PRINCE
IRISH INSPIRED CuISINE
The Black Clover Written by Frank Peebles
If the Irish are famously lucky, and shamrocks are famously lucky, then imagine the good fortune in store for you at the Black Clover. Prince George’s new Irish pub has been one of the hottest spots in town since the day it opened this year. Turns out, though, it’s not because of luck at all, unless luck looks a lot like hard work and careful planning. “We tore it down to the concrete and studs and built it back up from scratch; this is our creation,” said managing partner Troy McKenzie. The space itself was the Cariboo Steakhouse for the better part of four decades, so there is already a long history of good times at that Fifth Avenue address. And those who remember the popular watering hole Sgt. O’Flaherty’s will feel a certain familiarity here. There are dart boards, a pool table, open concept seating areas with some intimate side-spaces, and live entertainment. McKenzie managed Sgt. O’s in its heyday, and he brought along some of the items Prince George loved best. “I think the feel and atmosphere of the room is something enormously important to a pub,” McKenzie said. “For me it is all built on three things: the service you receive, the food and beverage quality, and the room itself. We wanted to get the room just right because we knew the other two challenges were always going to be moving and dynamic. But once you’ve built walls, it’s hard to move them.”
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achieved that look and feel we wanted, we definitely have great staff, and we are always working on the menu. We can adjust on the fly like that because we aren’t tied to some big chain. So we want to always instill in our staff that we need their eyes and ears. Chris and I want them to have those discussions with customers and just be in touch at the tables, and we will be open to hearing the feedback they bring back for us. If something is desired by the customers, we want to know about it.” Live music is one of those desires McKenzie heard about loud and clear, and he remembered how that element was central to the success of Sgt. O’s. “When people spend their hard-earned money and precious time out for a meal or go for a drink with friends, giving them talented singer-songwriters is an important way to add to the quality of their experience and say thank you for coming to us,” McKenzie said. “There’s no cover charge for that, it’s just something you get, as a sign of appreciation.” It’s like finding a four-leaf shamrock, or a little bit of gold at the end of the rainbow. You’ll find an endless supply of Irish treasure at the Black Clover.
“We achieved that look and feel we wanted, we definitely have great staff, and we are always working on the menu.” - Troy McKenzie
The food and service aspects of the Black Clover have some particular advantages. McKenzie and his chef partner Chris Angus already operate the fine dining restaurant right next door, the Twisted Cork, so they are already in constant touch with potential staff and chains of supply. The success next door made it easier for Black Clover investors to believe in their dream. “We wanted to be authentic with English/ Irish pub philosophies,” said McKenzie. “We
PhotoS | Left: Troy McKenzie, owner, and Ashley Sidhu, Front of House Manager. Right: The Black Clover’s selection of beer on tap. Photos by Brent Braaten
1165 5TH AVEnuE Prince George, BC P: 250.564.4441 theblackclover.com
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