Benjamin (benjamin-kirkup-1)

It is a pub with regulars in a location that arguably doesn't need a pub. On a Friday evening, just a few customers and nearly equal number of staff, who feel c... Lire plus It is a pub with regulars in a location that arguably doesn't need a pub. On a Friday evening, just a few customers and nearly equal number of staff, who feel comfortable enough that they can abandon the from of house for 15 minutes at a time, downstairs. However, when available, service was attentive, accurate, etc. The beers are fine, and could hardly be otherwise. The food looked fresh and suitable at all tables. Meatballs were three for $11. Large, good taste and texture, robust marinara, some grilled onions and peppers. Almost certainly stock items from the distributor, but not lowest tier. Enough to take the edge off, nothing you will regret. Menu diverse and expansive. Kitchen clean and orderly. Decorations dated and insignificant, but not an issue, either.

The Tavern upstairs, the market downstairs, profish and the smoke house are co located.For the market:Great service, great fish. Skate wing was very well fillet... Lire plus The Tavern upstairs, the market downstairs, profish and the smoke house are co located.For the market:Great service, great fish. Skate wing was very well filleted and the advice for cooking was excellent. Everything else, including the nova lox, has been great.A few more visits, in general very good. A large bluefish was requested from the warehouse the morning of, and was procured with no hassle or additional cost. It was deboned by the fishmonger with great eagerness and wonderful hospitality. The freshness of the fish was celebrated by the staff and other patrons.For the smoke house:Indian candy is a must have sweet salmon product. Large pieces. Other smoked salmon and trout are good as well.For the Tavern:It's an interesting member of the Fish and Fire group of seafood restaurants. It seems one of the more affordable though it isn't inexpensive. The setting is rustic and industrial. Holiday decor can be festive. Two bars, an outside patio, an event room. The clientele seems generally local, celebrating special events. Several large TVs at the bars.The food is heavy on fried seafood, with DMV flair. Crab cakes, crab dip, grilled or raw oysters, branzino, mahi mahi, salmon lots of fried options. Fried fish sandwich, oyster poboy, fish and chips, calamari ,etc.Everything was very fresh, and very good. Appetizers are for two. Mussels were a delight. Calamari was the best I've had lately. Broiled oysters were not cheap but very good.Everything was enjoyed around the table, 9 entrees, few repeated. Branzino fried was a standout. Kids menu fish nuggets were amazingly abundant, and the catfish was perfectly cooked. Everyone was full. Even the salmon salad was good. The greens were bitter, tender, perfectly dressed. Bread was great.So, it's a treat, not a daily thing. Enjoy.Kid friendliness: Super kid friendly. Kids meal portions are great. Lemonade available. Kids from various tables said hello. For a place with two bars... Very friendly.

The workshop tavern is a small bar on a restored main street off the main road. Very nice ambiance. Younger crowd, having a nice time out. Wood and brick, etc.L... Lire plus The workshop tavern is a small bar on a restored main street off the main road. Very nice ambiance. Younger crowd, having a nice time out. Wood and brick, etc.Large whiskey selection, boutique cocktails, with specials, modest menu from appetizers to larger plates. Charcuterie platter had one sausage, very nice sweet dry sausage with fennel, a number of olives, fried garlic, bread with oil, roasted peppers, etc. nice size. The falafel salad was a very large plate of very fresh slightly bitter greens, good falafel balls, olives, etc. The BBQ plate had a large cloud of pulled pork and a very decent serving, maybe 6 bowl, of excellent Mac and cheese, with white cheddar, some pickles, small corn muffin. Softest pulled pork I've had, went well with the sauce.The negroni was aged, nice and balanced. The smoked New Yorker was complex, flavorful. Good pours. Looked like quite a bit of work. The aroma was very elegant. The menu could bear exploration.Kitchen closes early, be aware.