitude 43 and Minglewood Tavern is a local gem that should go unnoticed either by visitor or local.