Off The Bone Gastropub

Just what Limerick needed - another gastropub with delusions of grandeur. Off The Bone Gastropub sits there, smugly confident in its trendy nomenclature, practically daring you to walk through its doors and find fault. And trust me, I arrived ready to do exactly that.

Let's address the elephant in the room - any establishment that deliberately drops the 'e' from "Off" in its name is trying too hard. That was my first thought approaching Off The Bone Gastropub Limerick, watching the steady stream of locals filing in with irritating enthusiasm. The audacity of opening yet another pub-but-make-it-fancy in a city already drowning in drinking establishments had me rolling my eyes so hard I nearly strained something.

But then something annoying happened. They started making it difficult to maintain my professional cynicism.

It began with the space itself - surprisingly unstuffy for a place calling itself a gastropub. The interior manages that elusive sweet spot between "yes, we take our food seriously" and "but we're not pretentious gits about it." The live music on weekends doesn't try to be edgy or experimental - just good old-fashioned entertainment that somehow works perfectly with both the after-work crowd and the date-night contingent.

The menu is where my carefully constructed wall of disdain really started to crumble. Their scotch egg (yes, I'm as surprised as you are that I'm recommending a scotch egg in Limerick) arrives with a perfectly runny yolk and sausage meat that's actually seasoned properly. The steaks - and I say this through gritted teeth - have this maddening charcoal finish that elevates them above standard pub fare. They're cooked with the kind of precision that makes you wonder if they've hired away some fine dining chef who got tired of plating micro-greens.

The burger situation is particularly vexing. Just when I'd convinced myself they must be cutting corners somewhere, they serve up this perfectly temperature-controlled patty that makes you question every other burger you've had lately. And the fries? Crispy enough to make a French chef nod in reluctant approval. It's infuriating.

They've even managed to crack the code on atmosphere, which is particularly annoying given how many places get this wrong. During the day, it's bright enough to actually see your food (revolutionary concept, I know), while the evening ambiance strikes that perfect balance between "moody pub" and "actually being able to read the menu without your phone's flashlight." The staff, frustratingly, seem to genuinely enjoy working there, which makes it harder to maintain one's professional distance.

Let's talk about value, shall we? While it's not cheap-cheap, the pricing sits in that sweet spot where you can't quite justify complaining about it. A proper meal here won't break the bank, but it might make you question why you're paying similar prices for inferior food elsewhere in the city. The portion sizes are generous enough to silence the "but pub food should be massive" crowd while maintaining actual culinary standards.

They've thought of everything, damn them. Breakfast, lunch, dinner - check. Vegetarian options that aren't just sad salads - check. A children's menu that doesn't assume kids only eat chicken nuggets - check. They even do a weekend brunch that manages to be both hangover-cure hearty and actually sophisticated. The cocktail list is thoughtful, the wine selection shows someone actually cares, and the beer options extend beyond the usual suspects.

Here's the truly irritating part about Off The Bone Gastropub Limerick - it's actually managed to become a legitimate part of the city's dining scene. Not just another pub trying to fancy itself up, but a genuine destination for people who care about food while maintaining its accessibility for those who just want a decent meal and a pint.

So fine, I admit defeat. If you're in Limerick and looking for a spot that bridges the gap between casual pub and serious eatery, you'll probably end up here. Book ahead for weekend evenings - apparently I'm not the only one who's been reluctantly won over. Just don't tell them I sent you. I have a reputation to maintain.