The Public House

so sad to see this once very good spot go so far downhill. Clearly they have changed chef’s and whomever is now making the food is not experienced. I ordered my favorite salad which I have had there multiple times their Niçoise and it was really bad.
The plate was piled high with lettuce and garnished with overcooked egg, a handful of cold string beans, very salty olives, potatoes with no taste and the worst offender– overcooked rubbery tuna. What a disgrace. After all the wonderful salads I have enjoyed here I would not return. Oh and they now charge $ 7 extra for the same salad!

Second time here yuk — they can’t even microwave the frozen food .
Service is ok but the food is disgusting go to the hideaway instead .
The place only had 5 people at the bar so one can only imagine when they are busy.

Went several times, it’s consistent and a decent atmosphere. They have a specialty margarita with salt foam that is amazing. Also, the mussels and the calamari are excellent. They could add a small kids menu but otherwise the place is a real asset to Old Lyme.

We have been here a few times and each time is just as satisfying as the last. The food is the most consistently delicious in the region (in our experience. and we get out). The soups are great… every time. The short ribs, entrée & sliders both, yummmm… marinated olives, pork belly quesadilla, chicken tacos, etc., etc., etc. And the staff is excellent. So glad you are in the neighborhood! Keep it up, Public House!

Ambience is serviceable, but not as warm as most pubs.
Food lacks the creativity/​flavor of a true gastropub, and is somewhat overpriced. However, perhaps the owners/​chef believe the potential patrons (Old Lyme is overwhelmingly white and some might say, bourgeois) would not be adventurous enough for something more epicurean.
On tap craft beer selection is average, although kudos for having 2 Roads to Ruin on draft.
Overall, it is a good alternative to the mostly insipid fare in immediate area restaurants. Better choices would be Haywire in Westbrook, Bistro Mediterranean & Tapas Bar, right next to Haywire, 2 Brothers in Salem, or for REALLY yummy Peruvian food, Pollo a la Brasa in New London (BYOB).

2^nd visit– not consistent with the first. Service was horrible and unfriendly. No sense of humor and very slow. Food was A-​OK. No hurry to return but will update review after next visit. What I like is the beer menu.

This little gem recently opened up in Old Lyme and my only criticism is that it’s not in Old Saybrook! It is located in the Big Y plaza but when you walk in, you feel like you are somewhere else. The décor is modern, clean, and rustic. We started with some appetizers of the beer cheese dip and the wings. The beer cheese dip was very rich and creamy. It came with some fresh bread that was warm and buttery. A very decadent and filling appetizer! The wings were perfectly cooked and not too saucy. They were crispy and had amazing spices. For my entrée I ordered the mussels. They were presented in a silver pot and came with fresh bread on the side to dip in the broth. It was very tasty! My husband had the burger which he said was one of the best he has had. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare and had lots of flavor.

When we first arrived on the Shoreline, we spent many nights at Anne’s Kitchen, a sweet little café serving good food at fair prices in the strip mall by the A&P in Old Lyme. We loved it there, but when Anne packed up and left, our go-​to reinvented itself numerous times and never got it quite right. Those days, happily, are gone and if I didn’t see you this weekend at the new Public House, I’m sure I will soon. On both my visits, it was full of grinning Old Lymies, finally enjoying what the our little town has been desperate for: a place to run with the girls after yoga for a salad or a lobster slider, bring the kids for a burger, or snack on some tasty buffalo wings or a plate of deviled eggs at the bar. We grabbed the private room in the back (minimum of eight for reservation) and sat around all night long supping on «boards» of roasted chicken, grilled hanger steak with crispy fries and a variety of dipping sauces, fresh salmon salad. With 12 beers on tap and 50 bottles, interesting wines, and a trendy cocktail list (Moscow Mule, anyone?), the owners (hailing from The Mystic Boathouse) have done their homework. From nibbles to small plates, salads and «big plates», the menu is full of crowd-​pleasers like patty melts, slow braised short ribs and the roasted chicken «board» pictured. It’s a little loud (that chic dark wood flooring is actually ceramic), and I think they should squeeze a few more tables in the dining room, but those are minor complaints. Unpretentious, straight-​forward fare at reasonable prices. Expect a wait by next weekend.

The specials were great. Stonington sea scallops were superb and cooked just right. The lemon artichoke soup was creamy with an underlying tartness and just enough artichoke to give it depth. This is our third time here and we have never been disappointed! Suggest trying a few of the small plates to share as a meal. It’s nice to have a variety because it’s hard to choose just one thing to try!

Not bad, but nothing exciting either. Beautiful interior. We ate in the dining room, but wouldn’t mind coming back to hang out in the bar. My husband and I looked over the drink menu (it’s quite extensive!), but decided on water since it was early. The water must be from a local tap because it tastes off– soapy almost. We started with the calamari. It tasted good, but was really soggy. I think they need to put the marinara on the side instead of tossing the rings in it, because then it becomes a soggy, oily, saucy mess. However, the chopped chorizo in it added a wonderful flavor. Calamari should be crispy– please change it! We both then ordered two different salads. The chicken caesar and the chicken taco salad. Both were good. The only problem was that our server was pretty much MIA the entire time except for taking our order. She didn’t even come by to ask how our food was. The hostess had to refill our water glasses. Some better servers and fix the calamari and I’ll be back! Also, just get a drink from their extensive menu– pass on the water…

I’ve been here twice now; once when they first opened and once just a few nights ago. First visit — food had good flavor (I had a mexican style shredded chicken salad and my husband had chicken tacos), but was not prepared with care as there were bones and cartilage in the shredded chicken. Bowl of soup was barely a cup and all prices were more than they should have been for what it was. Second visit — food was ok, not awesome. Prices are still too high for what it is (Patty Melt is $ 13) and menu lacks most traditional pub fare. To drink, I order a Whiskey Sour. If there was whiskey in there, it must have been invisible, which left the drink too sour to enjoy and was $ 9. I think this place is having an identity crisis. They are calling themselves a Pub, but their menu is attempting to be more upscale dining. No thank you!

