Vancouver makes a big deal of St. Patrick’s Day, so I thought I’d give you some hints on how to celebrate the day locally. Here’s some local, pubs, beers and Irish treats available around town. AND PLEASE NO GREEN BEER. Also check out my article on Daily XY for St. Patrick’s Day Suggestions.
Local Irish Pubs
In Vancouver we’ve got our share of Irish Pubs. The most authentic is the Irish Heather and the Shebeen Whisk(e)y House out the back. Their menu is full of traditional Irish pub items such as Banger’s and Mash, Irish stew and Corned Beef. It’s the ultimate place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Other Irish Pubs in no particular order include Doolins, Ceilis, The Blarney Stone, The Morrissey , Mahoney and Sons, The Lennox, The Wolf & Hound, Dentry’s Irish Grill, Smiley’s Public House,
Local Irish Beer
Of course we’ve got Guinness in Vancouver, but what about our local versions of Canadian-made stout? I checked in with Rick Green of BC Brews for his recommendations and he came up with the following list for us:
Cannery Brewing – Maple Stout
Howe Sound Beer – Diamond Head Oatmeal Stout
Lighthouse Beer – Keepers Stout
McAuslan (Quebec) – Montreal Oatmeal Stout
Mission Springs Brewing Company – (Nelson) – Fat Guy Oatmeal Stout
R and B Brewing – Dark Star Oatmeal Stout
Swans Victoria – Oatmeal Stout
Old Yale – Sasquatch Stout
Crannog – Back Hand of God Stout
Storm Brewing Van – Black Plague Stout
Local Corned Beef
I’ve tasted many, but my favourite by J. Beethoven (Mike Vitow). He makes his corned beef out in Cultus Lake from 100% Alberta Beef and will be selling corned beef at the Granville Island Public Market from March 16-18. Call ahead for a full brisket or sizable amount.
Local Irish-themed Foods
Blackberry Hill Gourmet Goodies – Shamrock Cookies
Bells Bake Shop – Lucky Irish Cupcakes
Meat and Bread – Guinness Braised Beef Chuck Roll, Sauteed Mushrooms, Arugula, Garlic & Herb Aioli
Fray on Fraser – Stuffed elk and potatties. Lamb meatballs in Jameson-bacon aioli
Whole Foods Kitsilano – Visit the coffee bar at Kitsilano and get a free shamrock cookie when you order a Green Goodness smoothie
Bonchaz – Irish Cream Cupcakes
Bella Gelateria – Beer Gelato, Mint Chocolate gelato (aka Shamrock), Bailey’s Irish Cream gelato
Cartem Donuts – Guinness or Bailey’s Cream donuts
Tableau Bar Bistro – Dessert – Baileys pot of gold wish Irish short bread – beer steamed mussels – beef tenderloin with stout sauce
Oakwood Bistro – Guinness Poutine
Soirette Macaron – Guinness Macaron
The Charltan – Irish Car Bomb – all the elements of the famous shooter with Guinness chocolate mousse, Jamieson’s caramel, Bailey’s whipped cream and crushed pistachios.
House Guest – ST PATRICKS DAY MENU – Guinness and Jamesons Special – CORNED BEEF ROLLS – SHREDDED BEEF BRISKET TRADITIONAL BOXTY / MUSTARD CREAM /CABBAGE SLAW ENTREE BEEF POT PIE – STOUT BRAISED OXTAIL & SHORTRIB / ROOT VEGETABLES / MARROW FLAKY CRUST DESSERT IRISH CAR BOMB – MOLTEN COFFEE CAKE BOMB / WHISKEY GELATO / IRISH CREAM CUSTARD
Salmon N Bannock – ‘Hunters Pie’ (elk sheppards pie) – Irish friends in mind 😉
