A New Irish Pub

Yesterday, the B's were out and about trying to accomplish a few things. In essence, we did not end up doing 1/2 of what we wanted to because we couldn't find some items we wished to buy (a structure-thing to hang our "porch" swing on and a tall wrought-iron bistro table to go with the two chairs I bought back in 2000 (I obviously did not require a table at that point)).

We did manage to buy a few cigars to stock up Mr. B's new humidor (an early Father's Day gift from Mrs. B) and to buy some liquor essentials.

Mr. B had heard from one of his new customers that there is now an Irish pub in or near Brier Creek (which is an absolutely huge outdoor mall about 10 minutes away from our house).

We decided to try and find it and finally did; not actually IN Brier Creek but across the road in BriarDALE.

Well, we HAD to check it out, having found it and all, so, we went in and had a few pints; me, Strong Bow, he, Bell's Two-Hearted Ale (as an aside, we were tickled to see that Bell's (from Michigan) was on the "import" list along with the English and Irish beers; guess the Irish figure Michigan is its own country!)

The place is called Trali http://www.traliirishpub.com/.

It was empty at the time we were there (2:30 or so on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend). We sat in the bar; the wait-staff were real friendly. Another funny thing, the keg ran out on my Strong Bow, then, when Mr. B ordered another Bell's, the keg ran out on HIM. They nicely, both times, brought us in essence a half-pint each to "make up" for the not full glass (although it certainly wasn't missing 8 ounces of brew).

After helping the wait-staff with their crossword puzzle (the subject of my new poll), we decided to try an appetizer. We had the potato-cod cakes with "fresh" (as opposed to "stale") tarter sauce. I am being cynical, but, in actuality,the cakes were yummy and the tarter sauce was "fresh"!

So, although (as my brother has beaten into me), we'd PREFER to patronize Durham establishments, sometimes, it's just too far to drive into Durham (ha ha; can you believe me, a former LA resident, is complaining about a 20 minute drive?) to go to the Joyce or the other Irish pub there (Bull McCabe, I think). This place is fun and new and the prices are reasonable. And, as an added bonus, it is completely smoke-free (unlike the James Joyce, where, after being inside there 15 minutes, one feels like they've been smoking a pack a day, even if they aren't smoking at all).

And, they have imported beer.

From Michigan!

Mrs. B