The hummus, deviled eggs, and flank steak were delicious and generously portioned. Of the sauces that come with the steak, the cheesy beer (or beery cheese. Cheery bees?) and the chimichurri were the best. I don’t care if it’s velveeta finished with bourbon, you could sell that cheese sauce in shot glasses and people would buy it.
Husband raved about the onion rings.
The fries were rustic little matchsticks of delight but nearly impossible to eat because they were cut down to nubbins. Go for a larger slice or rename them hash browns. Another issue: Have the steak rest somewhere other than the board served to the diner: My plate looked like the scene of a crime and I contemplated vegetarianism then and there.
The ice cream sandwich was a delectable finish. However those cookies were too hard to eat a la sandwich. We broke them up and mash them into the ice cream. All good, but not an ice cream sandwich.
Finally: The hostess is outstanding. She’s expert (a natural) at making people feel welcome, which is exactly how you want a dining experience to begin. I’d find a way to give her more face time with the patrons.

Before Public House opened in Old Lyme the shoreline sure needed a gastropub that was both family friendly and a place where adults would willingly gather. Now that Public House is here, the shoreline sure needs a gastropub that has edible creative food, sufficient seating, and a tap list with some flair, and a décor that is more than a paper thin façade.
The hipster veneer of a décor is welcoming at first glance, but don’t look too long or the contrived cobbled together nature of the place will saturate your soul if the smell of bleach hasn’t already filled it. You’ll also note the conspicuous absence of seating in the heart of the dining room as hordes of unknowing diners eagerly await a table. Who woulda thunk to put tables in the middle of a dining room! Sadly, the booths along the walls are not the real deal (genuine booths) and do not provide the womb-​like comfort one would expect at a true pub. This is no place to sit and drink the night away.
The menu reaches for gastropub and contains items that, if well-​executed with true creativity, could be promising. Instead, the delivery comes across as TGI-​Applebees as prepared with a Paula Dean «more is more» school of bad food. Forget gastropub, we hit gross-​tro-​pub during our visit. The fried calamari was mush-​city. Polenta fries were over-​cheesed, over-​battered, and over-​fried until they cried for mercy. The house salad was the sole bright spot, but only the top millimeter was coated in dressing. The buns of the spare rib sliders seemed to be coated in I-Can’t-Believe-It’s-Not-Butter, which was disgusting except for that it covered the «Chemical-​Ali» sauce. And speaking of foul tasting, something was wrong with the tap water (or maybe it was the bottles the water was served from). Essentially, the bad tastes started with the water and continued on from there.
On a bright note, the staff were generally knowledgeable and helpful.
Comeonpeople — fix this before it’s too late!

We had a wonderful lunch on Mothers Day at the Public House! Though they were not very busy (probably because they weren’t taking reservations and people want a gaurantee when bringing Mom out) the service was very good. We started out at the bar with tasty Bloody Mary’s that rivaled any i had on my recent trip to NOLA, were every bar has a good version. The bartender was very professional and friendly (wish i could remember his name).
We then moved to a table were JJ took excellent care of us. Checking in often and offering insight into several menu items. We had the Calamari which i rarely order out, but this one was perfectly done. Just the right amount of sauce, lightly breaded and very tender! (Im betting they soak it in milk). Mom had the shortribs which were very moist and well seasoned. Dad hsd a beautiful roast Chicken which was perfectly cooked. I had the fish tacos which i devoured. The fish was fried but not greasy and the tortillas were toasted nicely so they didnt turn to mush under the salsa. Very good. Hand cut fries were cooked nice and crispy, though i probably would have opted for a salad if given the choice (maybe i was but after a couple bloody’s who knows). The other cocktsils we had were also delicious! Only gripe i would have is that our entrees arrived moments after receiving our appetizers, not a huge deal but the place was not busy so why the rush. In any case i will be back!

Service was mediocre, food was not good! We were disappointed and will not never go back.

Went in for lunch on a Saturday and found this gem. The public house burger was top notch, the staff was extremely friendly and the wooden bar added to a great environment. Would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys the bat atmosphere with a excellent food selection.

My Husband and I had lunch here the first week they opened! We had short rib sliders, deviled eggs with bacon, the soup of the day, and the public house salad! Everything was delicious, and the service was fast and friendly we can’t wait to go back for dinner! They also have a beautiful bar and the ambiance is perfect on both sides of the restaurant. The bar side is sectioned off from the dining area so there is truly something for everyone!

Stopped in late Saturday night for a drink with my husband… could not believe how great the Public House looks inside. A beautiful wood bar with shelves behind it made from reclaimed wood. Cool booths and tables. The place expanded on the left so there are plenty of tables to dine. Love the blinds and the ambience– Unlike anything in Old Lyme and what we were in desperate need of!
The menu looks interesting– different options than you see at every bar… Short rib sliders– fish tacos– etc. Can’t wait to try them. They have great beers on tap and a huge selection of bottled beers. We sat at the bar. Service was very good and we met the owner. She was friendly and has experience in the restaurant/​bar business. I hope she does well here– it looks like the Public House will.