I kicked off the second week of the Taste of Hartford by parking on Trumbull Street and strolling up the Pratt Street restaurant row to Vaughan’s Public House. It was the second sunny evening in a row, probably a first this waterlogged summer.
Vaughan’s Public House is part of the Hartford Restaurant Group that includes several Wood-n-Taps, Agave Grill, and TD Homer’s Sports Grill, which opened in Southington in April, 2009. Upon entering, it was immediately clear that Vaughan’s Irish pedigree was genuine. Partner Johnny Vaughan came to the United States to play college soccer before becoming involved with the restaurant group.
I admired the authentic Irish décor, from its stained glass
to its furnishings to small details like its railings. There was even an historical mural for those who like to play the identification game.
We took our time with our meal, soaking in the experience. The comfortable atmosphere encouraged one to linger for hours.
So did the presence of pretty ladies like these.
Just don’t keep a lady waiting.
Vaughan’s authenticity extended beyond having an Irish partner even to staff members like pint-sized Iris McNamara, our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide to all things Irish.
Soon Iris had placed draughts in our hands, my companion electing a Harp, while I have great affection for Ten Penny Ale, a Scottish-style beer from Hartford’s own Olde Burnside Brewing Company. Toward the end of our meal, I graduated to a draught of Guinness, which Vaughan’s apparently has been named first in Connecticut and fourth nationally for its skill in drawing.
Vaughan’s imports authentic Irish food ingredients and makes a number of items itself. Its Taste of Hartford menu allowed participants to choose one of four appetizers, one of four entrées, and one of two desserts. For appetizers, we didn’t wind up trying the house salad or the soup of the day, which was chicken noodle. My companion elected crisp potato skins filled with Cheddar cheese and bacon and escorted by a ramekin of sour cream. We both agreed they were the best potato skins we had ever had.
I chose the baked potato soup, which, when I thought about it, contained pretty much the same ingredients as the potato skins.
It was delicious, so I scooped up every last drop.
Thanks to the restaurant’s generosity, I am able to present to readers all four entrées that were included on its Taste of Hartford menu. The bountiful Limerick salad (named for Iris’ hometown, the Republic of Ireland’s fourth largest city) featured breaded chicken strips over mixed greens with black olives, chopped tomato, shredded carrot, sliced mushroom, chopped red onion, grated Irish Cheddar and rashers (Irish bacon) with a pitcher of housemade honey-mustard dressing.
Its meatloaf dinner featured thick slices topped with melted Irish Cheddar and mushroom gravy, along with mashed potato and vegetables.
Its fish and chips showcased big, beer-battered cod fillets served over French fries with a little pitcher of tartar sauce.
And finally, and best of all, its shepherd’s pie restored my confidence in a childhood favorite that’s rarely done these days with any subtlety or sophistication. Note the housemade Irish soda bread.
Vaughan’s also had a Sunday through Thursday special going that my companion and I found irresistible—a pint of beer and a burger and fries for $9.95. Vaughan’s burger was apparently voted the city’s best in Hartford Magazine.
My companion and I ordered a burger and beer special, ate the fries while they were hot, enjoyed an almost free pint of beer with them, and then had a great burger for lunch the next day.
For dessert, my companion tried to finish a Guinness brownie decked out with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and caramel sauce.
Meanwhile, I demolished the apple brown betty with vanilla ice cream, some of the apple wonderfully caramelized.
As Iris treated us to a shot of housemade Irish cream, we vowed sometime to return to Vaughan’s Public House unencumbered by the necessity of taking photographs and notes.
Vaughan’s Public House, 59 Pratt Street, Hartford, 860-882-1560