Bites Nearby: Tullycross Tavern & Microbrewery, Manchester

The best way to describe , the new Irish-themed brew pub on Pleasant Valley Road in Manchester that replaces popular neighborhood watering hole John Harvard’s?

It’s sort of like that old friend from high school or college who you haven’t seen in a while, only to hang out with them again and find they’ve changed for the better.

First off, Tullycross isn’t exactly a radical departure from the style and philosophy that Harvard’s brought to the area – heck, even the décor and the furniture hasn’t changed all that much from the previous establishment (and the John Harvard’s signage will still be in place for a couple of more weeks). But that seems to be exactly what new owner Sean Wansor is going for: keep the things that worked well for Harvard’s, improve on the things that didn’t, and do it all with a little Gallic flare.

Some of the favorite’s from Harvard’s menu, such as the pot pie and meatloaf, are holdovers on the new menu, but it has also been expanded and tweaked to feature many new appetizers, sandwiches, pasta and steak offerings. Entrees now include such hearty Irish favorites as fish and chips and corned beef, as well as a number of daily specials.

Fans of craft brewed beers have nothing to worry about either as, like Harvard’s, Tullycross will continue to brew all its tap beer in house. Again, some of the familiar Harvard offerings survive in slightly new varieties, while there are more stronger, darker Irish offerings, like a stout and a red. Like Harvard's, the offerings will change with the seasons.

If you were a fan of Harvard's, hadn’t been in some time and were thinking about trying it again, or if you're just in the market for a hearty meal, an artfully brewed beer, or a little Irish hospitality, Tullycross is well worth getting acquainted with.