Unconfirmed rumor of a new Irish pub in Riverside

Started by David, June 12, 2008, 02:02:48 PM

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David

#75
January 02, 2009, 03:04:16 AM Last Edit: January 02, 2009, 04:58:57 AM by David
Actually that sounds like a fair deal Chris. I've wanted to check that place out so that's a good reason to.

I've been to O'Brothers a few times and I'd say it's more of a place to enjoy the atmosphere and great food than a place to slam down cheap booze.

The Guinness macaroni & cheese looks like a tasty app, and I can't wait to try out the lamb burger. The prices are fair and the food's definitely above average. I must've talked to 3 or 4 people at the bar and asked them how their meal was; all were pretty much impressed with their choices.




ChriswUfGator

#76
January 06, 2009, 11:13:56 PM
Well, we went and tried O'Brother's last night, and I was both impressed and slightly disappointed.

To start with, the food is very simple, mainly comprised of your typical "family level" restaurant fare, but with everything having been given cliche Irish-sounding names. The concept is pretty much the same thing as Bennigan's. The Bangers & Mash and the Shepherd's Pie are about the only UK-inspired items on the menu, with the rest of the selections being your typical cheeseburgers, breaded chicken tenders, buffalo wings, yada, yada.

The food quality itself is actually pretty decent, and there were no problems with it. Everything was tasty for what it was, and there was nothing to complain about. The service was also good, and we had a very friendly server who is putting herself through pharmacy school. She was attentive and warm, so no complaints there either.

But the pricing was on the high side. Not excessively, but still noticeably so. We ordered one cup of soup, one order of 8 buffalo wings, and two cheeseburgers. Our waitress informed us it was happy hour and said the drinks were 1/2 off, so we decided to indulge. I had a few vodka tonics, and Mike had two beers, plus the two apps and burgers. So for the basic food and well-brand drinks that we ordered, the bill should have been what? $40-$45 plus tip & tax should cover it. But in reality, the bill wound up being $70.

Now...at $40-$50 out the door, I'd say I liked the place. In fact, I thought the food was good, and we did appreciate their beer selection. But with a $70 bill for the type of basic food and drinks we ordered, it's clear the pricing just doesn't match up. Quality-wise, this is a $20 per person restaurant but they're charging almost double that. So my review is kind of a mixed bag. There's nothing 'wrong' with the place, per se, except that it's pricey for what it is. For that same $70, we could have gone to Biscotti's, the Brick, etc. And it's not that they're the cat's meow or anything like that, but at the same time those type of places are undeniably a couple rungs up the ladder from O'Brother's, and yet the prices are the same.

Anyway, that's my $0.02, so take it for what you paid for it. I think this is a nice place, but they need to adjust a bit if they're going to make it long term. There are just too many restaurants around with the same food and cheaper prices. And the drinks are pricey for a "Pub", which is perplexing since that's ostensibly the reason you're there in the first place. Regular well drinks shouldn't be much more than $4 or $4.50, and $3 or $3.50 for a beer should be the max, unless it's something really exotic. There's also no reason that basic 1/4-lb cheeseburgers should run $10 or $11, even despite the creative names. But with all that said, the pricing isn't worth avoiding the place altogether, and the food isn't bad. It's just never going to be your nightly food & drinks hangout, unless you want to spend a fortune.

alta

#77
January 06, 2009, 11:19:02 PM
I ate at Mossfire last week.  Stopped by to pick up a menu.  The menu looks Delicious.  Can't wait to try it.

BridgeTroll

#78
January 07, 2009, 06:47:45 AM
Wow Chris... Im gonna agree with you here.  If the pricing is as you say, many of the 5 points denizens will not patronize on a regular basis. :o
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Shwaz

#79
January 07, 2009, 11:36:12 AM
I think the majority so far believes the pricing is a bit steep. I agree.

It's a great place for a drink or two and maybe an app but to make a night of it would be far too costly.
And though I long to embrace, I will not replace my priorities: humour, opinion, a sense of compassion, creativity and a distaste for fashion.

Lucasjj

#80
January 07, 2009, 11:50:37 AM
I am going to jump on this band wagon. Me and three of my friends went the other weekend, and that is exactly what we did. Each of us ordered drinks, split two appetizers and left to go to Raglands to drink more. Not to put this place place down, because I think it is a good edition to the area, especially since it is directly at the end of my street, but it wasn't much different than Moss Fire on the price range, and I was expecting a drinking establishment. Hopefully they will have a special night like Donna Maria's did for tacos on Wednesday, that will make it a better deal to spend an evening drinking and eating there. 

stephElf

#81
January 07, 2009, 01:17:47 PM
I've been there twice now. I like it ok.

