Public House

.                                            Public House Irish Soda Bread !
                                                              My first time.  
                                                    FIVE STAR FABULOUS.  
                            Can't imagine finding any other better than theirs.

We ordered two fried Lake Erie Perch dinners.  However, didn't come with the expected white rolls typically served by most spots.   Instead, generously-sized textured golden brown slices of bread with nice big pats of butter.   Took a bite.  Ohhh, my.  Reminded me of the wonderful Date Nut Bread from the closed (sigh) Hough's Bakery.  (Have tried to duplicate that tasty slightly sweet treat at least three times---without success.  Very good, but not close enough.)  Found the closest---maybe it's "near equal"---with only the minimal of ingredient differences---here at Public House.  Yes!

Asked one of our two super-friendly servers what this amazing bread was, and if I could purchase a loaf.  IRISH SODA BREAD.  Smiling, she thanked me, but after a thoughtful moment she apologized and said she couldn't because they'll easily go through what they baked for that busy day---the Friday before St. Patrick's Day.  It WAS crowded with a line running along the front of the building.   Darn.  She bent down and whispered.  "I'll give you another slice to take home."   (Wrapped up neatly in aluminum foil, along with another big pat of butter, I thoroughly enjoyed it for breakfast the next day---but with controlled restraint.  I wanted to make it last.      

Fried Lake Erie Perch, Tartar Sauce, Coleslaw, and Fries, an easy 4 stars.  All fresh and in generous serving sizes---enough for 2 meals the next day.  We LOVE our perch dinners, and this was one of the VERY BEST of dozens over the years from several bars and restaurants.  Highly recommended.  Especially that tender, moist, yummy, one-slice-is-not-nearly-enough, baked in-house BREAD !

The Good News . . . Their fried Perch dinners and Soda bread are
                                    served all year long---not just during Lent !
The Bad News . . . .  But ONLY on Fridays.  

(Of course, that means I'll have to at least TRY my hand at Soda Bread now.  And if I'm lucky enough to come CLOSE to Public House's excellent version---even if a level or two beneath---that will be one major achievement.)

I have been wanting to stop by Public House for a few years now, and I'm embarrassed to say it took me this long. After an early season golf round, my friend and I stopped by around 7:30pm on a Monday night. We parked in the lot behind Public House, although it seems that much of Panini's crowd was parked there (not sure who owns the lot), because although the parking lot was full there were probably only about 20 people inside.

Public House isn't an exceptionally large bar, and I  like there. It's a good sized U-shape, with some bar tables on the one side and probably 8-10 regular dining tables on the other side. We saddled up to the bar and were promptly met by a bartender who tended to our drinks throughout the night. Typical Irish pub drafts, good bar service.

I ordered the lake perch sandwich and my friend ordered the onion soup/prime rib sandwich combination. He said that the prime rib sandwich was very good, but I am unable to say one way or the other on it. I felt the perch sandwich was below average - the fish itself was fine, but I felt that it was overfried: the breading was hard and crunchy, not light and flaky. Additionally, the bun wasn't good: cold, flavorless, and it fell apart. The best part of the meal was the coleslaw, which was pretty enjoyable.

If I'm out in Kamm's Corners, I'd probably go back for a couple pints and maybe some food, but with the other options in the neighborhood, I won't be yearning to return to Public House any time soon.

Great Fish Fry