The pub:

Before we went to go see a Sunday afternoon movie, we stopped by the pub for lunch. I decided to get an old favorite, the Kentucky Bourbon barrel ale, from Alltech brewing.

This is served in a little snifter, and ranges from 7-9 % ABV depending on the bourbon barrel that the beer is stored in.

You can find this on draft at most Tavern Restaurant group restaurants, including the Pub, Nicholson’s and Polo Grille. It’s also available in 4 packs from the Party Source and Cork N Bottle. This beer is a little bit salty, with strong vanilla and bourbon flavor. This goes well with medium aged gouda.


We were pleasantly surprised by the pub pizza, which we chose not to go fancy with—just cheese. The marinara sauce was light and the bread was crispy. We recommend this pizza.

It’s not a visit to the pub without a perfect picturesque pint:

David chose to go with the roast beef and cheddar Panini, which is served with steak fries and small salad.

And of course, wings.

The pub and tennent's face:

Saturday afternoon, David came back from the office as I was just finishing vacuuming the apartment. It was such a nice, sunny day, I wanted to go sit somewhere and have lunch in the sunshine.

We had just been to Teller’s on Thursday, and David and I both agreed it was too soon to go back. We’re already at risk for being known as that couple that always comes in takes pictures of their food.

So we went with The Pub at Rookwood.

We sat out in the patio area, which was still closed off from the outside with a tent, and had a few heaters on to make sure it stayed nice and warm. The sunshine coming in through the big windows made it extra nice.

I decided to order a cocktail, the Penny Lane Hurricane, and David went with an Old Speckled Hen, since they were out of Belhaven. As we looked over the menu, we noticed that Pub has made a few changes on their menu. It also seems to us that the prices have increased overall.

The pub sliders, (4) with Guinness onions and pickles, are new ($8.95). There is also a more mysterious “slider of the day” offered for the same price. The Scottish egg has migrated from Nicholson’s over to the pub menu.

The desserts have expanded, including berry crepes, with Baileys cream cheese, tipsy berries and whipped cream ($6.50) and a chocolate cheesecake infused with Glenmorangie port wood scotch, (Nicks wee dram, $6.50)

The sandwiches and burgers have expanded too. The burgers have multiplied to include a BBQ burger ($9.75), and all burgers can be ordered on pretzel bun if you so choose. A brunch item, the Full Monty ($9.95), is now on regular menu rotation.

David was wavering in between a steak and the Welsh dip sandwich, ($10.95) a French baguette with sliced prime rib, green peppers and onion, melted mozzarella and provolone with au jus, and pub crisps. I urged him to try the sandwich, which sounded much more interesting.

My obsession with sliders and mini burgers was impossible to resist, so I went with those, choosing steak fries to accompany them.

I finished my drink fairly quickly, as it was very tasty. I decided to go with my standard twisted thistle, and David ordered a Tennents, which is another Scottish beer.

It didn’t go so well.

Hereafter, this shall be known as "Tennent's face"

Tennent's isn’t really a creamy ale, like Belhaven, which is also Scottish. It’s more like a lager. A yucky lager.

I mentioned this to our server, and she was kind enough to take it off our tab, which we appreciated.

David got his Welsh Dip and I received my sliders. Three things about the sliders. These have a lot of potential.

The buns are toasted, which I approve of. Unfortunately, these little burgers were cooked way too long, so they were very dry. They also desperately need cheese. I’d be curious to find out what the “slider of the day” consists of.

David liked his sandwich and thought it was very good, even though it got a little messy with the au jus for dipping.

David had been eyeing the berry crepes the entire time we were there, and decided to order them. I admit I was skeptical at first, but they were very good. The berries were delicious and the tartness contrasted well with the milder, sweet cream cheese.

The Pub has Brunch:

Bet you didn’t know that, did you? We didn’t either, but on out last trip observed it and decided to visit last Sunday. We arrived early, at 11:30. The pub doesn’t open until 12:00 on Sundays, so we went over to Starbucks to read the Sunday paper and kill ½ an hour.

