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Taproom260,
a gastro-pub that checks all the boxes
By Fred Sherwin
OrleansOnline.ca
It's
been a little over a month since Taproom260 first opened
its doors to the public. The gastro-pub is located on
Centrum Blvd. in the space once occupied by D'Arcy McGee's.
The
owners thought it was a good time to give the neighborhood
pub a serious makeover, and after extensive renovations
which took nearly a month to complete Taproom260 was the
result.
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Taproom260
is located in the same space on Centrum Boulevard
previously occu-pied by D'Arcy McGees. Staff
photo
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Gone
are all the dividers, walls and posts that gave one a
sense of claustrophobia. They've been replaced by an open
concept dining area and a massive bar that seats three
times the number of patrons the old bar could accommodate.
The
massive bar is necessary to make room for the massive
draft beer selection. Taproom260 - the name is the actual
address, 260 Centrum Blvd. - has no fewer than 24 beers
to chose from including several local brews from Stray
Dog, Old Dominion, Beau's and the Orleans Brewing Company.
Even
more impressive than the beer is the menu which is a mix
of unique starters, hearty sandwiches, build-your-own-burgers,
and main entr�es.
The
starter menu includes some of the usual classics like
wings, nachos and sweet potato fries, but they also offer
such interesting choices as a Jalepeno Bacon Cheese Dip,
Braised Beef Poutine, and a two different Charcuterie
boards.
I
tried the Calamari during a recent visit to the Taproom
and it was excellent, both in terms of the portion size
and the quality. The breading was crisp and the calamari
was perfectly cooked. Sticking with the starters, Taproom260
also has a nice selection of soups and salads, including
the French Onion soup and a house Caesar Salad.
But
my interest was peaked by two other choices � the Kale,
Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad, and the Salmon Ni�oise Salad.
I can hardly wait until I get to try both offerings.
If
you're a burger person, the Taproom has 17 different toppings
to choose from including Blueberry Chutney, Goat Cheese,
Peameal Bacon and Smoked Salmon, They also offer three
creations inspired by obvious burger aficionados � the
Caribbean Burger, the I Am Canadian Burger and the Berry
Brie Burger.
The
sandwich menu includes such tantalizing choices as the
Western Pulled Braised Beef Sandwich, the Fried Cod Sandwich
and the Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken Sandwich. They also
serve Fish Tacos, a AAA Steak Sandwich and an Artisan
Club Sandwich.
Which
brings me to the main menu topped by the house specialty
� the Beer Braised Beef which is slow cooked in Innis
& Gunn oak-aged beer and served with a sweet potato mash,
a seasonable vegetable and a thick, sumptuous gravy.
I
never can resist sampling the house specialty and I wasn't
disappointed. The large portion of beef was tender and
easily shredded with the slightest of touches. The seasonal
veg was my favourite � asparagus � and the sweet potato
mash was a nice touch.
Other
items on the entr�e menu are the fish and chips; Paste
Pescatore and Pasta Rustica; Stuffed Pepper Pie; Chicken
and Beef Pot Pies; Chicken Curry Roti; and Lemon Maple
Salmon. But best of all, they serve Eggs Benedict all
day long.
The
Taproom has also adopted the daily Social Features from
4-6 p.m. Besides reduced prices for several of their draft
beers they also have daily social hour specials. For instance,
every Wednesday they have an East Coast Kitchen Party
during which a one piece Fish & Chips is just $10 and
a pint of Keith's is $6.
They
also have live music on Wednesdays twice monthly. Monday
is Mash Up Day when all of their features are offered
on the same day.
The
Jimmy Buffet-inspired Parrot Tuesdays feature the $12
Cheeseburger in Paradise and $4 Fish Tacos.
Thursdays
are Old School ReWine time with $5 off bottles of wine
and personal Charcuterie Boards for $15.
The
Saturday Social is reserved for Craft Beer specials served
up with toe-tapping live music. And on the last day of
the week patrons can enjoy $10 Fish & Chips and $12 Pot
Pies and $6 beer features.
For
a complete rundown of the menu, daily features and special
events visit www.taproom260.com.
(This story
was made possible thanks to the generous support of our
local business partners.)
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TAPROOM 260 presents Crooked Creek live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
MATT LULOFF W/ EDISON RUPERT performing at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. To register your team visit 
OTTAWA CARLETON MALE CHOIR in concert at the Navan-Vars United Church 1129 Smith Rd. in Navan at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $20 at the door.
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. presents Oyster Wednesdays every Wednesday. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near McDonalds.
BLACKBURN HAMLET COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entire community is invited…rain or shine! Please keep visiting blackburn.ca for more up-to-date information as it becomes available.
