Get in the Irish spirit this St. Patrick’s Day! March 17 conveniently falls on a Friday this year so make the most of this holiday to eat, drink and be merry!
The Raymond 1886
Put down the Guinness and order a specially crafted Irish cocktail instead. The Tipperary is crafted with Tyrconnell Irish whiskey, Green Chartreuse and Carpano Antica. As for a little Gaelic-like grub, Executive Chef Tim Guiltinan is cooking up hearty plates fit for Celtic culture.
Indulge in the Salmon Creek Pork Belly with pickled and roasted cipollini, fried apple puree, fennel, and Korean chimichurri.or opt for heartier dishes like the succulent Roasted Duck with fermented black bean jus, smoked onion, grilled Kai-Lan and creamed broccoli, or the Marinated Young Lamb with pepperoni roasted Brussels sprouts and horseradish-Pecorino mashed potatoes.
The Raymond 1886 is located at 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena. Call (626) 441-3136 or visit www.theraymond.com.
The Tap Room
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at The Tap Room on Friday, March 17 with three special drinks. Enjoy a 3 Irish Whiskey flight or two specially crafted cocktails. The J. Joyce, named after a certain famous writer, includes Guinness and Jameson whiskey. Order this to peak your literary talents. Or try The Shandy, made with Bushmill’s Irish whiskey, lemonade and blonde ale. Of course, there’s always Guinness.
The Tap Room is located in The Langham Huntington at 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue. Visit
http://langhamtaproom.com/ for more information.
White Horse Lounge
Irish Coffee, a beloved cocktail made with coffee, Irish whiskey, cream and sugar, is the ideal pick-me-up. White Horse makes their Irish Coffee with Intelligentsia coffee, a whiskey of your choice, shot of Bailey’s for sweetness and a cap of chantilly cream. The whiskey tames the strong coffee and the rich cream adds an indulgent later to this sipping cocktail. Even non-coffee drinkers will appreciate this comforting cocktail. Brett Chovan-Hahn, bar manager at White Horse, adds that some people customize the drink with Kahlua or other cream liqueurs but that Irish whiskey is the true foundation of the drink.
Whiskey is a fairly versatile spirit and is enjoyed on the rocks, straight up or in cocktails. One of the most popular whiskey cocktails is Irish Coffee. This warming, smooth drink is the perfect answer to chilly weather and provides a balance of flavors. Chovan-Hahn adds that the combination of mellow whiskey and bold coffee with the perfect amount of cream allows you to taste a bit of everything in one sip.
White Horse is located at 41 South De Lacey Avenue. Call (626) 583-9013 or visit whitehorsepasadena.com for more information.
POP! Champagne and Dessert Bar
Get your Irish on in a classy way at this hip dessert and champagne spot. Although the “Irish Car Bomb” dessert is always in the menu, this cocktail-inspired dessert is even better on St. Patrick’s Day. The combination dessert comes disassembled. Top the chocolate Guinness cake topped with homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream ice cream and swirl in the whiskey caramel sauce for a classy take on this beer-and-whiskey drink. Don’t forget the homemade whipped cream!
Chef Vasquez will also offer a naturally green, pistachio souffle for St. Patrick’s Day as part of their daily souffle menu.
POP Champagne Bar is located at 33 East Union Street, Pasadena. Call (626) 795-1295 and visit their website for the most up-to-date souffle calendar www.popchampagnebar.com.
Vanilla Bake Shop
For a non-liquid St. Patrick’s Day fix, visit the newly opened Vanilla Bake Shop on Colorado Boulevard. Stop by this week for a dark chocolate Guinness cupcake with Irish cream vanilla bean buttercream and green shamrocks. On March 16 and 17, grab a Green Velvet cupcake – Vanilla Bake Shop’s signature Southern Red Velvet with a St. Patrick’s Day twist.
Vanilla Bakeshop is located at 88 East Colorado Boulevard. Call (323) 204-4075 or visit www.vanillabakeshop.com.
