Kelly's Gingernut Pub

The Guiness was good but, based on my dining experience, the restaurant needs some work
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First of all, let me qualify this review by saying that I'm not a restaurant complainer. I seldom send food back, I always tip almost regardless of the service quality, and I think in three years and 150 reviews, I've only given seven Yelp reviews below 3-stars. I know restaurants have bad nights, but my experience felt more like status quo than an exception.  

I should have stayed with just the beer when my server listed all the items that were 86'd.  After seeing what was left, I decided on the ribeye steak, medium rare.  I was intrigued by its description as being rubbed with tandoori spices. I also started with a bowl or their she-crab soup, which was quite good although very high viscosity, which detracted from the experience.  When my steak arrived, it looked great...nicely grilled on the outside and it smelled great too.  Upon making my first cut, I could tell this steak was nearly raw and pretty fatty, even for a ribeye. It's a darker restaurant atmosphere so one must also rely on tactile feedback and taste/texture.  While I was waiting for the waitress to stop by,  I noticed what looked like sliced, sauteed mushrooms on my plate but quickly realized were burnt little fingerling potatoes...not browned but burnt. I'm still questioning how both the kitchen and the server looked at these on my plate and said, "sure, these look fine."   They were not edible.  Once the server did her drop-by, I asked her to take the steak back for a couple more minutes on the grill, which she did without issue.  She apologized when she returned and hoped this time was better, but sadly the steak still wasn't quite even hitting the rare level so I just ate a few bites and left the rest, paid my check and left.

Now, if I'd ordered this dinner from a Denny's (I never would, but I'm just sayin') I wouldn't have high expectations for the food or its preparation.  This was a $26 steak so it should have been right, especially after the first send-back. The potatoes should never have come out of the kitchen in that condition.  I took a picture of them but decided against uploading it.  Hopefully someone in authority reads this and asks a few questions.   I'm really frustrated because I wanted this place to be great. It does have an awesome vibe and the beer was perfectly poured.  If they let me in the door, I'll try it again next time I'm there; I just hope it's better.

Having spent a summer in Ireland a couple of years ago, I was skeptical as I often am of an Irish pub in America.  I have to say this is as close as it gets to being authentic.  The staff isn't prancing about in too-short kilts blasting touristy Irish music which you so often find.  The interior is stunning and architecturally fascinating (a renovated former bank - and yes, you can eat in the old vault).  The staff is friendly and attentive.  The menu features your classic Irish fare such as fish and chips (Haddock not Cod) and Shepherd's Pie - cooked to perfection and healthy portions.  The true show stopper for our group was the seared scallops in a whiskey sauce.  "Amazing" doesn't do it justice.  The food was fantastic, the beer selection was perfect.  So many great beers too choose from without being overwhleming, ... basically, we loved every minute of our meal here and plan to come back. Often.

Had the opportunity to visit Kelly's Gingernut Pub last Friday, and can't wait to introduce my husband to this area and Kelly's. Interesting beers, great seafood, wonderful ambiance. It's definitely our kind of place.