Tag irish food

Top St. Patrick’s Day Events with Irish Food

Saint Patrick’s Day is only a few short days away. While you may not be Irish today, “Everyone’s Irish on St. Patty’s Day!” At least that’s what I’m told. For those who prefer to fly by the seat of their pants – leaving all weekend planning until 3pm Friday – AND those who like their calendar filled with color coded activities days in advance, this list is for you. We’ve rounded up the best food-filled events in Seattle, San Francisco, Portland and Chicago this weekend!

It is the Feast of Saint Patrick, after all…

SEATTLE:
Brews & Bites – This beer-tasting cooking class has FUN written all over it. Hosted by Parties That Cook (what a coincidence!) and Hilliard’s Beer, enjoy a flight of 5 beers sampled throughout the evening of hands-on cooking!

St. Patti’s Night Out – Join Teatro Zinzanni for a special night of deliciously festive food, Irish drink specials, Irish dancing, the usual comedy, and more!

COCHON 555 – This touring culinary competition finally hits Seattle! Celebrating five years of the 555 formula, (five chefs, five pigs, five winemakers) this sustainable farming event is not to be missed!

SAN FRANCISCO:
St. Patrick’s Celebration Lunch and Show – It doesn’t get more authentic than an Irish luncheon hosted by the United Irish Cultural Center! Better than be duped by any of these imposters.

Funcheap’s Shamrock Streat Bash – Afraid of committing to one type of Irish fare? You’re in luck! Dishes available at this food truck event run the gamut of Irish bites. If it’s corned, green or lucky, you’ll find it at the SoMa StrEat Food Park!

San Francisco’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival – A parade sponsored by SF Irish pub, O’Reilly’s, Bailey’s and Guinness?! Welcome to Ireland. Expect plenty of Irish food, drinks, dancing and other cultural exhibits.

St. Patrick’s Day Party at The Irish Bank – Last, but not least on this long list of activities is the annual block party hosted by The Irish Bank. Warning: this pub will be swarmed with folks donning green. Dare to face the crowds for the first-come, first-served pub fare? If you like raging parties, this just might be the event for you.

PORTLAND:
Kell’s Annual St. Patrick’s Irish Festival – You can only expect great things from an Irish Restaurant & Pub hosting its own Saint Patty’s weekend festival. But just to give you an idea of what’s in store: think Irish dancers, pipers, folkers, drinks, live music, and FOOD!

Sellwood-Moreland’s 15th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival & Parade – You’re sure to find authentic Irish classics including corned beef and cabbage, corned beef sandwiches, shepherd’s pie, and Irish sausage rolls. Need I even mention the Guinness and Widmer Brewing favorites? Wait, did someone say parade?! I’m there.

St. Patrick’s Day at EastBurn – Not sure who Mike is, but he’ll be slinging his Famous Corned Beef & Colcannon for dinner Saturday and brunch Sunday. Word on the street is he always sells out, so shake off that Guinness hangover early Sunday and see what the buzz is about.

CHICAGO:
The Good Food Festival – Who isn’t interested in eating good food?! This festival gives you the opportunity to stop by and learn more about awesome local farmers while you do it.

Rockit Bar & Grill – Ok. So this listing isn’t all about St. Patrick’s Day, but there’s nothing wrong with a weekend of March Madness basketball viewing! They’re even throwing in live music, Irish drink specials, and “all things green”. I’d go just to see what that includes…

If you’re weekend is already booked, swing by Rockit Bar & Grill all next week for the 4th Annual Mac Madness. Each day features a uniquely cheesy Mac n Cheese dish. Yes.

Soda Bread at Beverly Bakery – We’re going to keep it simple with this one. If you’re looking for traditional Irish fare this weekend, check out Beverly Bakery. It doesn’t get more authentic than Irish soda bread.

Your Guide to a Green St. Patrick’s Day from Parties That Cook

Have you spent so much of March celebrating Mardi Gras that you forgot about Saint Patrick’s Day?! Begin freak-out: It’s TOMORROW! Stop freak-out: Parties That Cook is here to help! We know where to go and what to eat around San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle this Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2011.

It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without a good beer. Head to the incredibly Irish Ireland’s 32 for 32 options of beer and whiskey. Note:  they WILL kick you out for complaining about the Irish folk songs. Another option, Abbey Tavern will have live music all day! 7×7 has their list of the 12 best Irish pubs in San Francisco. Should you want to take the route of sophistication, The Buena Vista has your fix of delicious Irish coffee. The Irish Bank – also on the list and, surprisingly, not an actually bank – will host its annual St. Patrick’s day Block Party complete with Bag Pipes and Irish Dancers! Make sure to stay safe once those Irish car bombs hit, and take advantage of Free Cab Rides Home and AAA’s Tipsy Tow – only available on the most special of Holidays!

Stop by the historic Johnny Foley’s in San Francisco for some traditional Irish fare – just don’t mind the tourists. For those who want to make their own Irish meal, SFGate has your traditional Irish recipes! 7×7 also offers 5 St. Patrick’s Day cocktail recipes that will help you avoid that green beer. Not one for the crazy crowds? You can still partake in a range of interesting events at the Crossroads Irish-American Festival through March 25!

For those in Chicago who did NOT dye the river green (OK, you can still come), there are plenty of spots offering St. Patrick’s Day specials! Guinness Pizza, Shepherd’s pie (with Jameson gravy) and an Irish milkshake with Baileys and Jameson –Oh my! The Chicagoist presents their list of where to eat and drink this Thursday. Someone PLEASE try the Peterson’s vanilla malt ice cream and mint, garnished with Lucky Charms cereal for those not lucky enough to be in Chicago! This Sunday, grab your running shoes and undo some of Thurday’s damage at the 10th Annual St. Paddy’s 5K Run/Walk benefiting the Irish-American Heritage Center!

Seattle’s Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub (also found in San Francisco and Portland) is gearing up for its 28th annual St. Patrick’s Irish Festival that doesn’t just end on the 17th! Talk about authentic, the festival includes a great line up of Irish Bands direct from Ireland and the Pacific Northwest. You should also consider heading over to Fado Irish Pub for a grand ole St. Patrick’s Day with live music after 2pm, or the 3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Beer Blast! Plenty of Irish food, brew, and music to be enjoyed by all!