By Scott Kearnan
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and Boston knows how to celebrate. But even if you won’t be hitting the parade route, here’s where to hunker down for a pint of Guinness, some (semi) traditional Irish dinners, and good company. Irish eyes will be smiling – and forks clanging, too.
Celebrate with special menus. Plenty of restaurants are getting into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with special menu offerings. Here are a few places to find them.
Anna’s Taqueria. The small local chain is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a one-day-only cabbage & corned beef burrito (pictured): slow-roasted corned beef, steamed cabbage and carrots, topped with Anna’s beans and rice.
Bar Boulud. Star chef Daniel Boulud’s Boston outpost is putting a classy spin on corned beef and cabbage. You can get it with a “French twist” for $23 from Sunday, March 15 through Tuesday, March 17 – and rather than Guinness, a sommelier’s choice wine pairing will also be available for seven bucks.
The Blue Ox. On March 17, chef-owner Matt O’Neil is honoring his Irish heritage with Guinness –and-herb braised corned beef ($25) served with grain mustard, pickled cabbage and roasted baby carrots.
The Independent. The Somerville pub recently underwent a slight culinary overall (details here). But on Tuesday, March 17 they’ll unleash a more temporary slew of specials. Opening early (11 AM), The Independent will feature one-day-only plates like an Irish Breakfast ($12 for two fried eggs, grilled tomato, black and white pudding, Irish sausage, Irish bacon, fried potatoes, Irish baked beans, and Irish soda bread); bangers & mash ($13); and Guinness beef stew ($16), among others. Plus special whiskey-based cocktails like The Brotherhood (Jameson with Benedictine, Grand Marnier and lemon) and Ceangoba Toddy, apple-cinnamon infused Jameson with Benedictine, served warm.
Puritan & Company. He may be a descendent of Mayflower passengers, but chef Will Gilson will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a three-course prix fixe boiled dinner ($40) with an option for local craft beer pairings.
South Street Diner. One of Boston’s only 24-hour restaurants is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for 86 straight hours, from 8 AM on Saturday, March 14 through Tuesday, March 17th. You’ll find a $10 (!) corned beef and cabbage special with potatoes, carrots, homemade Irish soda bread and a pint of Guinness. Plus: a special menu of Irish breakfast with bangers, brown and white pudding, and Guinness floats. Want something lighter? They’ll also offer tall boy PBR and Narragansett beers for only $2.50.