Cauliflower Wings, Chilli Spuds, and Cherry Beer: Dining at a Beloved Galway Bar
The menu at Bierhaus. Photo: Paulina Dobisz
By Áine McEnroe
Galway is a city full of good Irish food, culture and tourism, and there are several niche, cosy little restaurants hidden around the city. You can find anything from a good takeaway on Eyre Square to fine dining in one of Galway’s many top-notch hotels, and everything in between. Bierhaus, on Henry Street, is one of Galway’s hidden gems. A cosy little bar slash restaurant I hadn’t heard of until recently.
Upon walking in, you wouldn’t know it was a restaurant, other than the mouthwatering smell of good food. Set up like your typical Irish bar, round tables set with beer mats and candles and people drinking beer and enjoying the warmth while it lashes down outside. The chef works a small kitchen beside the door, you can see how your food is being made, which was a nice touch. The Galway Pulse Culture Team took a seat at the window after receiving our drinks at the bar.
Charlotte and Paulina ordered spicy margaritas and myself, Thomas and Aoife ordered the cherry beer. An odd drink I hadn’t even realised existed, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. The food menu consisted of six items. The five of us each ordered something different so we could all try everything.
I ordered the crispy chilli spuds, which were very visually pleasing. However, for a picky eater like myself, they were a bit of a nightmare. The thinly sliced potatoes came topped with vegan mayo, pickled onions, parsley and chilli sauce. While the pickled onions are definitely not to my particular taste, the spicy potatoes were, as a big fan of spicy food. I also tried Paulina’s grilled cheese, which I was incredibly jealous of when it came out. If you are going into Bierhaus as something of a picky eater, I highly recommend that particular dish.
Paulina commented on her grilled cheese: “The slices of bread were sourdough from Magpie bakery with cheese, hardened to a delicate crispy edge that oozed out from the crust of the toasted sandwich. The finely diced gherkins inside came as a surprise which added so much depth within the flavours of the softly melted cheese. Tiny specks of tajin seasoning sprinkled over the toastie added a delicate sharpness. As someone who doesn’t handle spice very well, this was the perfect ratio of spice that balanced well with the crispy, pan-seared bread. Ordering a cheese toastie in a pub might seem underwhelming, but the Bierhaus do it justice and their take on the grilled cheese is to die for.”
Charlotte ordered the veggie smash burger, saying: “The veggie smash burger immediately caught my attention. When the silver platter arrived at the table, my eyes widened with anticipation… the crispy melted cheese formed a perfectly rounded rim to the soft brioche buns, and the fresh crunch of the lettuce alleviated the saltiness of the burger. My overly enthusiastic hunger would have desired the serving to be a little bit bigger as each bite was perfectly proportioned in terms of soft and crunchy textures but also of smoothly balanced savouriness. Not only was the dish very satisfactory, but the dim-lit ambiance of the pub added extra warmth to the dining experience!”
Thomas, along with his cherry beer, ordered the corn and tomato tostadas: “They came loaded with an eclectic mix of toppings, including pomegranate seeds, kidney beans, and feta cheese. I was initially sceptical, as I’m not the biggest fan of some of the ingredients, but they ended up having a balanced and quite delicious flavour, with a nice spicy kick to boot. They were also surprisingly easy to eat given the brittle cracker the toppings are served upon.”
Finally, Aoife ordered the cauliflower wings: “A vegetarian spin on spicy chicken wings. This humble vegetable is transformed by the skilled hands of the Bierhaus chefs into a full-flavoured spicy treat. The flavours were spot on. The side of pickled cucumbers was not a personal favourite, I felt it was too dill heavy. For such a humble dish, it truly was inventive and enjoyable.”
The final verdict on the food was an overwhelming 7.5 out of 10. The food and drinks were incredibly affordable too, which for college students is very much ideal. However, I do think the restaurant could benefit from a wider range of items on the menu, but it also adds to the restaurant’s own uniqueness.
