Merlins Rest pub provides award-winning food and drink

On the corner of East Lake St. and 36th Ave. sits the Celtic pub, Merlins Rest, in the charming Longfellow neighborhood. It is about a mile west of the Mississippi River and only 10 minutes from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington.

Merlins is known for their unique and delicious menu items and a large selection of pints that includes imports and locals along with the all-important fast and free wifi. This is truly a cut above most pub food and keeps folks coming back. Under the tutelage of the talented general manager, Tracie Munce, Merlins has become known as an oasis of great food cooked to perfection. From Bangers and Mash to fish and chips they have it all. A crowd favorite is the fresh Pollock, served Yankee style (salted) or British style (salted, malted and wrapped) on a bed of chips with prepared pub sauce.

Merlins is also known for its Cornish pasty which is the national dish of Cornwall, where it was a favorite of tin miners. The dish is made with a traditional short crust pasty wrapped around prime beef, potatoes and vegetables along with Merlins onion gravy and served with chips

Another specialty is the mussels, classically prepared in white wine, shallots, garlic and butter and served with chips and Merlins famous crusty bread. There is a large selection of burgers on the menu, from grass fed, organic beef and cooked to perfection.

The Excaliburger leads this selection with two grass fed beef patties, Merlins own British bacon, seasoned aioli, cheese, caramelized onion, bacon jam, lettuce and tomato and served with chips. There is a large selection of other burgers also available.

Munce has also designed a large choice of salads and sandwiches that provide customers with an abundance of options. Merlins has a strong penchant for families and features a special children’s menu. Children also eat free with adults on Sunday and are invited to the 2 p.m. Pub Sing held on the fourth Sunday of every month.

However, the most striking part of this of this lively pub is the absolutely huge selection of Single Malt Scotch and Irish whiskey. Merlins has arguably the largest Midwest selection with 340 Scotch and 122 Irish Whiskey bottles comingling on the beautiful back bar. Owner and English ex-pat, Lee Tomlin has made it a quest of the heart to offer Merlins customers this large selection for their imbibing enjoyment.

Because it is known as the “home of the dram,” which is the option of buying a half measure (dram) or buying a full measure, Merlins gathers Whiskey aficionados from far and wide. The dram gives customer the option of buying a smaller amount of liquor for the taste at a lesser price (1 ⁄2 measure), which allows for more tastings without suffering from two things: • Over serving yourself • Over extending your budget Watch for Merlins tastings on the pub calendar (mentioned later in article)*

Merlins Rest Pub has been voted Best Neighborhood Bar by readers of the City Pages “Best Of” selection for several years running. Contributing to their uniqueness and a Merlin’s specialty is a beverage that you will not see in many pubs — the Proper Pimms, made using Classic Pimms #1 with lots of fruit. Order it as it’s worth the price to watch them create the beverage.

Every day of the week there something special happening at Merlins:

Monday — Intermediate Celtic Session (learners advanced session); musicians are invited to bring their instruments.

Tuesday — International Night, 6 p.m. with Merlin’s Minister of Culture, Bill Watkins leading the informal group. At 9:30 a collective Jam Session is held and musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments. .

Wednesday — Bill Watkins quiz, beginning at 7:30 p.m. but come early as space is limited *On the first Thursday from October to June there is a Single Malt Scotch Tasting. Reservations are required.

On the fourth Thursday music is presented by Jake and Greta and Friends at 8:30 p.m.

Friday is Drunken Knitters, (yes, that is what they call themselves). Friday is also Kilt and Corset Night.

Saturday — Belly dancers at 2 p.m. “Raks” provides the entertainment. Music begins at 8:30 p.m. with a varied collection of styles from Blues to Jazz to popular favorites

Sunday — Shanty Sing on the first Sunday.

Second Sunday at 4 p.m. the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers entertain.

Merlins Rest is located at 3601 East Lake St., Minneapolis. Reservations can be made, (but are not necessary, except for whiskey tastings), by calling 612-216-2419 or visit https://merlinsrest.com.