Uncleromulus
09-28-2006, 03:29 PM
Charmed by the prospect of some good beer and interested from reading the reviews on the Boards, we decided to give Raglan Road a try this trip. Since a local irish pub (An Poitin Stil) in Baltimore County is a spot I like, I figured we could hardly go wrong with this Irish spot.
Our ADR's were set for 7:30 on Thursday night... I wasn't sure what time the entertainment started, so I figured 7:30 would be in the ballpark. Turns out it was. The Irish combo stared playing at 8:00, and the Irish dancer made her apperance about 10 minutes later. The combo consisted of 3 fellows playing a fiddle (and other small instruments)--mostly lively Irish tunes. The dancer would step out on a small platform in the middle of the floor and do some of those "Riverdance" like steps. She would perform for a minute or two, then leave. She'd come back again after several minutes, do another minute's worth of dancing, then leave again. All pretty entertaining--the combo played for almost an hour without a break and just seemed like they were getting warmed up for the rest of the evening!!
The beer list got my immediate attention and I was pleased to see that they also had two "tasting" type beer offerings. The "flight" I got included Boddingtons, Smithwicks, Stella Artois, and Tucher Weizen. The portions were pretty large for such a tasting--they were even able to fit a lemon in the Weizen glass!! I didn't much care for the Boddingtons or Stella. Smithwicks was good--but the prospect of Weizen on draft proved too much. I switched to the Weizen for the rest of the meal. Should add that these "flights" are served on a long, flat wooden holder with four spaces for the glasses. Took up quite a bit of room on the table--
For appetizers, we decided to go for something on the menu described as serving "two persons". We ordered the "Pint of Prawns" which turned out to be six average size steamed shrimp. I could have pretty much polished them off myself, so be aware that it might NOT be enough for two hungry people. They were OK, but nothing to write home about.
One of our entrees was also just OK--the Fish and Chips. Which, of course, turned out to be what I ordered!! Served in a cone-type affair, they dump them out on a plate for you as they serve them. Proved to be two average size peices of fish and a handful of fries. Even with vinegar, they were nothing above anything I'd ever had at Arthur Treachers. Perfectly ordinary in every way. NOT ordinary however was Mrs U's choice--Kevins Kudos, which is oven roasted loin of bacon with braised cabbage and creamed potatoes. I was sort of expecting the taste to be like--well--bacon. Breakfast bacon. But not so. This reminded me very much of Canadian Bacon in it's look and taste. Very lean, tender, and delicious!! (And yes--Mrs U took pity on me and was kind enough to share).
For dessert we decided to try the Bread and Butter pudding--described on the menu as "Not like any Bread Pudding you ever had". Indeed. This was delicious--almost the consistancy of a good souffle and served in a souffle-style cup. A generous portion, it was hands down the best dessert of the trip.
Service throughout the meal was excellent. The place was quite full by the time we left, and I should note there were a LOT of children in the restaurant--some even sitting at the bar with their parents. The restaurant is very pretty and has the look and feel of a real Irish Pub. If I had anything to complain about, it would be the size of the portions--but next time I'll just order one of the "'For Two" appetizers for myself. And there will be a next time-Raglan Road is on our list for May.
Our ADR's were set for 7:30 on Thursday night... I wasn't sure what time the entertainment started, so I figured 7:30 would be in the ballpark. Turns out it was. The Irish combo stared playing at 8:00, and the Irish dancer made her apperance about 10 minutes later. The combo consisted of 3 fellows playing a fiddle (and other small instruments)--mostly lively Irish tunes. The dancer would step out on a small platform in the middle of the floor and do some of those "Riverdance" like steps. She would perform for a minute or two, then leave. She'd come back again after several minutes, do another minute's worth of dancing, then leave again. All pretty entertaining--the combo played for almost an hour without a break and just seemed like they were getting warmed up for the rest of the evening!!
The beer list got my immediate attention and I was pleased to see that they also had two "tasting" type beer offerings. The "flight" I got included Boddingtons, Smithwicks, Stella Artois, and Tucher Weizen. The portions were pretty large for such a tasting--they were even able to fit a lemon in the Weizen glass!! I didn't much care for the Boddingtons or Stella. Smithwicks was good--but the prospect of Weizen on draft proved too much. I switched to the Weizen for the rest of the meal. Should add that these "flights" are served on a long, flat wooden holder with four spaces for the glasses. Took up quite a bit of room on the table--
For appetizers, we decided to go for something on the menu described as serving "two persons". We ordered the "Pint of Prawns" which turned out to be six average size steamed shrimp. I could have pretty much polished them off myself, so be aware that it might NOT be enough for two hungry people. They were OK, but nothing to write home about.
One of our entrees was also just OK--the Fish and Chips. Which, of course, turned out to be what I ordered!! Served in a cone-type affair, they dump them out on a plate for you as they serve them. Proved to be two average size peices of fish and a handful of fries. Even with vinegar, they were nothing above anything I'd ever had at Arthur Treachers. Perfectly ordinary in every way. NOT ordinary however was Mrs U's choice--Kevins Kudos, which is oven roasted loin of bacon with braised cabbage and creamed potatoes. I was sort of expecting the taste to be like--well--bacon. Breakfast bacon. But not so. This reminded me very much of Canadian Bacon in it's look and taste. Very lean, tender, and delicious!! (And yes--Mrs U took pity on me and was kind enough to share).
For dessert we decided to try the Bread and Butter pudding--described on the menu as "Not like any Bread Pudding you ever had". Indeed. This was delicious--almost the consistancy of a good souffle and served in a souffle-style cup. A generous portion, it was hands down the best dessert of the trip.
Service throughout the meal was excellent. The place was quite full by the time we left, and I should note there were a LOT of children in the restaurant--some even sitting at the bar with their parents. The restaurant is very pretty and has the look and feel of a real Irish Pub. If I had anything to complain about, it would be the size of the portions--but next time I'll just order one of the "'For Two" appetizers for myself. And there will be a next time-Raglan Road is on our list for May.