The beers are a lil on the high side. $5.  I'd be happier with $4 or even $4.50... for that price I'll go to Bold City instead as I love 75% of their beers and it costs less.

The food is good. But I agree, it is pricey for what it is.  They could at least throw in 2 sides vs. 1 or a small dinner salad with their entrees.  For the price, I'd rather go to Biscotti's or The Brick like another poster mentioned as I feel their food is a notch above.

I'll go back. But it will have to be for a happy hour priced beer or a weekend lunch like a sandwhich.

I am glad there is a new edition to 5 pts to choose from. And I will always, always LOVE mossfire.  Goat Cheese appetizer is all I have to say about that.

BridgeTroll

#82
January 07, 2009, 01:23:04 PM
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

The Compound

#83
January 07, 2009, 01:31:34 PM
Thats not the current menu, its been updated since that.

The Compound

#84
January 07, 2009, 01:32:40 PM
Quote from: stephElf on January 07, 2009, 01:17:47 PM
I've been there twice now. I like it ok.

The beers are a lil on the high side. $5.  I'd be happier with $4 or even $4.50... for that price I'll go to Bold City instead as I love 75% of their beers and it costs less.

The food is good. But I agree, it is pricey for what it is.  They could at least throw in 2 sides vs. 1 or a small dinner salad with their entrees.  For the price, I'd rather go to Biscotti's or The Brick like another poster mentioned as I feel their food is a notch above.

I'll go back. But it will have to be for a happy hour priced beer or a weekend lunch like a sandwhich.

I am glad there is a new edition to 5 pts to choose from. And I will always, always LOVE mossfire.  Goat Cheese appetizer is all I have to say about that.

Happy hour beers (4-7pm) at OBrothers are $2.50 domestic, and $3 import

ChriswUfGator

#86
January 07, 2009, 02:27:57 PM
Quote from: The Compound on January 07, 2009, 01:32:40 PM
Happy hour beers (4-7pm) at OBrothers are $2.50 domestic, and $3 import

Ya, but that's exactly the problem.

O'Brothers' "happy hour" prices are within $0.50 or $1 of the REGULAR prices at most places, and then when you take happy hour at the other places into account, then the spread gets even worse. European Street is right around the corner, charging $3 to $4 with 2-4-1 during happy hour.

And if you don't happen to catch the happy hour at O'Brothers, which is pretty likely since most people don't eat dinner at 6pm sharp, then $5 for domestic beers and $6 for imports is pretty much highway robbery. It shouldn't cost you $35 to have 2 or 3 beers and a burger, which is what this place charges. Add it up...$18 for 3 beers at $6 ea., plus $9.50 or so for a burger brings you to around $28. Then add $2 tax and $4 tip, and you're right at $34. And it just keeps getting worse if you want a mixed drink, or order an app.

It's a rip, especially for a place that's supposed to be a"pub". Even the Brick, which is overpriced in its own right, charges $1 less for burgers, the beers are at least $1 cheaper, and most of the apps are cheaper. And they have better food. I really think O'Brothers is going to have to lower their prices if they want to be successful, long-term.

jacksonvilleconfidential

#87
January 07, 2009, 02:31:43 PM
I see that the Fish & Chips is now $12.99 as opposed to the much more reasonable price of $10.99 from the original menu posted here.
Sarcastic and Mean Spirited

The Compound

#88
January 07, 2009, 02:39:46 PM
You can also get a 12-pack of natty lite for $6 and sit at home and cry in your beer and count pennies. Thats what I do.

ChriswUfGator

#89
January 07, 2009, 04:37:46 PM
Quote from: The Compound on January 07, 2009, 02:39:46 PM
You can also get a 12-pack of natty lite for $6 and sit at home and cry in your beer and count pennies. Thats what I do.

Nah, I just prefer to pay $4 for 2 beers and $7 for a gigantic meal at European Street. Or $4 for a beer and $9 for a burger at the brick. Or $3 for a beer and $6 for a burger at Harpoon Louies. I'm sure you get where I'm going with this...

This place, charging $6 for a beer and $10-$12 for a burger, is overpriced. That's not my fault.
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