Public House is located adjacent to Warehouse Row at 1110 Market St. The restaurant offers freshly prepared items in a casual setting, from a menu that is constantly changing. Some items are featured daily, while others are added periodically.
We were seated in the main dining area. There is also a large room to the back left that can be partitioned off for private gatherings, as well as a bar, which is completely separate from the main area. You also have the option of sitting outdoors.
On our first visit we couldn’t agree on an appetizer, as I wanted one thing and Wayne wanted another, so in the end, we each got something different and I took part of mine home! I wanted to try Baked Grits with Shiitake Mushrooms ($7), but Wayne wanted Tuna Tartare with Spicy Croutons ($9). In the end, I happened to notice Fried Okra ($6), so that’s what I ordered. Actually both of these were listed under Small Plates rather than Snacks (appetizers).
The fried okra is wonderful! It is entire okra pods battered and deep fried, served with a dipping sauce that the server referred to as “homemade tartar sauce.” I loved the sauce and the okra. My only one minor problem was that the batter kept falling off the okra, but it was delicious by itself. I would definitely order this again.
Wayne also liked the Tuna Tartare. I took a small sampling and he was right, tasty and tangy. We should have known if Nathan Lindley was going to be involved with a restaurant, it was going to have good food!
Both of us ordered a bowl of the Corn Bisque ($5), which you probably guessed, was delicious. It was rich and creamy, with just enough corn so as not to overpower the bisque. I remember ordering Corn Bisque at another restaurant and it was like a bowl of extra thick creamed corn – almost like eating paste. I think I could have made a meal of just the okra and bisque. Also offered at dinner are salads and sandwiches (including a burger).
Deciding on our Plates was another story. I kept switching back and forth, taking quite a while to settle on what I wanted. Some of the items offered were Sautéed Scallops Etouffe ($24), Jonah Lump Crab Cake with Gribiche ($21), and Grilled Chicken Mojo ($14). Wayne chose the Pork Tenderloin with Apple-Bourbon Butter ($16) and I ordered Grilled Duck Breast with Roasted Red Grapes ($20).
Each plate is served with two side items of your choice. Of course, not thinking as I was ordering, I didn’t make a good choice. I selected the Crushed Red Potatoes and Hoppin’ John. Why would I order rice and potatoes together? They were both good and I would order either again, but I really didn’t want all those starches at one time! Wayne ordered the potatoes and Green Beans (obviously doing a better selection than me). Next time I might go with Mustards & Ham.
The potatoes were obviously “real” potatoes, not instant and I didn’t hear any complaints from Wayne who complains about most everyone’s potatoes. Both the pork and the duck were extremely tender and juicy – very easy to cut.
During lunch, Public House offers a Small Plate of Baked Fonduta with Housemade Chips ($5), along with several other items, including soups, salads and sandwiches. Large Plates feature Grilled Mahi-Mahi ($9), Grilled Public House Steak ($9.50), and veggie plates ($8).
Wayne liked Public House so much, he’s become a “regular.” So far he’s tried the Grilled House Baked Ham & Swiss Sandwich ($7) served with Herbed Fries and Public House Chicken ($8.50). He says the sandwich is quite good (must be, he’s ordered it more than once), and they do bake the ham on premises. The chicken is sweet tea brined, buttermilk soaked and cast iron fried, served with two sides and a Cheddar Muffin.
Now – about the desserts . . . After looking over the menu, I wanted a sampler platter of EVERYTHING! I’m always a sucker for Crème Brulee, but I wanted to try something different and Public House has several items that simply aren’t found on other menus. Wayne ordered the Banana Pudding, but there was a twist to this one! It was made with chocolate chip cookies. We liked it so well, I’ve made a couple at home – using sugar-free items.
My final choice was Chocolate Cobbler. Talk about yummy . . . I KNOW I will be ordering that one again.
Hours for Public House are lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.; dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.; and on Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.
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