Shea O'Brien's

Nice people running a great place! My daughter was involved with the "Relay for Life" on campus and Garvin, the manager at Shea O'Brien's was a super supporter. We had dinner the a few weeks ago, the night before the Relay on campus and the food, ambiance and the hospitality were incredible. We look forward to coming back to Shea O'Briens' again soon!

Shea O'Briens....the little Irish pub that sits atop the downtown area of New Paltz, set apart from the rest of swill taverns and college kid chug chug haunts that gives New Paltz it's gentle nocturnal hum.  It's in this that Shea is inviting to a mixed crowd, the families that want to bond, the first daters looking to have an intimate dinner, the business man looking to knock back and forget business.  Shea's is pretty.  Shea's is relaxing.  It's like a architectural hug.  It's inviting.

The food....decent.  Not a pot of gold at the end of the nosh rainbow.  It's not bar food, but a step or two above and presented well.  A tad overpriced for what is offered.  But, pretty food at a pretty place.  

However, 'Fighting Irish' seems to NOT be the theme for the wait staff.  There is indeed, staff aplenty, overstaffed, even, but what they are all doing, isn't really evident.  The service is SLOW SLOW SLOW.  The service is sloppy.  Seemingly the staff is just extra decoration - all pretty to look at, but that's all they seem to be - extra decoration.  Maybe the snakes driven out of Ireland could be utilized here to chase the staff into being more attentive to the patrons. Maybe it's the lack of Lucky Charms for breakfast....whatever it is, be prepared to wait. And wait.  And wait.

A nod, however, to the Sunday brunch.  An excellent value for an extensive spread that is better presented than a geek's science fair entry.  New Paltz was so desperate for a quality buffet brunch and Shea's really makes it a "Top of the mornin'".  However, again - the wait staff.  They serve the brunch to you while you stand in line...it gives a slight cafeteria feel, and the line builds quickly for food.  

A tip of the cap to the live music....this is a plus in keeping Shea's authentic.  

Shea O'Brien's....I really, really, REALLY want to like you more.  You have a lot going for you.  Sadly there are more kinks then the blarney stone has lip prints.

We had shepherd's pie and bangers and bangers and mash. Quite good, fun atmosphere.