The Bottom Line
- Hearty portions
- Creative menu
- Impeccable service
- Kid-friendly
- Out-of-the-way location
- Somewhat cramped quarters
Description
- Cuisine Type: Irish
- The Life of Reilly Irish Pub
2031 E. Fairmount Ave.
Phone: 410-327-6425 - Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; Sunday brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Price: Moderate Recommended for kids: Yes
Guide Review - Life of Reilly Irish Pub
With a pint in hand, begin at the beginning of the menu. Don't rush past the appetizers, especially if the ceviche ($8.99) is on special. This mixture of shrimp and codfish bathed, in lime juice and served cold in a martini glass, is plenty for two to share. Other starters are more typical of a pub menu except for the cheese sampler ($13.99), which features Irish Cahills Porter, Dubliner and Cashel Bleu.
The entrees are equally appealing … and filling. Irish classic comfort food, like the shepherd's pie ($11.99), does not disappoint. The lean ground beef, simmered slowly in a rich brown gravy, is embellished with fresh vegetables and a variety of cheeses. The mixture is served around an island of mashed potatoes.
Somewhat less thrilling was the ribeye sandwich ($10.99), which comes crowned with roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella. These toppings were the stars here. The dish was serviceable, but the meat was fattier than most diners really want in a sandwich format (no knife to cut away the offending bits).
Fish 'n' chips ($13.99) and Guiness Stew ($14.99) round out the Irish side of the menu, while a lump crab cake (market price) and Chesapeake chicken ($16.99) give it local flavor.
The kids' menu items ($4.99) served up everything young diners could want at a price that would make parents what to come back. Our little ones tried the grilled cheese, the hamburger and the chicken tenders--all served with steak fries and a scoop of ice cream--and they were all finalists for The Clean-Plate Award.
The Life of Reilly, which opened in early 2007, took over the space once dominated by neighborhood favorite Simon's. With a start like this, the kitchen's high-quality work appears to be in good hands.
