The Celiathlete

June 18, 2011June 18, 2011

No gambling with the food and service at Mr. Lucky’s 24-7!

While on vacation, I always like to fortify myself for a busy day with a hearty breakfast. Sometimes a lunch isn’t guaranteed so something filling and delicious is what I seek out. Not wanting to wander all the way down to the strip before eating, I took the elevator from my hotel room in the Hard Rock Hotel down to Mr. Lucky’s 24-7, a 24-hour diner-style restaurant that has been recognized as one of Vegas’ “Best Late Night Snack Stops” since 2003 in the Las Vegas Weekly Reader’s Choice Poll.

Okay…so it’s good enough for the drunk…but so is Taco Bell. But, how does Mr. Lucky’s 24-7 measure up for the most sober person in Vegas…bright and early (6 a.m. early – I was still on Eastern Time Zone time, I swear!) on a Wednesday?

We were seated immediately, beside a huge mural of Jim Morrison. Already the ambiance was to my taste. The menu was classic diner-style with a little of everything. Breakfast foods ranging from egg dishes to pancakes to baked goods (muffins, bagels, toast). They also have salads, soups, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, fajitas, nachos, a variety of appetizers and even some desserts. The menu had a little of everything and a little of something…for anyone…or a group to share. Whatever you preferred.

With my food allergies, eggs are usually a safe gamble for me. So I stuck with that plan and ordered off the breakfast menu. I opted for Veggie Omelet done with egg whites. Since I couldn’t have the toast or English muffin that came with it, the server gladly substituted watermelon for me. I was thrilled because I LOVE my fruit. And…since my roommate is my acting food deputy, she inquired as to whether the hash browns that come with it were gluten-free. Since the server was unsure, he hurried back to the chef to inquire. He returned shortly after with the ingredients to the butter the hash browns were cooked in…the one ingredient in question when it came to the hash browns. Both my roommate and I inspected them and it passed. So, I was totally getting my hash browns! And this made me stupidly happy because I love my breakfast potatoes like no one else!

The food arrived in short order and I wasted no time diving into it. Even after the delicious food the night before, I was ready for some food. The melon was absolutely ripe and delicious! So happy to have a server suggest that as a substitute without me even having to inquire. I can’t do that around where I live. No one understands a gluten intolerance. Out West…they get it and they work with you! The omelet was AWESOME!! The vegetables were perfectly done. Nothing too wilty. Nothing runny. Delicious…especially when topped off with some hot sauce. Nothing goes better with eggs than hot sauce. I swear…it’s one of my favorite things! And the hashbrowns were perfect. Brown and crispy…yet still soft inside. The perfect hash brown.

The portions were HUGE…and not over-priced. So you really get a good deal here. And yes…I ate it all. Like I said, lunch wasn’t guaranteed…and in fact, we didn’t actually have lunch that day. So the big breakfast was just what we needed to get us going and energized for another full day on the Vegas strip.

Not only was this restaurant very careful with my food and mindful of my allergies…they worked with me and even took the extra precaution of sending out the ingredients in something so I could make sure it was safe. That’s not just awesome, that’s rockstar! And once again, after eating here…we decided the following morning we’d return to try something else off the menu.

When it demands a return, then it’s gotta be good. This diner-style restaurant did everything right with its food and service. Yeah…there is a reason it continues to receive accolades in Reader’s polls. It really is that delicious. Even when sober…even when eating breakfast…the food was dine-in delicious!

Veggie Omelet, hash browns, watermelon — Mr. Lucky's 24-7 Veggie Omelet (made with egg whites), hash browns and watermelon

June 15, 2011

A culinary explosion of the palate at Nobu

I just returned from an amazing culinary excursion of the West. If there was good food to eat, I was going to find it. And this trip proved my instincts to be right on par.

