Mrs. Murphy and Son's Irish Bistro

The Scene – The exquisite attention to detail in the remodeling of this former Lincoln Avenue funeral home extends from the lobby's mosaic tiling to the restrained Celtic designs in the second story leaded glass windows. A stylish central bar looking straight out of an upscale Dublin hotel is flanked by a formal dining room, with another upstairs. For seating, choose a relaxed banquette or a spacious white tablecloth-covered four top. – – The Food – The restaurant's contemporary Irish menu reimagines the traditional with flair, like the crumbly lamb sausage appetizer…

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Editor's Tips

What to Drink:: The gorgeous bar, crafted from African teakwood, is worth a separate visit as much for its congeniality as its great draft and bottled beer choices from Ireland, Britain, Belgium and various American microbreweries.
Where to Sit:: For a romantic dining experience, ask to be seated in the serene window-filled west room on the second floor.
When to Go:: On weekend nights, live performers at the lounge piano provide musical accompaniment to second floor dining.

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User Reviews (16)

ambiance	91.66999816894531% positive	“Great atmosphere.” “The beautiful decor certainly doesn't hurt, either.” “Great for either a romantic dinner or just drinks in the bar.” “The wood burning fireplace is always burning on cold nights, which gives off a great smell and comfortable feel.” “Excellent food, service, and atmosphere!” “food/atmosphere are wonderful.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“Particularly love the shepherd's pie and the bread and butter pudding.” “The corned beef sandwich at lunch was the best I've ever had and the Irish soda bread is good enought to eat for dessert (although the house desserts as wonderful too).”
drinks	100.0% positive	“Great food, great beer, not crowded” “woodburning fireplace, huge ornate wood bar, great bathrooms.” “Great for either a romantic dinner or just drinks in the bar.” “Great food, Great wine, Great Service” “Awesome beer list and great bar for hanging out.” “recommend sampling their extensive beer collection as well.”
food quality	88.24000358581543% positive	“Guinness and cheese soup, wild boar sausage are awesome.” “Great food, great beer, not crowded” “Particularly love the shepherd's pie and the bread and butter pudding.” “The service is bad, the food is bad, and the food is over priced for what you recieve.” “food/atmosphere are wonderful.” “This place has excellent food and an extensive selection of good craft brews.” “Basically, the food was terrible, the shrimp pasta dish tasted like vinegar, the food was cold, the food took over an hour to arrive at our table, the food is over priced.” “Great food, Great wine, Great Service” “Excellent food, service, and atmosphere!” “The corned beef sandwich at lunch was the best I've ever had and the Irish soda bread is good enought to eat for dessert (although the house desserts as wonderful too).” “The food is interesting and different.” “They have the best bloody marys and screwdrivers I've ever had...combine those with a tasty breakfast "skillet" and it makes for the perfect Sunday brunch.” “was thrilled to find a variety of dishes that were unique enough to give me an idea what "Irish cuisine" is while encorporating enough American twists to keep it within reason.” “It took a long time for us to choose what to order from the menu because the options all sounded delicious, but the server did not rush us.” “We've ordered everything from Stew to Steak to Seafood and each meal has been consistently good.” “Good food & very pleasant staff.” “highly recommend the Guinness onion soup and the New York strip.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“It took a long time for us to choose what to order from the menu because the options all sounded delicious, but the server did not rush us.” “recommend sampling their extensive beer collection as well.” “Beer selection is top notch; plenty of great stuff on tap and even more in bottles.” “was thrilled to find a variety of dishes that were unique enough to give me an idea what "Irish cuisine" is while encorporating enough American twists to keep it within reason.” “Snvolt has never been to this fine establishment as he claims there are pictures on the menus, take it from a sox fan and south side Irish this place is great.” “This place has excellent food and an extensive selection of good craft brews.”
overall	100.0% positive	“great place to go for dinner.”
service	75.0% positive	“It took a long time for us to choose what to order from the menu because the options all sounded delicious, but the server did not rush us.” “The staff have always been very friendly (we love you, Jeff, Nate and Emily) and accomodating.” “Good food & very pleasant staff.” “The service is bad, the food is bad, and the food is over priced for what you recieve.” “Food/service were great.” “Excellent food, service, and atmosphere!” “Servers/bartenders are really friendly and helpful.” “The first time we went the service was a little slow but they had just opened.”
value	40.0% positive	“Trust me, I am not a big complainer, don't waste your money or time.” “woodburning fireplace, huge ornate wood bar, great bathrooms.” “Basically, the food was terrible, the shrimp pasta dish tasted like vinegar, the food was cold, the food took over an hour to arrive at our table, the food is over priced.” “Used to be a huge fan.” “The service is bad, the food is bad, and the food is over priced for what you recieve.”
wait time	50.0% positive	“The first time we went the service was a little slow but they had just opened.” “It took a long time for us to choose what to order from the menu because the options all sounded delicious, but the server did not rush us.”

