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J. Brian’s Tap Room |
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Experience the World in your Hometown |
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Reviews & Mentions |
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J. Brian’s Tap Room Hits a Home Run December 1, 2005 By LINDA SALISBURY For THE FREE LANCE-STAR It's time to play the baseball card. The owners of J. Brian's Tap Room in downtown Fredericksburg, enthusiastic Red Sox fans, hit a double play with the food and service the evening we ate there. We were among the throng of shoppers wandering from store to store during the mid-November holiday open houses. Friends who joined us indulged in tasty dips much too much in numerous locations, so it was not surprising that they had small appetites by the time we arrived at the restaurant, shopping bags in hand. We were immediately greeted by our server, Jillian, who brought us to one of the booths in the nonsmoking dining room of the historic Exchange Hotel near the intersection of Hanover and Caroline streets. The original hotel was built in 1837 but destroyed by fire 20 years later. The present building opened a decade after that and has had a series of owners and renovations. The dim lighting and dark green walls made us glad that a lamp was on the table. We moved the light to the center of the table so we could read the menus and see what we were eating. The tap room features an extensive list of draft beer ($4-$4.50), including several that are brewed in Richmond (Dominion) and Fredericksburg (Blue & Gray). The menu offers beef, chicken, lamb, crab cakes and vegetarian dishes, but no fish. Pizza is also available ($10.95-$12.95). We got to first base with a tomato and artichoke quesadilla ($7.25), with black beans and guacamole (75 cents each). Cut into four pieces, the quesadilla was ample for our team of four, though we felt there weren't enough black beans tucked in it to warrant the extra charge. It was served with a delicious slaw--large-cut cabbage and good spicing. Before I could declare my entree selection, My Dining Partner stole the base. He claimed the two 8-ounce porterhouse lamb chops ($18.95) served with a red wine balsamic topping, a house salad, redskin (not Red Sox) mashed potatoes and vegetables. He selected the Sam Adams salad dressing with bacon bits--novel and appropriate for a tap room. The lamb was a dazzling play, and one I would make the next time. The two thick chops were tender, thick and meaty, cooked as ordered (medium rare), and encrusted with one of the best marinades we have ever tried. The balsamic vinegar topping was sweetened with sugar, and cheered on by shallots and scallions. Even our friend who said she doesn't like lamb tried a bite and said, "Wow!" Then she asked for more. The vegetable medley that came with entrees was unusual and excellent--thin slices of portobello mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and peppers, a lineup that we were glad the chef called from the dugout. The vegetables were as fresh as loyal fans. Our house salads had a nice bed of greens, topped with corn, peppers and the sweetest onions we have tasted. However, although I was assured that the blue cheese dressing was lumpy, it was not--but nothing to fuss about. My chicken tarragon ($16.95) proved to be another home run. Two perfectly cooked breasts were covered with a brown cream sauce of shallots, button and portobello mushroom slices. The sauce was not overly rich, as are many cream sauces, allowing the mushrooms to speak for themselves. Instead of potatoes, I chose "dirty" rice. The mound of rice was topped with corn kernels--colorful, but lacking much flavor. Our bread basket contained soft white rolls that I should have resisted but was glad I didn't. After asking Jillian about the size of the sandwiches, our friends decided to split a steak and cheese sandwich with sauteed onions ($7.25). The portion, served with another dab of that terrific coleslaw, was just right for two of them. Our friends said the beef was tender and flavorful, and they liked the roll it was served on. Fortunately, we struck out in the final inning: There is no dessert available most days, our server told us. That was fine because I had already confessed to eating three ginger cookies in one of the stores we visited before supper. Our dining experience was enhanced by both excellent service and food. Our server was helpful, cheerful and available without being intrusive. The food had excellent value for its price. If there weren't so many other places we need to try, J. Brian's would warrant an instant replay.
Linda Salisbury, who has written five books, works with self-published authors.
Copyright 2007 The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company.
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200 Hanover Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 (540) 373-0738 Sunday & Monday 12 until 9pm Tuesday—Thursday 11:30am until 9pm Friday & Saturday 11 until 10pm Bar open until 2am most days
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