My culinary vacation began with a dinner at the world-renowned Nobu restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada. Located in the Hard Rock Hotel, this beautiful restaurant is tucked away in a quiet section and you immediately feel the difference upon entering. My roommate and I had reservations for 7:00 pm. We showed up about 15 minutes early, and were immediately seated. The first thing the waiter did, after unsheathing our chopsticks was to ask what we knew about the restaurant. Since we were Nobu-newbies, he went through the history of the restaurant briefly, then offered suggestions from the menu, including Nobu’s signature dish: Black Cod Miso. We alerted him to my food allergies and he assured me the kitchen had gluten-free soy sauce should I need it, as well as any sushi dish could be done vegetable style. He left us alone as he went to fill our drink order and we pondered the menu for a moment.

Upon his return, we placed our orders. My roommate went with one of the recommended dishes: the Miso Soup followed by the Rock Shrimp Tempura with a Creamy Spicy Sauce. I was craving vegetarian sushi. So I put in for the Mushroom Soup and a cut roll of the Vegetable Sushi and a cut roll of the Oshinko Sushi.

The soup arrived first. And this was going to be it. Our first taste of the much-raved over Nobu food. I picked up my spoon, eyeing the floating bits of mushroom in the broth before taking my first sip. And it was good. Beyond good. While most vegetable-based soups can run bland, this exploded with flavor, without being overpoweringly earthy. It was fantastic. My roommate gave it a try as well, although her favorite soup is still the Miso. We finished our soups and had time to let it digest before our dinners arrived.

Green Tea — Nobu's green tea - proceeds from the sale of their tea went to help with Japan's earthquake relief

The cut rolls were absolutely stunning. The Vegetable Sushi roll was cut in circular slices, stuffed with rice and a variety of vegetables. The Oshinko Sushi roll (pickled vegetables) exploded with flavor. This one was cut into smaller, square pieces and all displayed against a dark green banana leaf with ginger and wasabi on the side. Their ginger, by the way, was awesome. And I normally don’t like ginger. I opted to try the vegetable one first and took one bite and immediately fell in love with it. It was the best vegetarian sushi I had ever tasted. Packed with flavor…not bland or dull. But the real treat was the Oshinko. The pickled vegetables packed a powerful punch that played well against the rice. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever let cross my palate. It alternated between the two throughout the meal and polished off each roll, savoring every bite.

With the appetizer and main course down, we decided that since we were on vacation we’d treat ourselves to dessert. With my gluten intolerance, this can sometimes be a challenge. But, not at Nobu. We ordered the Bento Box, a flourless chocolate cake with a white chocolate sauce, shiso syrup and green tea ice cream. Was that ever worth the splurge. I have never, ever had a cake melt in my mouth before, but this did. Like butter. It was soft, creamy, dreamy, chocolate goodness paired with a green tea ice cream that paired so well with the gooey chocolate cake that it was an unbelievable party in my mouth. My roommate commented upon finishing that if it wouldn’t go against all dining etiquette, that she would lick the box it was served in. I also tried their green tea with my dessert and it was warm and delicious. All proceeds from the tea sold went toward helping Japan. A worthy cause…delicious tea.

Nobu was more than a splurge. It was a dining experience. No one should visit any city one of these restaurants are in without going. The tastes, the food, the ambiance…it all plays into one of the most amazing dining experiences. And the food…well, that’s a culinary vacation all its own. And one so good, that my roommate and I cancelled our Thursday night dinner reservation to return. But that is another blog…

Vegetable sushi — Nobu's Cut Roll Sushi: Vegetable (round) and Oshinko (square)

June 11, 2011

Praise of Celestial proportions!

Sleepytime Love — I love Celestial Seasonings!

It’s not every day that you run across a company that really, really cares about its clientele. Seriously. I’ve written letters to restaurants regarding their menus (lack of options for a vegetarian with a gluten intolerance…trust me!) and have received defensive letters in return or a form letter.

That was not the case with Celestial Seasonings in Boulder, Colorado. I visited the plant back in April when I ventured away from a convention I was attending in Denver to go see the plant. I am a tea fiend and Celestial Seasonings is my go-to tea…because it’s available EVERYWHERE! Before taking the tour, I had dropped into the café for a small breakfast and fell in love with some gluten-free breads that they had for sale.

