Tra’ Li Irish Pub

One of our favorite family restaurants is the Tra'Li Irish Pub in Briercreek. Such frequency itself warrants a review. We enjoy its atmosphere, its staff, and the bill which is fairly gentle on the wallet.  Our children and grandchildren like it; the food is comfortable and the menu is extensive, the children’s menu alone has nine items.

Tra'Li describes itself as “Your local pub [with] families enjoying brunch … co-workers enjoying drinks after work … professors writing lectures … [and] soccer fans watching their favorite clubs.” The workers tend to be IT types from the Research Triangle, and I’ve yet to see anyone writing away, but the sentiment is honest.

Styled as an Irish Pub, much of the interior is wood and plaster.  I prefer the “library” with its shelves of books, steins and various pubby knick-knacks.  The upholstered seats are comfortable, and the tables wide. Most of the rooms are conducive to convivial dining and there is ample outside seating.  Like the food, the ambiance encourages an easy going comradeship.

The beer selection is fairly extensive, their wine list adequate. Occasionally they tap a particularly interesting barrel. They also maintain several of our local craft beers on tap.

I particularly like their Scotch Eggs, three hard boiled eggs, each wrapped in sausage and deep fried. They make a great starter, or even a small meal with a salad.  And, they open up conversation, since they are unknown to most people.  Last time we were there, much to the great satisfaction of all three generations around the table, we ordered Tabasco Onion Straws with ranch dip. Made from real onions, they arrive in a large heap of twisted, batter coated delights. We had no problem finishing them off well before they cooled. 

Vivian enjoys the turkey wrap.  I have had their Shepard’s Pie and find it delightfully different. The Beer Battered Fish and Chips are tender and tasty, the batter flakey, and the chips uncommonly good.  Their homemade onion tartar sauce is worth the price of the meal. My son claimed his burger it was one of the best in the Triangle; my sister speaks highly of the lamb burger. The Big Mic, at $13, is a bargain hunter’s delight, two burger patties separated by a rasher of bacon and topped with cheese.  The real star, however, was not the meat, but the thick seasoned wedges of potato, cooked perfectly: crunchy outside, tender potato inside. 

Back in the frigid days of February, I ordered the carrot and rutabaga soup. The waiter booked my order; the odds seemed highly stacked against me.  But I won, the payout far exceeded my expectations. Great taste.

As you my readers know, a very special part of my dining experience depends on the wait staff.  I recommend two, Courtney and Kyle.  Courtney is quick and efficient and though not much of a talker, unless she has the time and you initiate the conversation. Kyle, though also efficient, trades me quip for quip which I greatly enjoy. He is heading off to grad school in the fall, so seek him out while he is still there.

What to avoid:

Never, never order a cocktail, nothing where the mixer is stronger than tonic, nothing that requires anything of the bar tender other than popping a top. My Manhattan tasted more like the school punch we spiked in junior high, filled with a fizzy cherry soda faintly tasting of bourbon. My martini arrived without an olive, and without vermouth. If these two traditional drinks confuse the barkeeps, imagine how they’d hatchet a sling or a sour.

Avoid the back room near the bar. The noise precludes conversation.

Don’t expect the meat to arrive as you ordered, unless you happened to request medium to well done.  My son’s burger came exactly how he likes it.  Mine came the same way, except that I had ordered it medium-rare.

 

Cast away any illusions of food like mom used to make. An old Friday stand-by dinner in our Catholic house was cod fish cakes and tartar sauce. The Newfoundland Cod and Potato Cakes arrived heavy on potatoes, weak on cod.

My recommendation: come and enjoy.  It may take one or two visits to sort out what appeals to you, but at these prices, the risk is not great.  I’ve given you a bit of advice on what I avoid. Once you’ve established your own footing, you’ll skip, hop and jump with delight.  The patio tables of young people enjoying a fine brew, great times and good conversation on a balmy afternoon speaks to the appeal of Tra’Li.

The Tra'Li Irish Pub is located in Brier Creek at 10370 Moncreiffe Rd, Suite 109, Raleigh, NC — 27617   919.544.4141     www.traliirishpub.com   (I have not tried its second location in Morrisville)