The leprechauns are coming! St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17th, will be celebrated with all its local color. Throughout greater Westchester neighborhoods and villages are hanging shamrocks on storefronts and homes giving the region 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 hours and events. Larger groups are advised to make advanced reservations. Erin Go Bragh!
Jack’s Bar & Restaurant It’s become a hotspot. Owner Shane Clifford and his friendly crew have all the traditional basics you want. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage; Guinness Braised Short Ribs; Shepherd’s Pie; woodfired oven Pizza; and Grilled Lamb Sliders. Coming soon: Jill’s in Mamaroneck. Jack’s, 219 Main St., Eastchester. 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com
Irish Breakfast at Jack's Bar & Restaurant
The Blazer Pub This rustic pub has been serving hungry patrons since 1971. Take a seat at one of their red checkered tableclothed tables and let proprietors Richard & Rita O’Leary and their friendly team serve up some of their tavern specialties. This fish & chips are a favorite. The wings fly. The burgers and fries are juicy. And keep a look out for those Reuben sandwich combos. The bar bustles, too. Blazer Pub, 440 Rt. 22, North Salem. 914-277-4424 www.theblazerpub.com
Rye House On St. Patrick’s weekend proprietor Rob Lombardi will be serving their tasty Shepherd’s Pie. Flavors are full throttle. Classic regional American gastropub specialties. It is a sprawling vintage space with private party facilities for up to 100 guests, and an open kitchen in the rear. Big picture windows look out onto bustling N. Main Street. Rye House. 126 N. Main St., Port Chester. Just a short walk from Metro-North and the Capitol Theater. Open from 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Municipal parking. 914-481-8771 www.ryehousepc.net
Shepard's Pie at the Rye House
Trattoria Vivolo It is a solid Italian restaurant housed in a vintage diner but come St. Patrick’s Day, Chef Vivolo’s Mom, who is Irish, adds her personal touch to the menu. Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. 914-835-6199 www.trattoriavivolo.com
The Barley Beach House Proprietor Bobby Harris will offer generous platters of traditional Irish specialties with a modern twist. The views at Rye Beach can’t be beaten. Harris also operates bustling Barley House in Thornwood and the seasonal Barley on the Hudson in Tarrytown. Barley Beach House, 95 Dearborn Ave., Rye. 914-481-5505 www.thebarleyhouseny.com
Fiddler’s Green Tom & Nancy Feighery have been operating this pub since 1981. They are promising entertainment and plenty of Corned Beef dinners. Also check out the Tater Kegs, Reuben Sandwich, and Fish & Chips. Plenty of brews. Fiddler’s Green, 1870 Rte. 6, Carmel. 845-225-9825 www.fiddlersgreenny.com
Dunne’s Pub An authentic Irish tavern with all the traditional Gaelic accoutrements intact. Owner Declan Farrell keeps it a friendly, home-style place 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. Live music. Dunne’s Restaurant & Pub, 15 Shapham Place, White Plains. 914-421-1451. www.dunnespub.com
Fish & Chips at Dunne's Pub
Squire’s Proprietor Kurt Knox has been serving patrons since 1967. Last year he said he served 500 lbs. of corned beef and cabbage. There will be plenty on hand this year, too, along with Irish spirits and entertainment. When you enter the bar/lounge area you are made to feel right at home. Stories and history go with all the memorabilia strewn on the walls in the bar and dining room walls. Squire’s, 94 N. State Road, Briarcliff Manor. 914-762-3376 www.squiresofbriarcliff.com
McShane’s Public House Partners Edmund Cleary and Vincent Furey bring a taste of the Emerald Isle to Port Chester and the crowds have been following. Look for such specialties as Colcannon Croquettes, Bangers & Mashed, Corned Beef Reuben and Lamb Sliders. McShane’s, 123 N. Main St., Port Chester. 914-937-7800 www.mcshanesportchester.com
Rory Dolan’s To many in the greater Westchester Irish community this is the motherload. There will be feasting galore all day and evening. Try to get there off peak, if possible. Rory’s, 890 McLean Ave., Yonkers. 914-776-2946 You can also visit Rory’s newest spot in White Plains: Archie Grand. www.archiegrandwp.com www.rorydolans.com
Bar 141 Look for Potato Leek Soup, Corned Beef Nachos, and platters of Corned Beef, Cabbage & Potatoes. John and Joanne Piazza operate a surprisingly casual cool restaurant and glittering bar tucked into the corner of the bustling Town Center Shopping Mall in Thornwood. Chef Edy Payes is turning out a tempting eclectic mix of contemporary Italian/American/Global dishes. There is a weekday 3-course lunch special for $17.99. Sunday Brunch, too. Kid’s menu. Entertainment schedule. Private party facilities. Free parking. Bar 141, 1006 Broadway, Thornwood. 914-579-2610 www.bar141.com
Corned Beef and Cabbage at Bar 141
Hudson Grille Owners Brian Mahon and Karen Dillane bring a contemporary vibe to this sprawling eatery which translates into good food and drink. Big networking crowd daily. Tented outdoor seating. Lilly’s next door. Hudson Grille, 165 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. 914-997-2000 www.hudsongrilleny.com
Emma’s Ale House Proprietor Casey Egan and manager Catherine DeLuca operate one of the best gastropubs in the county. There will be Irish specialties on hand along with a fine selection of brews. Emma’s, 68 Gedney Way, White Plains. 914-683-3662. www.emmasalehouse.com
Horsefeathers Julia McCue’s popular tavern along Rt. 9 has been part of the local scene since 1981. Convivial staff. The menu offers a copious selection of more than 100 specialties. The vintage metal topped wooden bar area is lined with cozy mini booths. Check out their Shepherd’s Pie. Horsefeathers, 94 N. Broadway, Tarrytown. 914-631-6606 www.horsefeathersny.com
The Irish Bank This multi-level dining room and bar across from Metro North station bustles daily with hungry patrons. Had a delicious Rack of Lamb here recently. There will be traditional Irish fare and drink all weekend along with their extensive eclectic tavern menu. Irish Bank, 230 E. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale. 914-713-8840 www.theirishbankbar.com
Tom and Jerry’s Irish House The house promises plenty of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and Irish soda bread for eat-in or takeout. Try the Blarney Cheeseburger with Irish bacon. Some good brews, too. Tom & Jerry’s, 987 Rt. 22, Brewster. 845-278-8900 Facebook.
IRISH COOKING AT HOME?
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, Yonkers, www.butchersfancy.com ; Prime Cut Irish Butchers (Riverdale) 4338 Katonah Ave., Bronx 718-324-9262; and Food Ireland, Mount Vernon outlet, www.foodireland.com
About Morris Gut: 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
