Pentagon Row's (Arlington, VA) MATTIE & EDDIE's make for excellent Irish pub fare(11-11-21)

 We headed out to Chef Cathal Armstrong's newest venture in Arlington set opposite the skating rink in Pentagon Row (where you can sit outside with heaters and watch the skaters!)for a fabulous Irish feast. This is indeed going back to Chef's roots as this warm cozy pub has such a great feel, and the food is indeed comfort food.  We sat inside in cozy leather chairs and red fabric banquettes and it was pretty empty for a Thursday, so we felt totally at ease with tons of space. Wood tones are prominent with old pub signs and mirrors abounding. Our server, Karina, gave us some suggestions and we ordered some cocktails. The drinks were good size, but a bit unexciting. Ould Poire is Grey Goose Poire Vodka with St Germaine, and Q Elderflower Tonic, while the Irish Bellini was Irish Mist Honey, Peach Schnapps, Peach & Honey Syrup & Prosecco. We switched to wine and loved the 2019 Neyers Chardonnay.

Cockles & Mussels were in a cream, white wine & dill broth and were delicious and served with large slices of Irish Bread & Butter as was the Irish Oak Smoked Salmon with greens, capers & lemon--a truly mouth melting salmon indeed. Sausage Rolls are crispy pastry with a yummy filling and a great sauce to dip in. The Ham & Cheese Toastie is a winning sandwich and would make an ideal lunch!!

Eamonn's Fish & Chips comes with 7 secret sauces and took us back to the old fish and chips spot Chef Cathal named for his son in Alexandria that we loved so much! House-Cured Corned Beef came with Cabbage Confit and Parsleyed Potatoes and the meat was indeed some of the most tender ever. My Lobster Pot Pie had the perfect puff pastry crust on top and was filled with tons of lobster chunks and a rich cream sauce. The side of Brussels Sprouts & Bacon should not be missed.

For dessert there was Apple Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream and Bread & Butter Pudding with Toffee Sauce & Cream that got raves. My Irish Farm House Cheese was a selection of three (Mossfield, Willoughby & Cashel Blue) that was excellent with a blueberry jam and a fruit-nut bread that was niece, but quite intense reminding me almost of a slice of fruit cake! we had a great time with friends and are happy to know that we can still get those awesome fish & chips nearby, and so much more!