Craving some good English pub grub? Yes, I know, there was a day when "good" and "English grub" were not words that you would put in the same sentence. That day is gone, and in Savannah, the pub is thriving. Being featured in the Julia Roberts flick Something to Talk About certainly hasn’t hurt business, either. They were voted Savannah’s Best in 2003-2004. If you're interested, the pub has a resident ghost who has been nicknamed "Larry". Evidently, he can be quite active at times, especially in the restroom. I can't comment on that since I didn't use it, but Al did, and he didn't see anything unusual. Too bad--it would have made for some interesting copy.
Located on the corner of Bull Street, in the heart of the historic district, you couldn’t ask for a more convenient location. With the unseasonably warm January weather, we couldn’t resist the temptation to eat outdoors.
There were five tables out front, and we were lucky enough to get the last one. We did check inside, and although there was a non-smoking section, the air smelled very smoky. I was strongly reminded of most English pubs I have visited.
Service was fast and efficient; we put in our drink orders immediately. I’m afraid I am not a lover of Guinness or bitters, so I opted for a Carolina Blond, which is a local brew. It is a golden lager with a nice head and a light bitter back bite,
enjoyable enough that I ordered it again the second time we ate there. They offer an interesting variety of appetizers, running the gamut from Scotch eggs and smoked salmon to nachos and baked brie. You can order a salad, a sandwich, or a more substantial meal. We headed right for the entrees.
Al ordered the Beef Guinness,
a bread bowl full of tender beef tips, marinated in Guinness Stout, then simmered in a brown sauce with mushrooms, peas, carrots, and onions. It is served with a salad of crisp greens, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Very satisfying.
Joe ordered the pork roast, slow-roasted, with mashed potatoes and gravy and collard greens. It was a huge portion and unbelievably tender.
I had the special of the day, ribs with baked beans and potato salad. I switched the beans and potato salad for coleslaw and collard greens. I adore collards, and these were no exception--slow-cooked with chunks of smoky ham. The ribs were a very substantial size, and Al got to finish them for me.
For dessert, one of the offerings was an éclair for two, but after Clary’s, there is no way we were going that route. Instead, we got the bread pudding.
It was a very good choice. Divinely sweet, with plenty to share.