Table Hopping with Morris Gut: Everyone is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day
The leprechauns are coming! St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17th, will be celebrated with all its local color. Throughout Westchester, towns and villages are hanging shamrocks on storefronts and homes giving the Hudson Valley its sparkling moment in the Emerald Isle. If you want to partake in the traditional foods, spirits and reveling sprinkled with a good dose of blarney, here are some suggestions. Be sure to check ahead for special events, and larger groups are advised to make advanced reservations. Erin Go Bragh!
Partners Ro Flanagan, Shane Clifford and Chef Brendan Donohue, proprietors of popular Jack’s Bar & Kitchen, a popular Irish American tavern in Eastchester, premiered Jill’s Bar & Restaurant in Mamaroneck, across from Harbor Island Park. Jill’s, a colorful ode to modern Ireland, serves a winning combination of gastropub favorites and modern-American and European specialties along with a good dose of hospitality. A special menu will be served including such traditional favorites as Corned Beef & Cabbage, Fresh Cod & Chips, and Shephard’s Pie. There’s also Truffle Parm Fries, Chili Roasted Cauliflower, Lobster Cobb Salad, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Ahi Tuna Bowl, and Surf & Turf Tacos. Jill’s,100 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, off the corner of Mamaroneck Ave. Happy Hours. Weekend brunch. 914-341-1776 www.jillsbarandrestaurant.com
Jack’s Bar & Restaurant, 219 Main St., Eastchester. Owner Shane Clifford and his friendly crew have all the good cheer, TVs and finger foods you want. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohue’s kitchen include traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage; Double-Stacked Smash Burger; Shepherd’s Pie; decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese; Jack’s Meatballs; Seared Scallops; Chicken Curry; Shroom Pizza out of their woodfired oven; Berkshire Pork Chop; and Grilled Lamb Sliders. 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com
I recently got back to the Beechmont Tavern, across from IONA University in New Rochelle. It has been around since 1928, they say, and proprietor Rob Hayes keeps the place warm and buzzing. We ordered their popular traditional chicken wings, a Gael burger and fries, and a summery goat cheese and pear salad. We shared. All were great. Beechmont Tavern, 750 North Ave., New Rochelle. Open 7 days. 914-636-9533 www.beechmonttavern.com
McShane’s Public House, 123 N. Main St., Portchester. Partners Edmund Cleary and Vincent Furey offer a taste of the Emerald Isle in Port Chester and the crowds follow. Popular traditional specialties include Colcannon Croquettes, Bangers & Mashed, Corned Beef Reuben and Lamb Sliders. 914-937-7800 www.mcshanesportchester.com
Dunne’s Restaurant & Pub, 15 Shapham Place, White Plains. A neighborhood treasure, an authentic Irish tavern with all the traditional Gaelic accoutrements intact. Owner Declan Farrell keeps it a friendly, home-style place with a good kitchen to boot, dishing out generous servings of traditional Irish-style fare. Try their fabulous Corned Beef & Cabbage, Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, or Salmon Crisp, grilled salmon on sautéed spinach topped with baked mashed potatoes. 914-421-1451. www.dunnespub.com
Rory Dolan’s, 890 McLean Ave., Yonkers. To many in the greater Westchester Irish community this is the motherload. There will be traditional feasting galore all day and evening. Try to get there off peak, if possible. There is a parking lot. Visit Rory’s newest spot in White Plains: Archie Grand. 914-776-2946 www.rorydolans.com
Bread & Brine, 119 Main Street, Hastings-On-Hudson (914-479-5243) The place bustles inside and out, and ‘summers in Maine’ is the theme. Host and owner Jeremy McLellan and his crew will be dishing out plenty of spirited cheer. Great chowders. Oysters are a seasonal treat. A fine Fish & Chips and Lobster Rolls. www.breadandbrinehoh.com
Wolf & Warrior Brewing Co., 195A E. Post Road, White Plains. Brewmeister Michael Chiltern brought White Plains a bustling microbrewery and it’s a good one. The daily brews are listed on a big colorful blackboard. A comforting kitchen menu, too. Chiltern promises an authentic Irish home brew to mark the occasion. 914-368-8617 www.wolfandwarrior.com
Partners Gregory Galli, a veteran of the hospitality industry, Anthony Fragoso and Norka Reyes, premiered Scratch Bar & Grill in downtown New Rochelle, adding a jazzy flair to the Queen City dining and nightlife scene. They are planning a special all day Happy Hour and St. Patrick’s Day menu: Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers & Mash, Corn Beef & Cabbage with cocktails and desserts to match. Scratch, 26 Division St., New Rochelle. 914-278-9650 www.scratchnr.com
If you are planning to cook up some Gaelic favorites at home, check out these specialty food markets for authentic Irish ingredients: Butcher’s Fancy, 961 McLean Ave., Yonkers. www.butchersfancy.com ; Prime Cut Irish Butchers (Riverdale) 4338 Katonah Ave., Bronx 718-324-9262; and Food Ireland, they have a Mount Vernon outlet, www.foodireland.com
(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)