Mount Holleran Towne Tavern Offers Tasty Bites

I've known a secret for years: Sometimes the best bites can be found in watering holes. That's certainly the case for an amiable Parsippany establishment better known for its cocktails and Wednesday comedy and open-mic performances.

The bar is a lively brick and wood-appointed place that caters to sport fans--all five television sets hanging in the main room, save for one showing a mixed martial arts tournament, are tuned to major league baseball games. 

But circling the bar are tables for dining, and a full dining room exists too. And when we get a peek at the menu, we realize that our bite will consist of more than the free pretzel nuggets served in baskets atop the bar. Color us intrigued.

Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Mount Holleran Towne Tavern's menu features a list of offerings you'd expect to see at a restaurant with crisply uniformed waiters and candlelight: You'll find appetizers (we recommend the unique cod sliders), soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta dishes and "main plates" including baby back ribs, filet mignon, free-range roast chicken, steaks, seafood and chops.

Prices are reasonable here. Most entrees average at $16, sandwiches range from $8-$10, and terrific salads (we had the house salad for $7, a really delicious collection of fresh veggies and greens).

We also tried the corned beef sandwich. It was delicious and lean, and you could taste the subtle spicing of the meat. The sandwich made us so happy we went for dessert. A generous slice of red velvet cake appeared on a beautiful large green plate drizzled in strawberry sauce and with large dollops of whipped cream. The cake, we're told, is outsourced, but that's OK; wherever it comes from, this southern delicacy is absolutely scrumptious.

All in all, the Mount Holleran Towne Tavern is a great place to get a bite for lunch, dinner or a midnight snack.

Mount Holleran Towne Tavern, 450 N. Beverwyck Rd. Open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. until 2 a.m.