05/04/08

Consistently Good Food, Great Atmosphere

by longhorn2289 at Citysearch

My wife and I have been here 3 times and each time we've ordered something different. We've ordered everything from Stew to Steak to Seafood and each meal has been consistently good. They have a good selection of beers, as well as wine. Make sure to try the soda bread that they bring to the table.

On two visits we were seated downstairs in the dining room off of the bar. The wood burning fireplace is always burning on cold nights, which gives off a great smell and comfortable feel. On a recent visit, we were seated upstairs overlooking Lincoln Ave. This dining room has more of a fine dining feel. Service has always been excellent.

Pros: Great Service, Food, Parking
Cons: None

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08/12/07

irish food ?

by loredanaanais at Citysearch

a bit more beer hall flavor would send the irish in us back for more. but as is, the place hasn't really changed much from it's previous funeral home atmosphere. that in and of itself isn't a plus.

Pros: well, it's irish.
Cons: dark, drab, and the feeling of a funeral being done up in the kitchen doesn't work for me.

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07/16/07

snvolt is a liar

by tinman773 at Citysearch

There are no pictures on the menus, and the Irish do have food other than american pub food. Irish bistro is one of my favorite spots on Lincoln. Pork chop is always cooked as I like it med rare, the beef in the beef stew was tender and pliable. The beer list is extensive, and service always prompt, kind, ands professional. Snvolt has never been to this fine establishment as he claims there are pictures on the menus, take it from a sox fan and south side Irish this place is great.

Pros: great food, excellent beer, great service
Cons: they're cub fans

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06/14/07

Ireland would not approve!

by snvolt at Citysearch

Irish fine dining, is like saying healthy fast food, it doesn't exist. The Irish should stick to what they do best, bar fare.

I took my wife to this restaurant and we were both extremely disappointed. Go here if you like;

Bland Food

Overpriced Food

Rude waitress doing some sort of fake accent

We ordered Prawns for an appetiser. They are not the fat giant shrimp that are pictured in the menu. They arrive sawed in half with most of the meat missing. What's left is peppered with shell shards.

What's this I asked the waitress. THOSE ARE PRAWNS! THAT'S WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE!!!!

I will say that they have an extensive beer list. I wish I had ordered a burger to go with it.

Pros: Extensive beer list
Cons: Rude Waitress and bland overpriced food.

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11/09/06

A perfect 10! Excellent food, service, and atmosphere!

by slainte33 at Citysearch

My wife and I ate here for the first time recently. The food is medium priced, but well worth paying more for. It took a long time for us to choose what to order from the menu because the options all sounded delicious, but the server did not rush us. Our entrees were generously portioned and very tasty! I highly recommend the Guinness onion soup and the New York strip. The atmosphere was very intimate and quiet. The menu even had a disclaimer not to use your cell phone in the dining area. I rate this restaurant a perfect 10.

Mrs. Murphy and Son's Irish Bistro

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What People Are Saying About Mrs. Murphy and Son's Irish Bistro

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Editor's Tips

05/04/08

Consistently Good Food, Great Atmosphere

by longhorn2289 at Citysearch

08/12/07

irish food ?

by loredanaanais at Citysearch

07/16/07

snvolt is a liar

by tinman773 at Citysearch

06/14/07

Ireland would not approve!

by snvolt at Citysearch

11/09/06

A perfect 10! Excellent food, service, and atmosphere!

by slainte33 at Citysearch

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