[CrescentFresh]

Don't know diddly about this joint. Probably never will. It's a rare day I haul ass anywhere north of Cleveland Park. Nevertheless, this message arrived in the mailbox of joy and I have no idea whether this dude can cook, but I've had most of these beers, and the water of life, and they're mighty fine.

(Actually, my sked is pretty booked for late Oct., early Nov., or I'd give serious consideration to going since it's on the subway.)

Quote

Hello AIWF members:

And now for something a wee bit different. 

Wednesday, November 02, 2005 at The Royal Mile Pub in Wheaton, we'll have a Scottish celebration put together by Chef Ian Morrison.

Think castles, the moors, St. Andrews Golf Course.

Chef Ian grew up in the family pub business, graduated from Johnson and Wales Culinary School, and came back to Maryland to create a fabulous pub menu focusing on a modern interpretation of Celtic cuisine. You may have heard of this trend taking England by storm--they're calling them gourmet pubs--and they're taking fresh local ingredients and turning the traditional pub food on its head.

AIWF will be treated to a special menu of Chef Morrison’s Scottish dishes complemented by a selection of Scottish beers and topped off with a wee glass of single malt Scotch Whisky.

(The pub is Metro accessible!)

Sign up now for this fun and educational event or you may never find out what's in a "clootie dumpling!"

Price all inclusive: $60/members; $75/nonmembers

Go to http://aiwf.org/dc to reserve.

The MENU

Hors d’oeuvres:
Mini Tartlets of Sautéed Leeks and Cheddar 

House-Smoked Scottish-Style Salmon-and-Cucumber Sandwiches 

Crostini of Potted Pheasant
Broughton Merlin’s Ale

Mini Shepherd’s Pie Bridie
Fraoch Heather Ale

Orkney Scotch Egg with Branston Pickle Sauce
Alba Scots Pine Ale 

Wild Salmon over Scottish-style Kale with Laphroaig Beurre Blanc (that's Scotch whiskey sauce)
Belhaven Wee Heavy 

Haggis Terrine over Neeps and Mash with Pickled Vegetables and Whisky Gravy
Orkney Skullsplitter 

Dessert: Clootie Dumpling
Cragganmore 12-year-old Single Malt Whisky 

Ay,says the Scots--what a deal!

[Skysplitter]

CrescentFresh, on Oct 18 2005, 08:24 PM, said:

Don't know diddly about this joint.  Probably never will.  It's a rare day I haul ass anywhere north of Cleveland Park.  Nevertheless, this message arrived in the mailbox of joy and I have no idea whether this dude can cook, but I've had most of these beers, and the water of life, and they're mighty fine.

I live a stone's throw away from the Mile, and I'll attest their general pub menu is pretty good. I've had the Shepherd's Pie and the Beef and Guinness pie, yum. I haven't had anything listed on the menu above however. They also do a nice brunch and good omelets, which must be one of the few places in Wheaton that doesn't that's not a chain. The actual bar area is TINY so expect to sit at a table if you ever wander by.

FWIW- The Royal Mile

[DanielK]

I haven't been to the RM in 10 years, but they have an absolutely fabulous whisky list.

Back in the day, they used to have one night a week (Thursdays?) when they would do short pours of whisky for only a couple of bucks, so you could taste a lot more varieties than if you were purchasing a standard pour at $6-$lotsmore per glass.

[squidsdc]

While not a "fine dining" joint, maybe we should organize a DR outing to see just how the RMP has held up over the years...? There are certainly enough DR.comers who live close by to take advantange! (whisky is a fine warmer on a cool autumn evening, not to mention some adequate grub to go with)

[DanielK]

squidsdc, on Oct 23 2005, 08:30 AM, said:

While not a "fine dining" joint, maybe we should organize a DR outing to see just how the RMP has held up over the years...?

There's no "we" in organizing.

Just pick a night, post it, and we'll show. Or at least I'll show, but I'll drink enough whisky to account for several others.

[DanielK]

Escoffier, on Jan 18 2006, 12:55 PM, said:

Is there another Scottish restaurant in the area?

The Royal Mile Pub in Wheaton.

[Principia]

DanielK, on Jan 18 2006, 08:41 PM, said:

The Royal Mile Pub in Wheaton.

I second that recommendation! It's slightly tricky to find by car at night (being stealthily concealed on a side street), but just about walkable from the Metro.

[Escoffier]

Principia, on Jan 19 2006, 01:05 AM, said:

I second that recommendation! It's slightly tricky to find by car at night (being stealthily concealed on a side street), but just about walkable from the Metro.

For that matter, Wheaton is hard to find..

[ol_ironstomach]

I'm a fan of his pub grub, and will attest that not only does Ian put together one of the finest shepherd's pies anywhere, but his haggis ain't bad either. His version of a scotch egg incorporates an generous amount of loose sausage that I believe he makes in-house, and is very good indeed. In fact, I wish he'd offer sausage rolls made from this stuff. And there's no rumbledethumps on the menu either (judging from the shepherd's pie top, it'd be terrific).

