Tavares pub receives ‘pub’ for unlike pub-fare

When is a pub not a pub? It’s an intriguing conundrum that faces guests to O’Keefe’s Irish Pub & Restaurant of Tavares, Fla.

The dark wood bar with brass trimmings illicit memories of jolly times and the dimly lit atmosphere adorned with fancy beer paraphernalia makes O’Keefe’s feel like nothing more than the neighborhood pub. Nevertheless, don’t be too quick to judge this book by its cover.

Before levying a final verdict, peruse the menu and ask yourself when is the last time you heard of a pub offering such delectable treats as mushroom burgundy steak or mixed shellfish sauté? While O’Keefe’s offers diners nearly 100 different bottled beers, it’s way more than the local watering hole.

Twenty-five years ago, O’Keefe’s was in fact nothing more than a pool hall known for its cheap beer and occasional dust up. Everything began to change in 1986 when Andrew O’Keefe began running the family establishment. A graduate of the New England Culinary Institute and an executive chef at several restaurants on the East Coast, it’s safe to say Andrew brought some civility and sophistication to the dining room and menu.

“When people think of a pub they get the impression of chicken wings and potato skins and everything out of the fryer. Our menu is extremely varied as we try to put a lot of different things on there,” said Andrew, who is trained in classical French cuisine.

Amongst the menu’s finer selections of Creole steak topped with spicy crawfish tails and filet medallions served over toasted croutons and brie cheese with a cabernet sauce is traditional pub fare. Hamburgers, chicken fingers and, of course, hot corned beef sandwiches can be found on the menu. In fact, during the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Andrew surmises that O’Keefe’s is the largest consumer of corned beef in the state as it takes several thousand pounds of corned beef to satisfy the restaurant’s St. Patty’s masses.

Another interesting aspect of O’Keefe’s menu is its daily specials. With several appetizers and nearly a half dozen specials featured daily, there is always something new to try, such as chicken stir-fry or osa buca.

For those who are just looking to wet their whistles, O’Keefe’s offers a beer selection from more than 30 different countries, a variety of fine wines and a full bar. For the beer connoisseur, the mug club is a special treat. For $75, patrons can purchase an O’Keefe’s mug with their name on it and receive special discounts. To say the mug club has been a success is an understatement as more than 1,700 patrons have signed up for the program having their personalized mugs decorating nearly every wall in the pub.

With excellent food and an equally impressive selection of brews, O’Keefe’s Irish Pub & Restaurant’s most appealing attraction may be its location. Across the street from the city’s Wooton Park and Lake Dora, diners can enjoy a romantic meal or nightcap on the pub’s candlelit patio overlooking the water. With all these wonderful assets, the accolades have been pouring into O’Keefe’s as it is routinely awarded honors of having the best beer selection, burger, bartending and pub fare in local eatery contests.

“There’s something for everybody at O’Keefe’s,” Andrew said. “When people come here I hope they enjoy themselves and come back for more.”