Writer’s note-Tullycross Tavern has closed as of Nov. 2013 – reportedly due to competition from the many chain restaurants in the area.      

    Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tullycross Tavern & Microbrewery in Manchester, Connecticut is a welcome addition to the Greater Hartford restaurant scene. An Irish pub, it also seemed like a great spot to check out so close to St. Patrick’s Day.

Huge brewing vats on either side of the front entrance greet visitors to TCT at 1487 Pleasant Valley Road. Located in the former John Harvard’s Tavern, the lighting inside TCT is soft, offset by long windows that surround the restaurant section. Booths and tables, full on this Thursday night, are dark wood. From here, the bar area, also full, is visible through a divider with small square pane windows,making it easy to catch a glimpse of the sporting events being televised.

What would a trip to an Irish pub be without sampling a wee bit of Irish whiskey?

Not to worry, TCT puts together a tasty Irish Coffee made with Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, brown sugar, hot coffee and creme de menthe. Also on the winter specialities drink menu is TCT Irish Creme created from house made Irish creme and Jameson Irish whiskey, served on the rocks.

TCT offers a variety of hand-crafted beers brewed on the premises plus house made root beer, Clausthaker – a non-alcoholic beer, and hard cider.

The food menu entices the diner with unique dishes, as well as, typical pub items but with distinctive twists. The Smokehouse Mac & Cheese got rave reviews as “absolutely delicious” along with

a heavenly tasting Bailey’s Chocolate Cheesecake for dessert.

Starters range from Irish Nachos – consisting of kettle chips, garlic, mashed potatoes, cheddar, pepper-jack cheese with corned beef and scallions- to pan seared wings, Brew Master’s Mussels, soft pretzels with light honey mustard and Galway Calamari, as the list goes on… Soups and salads are available as is an array of flatbread pizza such as, Baked Potato Pizza, Tully’s Irish Red Bar BQ and a Butternut Squash & Sauage selection.

In addition to burgers, sandwiches and wraps, the

Tullycross winter entree menu includes: Tavern Meatloaf with mashed potatoes, broccoli spears & Silk City Beer Gravy – the latter an apparent tip of the hat to Manchester, A.K.A., the Silk City; TCT Shepard’s Pie, Fish & Chips; Tully’s Wharf- a combo of fried cod and shrimp with hand cut fires and coleslaw; Seared Salmon; Tavern Steak Skewer; Tavern’s Favorite Pasta served with smoked chicken, bacon, asparagus tips and fresh mushrooms in cream sauce with smoked Gouda, TCT Rib Eye; not to mention that traditional St. Paddy’s Day dish, Corned Beef & Cabbage.

Besides cheesecake on the TCT dessert menu is Grandma Lil’s Warm Apple Crisp, Chocolate Mousse Divine, a Homemade Cookie Sundae and Not for Kiddies vanilla ice cream topped with – well – to find out, stop in.

There are jars of wrapped candy peppermints by the door near a display of TCT

T-shirts which are for sale. Next to those is a jar for a sayings contest, whereby customers can submit a favorite saying. If it is selected, it will be put up for viewing in the pub.Weekly events at TCT include live music on Wednesday nights starting at 9 p.m. On Sundays, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.

According to the TCT Website, Sean Wansor opened Tullycross Tavern & Microbrewery in October of 2011. TCT is the realization of a dream he shared with his father “Tully.” The name of the pub, says Wansor, is derived from a “family legend” that their roots can be traced to the small, rural village in Ireland called Tullycross. Brewmaster at TCT is Brian Flach, pub manager is Jeff Carvalho and tavern manager is Joe Sheehan.

Good food, comfortable atmosphere and a pleasant staff. TCT is definitely a place that beckons one back!

For hours visit http://www.tullycrosstavern.com or phone 860-644-(BREW)2739.