Report by Brad Balfour, Arts Editor
Recently, I was at a meeting and someone asked what exactly would make a good meal on St. Patrick’s Day? The obvious came to mind — corn beef and cabbage. But then, I got to thinking — just where should I get such dishes? Would I just find a restaurant or pub that would be serving something more than crisps or potatoes. That prompted the obvious — a quick search online. In doing so was I going to visit every place and just what would my standards to judge such a meal. I began putting together my list: see below.
Then I got a call offering me a chance to check out Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, I couldn’t imagine having whip cream on top of a pint of Guinness let alone it being enhanced by a chocolate cake and brownie. But there is was
Yet, the award-winning burger joint has turned the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day into a month-long
global celebration with Guinness. The chain has unveiled a limited-time menu features a trio of Guinness-inspired creations available throughout March at select locations worldwide.
As was reported in a recent release, Black Tap built on last summer’s London debut of their Guinness CrazyShake® and Guinness Classic Milkshake, the brand’s unique shakes and the new Guinness Burger have been debuting to New York City, Nashville, Dallas, Las Vegas, and participating Black Tap locations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Said Black Tap Executive Chef Stephen Parker, “Guinness has a deep, rich flavor that lends itself perfectly to both sweet and savory creations. For St. Patrick’s Day, we wanted to create items that are indulgent, celebratory, and unmistakably Black Tap.”
The Guinness CrazyShake features a Guinness chocolate shake made with half a pint of Guinness Stout served with a vanilla-frosted rim dipped in white chocolate chips and topped with a slice of Guinness chocolate cake, half of a brownie, whipped cream, and a chocolate drizzle. If that would be too much for one’s palate there’s also the Guinness Classic Milkshake, also made with half a pint of Guinness Stout, with the same Guinness chocolate shake base in a more traditional format, highlighting the stout’s roasted notes and subtle sweetness.
On the savory side, the Guinness Burger features a half-pound Wagyu beef patty seasoned with pastrami spices, topped with melted pepper jack cheese, Guinness bacon jam, and kosher pickles for a balance of smoky, spicy, and tangy flavors.
Then, I recalled an IBO meet when we were offered some of the best scones and soda bread I had ever tasted. They were from Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread Shop at 93 ½ E 7th Street, open Thursday–Sunday, 7am–Noon. When the pandemic shut down everything, Mary O’Halloran, owner of “Mary O’s” Irish Pub in the East Village, made it her mission to do what she could by making delicious meals for 9/11 front-line workers. From that sprang her adventure in baking. 20,000 pounds of flour later, O’Halloran said she’s received $1 million through orders. And that led to her Soda Bread Shop.
But I did find listings of the following — worth looking into to feed anyone on St. Pat’s Day or beyond.
Irish Breakfast Box
Irish goods store
“Thanks to the company for making these Irish foods available!”
Butcher Block
43-46 41st St
“Butcher shop with good place for Irish food and groceries”
Myers of Keswick
634 Hudson St R13
“Incredible place for authentic British and Irish goods.”
The Butcher’s Fancy
“The best Irish food I’ve ever had the steaks are phenomenal.”
Tierney Fine Foods
North Riverdale
“Tierney’s make delicious, authentic Irish food that tastes like it’s homemade.”