It was pretty quiet when we got back to the Pub at around 12:05. We had our customary Sunday Belhavens and looked over our brunch options. David got the breakfast jacket, which he described as a shepherd’s pie with breakfast stuff in it. I tried some, and it was very good, though very filling.

I was boring and got the wings. Next time it’s going to be the Calamari. We saw another familiar face at the Pub—Allison of Chickpeas please!

Pub at Rookwood Mews update:

David and I went to the Pub Rookwood last Sunday for lunch. We went at around 2, and it was very quiet.

It's 2 O clock on a Sunday, beer is perfectly acceptable

David got an Old Speckled Hen, and I stuck with a Belhaven Twisted Thistle.

Onion ring tower

I got the chicken wings with barbecue sauce on the side. David got the battered mushrooms and onions as well as a burger with goat cheese for an entrée.

The mushrooms and onions were very good—David actually convinced me to try one, it was my first onion ring ever. Yes, ever. I'm weird about onions.

yummy

even overcooked burgers make good macro subjects

The wings and burger, not so much. Someone may have gotten distracted in the Kitchen, because the wings were a little dry and the burger overcooked. The steak fries were delicious as usual.

The overcooked food was out of the ordinary for the pub—we’ve been many times and we’ll be back, so I wouldn’t let our experience today scare anyone away. Stick with the fish and chips, you can’t go wrong.

The Pub at Rookwood Mews, the best battered fish in Cincy:

The same group that owns The Pub owns Nicholson's. The Pub, however is British themed as opposed to Scottish.

The pub has a wide selection of beers available. When we went last week, I stuck with a Belhaven's Twisted Thistle for some nice hops, and David got a regular Belhaven. They also have Boddington's, Fullers London Pride, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and a variety of others. They have a nice cocktail list as well if you are not a beer fan. They serve Pimms which a friend of mine went bonkers over—apparently it's an ingredient in a drink that's served in the UK called a Pimm's cup. We ended up searching for the place where Pimms can be bought –the pub must get it from somewhere-- and found it at Hyde Park Wine and Spirits. You wouldn't expect it, but The Party Source in Bellevue does not currently stock Pimms.

The Pub had a seasonal menu where they used Lindeman's raspberry framboise beer to make a float with vanilla ice cream. It's delicious and David and I made it at home for about a month before we decided enough with the ice cream already.

By far The Pub's most popular dish is Fish and Chips ($11.95). If you sit by the kitchen, half of the dishes coming out of it are plates of the crunchy, beer battered golden yumminess. David and I agree it is the best that we have had yet in Cincinnati. They will even split it for you if you like.

David and I have gotten the British Dip Platter ($14.95), as well, which is very good and recommended for sharing. It includes Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Crab Dip and Goat Cheese Dip with some Marinara.

On our last visit, I opted for the Chicken Wings ($8.25), which I like. I'd place them right behind Dilly Deli.

David and I have tried many of their other entrees—Shepherds Pie, ($10.95) Bangers and Mash, ($10.95) the Pub Burger ($8.95), but I'd say that if you are going there and you like fish and chips, get the fish and chips.

They currently have a bread pudding that is phenomenal. The bread pudding at Nicholson's is covered in a super sweet sauce that puts you in a sugar coma before you are home, but the Pub's is not as intense and much more original. David and I shared it last week. The tipsy laird ($5.95) is fried poundcake with berries, also delicious.

Some other things about the pub:

It has some of the same dishes as Nicholson's but they are very different depending on where you are. Nicholson's fish and chips is breaded, the pubs is beer battered. Nicholson's bread pudding is served in a martini glass with lots of syrup, and the pub's is on a plate with a milder sauce.

Monday night is quiz night and it is packed. If you go, it's half price fish and chips, but be prepared for it to be slammed.