I have been wanting to go to Ri Ra’s in downtown Burlington for a long time. I’ve heard great things about it. There is also the fact that it is an Irish Pub. And for anyone who’s been to a real Irish pub in Ireland (or even if you’ve been to a pub in Britain and miss that), you know that’s not a word you readily throw around when talking about Irish themed pubs in America.
Last night may not have been the best time to go out. If any of you are up northern Vermont way (or even northern New York), you’ll know we got slammed with snow last night. Word is the roads are a wee bit icy this morning if you decide to brave it this morning.
However, I had some open ballroom practice time and was out anyway. As long as you anticipated the road conditions, it was okay driving. Pretty much expect you will slide at points and steer appropriately. Honestly, going out last night would have been better on a snowmobile than in a car, but given I don’t have one, I’ll make due. (Do expect, though, that if I live in this state for too long after I graduate, I will own one as soon as I can afford it.)
So I went out to Ri Ra’s with a friend. Good decision with the snow – only the hardcore people from the city were going out last night. While Ri Ras was busy, it wasn’t ridiculous. Got in there, told the host I was waiting for a friend. My friend came. They sat us at a big table until a smaller one cleared out. My friend got a Harpoon. I got a Guinness. He got the Ruben. I had that burger I’ve been craving for about a week. The waiter had an Irish accent. My friend barraged me with sea shanty’s. (He’s had them stuck in his head ever since he took some nautical archaeology class… I think that’s what it was anyway.) I sang the only bit of an Irish song I know (Dulaman). We talked a lot. We finished off dinner with chocolate lava cakes, and I a cup of tea. It was a good night at Ri Ra’s.
Given the amount of snow on Church Street, it’s really no surprise that the night ended with us having a mini snowball fight on Church Street. Funny thing is, with that much snow there, and the snowball fighting. It kind of reminded me of Christmas in an odd way. The street was lit up, covered in snow, and just really pretty. I attempted to take a picture with my phone, but I don’t really know how it came out. (Haven’t looked at it since last night.)
Driving home wasn’t bad. Had a moment where the car took a sec to gain traction once it had stopped at a stop light and the light turned green. The worst part of the night: The unplowed driveway.
I live in an apartment building. It’s not our responsibility to clear the driveway. That gets paid for. But the driveway had not been cleared at all last night. My baby (my car) was not happy pulling in the driveway. The end of the driveway was bad enough. The parking job was worse. Was it worth dealing with the unplowed driveway to go out? Completely. I had a good night in good company at a restaurant that felt like home the minute I put a foot in the door. I couldn’t really ask for anything better than that.