County Clare, Milwaukee Offers a Relaxing, Delicious Brunch [REVIEW]

Cuisine Type:  Irish

Price per entrée: $10.90-$15

Attire: Casual

Reservations: No

Payment: Credit Cards Accepted

County Clare

1234 N. Astor, Milwaukee WI 53202

414-240-2288

Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Friday: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

When it comes to food I am not very picky. I enjoy all kinds of food from all different places, but since my family didn’t have much growing up, I’m also a very simple food type of guy. It’s a treat when I am able to go out and dine and it’s something I very much appreciate when I do. So, I decided to have brunch with my wife at an Irish restaurant. I am 30 percent Irish so I embrace the food and culture quite well.

We took a stroll to County Clare in Milwaukee. County Clare is an Irish pub and restaurant, but also doubles as an inn. The business has been open since 1996 and is currently owned by Harp & Eagle Ltd. The company operates hotels and motels and also offers travel such as tours, travel, air travel, hotel packages and restaurants.

County Clare is an excellent place to have a Sunday brunch with great food and a relaxing experience. I went on a Sunday morning. It’s not far from my apartment so the walk was refreshing. The restaurant itself has a comforting feel to it. There’s a fireplace in the northern corner of the building and the western wall is all windows. This brings in a very nice natural light that lights up the whole dining area. There is Irish memorabilia all over. From old Guinness posters to personal stories of Irish folk, it’s very interesting to look around and see everything on the walls. It most certainly fits the Irish cuisine that the restaurant offers. My wife and I were seated along the western window on what appeared to be a stage. A flyer at the table indicates that there are local Irish bands that come in to play there throughout the month.

The service was prompt. We waited only a minute before being seated and given our menus. Five minutes passed when a waitress came to take our orders. It was just enough time to allow us to view the menu and choose the dish we wanted. The server was dressed in black, a work uniform, and was very kind and prompt. After we placed our orders it took around 10 minutes for our drinks, two coffees and a Bloody Mary, to be delivered. Only five minutes after our drinks were delivered our food was delivered. The drinks took too long, but the food came very shortly afterwards which is very good. Our coffee remained filled throughout our brunch and we were asked several times if we needed anything else. Even after our meal I had forgotten to take my leftovers and the waitress made sure to flag me down before I was too far from the restaurant to give it to me. Excellent service overall.

I ordered the “full Irish breakfast” ($15) which consisted of two fresh eggs fried to my liking, fried Irish bangers (Irish sausages), black and white pudding (blood sausage and pork sausage), Irish rasher (grilled Irish bacon), flame grilled tomato, sautéed mushrooms, brown bread and choice of potato. I opted for over easy eggs and bubble n’squeak potatoes which are fried mashed potatoes with cabbage and bacon. The meal was fantastic. I had never tried blood sausage before and to my surprise it is very good. The bubble n’squeak stole the show though. One of the best potato options I’ve ever had for breakfast. Irish bacon is not the same as American bacon. I’d say the best comparison is Canadian bacon. It was very good and just the right amount of saltiness. For the price it’s a meal that’s difficult to surpass. Everything was wonderful, cooked just right and left me very full. Even the bloody Mary, labeled the County Clare Bloody Mary, is delicious. I opted for the non-spicy version and it did not disappoint. An excellent Bloody Mary. One of the best I’ve ever had.

 The food is excellent, the service is excellent and County Clare provides a relaxing atmosphere that feels Irish. The prices aren’t out of this world and they have an excellent bloody Mary. I don’t think I recommend County Clare enough. Get cozy by the fire on a quiet Sunday morning and enjoy a large Irish breakfast that will not disappoint.