Ireland's Four Courts (VA - Arlington)

We stopped in to Ireland's Four Courts last Wednesday, and were lucky enough to grab a table outside. We were there to meet a friend for a few pints, but when the friend called to say he was running late, we decided to order a bite.

I have always been a fan of this pub. When you strip away all the gold runes and Celtic ornamentation, you have a more or less neighborhood joint with friendly wait staff and live music that is always packed. In short, good craig.

Ireland's Four Courts also serves up some pretty decent food. On previous visits, I have enjoyed the potato leek soup, the St. James Gate mussels, the Irish stew and countless other dishes. Michelin isn't going to give these guys a star anytime soon, but it is "pub grub" of the highest order.

On this particular night, we had blackened chicken Caesar salads, which were mediocre (dry chicken, lettuce was rinsed, but not dried, etc.). It serves me right for ordering a Mexican salad in an Irish pub. Next time I will stick to their power alley of "traditional" fare.

Long after those salad plates were cleared, we lingered at our table, quaffing the black stuff and catching up with an old friend, which is precisely why you go to Ireland's Four Courts in the first place.