Loved this place! It's got great ambience and the bartender provided great service. Friendly and conversational. I'm almost kinda sad I picked this place while traveling on business so I probably won't get the chance to go back again. If you live in this area, make sure to check it out!
Review Source:I was staying at Le Merigot (next door) and the concierge highly recommended this place after i told him what I was looking to eat.
The place was packed due to Trivia night, but I found a nice spot at the bar to eat and throw back a few Strongbows. Yes, that's right this l.ace got it right and actually has Strongbow on tap (None of that Woodchuck girly cider)!
I ordered the Salmon and roasted red potatoes. It was excellent. The starch sole the show however...they were excellent and I wish there wouldve been a 2nd helping for me.
If you're in the area on business you know that E'vill has limited food options. This is one of the best in "The District" and I suggest you check it out if you're in the area.
One more thing...the do have Free WiFi if you want to be anti social :)
This place is pretty good! We came in on a week night for some drinks and we had a great time! We sat in the bar area at the "sticky" table. The service was excellent, the staff was attentive and fun. We ordered some of the apps, I would say the pickle chips were the best, everything else was a little sub-par. Overall, we had a great time, i'm not sure how the rest of the food is, but if it's anything like some of the apps, I would eat dinner elsewhere, come here for the drinks and the atmosphere.
Review Source:Pros:
Good burgers, fish, hot wings, and shepherd's pie.
Service is usually pretty good
Great drink selection
Clean bathrooms
Cons:
The fries are usually too greasy
Not all servers offer the free bread and butter
Sometimes the specials & prices online don't match the restaurant
Tip:
Sign up for their e-mail list. Â They send news every month and update you on specials. Â Every year they send a $10 coupon for your birthday.
I like the atmosphere of the place... for dinner, before the place gets loud it is nice and intimate, good for a date, good for catching up with a friend(s). Â I also like the atmosphere when it becomes a bar, a place to catch a local band, etc. Â When it gets busy though, it gets busy and you could be waiting for quite some time.
The potato cakes are amazing and you should definitely order these. Â My best friend always orders them as her meal because they are that good. Â I have had the Kilcooly sandwich, which I enjoy. Â Sure it is like Thanksgiving in a sandwich, but I love Thanksgiving! Â Give the fish and chips a miss (that means don't bother in British speak). Â While the fish is about the size you would get in Ireland or the UK, it really isn't executed well. Â The batter was soggy and not really done and there were some bones in mine. Â And they lay the fish on top of the french fries, which is customary in Ireland and the UK, except the part about the french fries... they lay the fish on thick, fresh cut chips, not thin, straggly, frozen french fries that will ultimately become soggy because they're not made to withstand that kind of treatment. Â Corned beef and cabbage are good, but the corned beef was a little tough, but the flavor was good.
I remember having Sunday brunch there one time and haven't seen this item since, but they used to do a fantastic hash that had regular potatoes, sweet potatoes, bits of corned beef, and a poached egg on top. Â It was spot on! Â They should really bring it back! Â The cocktails are fun, some are done well, some... not so much. Â It is a little on the expensive side, like the sandwiches. Â The service is a bit hit and miss. Â I've had service that was great and then I've had service where it was all wrong and to be honest, we could've walked out without paying and the staff wouldn't have known. Â If they could get some consistency, it would definitely make things much better!
As far as a place for dinner, they could use a bit of work on some of the dishes. Â As far as a place for drinks and fun... they're already there!
There is indoor and outdoor seating for party of 1 or more! Limited outside seating though. Get there early.
The service and price was great. My draft bass was under $5!
The bartender had some great recommendations. The Spinach dip was SUPER hot, let it cool off before you burn your tongue like I did. The portion is the size of a cup of soup so you will have room for your entree. I also ordered the Tortellini with a heck load of veggies and cheese. Loved it!
I've visited Ri Ra's a half a dozen times, but today's lunch was by far the best I've had there. The Ballymaloe chicken sandwich was absolutely yummy with goat cheese, roasted bell peppers, grilled portabella mushroom, and Ballymole relish (which I'm not sure what it is, but it was good and sweet). And sweet potato tator tots really hit the spot. I mean, they combined two of my favorites (sweet potato fries and tator tots)!
It got a little loud due to the lunch rush, but overall I'd definitely recommend this place for a fun meal. Our server was very attentive (drink refills, appetizers, etc.). In the past, I've had their Cottage pie (definitely filling) and enjoyed it. Their drinks and drink selection are good. If you like trivia, then visit during Trivia Tuesday nights. AND I like that they're non-smoking (unless you're out on the patio). Just something a little different from your usual pub food places.
Unfortunately, I stopped in here for lunch. Â I say "unfortunately", because this place was made for drinking. Â Sitting there, eating my Shepard's Pie, without a cold one, just felt wrong.
My food was great and priced right, but without the beer, I felt empty and unfulfilled.
I'm a fan and will be back the next time I'm in town.
I've only eaten here once, for lunch, and the service was so ridiculously slow that I've haven't eaten here since. Â I have stopped by for drinks several times, and I can say that the service is just as bad at night. Â The atmosphere of the place is nice, and the patio is great during the summer, but I just can't get past the awful service. Â For that reason I would advise others to avoid this place, the service really is that bad!
Review Source:Yum! Â I've been to Ireland twice and this is very much like a local pub there. Â Great selection of beer including Guinness..We were there during Happy Hour and my husband ordered the fish and chips at a discounted price of $8...He really enjoyed it along with the "chips" Â which, of course, were fries. All the appetizers were specially priced too. Â I had the sampler which isn't on the regular menu. Â It included a potatoe & leek soup, the Shepherds Pie and the Beef and Guinness Stew. Â all were served up in small portions but still a lot of food for $6. Â We are coming back thru this town next week and we will probably stop in again.
Review Source:The fish and chips are OK but, for the money Long John's are just as good.
They give you a huge piece of fish. It's flakey, moist and good but, the problem is, (I know I'm quibbling here) Â the fish is so big that the fish-to-batter ratio is off. Yeah, the F2B ratio--it's science! Too much fish--too little crunchy batter. It's also too big to eat with your hands. Comfortably anyway.
They serve the fish on top of a large pile of fries that looks impressive but only ends up steaming the fries and making them limp and unappetizing . Steamed fries are not good eats.
The atmosphere is nice and they have a good beer selection but, I'll order something other than the fish and chips next time I go.
Was in town for two weeks, and after eating the crap they had at my hotel, I finally stumbled upon this gem. Â The food is, simply put, amazing. Â I fell in love with their grilled pork chops topped with caramelized apples. Â Their drink selection was great also.
My coworkers and I were also lucky enough to stumble upon their trivia nights, which makes dinner extra fun. Â Gives you a reason to stick around after eating and knock back a few cold ones before turning in for the night.
Wow, you mean there is a smoke free bar in Evansville? Â SWEET! Â I love this place-- great drink list, good live music, and no smoking inside. Â It can get super packed in here and very, very loud. Â Don't expect to be able to hear your friends after the live music starts. Â The servers are friendly and while I haven't yet tasted the food, it looks good. Â This is going to end up being my primo spot-- the only thing missing is a pool table.
UPDATE-- Don't miss out on Pub Quiz Night on tuesdays-- it's super fun!