O'Bryan's Nine Irish Brothers, West Lafayette

Some of my fondest memories of our two trips to the UK are the lazy hours wiled away at pubs. Several hours of our first day, in fact, where spent at a small pub in Cambridge. It was cold and rainy and we were jet lagged. A quite corner in the pub, travel guides to consult, a few pints, a Ploughman's Platter to nibble on and we were ready to take on the Old World. The rest of that first trip found us visiting many more pubs across the British Isles. They were sometimes busy and sometimes not, but always warm and inviting.

American bars just have a different feel and most attempts at recreating the pub ambiance come off a bit too Disney-esque. You expect to see an animatronic leprechaun in the corner, and sadly sometimes you do.

This is what I expected as I watched the construction progress on a new "Irish pub" being built in West Lafayette. A few days ago, I had some time to kill between the end of the workday and a dinner appointment later that night - not enough time to go home but I didn't feel like staying in the office. I decided I would check out the pub, confirm my pessimistic notions, do some reading over a beer, and then head to my dinner meeting.

Thank goodness I was wrong about O'Bryan's Nine Irish Brothers. Jerry and Jan O'Bryan have really pulled it off - the perfect hybrid of an Old World pub and a top-notch, up-scale/casual American restaurant. First of all, with a last name like "O'Bryan" they have birthright to lay claim to an Irish theme. Second, as long-time West Lafayette business people they know the community and what will work for the local clientele.

The place is warm and comfortable with seating at the bar, at high tables with stools, or at upholstered window seats - places where you can be right there in the action or off in a quite alcove. I found one of the secluded corners and took a seat. My server showed up immediately to bring me a menu and take care of my beverage needs. The selection of draught beers is exceptional. I settled on a Smithwick's but other choices include Guinness, Murphy's (Stout and Red), Killian's, several other non-Irish imports and a few domestics. I was pleased to learn that O'Bryan's pours 20-ounce "Imperial Pints" because, for me, a 16-ounce glass isn't quite enough. They also offer a best-in-the-region selection of Irish Whiskeys. 

In spite of the aforementioned dinner meeting later that evening, I had worked up quite an appetite due to a post-lunch visit to the gym. As I consulted the menu, a half-order of Guinness Stew ($4.99) caught my eye. I make a pretty good Irish Stew (see recipe here) and was curious as to how O'Bryan's would hold up to mine. I ordered the stew to find out.

The menu is impressive and includes lots of pub favorites like fish and chips ($11.99 or $6.99 for a half order), Bangers and Mashed ($8.99), Shepherds Pie ($8.99 or $6.99 for a half order), and a Full Irish Breakfast ($6.99) served all day. A few other Irish-inspired fish, chicken, and beef dishes round out the entrees. The menu also includes a nice selection of sandwiches, salads, and appetizers.

The stew showed up at my table amazingly fast. It came in a lovely earthenware crock with a generous scoop of mashed potatoes resting on top. It was exceptional, even giving mine a run for its money - tender beef, potatoes and carrots, and a deeply flavorful stout gravy.

I don't have plans to return to the U.K. anytime soon but I do plan frequent visits to O'Bryan's. Actually, I've already been there more than once. With a big screen plasma TV and quiet corners O'Bryan's is the perfect place to both watch the big game with the gang or to quietly melt away a cold January rain with a good book. I look forward to future visits to do both.

O"Bryan's is a non-smoking, 21-and-over establishment and is open 11 am to 1 am Monday through Saturday and 11 am to Midnight on Sundays. They maintain a website and blog here where you can get lots more information including the menu.

Comments

[lyricsavvy]

Thanks for the great comments about 9 Irish Bros.
I spent the last 6 years out in the East Coast, and had wondered when W.Lafayette would join the host of College Towns with great Irish Pubs (like Georgetown, Bryn Mar, etc). I had suggested to my own father about setting up an Irish pub, but when he lagged on this, the O'Bryan's beat him to it!
I'm happy to say that it is just as fun to work at the pub as it is to eat there!
Erin go braugh!