Alchemist & Barrister

Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon St, Princeton
609-924-5555; theaandb.com

Hours: Lunch: Mon–Sat, 11:30 am-5 pm; Sun, 3 pm-5 pm. Dinner: Sun–Thurs, 5-10 pm; Fri–Sat, 5-10:30 pm. Brunch: Sun, 11 pm–3 pm. Late Night Menu: Mon–Thurs, 10 pm-12 am; Fri–Sat, 10:30 pm-midnight

Price: $$

Style: Rugged wood paneling, a rustic bar and tartan accoutrements bring the aura of the British Isles to Princeton.

Don’t Miss: Shepherd’s pie ($15) tweaks the traditional crock of ground lamb, peas, corn and carrots by snuggling them under a blanket of cheddar-enriched (instead of plain) mashed potatoes. In a similar hearty vein, lamb stew ($15) immerses seared lamb, carrots and red bliss potatoes in a hearty vegetable stock, with a slab of Irish soda bread to soak up the liquid. Crave a burger? Sink your teeth into the Princeton-themed Tiger Burger ($15), a blackened “custom beef blend” seasoned with a secret smattering of spices, seared and topped with aged cheddar and “tiger sauce” (a mix of mayo, ketchup and mustard), served with shoestring fries. For an uptick to the mildly exotic, try citrus-marinated mahi mahi cooked rare ($23) in a tangy orange-red wine essence with a blend of basmati and wild rice and a novel, winning avocado tempura that’s crispy outside, silky inside. Vegetarians will devour the roasted vegetable pocket ($16) of maple-glazed sweet potatoes and sautéed rainbow chard in flaky puff pastry.

Heads Up: Excellent brunch options include breakfast empanadas (two for $12) filled with chorizo, black beans, guacamole and eggs cooked to order, and a good excuse to cheat on your diet: cinnamon-raisin French toast ($12) filled with banana flavored cream cheese and served with a warm berry compote.

The Scoop: Every Sunday night Alchemist & Barrister presents live music by talented local bands.