Hibernian Restaurant & Pub

Tried to satisfy a St Patty's Day craving for corned beef and cabbage but arrived a little after 830 pm to find that they were completely out. There was a 45 minute wait for a table for 2 but at least the hostess told us everything they were out of so we could decide whether or not we wanted to wait. Friendly, helpful staff although I would call ahead if its a holiday or special event.

Well for St. Patrick's Day weekend we decided to try some Irish fair. The first sign that this would not be a very enjoyable experience was the fact that at 7PM on a Saturday night on the day before St. Patrick's Day this IRISH Pub was not packed at all. In fact there were very few people outside listening to the live music and we were seated immediately (in very rickety chairs at a lonely table in a dark corner with absolutely nothing on the table, not even salt and pepper). It took a few minutes for our waitress to appear with menus. However the poor ditzy girl did not even think to bring the drink menu (Seriously? you forget that on St. Patty's Day) so I had to ask for it. We both ordered Snakebite Blacks, and were looking forward to this traditional British concoction of beer, hard cider and black current juice, however, a few minutes later our waitress returned and informed us that the bartenders had no idea how to make our drinks (but for some odd reason they knew how to make a Snakebite, I didn't know that adding black current juice to it was so hard.) We settled for a regular Snakebites and place our orders. Or disappointment in this so called pub increase when our drinks came out. It honestly tasted like they used the last dregs of the worst keg in the building and cider that was on the verge of becoming vinegar. Our meals came out and they looked delicious. I should have just enjoyed looking at them since the second I took a bite all hope of an amazing meal evaporated into thin air. Now I know that Irish/British food doesn't usually have the depth of flavors as other cuisines, but this order of bangers and mash had absolutely no flavor. Honestly, it was almost like they managed to take flavor out of the sausage. The menu stated that the mashed potatoes were supposed to be garlic mashed potatoes. There was no garlic, there was not seasoning, in fact I'm pretty sure that these mashed potatoes originated from a powdered potato concoction pulled from a box. My girlfriends Shepard's pie was in the same boat. Not an ounce of spice or flavor. She had other words to describe it but for the sake of decency I will not repeat them here. I hardly ever add salt or pepper to a meal I order at a restaurant (I figure the chef in the back knows what he is doing and it is seasoned as it should) but this meal desperately needed it and after imploring a passing bus boy for salt and pepper shakers, I liberally added it to my sad plate and finished eat it, if only for the reason that I hoped there was some nutrition in that flavorless heap to fill my empty belly. The only bright spot in this shameful representation of the food from the Emerald Isle was the fact that promoters from Strongbow cider were passing out free samples that night and I gladly drank them in hopes that the alcohol would aid in me forgetting this lackluster meal. We couldn't wait to get out of there but yet again our waitress was off in outer space even when she was standing right in front of us (I swear she didn't know my girlfriend was there since she apparently didn't hear a thing she said that entire night). We finally paid and fled into the night. Never to return.

This is my third review of the Hibernian in Cary, NC.  I basically went back in as a result of the manager (Gabe) sending me a Yelp email after my last review.   In a nutshell, I was told they are sorry the Reuben sandwich was not so good and they made some changes and would like me to give them another shot and they would cover the meal.  Pretty friggin cool if you ask me.  This is a manager that values their guests opinions and wants to improve.  This one little action makes me like them so much more.

Anyhow, I went in as I said I would at some random time without announcing I was coming and ordered the Reuben.  I gotta say...the sandwich was very impressive looking.  Thick lightly toasted bread and the perfect amount of meat, sauerkraut and sauce.  To tell you the truth...it was a beast and if you try and eat it like a normal sandwich you end up looking like a caveman in front of a server that asks if you are doing okay.  So, I grunted at her and kept eating.

To get to the point, the Reuben was dramatically better and is really a work of art.   The flavor and construction I enjoyed.  The downside...as sad as I am to say, the meat still came off dry.  It really sucks to say that because I really wanted to love it.  I doubt I am going to get this sandwich again.

I may have not completely loved my sandwich but I will pop back in this place from time to time.  Any place that constantly strives to improve and takes the time to reach out to their guest is alright in my book.

FYI, I did not take advantage of the free meal since it would have compromised the product quality, service, and review.