Nine Irish Brothers exceeds expectations

COMFORT FOOD: The famous Shepherd’s Pie at 9 Irish Brothers hit the spot. It was the perfect meal for a cold snowy day.

This was not my first time into Nine Irish Brothers, a small Irish pub and restaurant. Actually, it was my second time. I’d been there once before when it first opened up, and I hated it.   Alas, with a freak spring snow storm and an impending deadline I found myself back in the only restaurant that I wouldn’t set foot in. All I can say now is that perhaps first impressions aren’t always correct.

I’ve never been to Ireland, so I don’t know what an actual pub is supposed to look like, but if I had to guess it would look a lot like the restaurant I walked into. Tables and stools were scattered throughout the wooden interior in a seemingly haphazard manner, the TVs were tuned into highlights of March Madness and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. It was, perhaps, the coziest place you could be in during a snow storm.

My family and I started our meal off with Pots of Gold.  No, not actual gold, but potato skins filled with melted cheese, bacon, green onions and sour cream on the side.  Basically, they were mini baked potatoes, and they were good.

We also all got side salads, although my waiter forgot I had ordered mine at first.  He corrected his mistake quickly, though, apologizing and not trying to blame it on us like some waiters I have run into.

My meal can only be described as comfort food.  With a snow storm raging outside the windows only a week after I had been enjoying eighty degree weather in Texas, I needed something to lift my spirits.  The Shepard’s Pie I ordered did the trick.

The menu boasted that it was a family recipe made with baked white fish, salmon and prawns mixed in with peas and carrots in a thick, white sauce.  The whole ordeal was topped with mashed potatoes and cheese.

Yum.

After a sprinkling of some much needed salt, it was both heavenly and filling.  I only got a ½ order and I could barely finish it.  The soda bread it was served with, which I can only assume is homemade, was quite possibly the best I’ve ever had.

My brother ordered a fried mushroom sandwich with pub chips (fries sliced so they were round).  I hate mushrooms, so I had to take his word for it that it was delicious.  I did steal several of his pub chips however, and they were fantastic.  In fact, I might just go there to eat a load of them one day.

My meal alone was actually pretty cheap at about $9 for the Shepard’s Pie.  I got dessert too, though, and if you have a few extra bucks to spend I’d recommend you do as well.

Three words.  Red. Velvet. Cheesecake.  It’s the best dessert on the planet hands down, and Nine Irish Brother’s version of the delectable treat is cheesecake at its finest.

Sitting inside with good company and delicious food, I didn’t want to go back out into the cold.

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Info:

Rating: 4/5

Address: 119 Howard Avenue (Across from El Rodeo)

Cost: ~$14