As mentioned in my previous blog about my visit to Celestial Seasonings, I had e-mailed them about possibly receiving the recipes for the bread, as buying anything gluten-free out in Indiana is not only expensive, it’s practically impossible. (Seriously, grocery store sections are usually very small and most don’t even carry Udi’s bread!).

I received a message back from their Consumer Relations saying that they stumbled upon my blog and have been trying to locate the recipe for me, but currently haven’t been able to track it down. And they apologized for the time it took to get back to me. Needless to say, I was already impressed. One weeks later, I received another e-mail back from a different person in Consumer Relations, this time telling me that the gluten-free breads are actually brought into the café and not made on site, so recipes are not available to them. The fact that they spent all that time trying to track this down for me spoke volumes of the dedication they have to their customers. If I was impressed before, I was now gobsmacked.

But here is the epitome of customer appreciation. Upon returning home from work yesterday, I went to get the mail from my box and noticed an envelope in there from Celestial Seasonings in Boulder, Colorado. Upon opening it, I found a nice letter from a Jessica, a Consumer Relations Representative. This was no form letter either. It was typed out addressing not only their delay in getting back to me, but voicing their appreciation of my patience. But here is the kicker, folks…also inside were not only coupons for Celestial Seasonings tea and Arrowhead Mills gluten-free baking mixes…they also put in some recipes for a variety of gluten-free breads, muffins, cakes, pancakes, waffles, cookies, etc. This goes beyond customer service. This is ensuring customer satisfaction!

I said it to our tour guide on the tour of Celestial Seasonings, I said it to everyone back at the convention center where I was in Denver, and I’ve said it to people here where I live. I would work for this company!! I would love to work for Celestial Seasonings…even more so now because I have now been given ultimate customer service. When contacting companies these days over things, normally you don’t even know if you’re going to get a person on the other end. Celestial Seasonings is definitely run by real people. Real people who care and who take time to not only find an answer for you, but contact you back and make sure you are satisfied with the response they give.

I’m impressed. I’m beyond impressed. Boulder, Colorado is such a healthy area. The fact that gluten-free products are so readily available make me want to pack up and head out west. Maybe one day. But for now, I’ll remain in Indiana…and give these kindly provided recipes a whirl.

Thank you, Hain Celestial Group, for making me a bigger believer, not just in your company, but in your dedication to your customers. I raise a mug of Sleepytime Tea in your honor. Cheers.

June 10, 2011

Enjoy Life and take a bite out of chocolate chip cookies again!

Back in February, I was told that I have a gluten intolerance. This was…heartbreaking. I’m a girl in love with her carbs. Bread, pasta, pancakes, pizza, pretzels, muffins, bagels, donuts…all delicious and, sadly, all very glutenous. It has been a challenge taking on a gluten-free lifestyle. Expensive too. Sometimes I just can’t justify spending money to try out a product that I might not like. Granted, gluten-free products have come a long way over the years, but sometimes the trial-and-error method doesn’t work into my budget. And, not surprisingly, there are times all I crave are things that I can no longer easily have. One such thing was cookies.

That was until I was entered into an online contest during May’s Celiac Awareness Month on Gluten Free Networks. Just for being a member of the site, you were entered into drawings for gluten-free prizes all month. It just so happened that I won.

My prize was a box of gluten-free cookies from Enjoy Life. They had just rolled out their new line of crunchy cookies. I was going to receive one of four flavors: chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, crisp sugar, or vanilla honey graham.

My box arrived in the mail not long after and I received a box of their crunchy chocolate chip cookies.

I knew what dessert was going to be that night so after eating dinner, I broke into my prize and pulled out the cookies. On the box, despite being listed as crunchy, they still look very raised and soft. The cookies are pretty flat when you see them. But…sometimes cookies baked at home are like that. Let’s let the taste buds do the talking.

Now, my roommate does not have to be gluten-free, but she does eat that way sometimes because I’m the chef in this apartment and I refuse to cook things two different ways. So, I handed her a cookie and got my own. I was nervous about the first bite, but after taking it, feeling the crisp cookie break away and dance across my tastebuds…I was sold.

