Jerome M.
Yelp
Ok, so the short version....
The place looks great, ample parking, good pub decor, clean...
Service... meh...
Drinks...meh-er
Food...meh-est
Let's start with service... the kid seemed nice, but apparently suffered from a hearing deficiency, lack of menu knowledge, or experience with drinks.... but was nice and cordial.
Drinks: I ordered two different hazy IPAs.... For the first, I received a Coors Light equivalent ... they claimed it was a beer that sounded similar to what I had ordered ( which actually wasn't on their beer list)... then I changed to a different IPA, and ended up with a Yeungling lager. Realizing the folly of my efforts, I shifted to cans and actually got an IPA. I have never sent two beers back in my life.
My lady ordered a hot toddy.... super simple ... but instead of honey they used simple syrup and some pre-squeezed lemon juice. Tasted like a spiked lemonade. Ugggggh
Now dinner...
First, my lady is smarter than me... seeing the issues with service and drinks... she opted for an obviously pre-made Impossible burger.... but, since she is an optimist (probably why she tolerates me) she asked for cheese to be added, and for ketchup and Mayo and mustard.
I went with... drumroll... crab cakes (which allegedly come with risotto and tartar sauce) ! I mean after having a sub-par performance on the basics why not just go for it.... I couldn't turn down seeing how the crab cakes would come out.
The results....
The Impossible burger, had no cheese, didn't have the red pepper sauce they mentioned in the menu, and none of the fixings requested. Fries were good.
For me... I brought this upon myself....
The crab cakes had the cheapest crab available, no claws. Fairly small, but limited filler, limited seasoning. The tartar sauce wasn't brought, and the waiter had to be shown the menu to believe it went with it. He said... "I never see sauce with these" ... I believe him.
The green beans were ok. Nothing special, nothing super bad.
The risotto... oh lord... the risotto
My people, I've made risotto, I've eaten it in many states, countries, this...., this was not risotto. I thought at first it was mashed potatoes. Not the buttery, whipped kind that makes holidays wonderful... but the kind that makes your intestines lock up as the dense nature of them are digested. My best guess is this was a ball of supremely over-boiled rice, reheated, with three small shards of Parmesan on top... this of course allowing them to call it Parmesan risotto... I think it more fitting to call it rice mush with cheese garnish.
The waiter asked if we wanted dessert or coffee with the same shame I'm sure the chef sent that risotto out with.
If you get a burger and fries and beer in a can, I think it could be a good experience, beyond that dine at your own risk.