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McLadden’s Irish Publick House offers casual community gathering spot

McLadden's Irish Publick House on LaSalle Road promises true Irish warmth and hospitality. “The focus is on creating a nice, casual, comfortable place” that offers a laid back alternative to martini bars and trendy establishments in the area, said owner Michael Ladden, who designed the pub to be the neighborhood’s bar.

Like many Irish pubs, this one gets its name from its publican, or tavernkeeper and owner. In this case there is a bit of name merging going on, with Ladden’s first and last name. Ladden is of Irish origin. The family originates from the South West of Ireland in the Killarney, County Kerry area. So why McLadden's? “Ladden didn’t sound Irish enough,” he said.



We moved into the space in October” and “gutted it to the studs,” Ladden said. The opening was first supposed to be in January, then March. Delays pushed it off until this week, officially – and last Thursday, unofficially.

“We’re extremely busy. We’re past busy,” he said. “People found us.” Savvy use of Facebook and Twitter could explain that. He described the crowd as ages 30s-50s.

“Absolutely everything is new,” yet it looks and feels as if it’s been there for a century or more. A variety of textures and decorations make every inch interesting. There are dark, wide plank oak floors, brick walls, a harp, pithy signs (“It’s never too late to be what you might have been” and “Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy”), Irish blessings and curses, a digital countdown to St. Patrick’s Day, old framed paintings and portraits, dartboards and a blackboard listing tap dates.

There are almost as many seating choices as there are beers on tap: the long bar, booths, round tables, bar stools facing out the front window, square high tops, tables on the sidewalk, and upstairs in the dart room.

A real estate developer and the owner of Keller Williams Realty, Ladden said he’d been working on this project for three years. Other restaurateurs had “looked at the pub concept,” he said. “If no one else was going to do it, then it would be me.”

He managed an Irish pub in New Hampshire for five years, and runs the bar side of McLadden’s. Curt Gemme is the general manager. Dino Ricciardone, with more than 40 years of restaurant experience, is in charge of the food operation. Ricciardone showcased his talent at the Delmonico Restaurant in West Hartford, and was the executive chef and owner of Giovanni’s, 1615 West and, most recently, Alessandro’s in Southington.

The menu abounds in comfort foods such as lobster macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie, Momma’s Meatloaf, McLadden’s Chili made with Harp Lager, and lamb stew and steamed mussels made with Guinness.

Among the items on the weekend brunch menu – from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – are steak and eggs; and a traditional Irish breakfast of a fried egg, Irish rashers, bangers, black and white pudding, chips, grilled tomato, Irish baked beans and toast.

To read the full article written by Lynn Woike on My West Hartford Life click here.

To view McLadden's Irish Publick House on Irish Beer Finder click here.

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