Not only did these taste like homemade cookies, they were really delicious! The crunch was just the right kind that I like with cookies (despite that I much prefer soft-bake…but Enjoy Life makes those too and might be worth a try). The chocolate chips were perfectly sweet and paired with the sweetness of the cookie base. I admit that I even reverted back to being five years old at one point and dunked the cookie into my glass of almond milk. A pre-packaged product that tastes like a homemade cookie isn’t an easy find, but I found it in this box. The rest were devoured throughout the week and I savored every bite.

If a grocery store out this way ever starts carrying these delicious treats from Enjoy Life…I’ll buy them up. I’m now dying to try the other flavors. Gluten-free tastes oh, so good again!

May 29, 2011May 29, 2011

Cockles and muscles and…veggie burgers…Molly Malone’s dishes out awesome, affordable pub grub!

Sweet Molly Malone’s. Located in the Highlands of Louisville, Kentucky (with satellite restaurants in St. Matthews and Covington), this pub was one of the first local Irish pubs that I went to upon moving here. Since then, I’ve made friends with the men who go there to watch rugby, sat in during the World Cup, and taken friends there for trip planning, catching up, and…birthdays. Oh yes…this is one of those places that you just want to brag about.

It can’t get much more authentically Irish than this. Molly Malone’s is owned by a gentleman who hails from County Cork, Ireland. The chef…is also from Ireland. They serve, *gasp* Irish food. Shepherd’s Pie, Fish & Chips, Irish Lamb Stew, Bangers & Mash, Corned Beef & Cabbage…it’s all on that menu. Along with some pasta dishes (one is vegetarian), burgers (one is vegetarian), and sandwiches (one is a vegetarian Portobello mushroom sandwich!).

Irish food that not only is authentic but delicious. And no one can beat the selection this pub has on tap, including Magners…my favorite cider, which I was introduced to in Ireland back in 2007. Molly Malone’s has it all. And that is why I continue to go back there. It’s my go-to pub. My hometown bit of Ireland. Granted, Louisville has a plethora of Irish pubs to choose from. Yet, in a pinch, Molly Malone’s is where I would go. The food is good, the atmosphere rocks, the staff is awesome, and the price is right. Two pubs in downtown Louisville on Fourth Street are twice as much in cost as entreés at Molly Malone’s.

On a recent stop at Molly’s for lunch, I placed an order for the Black Bean Burger, their homemade veggie burger patty consisting of beans, nuts and grains. It comes with lettuce, tomato and red onion with a Cajun ranch sauce, and served on a Kaiser roll. Being one who can’t have bread, I ordered it without the bread. I didn’t even miss it. Piling it high with the veggies, I sliced it up, poured a bit of the dressing over it and ate it like that. It was delightfully spicy. The right amount of kick – not too much. It was soft, warm, and matched perfectly with the spicy dressing. For one who normally would have gotten the Portobello sandwich, this was going off the reservation for me…and now it might be what I always get there. I’m in love with the combination of flavors and the way each hint of spice plays off the other. SO delicious.

Louisville has a lot to offer when it comes to Irish food. There are so many Irish-themed pubs in the vicinity of the city that it could make anyone’s head spin. But, trust me…Molly Malone’s is far superior to all of them. Not just in the quality of the food, but the cost too. And you will find this pub’s regulars very engaging and very inviting. That speaks highly of this establishment.

Good Irish pub grub…amazing suroundings…alive, alive, o!

Molly Malone's Black Bean Burger (no Kaiser roll)

May 27, 2011May 27, 2011

The only thing Strange about this coffee shop is the drink names…

It’s the greatest coffee shop I have ever been to. Honestly. And the name puts it all into perspective.

Strange Brew.

Located in Greenwood, Indiana, this little coffee shop offers up the finest coffee I have ever…ever…tasted. I mean, honestly, when you have a Peanut Butter Cup Mocha on the menu…is there anything left to say? And that…is my usual order (with soy milk, please), when I venture up to the Indianapolis area. Yes…no matter what time of year or what time of day Strange Brew is a regular stop for me. Their drinks are honestly that good.

