How to go
What: Brazenhead Irish Pub
Where: 5650 Tylersville Road, Mason (at the corner of Tylersville and Ohio 42)
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The kitchen closes an hour before the pub. A late night appetizer menu is offered on Friday and Saturday nights from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Cost: Traditional Irish dishes are $8.99 to $13.25. Appetizers are $4.69 to $14.99. Soups and salads are $3.99 to $8.99, and daily lunch specials (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) are $5.95. All-you-can-eat ribs are offered all day for $14.99. Sunday features an all you can eat fish special for $10.99. Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and features half-price wings and drink specials.
Info: (513) 229-0809 or www.thebrazenhead.com
MASON — The staff of a local restaurant and bar has decided to focus on the food first.
Eighteen months ago, it was decided Brazenhead Irish Pub in Mason would shift to being a restaurant that serves beer instead of a bar that serves food. The changes are complete, and Brazenhead is building its reputation as a family friendly hot spot.
“I have three kids, and I want moms and dads to come here and have a glass of wine or a beer with their dinner, knowing their kids will be taken care of because we are now family-friendly,” said general manager, Bruce Worth.
Overhauling the menu was the first big change Worth made. Taking customer preference into consideration, he removed items like corn beef and cabbage because they didn’t sell well. He added a unique twist to some of the customer favorites.
“For many, traditional Irish food is kind of ‘blah,’ with bangers and mash basically being brats served in oatmeal. We now use wild boar, venison and pheasant sausage in ours, and it sells like hot cakes,” he said.
Purists may have to adapt to the flavors of the new bangers and mash, but the sausages have a definite gaminess that is unique, Worth said. Meat lovers may appreciate the portion size, with the six sausages being spiraled around a big portion of mashed potatoes. Light sausage gravy is drizzled over the top.
“We’ve also added more steaks, an all-you-can-eat rib special, hot wings with new sauces and an expanded kids menu featuring Kraft macaroni and cheese,” he said.
In addition to the food changes, prices are lower, and some items are as much as $2 less. A variety of food and drink specials are now on the menu, and kids eat free on Tuesdays with a paying adult.
Dessert portions have also been downsized with single portions of chocolate bread pudding, creme brulee and Bailey’s cheesecake, costing $2.50 each. Customers may try all three for $7.
Brazenhead has a seating capacity of 500 people, which is necessary on St. Patrick’s Day, when many locals head to the Irish spot to celebrate the holiday.
An outdoor patio seats another 150, and free WiFi is offered throughout. Live bands play Saturday nights, and there’s a DJ in the downstairs pub on weekend nights.
Carry out is available at Brazenhead.
A beer lover’s pint club has meetings there on the second Tuesday of every month. The pub offers a variety of catering and private party packages, and is currently taking reservations for the upcoming holiday season.
Contact this writer at tlhrsly@cinci.rr.com.
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