The Brotherhood of Thieves

The Brotherhood of Thieves is an informal restaurant serving sandwiches, beer and simple fare, popular with families and young people. The original pre-renovation restaurant is downstairs: dark and noisy and the tables in the upper floor are brighter and quieter.

After yet another visit this year to make sure, we don't understand its popularity. The food and service are mediocre, although the prices are quite reasonable. You could do better at the Atlantic cafe or Schooners.

We had a good cup of chili (sweet-sour with vinegar in it) and quahog (clam) chowder that actually had a few clams. The chowder base was smooth and thick without being gluey. The main courses: a turkey Reuben and a hamburger with Stilton were not that great. The hamburger was sizable but not all that juicy and the turkey Reuben simply terrible. It was dry and tasteless. The curly fries were served in abundance, but were dry and not very flavorful. Service was slow, both in bringing the beers and in bringing the relatively simple repast.

On the other hand, it was cheap. The bill for 3 beers, 2 sandwiches and fries and 2 cups of soup was only $40.

They had a "cheese board" posted, offering a few slices of Stilton, Vermont Grafton Cheddar, and two other cheeses for $11.50 each. You can buy Vermont Grafton cheddar in the supermarket for about $11 per pound, and it is good but nothing special. Why order it as if it were gourmet cheese?

Stick with the sandwiches, but don't expect much. Better yet, go elsewhere.