The entire shop has a very casual and laid back feel to it. The walls are adorned with local artists work, up for sale, as a matter of fact. The counter has not only coffee, pastries, cookies and muffins around it, but also mugs and merchandise. Oh yes…we have merchandise. And not that crazy Starbucks mumbo-jumbo. No, no. I bought this large Strange Brew mug when I was in there a couple months back and I’ve not only used it for hot drinks at home, but also soups, pastas, and the occasional scrambled egg mug breakfast concoction.

So is the coffee really that good? It’s amazing. This past time I was set on getting my usual…the Peanut Butter Cup Mocha…but once I got there, I went off the beaten path. I got the Blonde Bombshell, and with the permission of the owner to raid her super-secret stash of almond milk, had it prepared warm with almond milk over soy. And…I fell in love with espresso all over again. If a blondie brownie could melt it would have tasted like what I was drinking. Dessert in caffeinated form. And it’s always served in a bitchin’ mug. It doesn’t get much better than that. It can’t get much better than that!

And if that isn’t enough to convince you to go to Strange Brew…consider that it is an independently owned business run by very awesome people. The baristas are amazing. And every now and again, upon entering, you get handed a cup of something and told to try it. This happened to me once. It was hot chocolate with a touch of cayenne pepper…no whipped cream. The name of this drink: The Amanda Palmer – Topless.

YES!! This is my kind of place. This is my kind of coffee shop. And this won’t change. I only wish I didn’t have to drive over an hour and a half in order to get it. It just makes the trips up that way even more worth it.

Next time you are around Greenwood, Indiana and have a hankering for some really good coffee…go to The Strange Brew. Try something new…different…and perhaps, a little bit strange. When coffee tastes this amazing it’s good to be strange!

May 27, 2011

Jeni’s sinful scoops are worth the price!

There are fewer things in this world as indulgent and as delicious as ice cream. But not all ice creams are created alike. Some walk a fine line of being too bland, some too rich.

On a recent journey to Columbus, Ohio, my friends and I stopped into Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams for dessert. What we got was an array of different flavors, ones you would not see anywhere else. And, wow, were we ever anxious to try them. My roommate got two scoops of The Buckeye State, peanut butter flavored ice cream with the crunch of delicious dark chocolate mixed in. My friend mixed and matched, opting for one scoop of the Salty Caramel and one scoop of the Bourbon Butter Pecan.

Initially, I had every intention of getting the Queen City Cayenne flavor, which is a rich chocolate flavor with a kick of cayenne pepper in it. I’m glad I sampled it first because, while tasty, I don’t think I could have managed two scoops of it. Since I was really feeling chocolate that day, I instead got two scoops of the Dark Chocolate, intense chocolate flavor with a fudge texture. It was like eating brownie batter, honestly. And I loved every spoonful of it.

Since we all had different kinds, we all sampled each others. And yeah…this is honestly some of the best ice cream around. Ever. And I have eaten a lot of ice cream in my life…in a lot of different places. Sure, Jeni’s comes with a cost. But they use local ingredients to make their ice creams. You can’t get much better than that. Local business supporting local businesses. Yes…that in itself makes it worth the cost. The two scoops, about a serving, or 1/2 cup, of regular ice cream ran $4.00. But it was four delicious dollars well spent.

If you happen to be traveling through Ohio and spot a Jeni’s…stop and treat yourself to some of their ice cream. With an array of flavors and even seasonal ones appearing on their menu…you’ll have more than enough reasons to keep going back. I recommend you do because ice cream doesn’t get much better than that. And I’ll scream that from the rafters any day, anywhere.

May 27, 2011

Not your usual bag of pub offerings…

If you couldn’t tell already, I go to a lot of pubs. All sorts. Scottish, English, Irish…it doesn’t matter. Pub grub is a guilty pleasure of mine. And given that my roommate enjoys a good fish and chips order more than anyone I know…pubs are often first on our list when we visit an area and are looking for something to eat.

While in Columbus, Ohio, we stopped in for an early dinner at The Old Bag of Nails Pub, a pub aptly named because the first one was opened in an empty warehouse store. The pub has come a long way since then. The outside of this place is beautiful, but the inside was spacious, well-lit and reminiscent of those dark-wood pubs of long ago.

