Sunday, December 30, 2007

Quickie Review #12: Lochrann's Irish Pub & Eatery

In case you haven't guessed by now, my lovely wife the Rock Star simply LOVES live music! I think she would watch a solo act, duo or band every night of the year if we could afford it. Problem is, we can't. Dining out already puts a serious strain on the Royal Treasury, and to see live music often on top of that might bankrupt the Czardom. And yet, my wife's immortal soul cries out from lack of music, so what to do? Well, the Irish, in their infinite wisdom, solved this vexing dilemma aeons ago by coming up with one of God's great inventions: the pub. Live music and food all for one price. Well, sir, the good people of the Northern Metroplex Environs no longer have to walk ten miles barefoot thru the snow uphill in order to hear good dinner music. They merely have to repair to newly-opened Lochrann's Irish Pub and Eatery, conveniently located just off the tollway on Main next to Frisco square.

Though open a mere three days, Lochrann's was already filled to the brim with hearty revelers when we visited. Genuine Irish handicrafted interior surrounding a central bar. Strategically placed TV's so that one can watch FC Dallas or the Cowboys without spoiling the pub experience for all. Our smiling waiter Carl placed an abbreviated menu in front of us (Grand Opening is New Years Eve) and after selecting Guinness and Jamieson drinks (when in Dublin, etc), my spouse opted for the Famous Homemade Irish Pub Burger, well spiced choice beef with fixings and cheddar cheese which was very good, if a tad overcooked. And as for me, what's an Irish pub without Irish stew? Lochrann's was made from choice beef tenderloin, potatoes, and vegetables simmering in beef broth. Excellent, although a bit overpriced. (They have to pay for the live music somehow.) Speaking of which, guitarist Michael Harrison started his set not long after our arrival, and thoroughly entertained us with traditional Irish tunes ("Whiskey in the Jar") and oldies ("The Boxer", "Brown-eyed Girl"). We left completely sated, and look forward to exploring the complete menu soon. Website is www.lochranns.com. You should visit yourself, and remember:

LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR MEDIOCRE FOOD!!!

6 comments:

foodieinFrisco said...

We went to Lochrann's the first time just for an appetizer. We shared the potato nachos which were good, but not exceptional. The second time we went, we ordered from the dinner menu. I ordered the corned beef which was to come with cabbage and horseradish mashed potatoes. The corned beef was greasy (I couldn't eat it), the cabbage was non-existent and, because the restaurant had been open for only three weeks, the horseradish was missing when the mashed potatoes finally arrived; the waiter didn't know that the potatoes were supposed to come with the entree. My husband ordered the shepherd's pie (made with ground beef)which was also mediocre. We do not plan to return. Great atmosphere, awful food.

jsavitz said...

We were at Lochrann's last night for the second time. My boyfriend and I chose to sit at the bar this time. We just came in to drink a few pints of Guiness. No place better than an Irish Pub for Guiness. Our first visit was great. Service was above average, so since we only live a few miles from Lochrans, we were excited that we finally had a local hangout. I must say, I will surely reconsider visiting Lochrans again. Or at least next time I will NOT sit at the bar. The bar is visually inviting. But the bartenders sure are not. We sat in the near the beer taps and the bartender that "took" care of us, or lack there of, rarely had a smile on her face. She looked as if she hated working there, or as if she had just lost her dog. When my boyfriend and I sat down to get a drink, we waited about 3 minutes to be acknowledged. Finally when the bartendress came over, she spouted out something like what do you all want. Not hello, how are you, welcome to Lochrans. No smile, no name, nothing but a rude what do you want. I never got the young girls name, but she was a tall thin black woman. Not hard to pick her out, she is the one behind the bar without a smile and looking as if she is pissed off at the world. We asked for her suggestion on a beer b/c my bf and I wanted to try something new. She said that they are all good and it just depended if we wanted light or dark beer. She offered no suggestions and honestly acted like she was annoyed when we asked for one. I just ended up ordering a Harp and my bf ordered a Guiness. If this had been our first time here, I would never come back. Soley for the fact that this young thin african american bartendress was like a cloud hovering over the sun. Either she hates working there or she justs is miserable in general. Someone who works behind the bar needs to like people. It was obvious that she did not. We did notice a bartender at the other end of the bar. He looked like he was having a great time. He definitely fit into the theme of an Irish Pub. Sporting a goatee and a big smile, my bf and I kept eyeballing the bar stools near his end. Unfortunately all the patrons on that end were having too much fun with him to want to leave. If Lochrans could have all bartenders like the guy with the goatee and the big smile, I would give them a perfect score. Unfortunately, if they keep the thin black girl with nothing more than a frown, Lochrans will probably see their bar patrons fizzle....I hope next time we get the pleasure of hanging out with Mr. Goatee and Big Smile!!!

*Future* said...

I went,I think, two days after the opening. Its decorated beautifully but to be honest the food was TERRIBLE! I ordered a ceasar salad with chicken and the fish and chips. The salad was like $11 was a little on the small side for that amount and tasted like fish. I know that Caesar salads are sometimes made with anchovies but the dressing came in a separate container and the lettuce itself smelled like it had been bathed in fish sauce. The chicken was grilled but a bit overcooked not so much so that it was leathery but overcooked still. The fish and chips were wholly dissapointing and looked as if it had been sitting under a warming lamp. Which is ridiculous being that I was the only customer there at the time and it could have easily been made to order. I would advise anyone slightly curious about the place to find somewhere else. Overall if you like to pay outrageous prices for inedible food this is your place

Donna said...

Czar, I had a hard time locating this old review of Lochrann's today. Have you considered introducing a search capability to this blog?

Anyway, I see you've gotten quite a few comments regarding Lochrann's. Sad to say when I finally visited last weekend, the food was generally unimpressive and overpriced. Perhaps your experiene was vastly different since it was before the grand opening? Perhaps a revisit is now in call?

For some thoughts with photos: http://donnacooks.wordpress.com/2008/03/08/frisco-ya-aint-irish-enough-lochranns-irish-pub-eatery/

Donna said...

Czar, I had a hard time locating this old review of Lochrann's today. Have you considered introducing a search capability to this blog?

Anyway, I see you've gotten quite a few comments regarding Lochrann's. Sad to say when I finally visited last weekend, the food was generally unimpressive and overpriced. Perhaps your experiene was vastly different since it was before the grand opening? Perhaps a revisit is now in call?

For some thoughts with photos: http://donnacooks.wordpress.com/2008/03/08/frisco-ya-aint-irish-enough-lochranns-irish-pub-eatery/

Hector said...

I had dinner there the other night (Friday) and had a great time. The Pub pours a perfect Guiness and the food was spot on. I would tell you that if your looking for authentic Irish food than you may want to go to Irland, this is Texas. I'm sure that none of you (who has poor things to say about a restaurant thats only been open for two months),has ever owned your own. It's called growing pains! Why don't you go back to Outback or Chilis and give a review. Come on!!