Brick House Tavern + Tap

2 Reviews on “Brick House Tavern + Tap”

• Roger K

  This former Joes Crab Shack, which is part of the same corporate structure that now operates the Brick House Tavern & Tap, is an apparent hit with the locals. Our arrival on a Wednesday evening at 6:15 revealed a parking lot almost totally filled. I just wish I could say the same for the large potholes. We were told that it would be approximately 25 to 30 minutes before we could be seated. Within only 10 minutes our pager went off and that was almost the highlight of the evening.We were seated in the coldest part of the restaurant, in what would otherwise serve as a covered patio during the warmer months when the large garage-style doors would be raised to allow you to drink and dine al fresco. Cold drafts (not beers) continually wafted through the area forcing us to put our coats back on after we were seated.The noise level is VERY high. Mostly from the blaring piped-in music. There are plenty of TV screens, but you cant hear anything from them. You also find it difficult at times to even hear the person(s) you are dining with at your table.There was a decently long list of craft beers on tap, several of them local. But there was only one dark beer among them. That was how I decided Id have a Founders Oatmeal Stout. Beers come in at least 4 sizes 16 oz., 22 oz., and a couple of larger ones similar to yard and full yard that can substitute for ordering a pitcher to share since these tall containers have spigots for pouring. They also have on the beer menu an announcement that there is a rotational draft and a hand-pulled cask selection. Our server had to go find out what they were when we asked her. That was how my wife selected the cask Saratoga IPA ($7.20/22 oz.).Place cards on every table advertise Happiness Hour running from 3pm to 7pm Mon Fri with $3 craft drafts. Maybe if I had ordered a 16 oz. draft I would have been charged $3 instead of the normal price printed on the menu ($5?), but my 22 oz. Founders was not in any way discounted at $6.80. My wifes cask Saratoga IPA was possibly the highlight of the meal. It was served at just the right temperature, was nice and creamy, and had various delicious flavor notes. I did enjoy my Founders stout.The Asian Duck Wraps ($7) were a nice change from the typical appetizers. Served with fresh bibb leafs, sauted duck confit with a blend of carrots, napa cabbage, cilantro, and shiitake mushrooms, there was enough to make about six wraps to which we also added crispy wontons and a slightly spicy chili mustard. Our expectation meter was turning more toward the positive at this point.My wife ordered the Bison Burger ($14.50) medium with fries. I decided upon the Lamb Burger ($12) medium-rare with Tots seasoned with their spiced rub. Her bison came medium-rare, and my lamb care medium. She actually was the winner on that unintentional tradeoff. But her fries were very average and we never could flag down our server or any other employee to get some ketchup before the fries turn cold. The bison burger was lacking in flavor. There wasnt even taste of the bacon or cheddar cheese, even though they were there.Similarly, my lamb burger had no taste of lamb. The goat cheese, pesto, toasted brioche bun, and red pepper aioli were the best part. Btw, the tots were ok, but they never got the seasoning that I requested.Service lacked any amount of personality. The hostesses upon entry and exit had more personality than our server or the food runners. While my wife said there were a few more items on the menu that sounded interesting, she really wasnt looking forward to returning. Sounds like we wont!

  July 15, 2016, 7:37 am

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• Matthew Guilfoy

  Upscale tavern fare with a great selection of beers and specialty cocktails. Best place for brunch around too, bloody good marys are a must!

  April 30, 2016, 3:46 am

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