We were seated near a loud group of drunken college boys watching one of the many sports games up on the televisions. But, it’s a pub and to be expected – especially on a Saturday. After looking over the menu, I debated a little on what to order. I had two possible choices: the Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sandwich or soup and salad. I opted, after much debate, for the sandwich, which was to come out with chips and salsa, so I asked to substitute those for the fries.

Our meals came out and I inspected my sandwich. It was simply a giant Portobello mushroom cap topped with provolone cheese and a sun-dried tomato mayonnaise. It came with lettuce, tomato and red onion on toasted ciabatta bread. This mushroom definitely had not been grilled up to perfection like the one I had in Tennessee. In fact, the bottom slice of bread was soaked in the juice of the mushroom. I ended up only nibbling on bits of the bread, to keep the gluten-intolerance at a minimum. Mostly I ate the mushroom, cheese and vegetables. It was a decent enough sandwich, the runny mushroom not withstanding. Did it blow me away? No. It didn’t offer me anything different from any other Portobello sandwich I have eaten at pubs. The steak fries were a bit soft as well. And, even though I substituted them for the chips and salsa, an order was brought out to the table regardless. So we enjoyed those as well with our meal. My friends, naturally, got the fish and chips.

I wasn’t blown away by the food here. But this has the disadvantage of also being a chain pub. These tend to lack in quality what the independent pubs have. It wasn’t bad…but I think next time I’ll go somewhere else. Perhaps a quieter atmosphere. Perhaps with a wider range of vegetarian options. I’m not saying I wouldn’t go back to The Old Bag of Nails Pub; I’m just saying it’s not on the top of my list.

The Old Bag of Nails Pub's Grilled Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

May 27, 2011May 27, 2011

Nothing could “Sully” the experience at Sully’s Irish Pub

Sully’s Irish Pub in Medina, Ohio is truly one of those restaurants I revisit every time I am in the area. No joke. I once even drove up from Columbus, Ohio when I was there visiting a friend just to take her there for dinner. Then we drove back afterwards. Yes…worth the gas, worth the time, and worth the drive. Because as far as Irish pubs go in the United States, this is, by far, the absolute best I have been to.

On a recent visit, which was just before the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon 5K I was running in, my roommate, friend and I stopped in for dinner. Prior to this, however, I contacted the restaurant to inquire about some of the ingredients in the food. It was important, especially before a race, not to eat something that might ignite a reaction to my gluten allergy.

The owner of Sully’s e-mailed me back. I had asked if I could bring in my own wrap to have with my usual, the Leprechaun Wrap, as normally this mix of grilled sliced Portobello mushrooms, red and green peppers, red onion, tomato, romaine lettuce and a balsamic vinaigrette glaze, comes in a flour tortilla. He said that I could bring my own wrap and they would be happy to use it for my vegetarian dish. As I also inquired about the appetizer my friends I always get, the Guinness Cheese Dip, which is served with boxty potato cakes, he looked into that as well. After telling me the boxty was, in fact, made with flour, he said I could bring in an extra tortilla and they could make me up some wedges to fry up for the dip. And then, almost immediately, he replied back again saying that since the dip actually had Guinness draught in it…it wasn’t gluten-free. Absolutely correct. And a good catch there. Still, here we have an owner willing to bend over backwards for a patron. Kudos to John Sullivan and his pub, Sully’s, for that.

I did end up bringing my own wrap to dinner. While my friends enjoyed the Guinness Cheese Dip, I got a cup of the Tomato Basil Soup. It was warm, rich, and delicious. Definitely not the Guinness Cheese Dip I had previously enjoyed on prior visits, but definitely made up for not being able to have that appetizer. It was just enough to wet my palate for the entrée.

As this is a pub, and I am a vegetarian, the Leprechaun Wrap is one of the best choices on the menu for me. I ordered it, sans the wrap, with the french fries. I love the fries at this place, so I wasn’t going to pass that up. I didn’t send the wrap back this time, but next time I will so that it is warm and pliable, but the kitchen whipped up the insides of the wrap and placed them in a dish, serving them alongside my order of fries. I wrapped up my vegetables and dug in. And, yes…it was just as good as before. And, as is usual with my two friends…they split the gigantic fish & chips dinner…and savored every bite of the haddock filets and “chips.”