The Maryland fried chicken is promising, but I find his seasoned flour to be a bit too salty.

The scotch list is lengthy but as you should expect in Montgomery County, is limited to conventional bottlings...no independents at all. Och.

[thirdzero]

My wife and I love the Mile. It is homey and cozy with lots of regulars, and the pub grub is excellent. I've enjoyed all of their soups and stews (even the Guinness chili that was on the menu for a limited time was surprisingly good). Mostly, we find ourselves torn between the fish 'n' chips and their burgers. Their crab cakes are also tasty. My vegan friend loves the pub salad, and another friend always gets the Welsh rarebit. I honestly don't recall anyone in our party ever getting anything that they didn't enjoy. Since we have our favorites, we rarely try the specials, but they few times we have they've been very good. They do indeed have an extensive menu of single malt scotch, if that tickles your fancy. I can't say anything about the wine selection since I almost always get Guinness, Smithicks, or Fraoch (I like wine but not at a pub!). My only complaint is that it is on the small side. However, that is usually only an issue on weekend evenings when it gets packed. Oh, if you go on Sea Shanty night be prepared to sing -- we once went inadvertently, and I think we were literally the only people there who hadn't come to sing shanties! You can visit them at: http://www.royalmilepub.com/

[Camille-Beau]

New Sunday tradition for us -- dim sum at Hollywood East followed by a scotch or two at RMP, a strange but satisfying combination

[ol_ironstomach]

Welcome and thanks for de-lurking, thirdzero!

I think I've said it before, but the Royal Mile also serves one of the few palatable haggis(es) out there.

[DonRocks]

ol_ironstomach, on Nov 12 2007, 04:20 PM, said:

Welcome and thanks for de-lurking, thirdzero!

I think I've said it before, but the Royal Mile also serves one of the few palatable haggis(es) out there.

haggii

[scj32]

Has anyone had brunch at the Royal Mile? We love the place, but haven't been for brunch and they don't have a brunch menu on their website. Also, does anyone know if brunch is as busy there as dinner. I'm trying to find somewhere in Silver Spring/Wheaton for a Saturday brunch this weekend for a large group. Thanks in advance.

[squidsdc]

Time to change the sub-heading in this thread...

Most locals have known that the RMP was up for sale, and now it is confirmed here in the Gazette. The good news is that a Wheaton resident and regular bought the place and said he doesn't want the character of the pub to change. (i.e, no sports bar or chicken joint) The bad news is that he knows nothing about owning/running a restaurant, so I wish him the best of luck and hope that he has some good advisers.

[DonRocks]

squidsdc, on 16 September 2009 - 11:28 PM, said:

Time to change the sub-heading in this thread...

Most locals have known that the RMP was up for sale, and now it is confirmed here in the Gazette. The good news is that a Wheaton resident and regular bought the place and said he doesn't want the character of the pub to change. (i.e, no sports bar or chicken joint) The bad news is that he knows nothing about owning/running a restaurant, so I wish him the best of luck and hope that he has some good advisers.

Done.

[dwt]

The food at Royal Mile Pub has seriously gone downhill over the last couple of years. When Ian first took over the kitchen, and for several subsequent years, I could count on the pub grub being at least solid and the weekend specials being consistently pleasing. Unfortunately, both the pub fare and specials have suffered in quality. I first abandoned the specials and sought refuge in fish and chips, beef and Guinness pie, etc. But when I ordered the F&C a few weeks ago, my plate contained sodden, limp fries, obviously cooked in dirty oil, and cod that tasted mostly of ammonia -- two bites and I was done. Perhaps you are safe with a sandwich, salad or burger, but that's as far as I would go. They've eliminated the regular entrees (steak, grilled salmon), so there aren't many choices.

It saddens me to say this, because RMP was in my regular rotation for at least 10 years and I had genuinely enjoyed dining there with my family. I need a new pub.

[squidsdc]

dwt, on 18 September 2009 - 12:41 PM, said:

The food at Royal Mile Pub has seriously gone downhill over the last couple of years. When Ian first took over the kitchen, and for several subsequent years, I could count on the pub grub being at least solid and the weekend specials being consistently pleasing. Unfortunately, both the pub fare and specials have suffered in quality. I first abandoned the specials and sought refuge in fish and chips, beef and Guinness pie, etc. But when I ordered the F&C a few weeks ago, my plate contained sodden, limp fries, obviously cooked in dirty oil, and cod that tasted mostly of ammonia -- two bites and I was done. Perhaps you are safe with a sandwich, salad or burger, but that's as far as I would go. They've eliminated the regular entrees (steak, grilled salmon), so there aren't many choices.

It saddens me to say this, because RMP was in my regular rotation for at least 10 years and I had genuinely enjoyed dining there with my family. I need a new pub.

Instead of looking for a new pub...and as a loyal patron, I'm sure the new owner would appreciate to know feedback of what has transpired so he can focus on making the right changes for the future. I wouldn't write it off yet--the sale just happened. The new owner doesn't want the "character" of the pub to change...he didn't say the food was going to stay the same.