| Author | Message | ||
     Tom Reingold the prissy-pants Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1254 Registered: 1-2003  |
I'm sorry, folks. I was not impressed. We went there this past weekend. The decor is charming and plain. The service was very good. The food was common pub food, as you'd find in Ireland and Britain, but part of the appeal of that food is that it's satisfying and cheap. This is not cheap. How do they manage to the same food there cheaply and not here? And the menu is small. Since the place is very popular, I must be missing the appeal, so please fill me in. Of course, the location is excellent. And don't get me wrong. It wasn't a bad experience whatsoever. I just think it's overrated. I will bring my father, however. He loves this type of place. Tom Reingold There is nothing | ||
| Soda Citizen Username: Soda Post Number: 1099 Registered: 5-2001  |
Tom: I'm not one who gets misty-eyed over pubs or pub-style food. I'm not Irish, or English, or Celtic in any significant way. I don't pine for my Wee Home in The Glen, or get excited over bangers&mash, no matter how inexpensive. My favorite corned beef dish is the #5 at Bagel Chateau, or maybe the Grilled Redwood at Pal's Cabin. But this evening I took the little woman over to the Gate, just see what all the fuss was about. She frequently gets home late, so we showed up around 9, and the place wasn't full. The bar was busy, but only about six tables were taken on the other side of the room. I ordered the Tipperary Rueben, and she had the Gaelic Steak. Both came with fries, but I asked for chips as a substitute. She had a merlot, I had Guinness. Both entrees were excellent. Not cheap, but much better than I had any reason to expect. This is very good food. Simply because the ingredients are top-notch. Her steak was tender, juicy, and nicely cooked, and sauced wonderfully. My sammich contained corned beef of high quality, and the meal was -- not to gush or anything -- very satisfying. This kind of grub shoud NOT be cheap. It's too good. I'll be back. I'd suggest that you do take your Da there. But eat at the bar. Hoist a few together. Just don't need to be "impressed". We're not talking haute cuisine here, Prissy Pants. But for what it is, I like it better than Pal's. Or even Bagel Chateau. --Soda | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5775 Registered: 4-1998  |
The key question for Tom is: what tap did you imbibe from? Acceptable answers here are Guinness and Boddingtons. As for food, I have never been disappointed. | ||
| r2boy Citizen Username: R2boy Post Number: 120 Registered: 5-2001 |
Just wish the kitchen didn't close at 10pm... | ||
| Tom Reingold the prissy-pants Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1256 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks for the points, Soda. It's true I shouldn't expect to pay bargain prices for good quality food. I wish I could remember the quality of the food in British pubs. Maybe it was low, because the prices were low. Ah, you know what else? They don't have table service, in general. So in essence, one big difference is paying for that. Dave, I don't like beer any more, and I have an extremely low tolerance for anything alcoholic. It usually puts me to sleep quickly, without any "fun" in the getting there, so I rarely drink. I had a little wine at Thanksgiving at Mom's. Tom Reingold There is nothing | ||
| 1-2many Citizen Username: Wbg69 Post Number: 649 Registered: 6-2002 |
The correct beer answer here is Newcastle. | ||
| algebra2 Citizen Username: Algebra2 Post Number: 1460 Registered: 5-2001  |
I think the pub is fairly reasonable. The burgers are $5.95 -- basically the price of a burger deluxe at the diner and much better. I really like the steak and at $12.95 it's yummy. The only other place to eat and have a drink in town is CentAnni's and they are WAY overpriced -- the same roast chicken you get at the pub for $12.95 is abouyt $20 there. My question is where are you eating Tom for as good food at a better price? | ||
| Tom Reingold the prissy-pants Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 1258 Registered: 1-2003 |
algebra2, I think I was too hasty in my assessment. I think you're right that the value is decent. When you brought up the diner, your point is clear. Diner food is certainly substandard. Fresh ingredients are definitely worth more money. I think I'm thinking back far too many years, not thinking about inflation. And I was paying in pounds, so I'm sure my memory is extremely unreliable. I don't even remember how many pounds a lunch was. All I remember was thinking the price was fair. So to all, I stand corrected. The pub offers a good value, good service, and good fair. Tom Reingold There is nothing | ||
| buzzsaw Citizen Username: Buzzsaw Post Number: 1128 Registered: 5-2001  |
All I'm sayin' is that the place is 100x better than the clothing store that was there. I love that place. LOVE. Tom, give it one more shot and lower the bar a bit. There is. | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 182 Registered: 9-2003 |
One of the specials Monday night was roasted chicken on top of roasted sweet potatoes & onions with a maple sauce - it was amazing! We go to the Gate quite often and while I do wish that they offered a cup of soup or a small salad with the entree - I've never been disappointed in the quality of the food or the graciousness of the owner and his staff | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 401 Registered: 7-2001 |
kitchen open til 11 also gets my vote. Boddington's? now that's overrated. | ||
| Yossarian Citizen Username: Yossarian Post Number: 114 Registered: 8-2003 |
Question: Why did the cowardly lion go to St. James Gate? Answer: To get some Courage, the best beer they sell!!! | ||
| oots Citizen Username: Oots Post Number: 105 Registered: 6-2001 |
I second that. All cowardly lions(and others) need their "Courage". | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 275 Registered: 11-2001 |
The kitchen is open to 11 however it's the late night menu. Burgs, wings and the such. I have never had a bad time or experience there. We love it! | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 404 Registered: 7-2001 |
right- but the 10-11 menu is weak. | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5795 Registered: 4-1998 |
I find Courage to be, well, weak. Newcastle is nice, though a tad astringent. Boddington's is a cup of foamy golden goodness. However, I am pro-choice. | ||
| Yossarian Citizen Username: Yossarian Post Number: 115 Registered: 8-2003 |
Dave -- Pro-choice is good. There really are no wrong answers at the Pub. I wouldn't call Courage weak, though. Miller Lite, Bud, Coors, those are weak. To me, Courage is crisp, clean and just flavorful enough without being heavy. And it goes down quick and easy (insert inappropriate reference to some girls I knew in college here). | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 1668 Registered: 5-2001  |
I go to the gate for the brew (well, once i had a martini) and a burger if i'm starving. The fries (not the chips) taste and look like Ore Ida shoestrings that i make at home for the kids. I love that we always see friends in there when we go. | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 196 Registered: 2-2003 |
Tom-- I agree with you. I have been only once, but it was SO overcrowded, I was bumped into so many times, more of my drink ended up on the floor than in my glass. I loved everything about it, but there were too many people in there to enjoy myself. | ||
| gretchen Citizen Username: Gretchen Post Number: 83 Registered: 8-2001 |
Who cares about the food! I'm just thrilled that there's actually a bar in Maplewood where I can go with my friends or my husband and enjoy a beer or two (or three) and perhaps see some familiar faces. It's just great to have a local hang-out spot. |
