Places to Enjoy Delicious Irish Food and Spirits on St. Patrick’s Day

By Morris Gut

The leprechauns are coming!

St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, Mar. 17, will be celebrated with all its local color. Throughout the area, storefronts and homes will be hanging shamrocks, providing sparkling moments reminiscent of the Emerald Isle.

Most St. Patrick’s Day parades return after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus. In Westchester and Putnam, parades are planned in White Plains on Mar. 12, Mahopac and Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow on Mar. 13, Yonkers on Mar.19 and Mamaroneck on Mar. 20, among other communities.

If you want to partake in the traditional foods, spirits and reveling sprinkled with a good dose of blarney, here are some suggestions. Be sure to check ahead for hours and events. Larger groups are advised to make advance reservations. Erin Go Bragh!

Wolf & Warrior Brewing Co., 195A E. Post Rd., White Plains. Brewmeister Michael Chiltern brought White Plains its first microbrewery three years ago and it’s a good one. The daily brews are listed on a large colorful blackboard. There’s a comforting kitchen menu, too. Stout brined corned beef will be available. Chiltern also promises an authentic Irish home brew to mark the occasion, his own Irish Ale Kavanagh Red. Info: 914-368-8617 or visit www.wolfandwarrior.com.

Jack’s Bar & Restaurant, 219 Main St., Eastchester. Owner Shane Clifford and his friendly crew have all the traditional basics you want. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include traditional corned beef and cabbage; a double-stacked smash burger; shepherd’s pie; decadent short rib mac n’ cheese; shroom pizza out of their wood-fired oven; and grilled lamb sliders. Info: 914-652-7650 or visit www.jackseastchester.com.

Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. A solid Italian restaurant housed in a vintage diner, but come St. Patrick’s Day chef and owner Dean Vivolo’s mom, who is Irish, adds her personal touch to the menu. Info: 914-835-6199 or visit www.trattoriavivolo.com.

The Barley Beach House, 95 Dearborn Ave., Rye. Proprietor Bobby Harris will offer generous platters of traditional Irish specialties, albeit with a modern twist. The views at Rye Beach can’t be beat. Harris also operates The Barley House in Thornwood and the seasonal Barley on the Hudson in Tarrytown. Info: 914-481-5505 or visit www.thebarleybeachhouse.com.

Dunne’s Pub, 15 Shapham Place, White Plains. A neighborhood treasure. It’s an authentic Irish tavern with all the traditional Gaelic accouterments intact. Owner Declan Farrell keeps it a friendly, home-style place with a good kitchen to boot, dishing out generous servings of traditional Irish-style fare. Try their fabulous corned beef and cabbage, corned beef Reuben sandwich, beer-battered fish and chips or salmon crisp (grilled salmon on sautéed spinach topped with baked mashed potatoes). Info: 914-421-1451 or visit www.dunnespub.com.

Tom and Jerrys Irish House, 987 Route 22, Brewster. Tom and Jerry’s promises plenty of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and Irish soda bread for eat-in or take-out. Try the Blarney cheeseburger with Irish bacon. Some good brews, too. Info: 845-278-8900 or visit their Facebook page.

O’Connor’s Public House, 222 E. Main St., Mount Kisco. Irish classics include Galway Bay fish and chips, bangers and mash and hearty bowls of Irish beef stew. Craft brews available. Info: 914-241-0777 or visit www.oconnorsmountkisco.com.

The Brazen Fox, 175 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. They are all decked out for the Irish fest, serving traditional specialties all month long. Opens at 9 a.m. on St. Paddy’s Day. Info: 914-358-5911 or visit www.thebrazenfox.com.

McShane’s Public House, 123 N. Main St., Port Chester. Partners Edmund Cleary and Vincent Furey brought a taste of the Emerald Isle to Port Chester and the crowds have been following. Special mention: Colcannon croquettes, Bangers & Mash, the corned beef Reuben and lamb sliders. Info: 914-937-7800 or visit www.mcshanesportchester.com.

Rory Dolan’s, 890 McLean Ave., Yonkers. To many in Westchester’s Irish community this is the motherload. There will be feasting galore all day and evening. Try to get there off peak, if possible. Parking available in lot. You can also visit Rory’s newest spot in White Plains, Archie Grand. Info: 914-776-2946 or visit www.rorydolans.com.

Hudson Grille, 165 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. There is a contemporary vibe in this eatery, which translates into good food and drink. Big networking crowd daily. Tented outdoor seating. Info: 914-997-2000 or visit www.hudsongrilleny.com.

Emma’s Ale House, 68 Gedney Way, White Plains. Proprietor Casey Egan and manager Catherine DeLuca operate one of the best gastropubs in Westchester. There will be Irish specialties on hand along with a fine selection of brews. Info: 914-683-3662 or visit www.emmasalehouse.com.

Growlers Beer Bistro, 25 Main St., Tuckahoe. You can feel the rattle of the Metro-North trains as they pass by. A great selection of craft brews available daily. Knowledgeable staff. Good kitchen, too. Info: 914-793-0608 or visit www.growlersbeerbistro.com.

The Quarry, 106 Main St., Tuckahoe. Good tavern fare and friendly networking make this a comforting spot to unwind. The Quarry will be dressed in green for the day with Irish specialties and spirits. Info: 914-337-0311 or visit www.thequarryrestaurant.net.

Horsefeathers, 94 N. Broadway, Tarrytown. Julia McCue’s popular tavern along Route 9 has been part of the local scene since 1981. You are greeted by a convivial staff. The menu offers a copious selection of more than 100 specialties. The vintage metal-topped wooden bar is surrounded by cozy mini booths. Check out their shepherd’s pie. Info: 914-631-6606 or visit www.horsefeathersny.com.

Duck Inn Bar and Grill, 128 W. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck. Irish specialties will be served buffet-style all day at no charge, said proprietor Paul Collins, who has been at the helm of Duck Inn for 20 years. You must have noticed it across from Harbor Island Park. Friendly barkeeps make sharing a brew most congenial. This is a true pub where spirited conversation takes center stage. It’s just around the corner from the Emelin Theater and the Mamaroneck Public Library. Info: 914-835-8791 or visit their Facebook page.

Irish Cooking at Home

If you are planning to cook up some Gaelic favorites at home, check out the following specialty food markets for authentic Irish ingredients: Butcher’s Fancy, Yonkers, www.butchersfancy.com; Prime Cut Irish Butchers, 4338 Katonah Ave. in the Bronx, 718-324-9262;  and Food Ireland, Mount Vernon outlet, at www.foodireland.com.

Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at 914-235-6591 or gutreactions@optonline.net.