Places to Enjoy Traditional Irish Food, Spirits on St. Patrick’s Day

By Morris Gut

The leprechauns are coming!

St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated this Friday with all its local color. Throughout Westchester and Putnam counties, many of the locals are hanging shamrocks on storefronts and homes giving the region its sparkling moment in celebration of the Emerald Isle.

Here are some suggestions if you want to partake in the traditional food, spirits and reveling sprinkled with a good dose of blarney. Be sure to check ahead for special hours and events. Larger groups are advised to make reservations in advance. Erin go Bragh!

Jack’s Bar & Restaurant, 219 Main St., Eastchester. Owner Shane Clifford and his friendly crew at this hotspot have all the traditional basics. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include traditional corned beef and cabbage, Guinness-braised short ribs, shepherd’s pie, wood-fired oven pizza and grilled lamb sliders. Info: 914-652-7650 or visit www.jackseastchester.com.

Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. A solid Italian restaurant housed in a vintage diner, but come St. Patrick’s Day chef and owner Dean Vivolo’s mom, who is Irish, adds her personal touch to the menu. Info: 914-835-6199 or visit www.trattoriavivolo.com.

The Barley Beach House, 95 Dearborn Ave., Rye. Proprietor Bobby Harris will offer generous platters of traditional Irish specialties with a modern twist. The views at Rye Beach can’t be beat. Info: 914-481-5505 or visit www.thebarleybeachhouse.com.

Fiddler’s Green, 1870 Route 6, Carmel. Tom and Nancy Feighery have been operating this pub since 1981. There will be Irish step dancers, a pipe band and plenty of corned beef. Also check out the tater kegs, Reuben sandwich and fish and chips. Plenty of brews. Info: 845-225-9825 or visit www.fiddlersgreenny.com.

Dunne’s Restaurant & Pub, 15 Shapham Place, White Plains. 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 fare. Try their fabulous corned beef and cabbage, corned beef Reuben sandwich, beer battered fish and chips or salmon crisp. Live music. Info: 914-421-1451 or visit www.dunnespub.com.

Stephen’s Green, 12 Fisher Ave., Tuckahoe. Proprietor John Burke named his Irish American tavern after a popular public park in the heart of Dublin. It is a friendly venue for reasonably priced meals and finger foods. Look for the ongoing specialties including French onion soup; a variety of salads and burgers; a comforting turkey sandwich with all the trimmings; Irish beef stew; chicken pot pie; and fish and chips. There’s plenty of Irish soda bread, too, and craft beers. Located across from the Crestwood Metro-North station. Info: 914-337-1027 or visit www.stephensgreenpublichouse.com.

O’Connor’s Public House, 222 E. Main St., Mount Kisco. Irish classics include Galway Bay fish and chips, bangers and mash and hearty bowls of Irish beef stew. Craft brews. Info: 914-241-0777 or visit www.oconnorsmountkisco.com.

Brazen Fox and Ron Blacks Beer Hall, 175 and 181 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. They are all decked out for the big day, serving traditional specialties all month long. Opens at 9 a.m. on St. Paddy’s Day. Info: 914-358-5911 or visit www.thebrazenfox.com and 914-358-5811 or visit www.ronblacks.com.

McShane’s Public House, 123 N. Main St., Port Chester. Partners Edmund Cleary and Vincent Furey brought a taste of the Emerald Isle to Port Chester and the crowds have been following. Colcannon croquettes, bangers and mash, corned beef Reuben and lamb sliders are popular. Info: 914-937-7800 or www.mcshanesportchester.com.

Rory Dolan’s, 890 McLean Ave., Yonkers. To many in Westchester’s Irish community, this is the motherload. There will be feasting galore all day and evening. Try to get there off-peak, if possible. You can also visit Archie Grand, Rory’s newest spot in White Plains. Info: 914-776-2946 or visit www.rorydolans.com.

Hudson Grille, 165 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. There is a contemporary vibe in this eatery, which translates into good food and drink. Big networking crowd daily. Tented outdoor seating. Info: 914-997-2000 or visit www.hudsongrilleny.com.

Emma’s Ale House, 68 Gedney Way, White Plains. Proprietor Casey Egan and manager Catherine DeLuca operate one of the best gastropubs in the county. There are Irish specialties on hand and a fine selection of brews. Info: 914-683-3662 or visit www.emmasalehouse.com.

Horsefeathers, 94 N. Broadway, Tarrytown. Julia McCue’s popular tavern along Route 9 has been part of the local scene since 1981. The menu offers a copious selection of more than 100 specialties. Check out their shepherd’s pie. The vintage metal topped wooden bar area is lined with cozy mini booths. Convivial staff. Info: 914-631-6606 or visit www.horsefeathersny.com.

The Irish Bank, 230 E. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale. This multilevel dining room and bar across from the 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. Info: 914-713-8840 or check them out on Facebook.

The Wicked Wolf North, 2 Scarsdale Ave., Yonkers. The renovation to this landmark Westchester property has finally been completed and is open for business. Proprietor Seamus Carey and his team are ready to serve you a special menu of traditional Irish specialties. From Executive Chef Jack Ginty’s kitchen are the Irish beef stew, shepherd’s pie, Donegal fish n’ chips and braised lamb shank. Plenty of Irish brews are available. There’s a bar and lounge and live entertainment. Free parking. Info: 914-771-7661 or visit www.thewolfnorth.com.

Squire’s, 94 N. State Road, Briarcliff Manor. Proprietor Kurt Knox has been serving patrons since 1967. Last year he said he served 500 pounds 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 and lounge area you are made to feel right at home. Stories and history go with all the memorabilia on the walls in the bar and dining room. Free parking. Info: 914-762-3376 or visit www.squiresofbriarcliff.com.

Tom and Jerry’s Irish House, 987 Route 22, Brewster. 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. Info: 845-278-8900 or find them on Facebook.

Irish Cooking at Home

If you are planning to cook 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, 4338 Katonah Ave., Bronx, 718-324-9262; and Food Ireland, Mount Vernon outlet, www.foodireland.com.

HV Restaurant Weeks to Start Mar. 20

This popular dining promotion, originally created and sponsored by Valley Table magazine, includes about 150 restaurants, some of which are past participants and some new from all over the Hudson Valley.

Patrons are always anxious to cash in on the seasonal bounty at reasonable prices. There are added price options this year. Restaurants are expected to offer three-course luncheons for $24.95 or $29.95, and three-course dinners for $39.95 or $44.95. Beverage, tax and tip are not included. For dining in or take-out. Sometimes there are caveats, so be sure to verify the hours and menus. Reservations are advised.

For more information and an up-to-date list of participating restaurants, visit https://valleytable.com/restaurant-week.

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 or gutreactions@optonline.net.

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