21 Rocks: Excellent burgers and big, happy crowds

Back in July, the first time we visited 21 Rocks, we could barely get in the door.

Every inch of the place was jammed — the entryway, the bar, and the patio with lovely Mystic River views. With patience, and shoulder to shoulder with other Adirondack chairs.

I was waiting for a friend, so I asked for the next available table and took a seat at the bar to wait.

Nick Bosse was the live entertainment that night, and all the television screens — I’m estimating there are 15 big screens or more — were tuned to various sports channels. The music, the lights, the action on the TVs — it was sensory overload.

But this is a food review, so let me tell you that just as my friend fried flour tortilla chips topped with lobster meat and sliced jalapenos, tomatoes, scallions, guacamole, and a cheddar cheese sauce.

The Lobster Nachos were plentiful and our favorite starter. We couldn’t finish them all but did pick off the lobster when we’d reached our limits. Our plan had been to share the starters and then each go for an entrée, sandwich or a brick-oven flatbread, but that was impossible, given the

The Beet Salad was interesting. Like everything else, it was a generous serving, and there was plenty of the main attraction — golden and red beets. The dressing was tasty, and the goat cheese a nice addition, but the pistachios, described as a gremolatam might have been better if served just crisped. The salad was flavorful but needed a little more texture or crunch in it.

I mentioned earlier that 21 Rocks was busy, and it remained so throughout our stay. Customers at many of the other tables appeared to have arrived after work or were meeting friends for drinks and dinner. There were four women seated across from us, and after we’d been there a while, one of them ventured over to share that prior to our arrival, actress and comedian Ruth Buzzi had been seated right where I was. The woman even had her photograph taken seated beside Buzzi,