St. Patrick's Day Dining (And Drinking!)

St. Patrick’s Day in New York is more than just pub crawls, bagpipes, men in plaid skirts and parades.  It’s also about Irish food and drink.  Start celebrating early with a traditional Irish breakfast, imported whiskey and cheese and Irish beer-battered fish & chips…

JoeDoe
45 E. First St., btwn. First Ave. & Second Ave.
(212) 780-0262
www.chefjoedoe.com
This newcomer already draws regulars because the food’s good and very affordable.   Chef Joe Dobias is whipping up a corned duck stuffed cabbage with bacon and mustard gravy to go alongside Irish classics like Guinness lamb stew and corned beef.

St. Dymphna’s
118 St. Marks Pl, btwn. Avenue A & First Ave.
(212) 254 6636
Skip work and start with a “green” breakfast.   There are rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, beans, home fries, mushrooms and tomatoes on the menu.  It may sound a little eager to take down all this food before noon, but you’re going to need sustenance and a full stomach to ease the parade crowds or toss back a few pints later in the day.

Chelsea Wine Vault
5 Ninth Ave., inside Chelsea Market
(212) 462-4244

www.chelseawinevault.com
If you’re tired of pub crawls, you might consider a civilized but celebratory evening at Chelsea Wine Vault (pictured right.)  From 6:30-8 p.m., David Hunter is hosting an Irish whiskey tasting, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of Irish distilleries, the proper way to taste the whiskey — “Water of Life”– as well as  whiskey and food pairings.

Zabar’s
2245 Broadway, btwn. W. 80th St. & W. 81st St.
(212) 787-2000‎
www.zabars.com
Zabar’s isn’t the first place you’d think of on March 17th, but they’re celebrating.  Their St. Patrick’s Day Tote comes with two pounds of hand-sliced corned beef, sauerkraut, mustard, Zabar’s Irish Crème coffee, and a loaf of sour rye.

BLT Fish…

21 West 17^th St., btwn. Fifth Ave. & Sixth Ave.
(212) 691-8888
www.bltfish.com/shack
BLT Fish (pictured right) will be serving their take on Irish classics all month.  Guinness-battered fish & chips are on the menu along with bangers and mash, dressed up with chipolata sausage and fingerling potatoes.

Murray’s Cheese Shop
254 Bleecker St., btwn. Sixth Ave. & Seventh Ave.
(212) 243-3289
www.murrayscheese.com
If you prefer to stay in, you can still revel in Ireland’s finest cheeses. You’re probably familiar with imported Irish cheddar, but Murray’s Cheese Shop has a couple other kinds.  Try the Cashel Blue — a creamy cow’s milk blue — and the Crozier Blue, a spicy pasteurized sheep’s milk blue.

Benjamin Steak House
52 E. 41st. St., inside the Dylan Hotel
(212) 297-9177
www.benjaminsteakhouse.com
Sure, Ireland is known for its whiskey and beer, but the Peter Luger alumnae at the Benjamin’s (pictured below) have come up with some St. Patrick’s-bent cocktails.  The Shamrock Kir is made with champagne and apple liquer while the Irish Mojito adds a touch of creme de menthe to the usual suspects of rum, sugar, and mint leaves.  End the night with a Leprechaun Smore- Bailey’s, white creme de cocoa and creme de menthe garnished with coffee beans.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Fifth Ave., btwn. W. 49th St. & W. 50th St.
(212) 332-7654
www.patinagroup.com/east/iceRink/
The holidays and the giant Christmas tree are long gone but you can still lace up your skates and hit the ice at the Rock.  There’s a special Patty’s Day menu featuring corned beef brisket and whiskey cake with Bailey’s ice cream.  Killians and Guinness are on tap and they’ve even got special skating deals if you’re wearing green. 

718 Restaurant
35-01 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria
(718) 204-5553
www.718restaurant.com
Known for their Spanish-inflected French fare, 718 is going Irish.  Until 8pm on the big day, Chef Raphael Sutter is serving a special two course menu.  Mushroom soup is followed by bangers & mash with bachelor’s baked beans and a shallot sauce.  The best part of this lunch and dinner deal?  It’s only $16 and comes with a Guinness.