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Good beer flows at Colonial Tavern

Colonial Tavern, Home to the Irish Brigade is open in what was formerly Orbit's restaurant. It serves good beer and pub fare, so stick to simple things

By NEVA TRENIS

Date published: 5/6/2004

By NEVA TRENIS

THE FREE LANCE-STAR

cOLONIAL TAVERN, Home to the Irish Brigade serves good fish, chips and fresh Irish draft beer.

Stick to such pub fare and you'll have a fine time in Fredericksburg's newest Irish joint, located in the former Orbit's building.

Veer into the more expensive entrees, and you might leave feeling you got less than you paid for.

Colonial Tavern's owners have spruced up the original train station with fresh green paint, crisp tablecloths and Civil War prints celebrating the famed Irish Brigade. The atmosphere is welcoming and pleasant, but stale smoke still permeates the dining room.

Colonial Tavern servers dress in what our waitress described as 18th-century Irish Colonial fashion, with flowing linen skirts, white shirts and laced bodices. The waitresses all have red locks, creamy skin and freckles, though they said Irish features are not a requirement of employment.

On a recent night, a friendly, seasoned server delivered a black and tan--half Harp and half Guinness--poured perfectly so the stout floated like a dark cloud above the amber lager.

Good beer is one of the reasons to visit Colonial Tavern. It offers Guinness, Harp, Bass, Fred Red, Fredericksburg-brewed Blue and Gray Classic, and Sam Adams on tap ($4 American pint, $5 British pint, add a dollar for Guinness).

The tavern, which opened March 17, has a full bar and a short list of wines served by the glass ($3.50-$6.50) or the bottle ($5-$26).

Order appetizers or simple fare from the main menu to accompany Colonial Tavern's hearty drafts.

Fish and chips ($9 at lunch, $13 at dinner) features a thick filet of cod, battered (not breaded) and fried. Ours came to the table right out of the cooker, and it was so moist, so delicious, so perfect that the thought of it now sets off a craving. Respectable fries (the "chips" in fish and chips) are served alongside.

Another "don't miss" item at Colonial Tavern is the beer-battered mushrooms ($6). Very firm, tiny button mushrooms are dipped in savory batter, fried and served with ranch dressing.

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Date published: 5/6/2004