Since none of the desserts there are gluten-free, we passed on dessert this time and left, quite satisfied once again. The food has always been amazing. But what really makes Sully’s Irish Pub stand out in this small-town outside of Cleveland is this – the people who work there. I give big kudos to John Sullivan for working with me and my food allergies. Not every owner will take the time to not only offer suggestions, but double-check ingredients and quickly reply. I also have to give major props to Barb, our waitress who we’ve had three out of the four times we’ve been there. She’s awesome. She always keeps up on our orders, makes sure our drinks are refilled, and just makes us feel at home there. She has since our first time we at there.

If you happen to be venturing up to Cleveland, Ohio or find yourself near Medina, Ohio…do me a huge favor. Stop into Sully’s Irish Pub. This little place offers up a whole lot of Ireland not only in atmosphere, but in their menu, their drinks, and their staff. When I say this place is somewhere I return to often, I’m not kidding. I’m already looking forward to my next visit there. Sully’s really does stand heads and tails above the rest when it comes to Irish food and Irish pubs in the United States. And it’s in small-town Medina, Ohio. Go. Feast. Drink. Enjoy.

Sláinte!

Sully's Leprechaun Wrap (sans wrap) and fries

May 26, 2011

Little pub, big taste – McCreary’s offers delicious Irish menu!

It doesn’t look like much on the outside. In fact, it’s your basic hole-in-the-wall restaurant on a street packed with a variety of eateries and shops. The entryway is inviting, nonetheless, but it’s one of those ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ places along the strip of Main Street in Franklin, Tennessee.

I am talking about McCreary’s Irish Pub and Eatery. Located in the historic downtown area of Franklin, Tennessee, this place is literally a hole-in-the-wall. But size isn’t everything, so don’t let appearances deceive you. Step inside this pub and you find a cozy, friendly environment. My roommate and I stopped into McCreary’s on the way home from Alabama for some lunch. We were seated near the bar at the back and enjoyed hearing snatches of conversation wafting from the locals and customers around us.

With a long drive ahead of us, however, alcohol wasn’t what we sought. After getting our Diet Cokes for us, the barmaid – a woman who looked like a roller-girl with tattoos, dark hair, and an attitude to match – took our order. We decided to split an order if their famous Irish Cheese Chips, a basket of Irish chips piled high with cheddar cheese and chives (the original comes with bacon and sour cream but the vegetarian in me axed the bacon and neither my roommate nor I like sour cream). They arrived piping hot and fresh and after one bite, we realized why they were so popular. They are the perfect drunk food. And every last bite of them was delicious. We polished off the basket just as our entrees came out.

By now it should be no surprise that my roommate ordered their fish and chips…and enjoyed every bit of them. Thankfully, McCreary’s offers a Vegetarian Special, consisting of a sauteed Portobello mushroom cap topped with white rice and served with sauteed veggies. It looks a bit of a mess upon arrival. Nothing special. Nothing notable. The vegetables were full of flavor, however. The rice…cooked just right. And the mushroom…it was the first time any Portobello meal I ordered had sauteed it properly, so the juices weren’t spilling out all over the place. It was fantastic. I ended up moving the mushroom aside so I could enjoy it last. Yes…that delicious. That good. And this little pub was the first place to do it right. I never would have expected it. But I love unexpected surprises.

We went without dessert this time, as we were stuffed full from the appetizer and the entrees, but we left more than satisfied with not only our meal but the experience there. Very friendly staff. Very warm environment. Lots of talk. Lots of happy customers. Many of them regulars, you could tell.

I love trying new places when passing through an area…but McCreary’s may become a usual stop. I can’t wait to see if the next time I get their Vegetarian Special if it lives up to the standard it set. I hope so…because this pub is among the best I have been to in the United States. Don’t pass by the Franklin, Tennessee exit without stopping in for a bite. Trust me…you will not regret it.