The term gastropub, a combination of the words gastronomy and pub, refers to a bar and restaurant serving high-end food.  Belmont Shore finally got on the gastropub bandwagon with the opening of Tavern on 2. Located on Second St., in the former space occupied by La Creperie, Tavern on 2 serves a good selection of craft beers and wines as well as a variety of starters, sandwiches and burgers.  Starting next weekend, it will serve breakfast.

Janet, Chris, and I got there around 5:00 pm and snagged a table in the much quieter outdoor patio. For starters, we ordered the Beef Oxtail Poutine (pictured above).  A poutine is a dish of French fries, fresh cheese curds, and covered with gravy.  It originated in Quebec, Canada and it’s slowly finding its way to the US.  Tavern on 2’s version starts out with fries fried in duck fat, topped with cheddar cheese curds and oxtail braised in ale.  The oxtail is fork tender and smothered in a rich, flavorful brown sauce.  My favorite dish of the evening.

Janet raved about the Cuban Panino, a sandwich with sliced ham, pulled pork, provolone cheese, pickles, and mustard on a Cuban roll.  Chris enjoyed his sandwich, the Poblana,  with beef Milanese, queso fresco, chipotle, avocado, sweet onions on a Latin-style roll.  My Short Rib Burger, topped with melted gruyere cheese and grilled mushrooms was huge and messy, but very good.  None of us had room for dessert after those huge entrées, but maybe next time.

Tavern on 2 is a great addition to Second St.’s “dive” bar-heavy establishments.  It’s nice to be able to order great food with drinks.