For those of you who know Old Towne Orange, you know that it’s been missing something. And that thing is a good pub with good food. Now, I know there’s a bar at Citrus City, as well as Gabby’s, and there’s always good ole’ O’Hara’s and The District Lounge, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about a bar where you can hang out and watch a game, or sit at a table and order some great food. Well, that place has arrived, and it’s called Haven Gastropub.
Since they’ve opened, I’ve been there numerous times, and never disappointed…in fact it’s become our Sunday lunch spot, kids and all. They have a great selection of hand-crafted beer, really good beer that’s priced right, I believe about $7. They have a great beer flight as well, which YOU can choose from any of their beers on tap. They make THE most amazing home made potato chips, which are like heaven. They also make the most DE-licious french fries and their burgers are ridiculous! Everything I’ve tried has been amazing. They have a great Mac n’ Cheese, and some pretty awesome mussels. They also add things to the menu or change the menu on occasion. When they added Short Rib Tacos, I could hardly wait to go and try them, and they didn’t disappoint. My new fave is their Brussels Sprouts, sauteed with I-don’t-know-what, but there is lots of prosciutto in there and they’re just dreamy. So, I charge you to GO and get a beer, an order of mussels and an some chips and you will find your happy place, I promise.
Another great thing about this Gastropub is that it’s lively. This is a great thing because I can take the kids or just go with the hubby and have fun either way. They are pretty kid friendly when it comes to noise,but they don’t have a kids menu (or good kid cups, they need to work on that…). Mine are always happy with the fries and Mac n’ Cheese, and we try and remember to bring our own kid cups.
I say, if you’re anywhere near the area, you’ve got to check this place out. It’s fun, it’s good, it’s lively and it’s very, very casual, no fuss. And, I hear they’re open until 2 a.m., which is unheard of in sleepy Old Towne…unless you’re stumbling out of O’Hara’s that is.
I love this place. It’s just a great spot to stop in for lunch! The food is awesome and they have a nice selection of brews that you can’t usually find anywhere else.
I’ve enjoyed Haven quite a few times since it opened, but on St. Patrick’s Day a bartender stuck two drinks I didn’t order on my tab and refused to remove them. When I got home, I sent a message to Haven’s website but 5 days later have heard nothing. Very disappointed.