By Pamela Brownstein
When it comes to eating at a new restaurant, I always feel an elevated level of excitement and anticipation. I like to expand my culinary horizons, but I also have certain expectations; so I was thrilled to discover that the food at The Irish Rose not only exceeded my expectations, but left me satisfied and amazed at the exceptional items that exploded with extra flavor.

[caption id="attachment_8784" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://actionclub.site/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC_0590-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-8784" title="DSC_0590" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC_0590-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> Irish Rarebit appetizer.[/caption]

The Lunch Bunch started by sampling a fabulous array of appetizers: Salmon croquettes with garden herb cream cheese sauce; fried artichoke hearts served with stone ground mustard sauce; fried pickles with horseradish aioli; and fried Mozzarella Bites made with house pulled fresh Mozzarella cheese and homemade marinara sauce. April adored the Mozzarella Bites, and we even ordered a second plate of them for us to share. I don’t like pickles, but even I thought the fried pickles were yummy.

The appetizer that created the most hype, however, was the Irish Rarebit — a traditional Irish warm spread made with a three-cheese blend, Irish Ale and pureed vegetables. You dip pieces of the house made Irish Soda Bread into the rarebit; Elizabeth, Nikki and Peggy really liked it and deemed it a must-try.

[caption id="attachment_8785" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://actionclub.site/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC_05961-1.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-8785" title="DSC_0596" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC_05961-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Roasted chicken with spinach over roasted root vegetables.[/caption]

The variety of entrees offered something for everybody. The hand-pattied shrimp burger and the traditional all-American burger were both high quality, and it’s impossible to eat just one of the home cut fries, they’re that good.

One of the must-haves at the table was the Double Beer Battered Fish and Chips. Usually I am not a big fan of fish and chips, but the fish was flaky and flavorful, and the airy batter made it crunchy, but not too heavy: just right.

The other favorite was the Roasted Chicken. Again, I usually don’t order chicken when I go out to eat, but once I tried a bite of the warm, marinated chicken, I couldn’t get enough. The lemon infused pan gravy gives the meat a lovely lemony taste that lingers in your mouth. The beets and other roasted root vegetables served with the chicken were incredibly delicious.

The menu also features salads and artisan pizzas; and you can order to-go, but with friendly servers and

[caption id="attachment_8786" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="https://actionclub.site/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC_0599-1.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-8786" title="DSC_0599" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC_0599-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Fish and Chips.[/caption]

a casual, almost serene atmosphere, it’s worth it to savor your meal at a table or at the bar, because what’s good food without good drink? The Irish Rose is proud to offer more than 20 beers on tap and by the bottle, including options you won’t find elsewhere in Beaufort, such as Strongbow Cider.

Husband and wife owners, Cjira and Jim Presland, are passionate about their food and want all their customers to leave happy. Their focus on using fresh, local and homemade ingredients is evident in everything from the produce to the seafood to the house made Irish Soda Bread. Cjira said they use old family recipes from Ireland (many that have beer as an ingredient — no wonder their food tastes so good!). Jim was recently stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and they have three young children.

The Lunch Bunch enjoyed all the excellent, well-prepared dishes by Chef Keith Morrison and agreed that the restaurant is a welcome addition to the Beaufort dining scene.

The Irish Rose Pub and Bistro is located in Beaufort Town Center, 2121 Boundary Street, Suite 100, Beaufort. Open daily for lunch and dinner at 11 a.m.; weekend seasonal brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 843-379-3811.