The Harp

After pouring over countless reviews, our group picked The Harp, looking for a drink and something decent to eat. Surely 1,600+ Google couldn’t be wrong? We passed through two good-sized (albeit closed) doors and were greeted with an empty hostess stand and a vibe that screamed retirement home Christmas party. Once seated, we promptly adjusted our table manners to ensure nothing came into contact with a stickier table than a three-day-old milkshake nailed to the front gates of Cedar Point for the summer.

Our server was prompt, surprisingly cheerful, and attentive. Our order was taken, drinks were served, and all that was left to do was wait for our food. Conversation between us was easy as the place was quiet, except for the intermittent shrills from a few ladies at the bar. We got the impression those were “the regulars.”

Let’s cut to the point. The food was awful. The Boxty didn’t resemble the delicious traditional Irish dish we knew, tasting like a boiled quesadilla filled with a random assortment of beef-related items. Apologies for bringing quesadillas into this. The club sandwich leaked pink “juices” all over the diner’s plate from the second it was picked up. The diner responded, “It’s fine; I was hungry.”

It was the fish and chips that really killed it for the group. While the fries were anything other than chips (in the Irish sense), they were the best thing on the plate. The batter on the fish was heavy, dripping in oil, burned in places, and coated with the loose debris from items previously punished in the kitchen’s deep fat fryers. The fish inside was dryer than a twenty-year-old geology textbook. What a massive disappointment.

It’s clear that Covid has not been kind to The Harp, and to be fair, that’s something they had no control of. Getting decent staff in the pub/restaurant game has long been a struggle, and again, Covid gave every establishment a thorough kicking for two years. That doesn’t take away from a total lack of care with the food, no quality control, and a pub that feels like it is surfing on its old reputation.

This review will likely get lost among the hundreds/thousands of four and five-star reviews on Google, but it doesn't change the fact that a) the food needs help and b) there is no way this is a one-off experience.

Please fix it.