Sundays in My Neck of the Woods

Ri Ra is an authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant at 72 Commercial Street in Portland, Maine.  The parking is limited, but we were fortunate enough to have a space open up right in front of the door, as though they knew we were coming!

 According to their website, all of the Pub's interiors were salvaged and restored in Ireland and shipped to Portland.  The entry doors were salvaged from 'Langston's Pub of Kilkenny,' and there's a pot-bellied stove from Spike Island Prison, in Cove, County Cork.

The Pub is on two levels, and actually has two bars, with a raised area with tables, and then an upstairs dining area.   We chose to sit in a little alcove one of the bars to have our lunch.   Above us was an elegant old chandelier,

 and at the other end of the room was another alcove with a booth built in.

The atmosphere was cozy and friendly; the menu was extensive.  After browsing through the appetizers, we passed up the Irish Potato Cakes in favor of the Jameson honey-glazed Pub wings.  They were dripping with a delicious glaze and served with celery and our choice of blue cheese or ranch dip.

Chowing down on these made for some yummy finger-licking!  They were meaty and delicious.

Hubby chose to have the open-faced roast turkey sandwich, topped with gravy and mashed potatoes.  A cripy pickle added some texture to the plate.  He was very pleased with the taste of it all.

I chose to try something that sounded a little more Irish, and went with a sandwich called the Kilcooly, which consisted of deli turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, sliced apples, and cranberry mayo on grilled sourdough bread.  This came with a crispy pickle, and a side of onion rings. 

Everything was as good as it looked.  The sliced apples added something different and a tasty flavor to the sandwich.  The onion rings were crisp, satisfying, and way too plentiful.   I ate some, hubby ate some, and I still had some to take home!

Ri Ra Irish Pub is a small national chain with locations in Arlington, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Bethesda, Maryland; Burlington, Vermont; Charlotte, North Carolina; Evansville, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Providence, Rhode Island, and Portland, Maine. 

 We were pleasantly surprised at how large a selection the menu offered, how good the food was, and it was fun to have a waiter with an Irish accent wait on us.  The only thing that might deter me from returning soon was the lack of parking close by.  There was no handicapped parking available.

We waved to the Irish flag as we drove away.   Be sure to visit their website.  You can click on the Pub in Portland, Maine for more information, or on the location nearest you.  It's worth the time, I promise!




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