Out&About

By Paddy McCarthy

While I was Out&About last week I decided to spread my wings, so I paid a visit a brand-new establishment. The automobile-themed burgers-and-brews called Ford’s Garage that is a chain with-a Ford Motor Company licensee which operates in six states-has opened in its first New York location inside a spot at the Smith Haven Mall on Long Island. Yes! Of course I paid it a visit and lo and behold the place was packed to capacity with a line outside the door waiting to get seats. So, the recommendation I have is to make a reservation if you can before you go there as they do have reservations.

I also got to meet the manager, Jessica Doyle, who was so courteous to meet and so genuinely friendly with me and my friends you could see the Irish in her as she was so friendly and very professional on how she managed her staff and the customers.

The Smith Haven Mall is absolutely fabulous as it’s got everything that you might need for shopping and I do mean everything for kids, adults you just have to pay it a visit and it will blow your mind as it caters for everyone.

I did have an American Standard Burger at the Ford’s Garage bar and restaurant and let me tell yea, it was mouthwatering, yum yum. The menu items stick to the car enthusiast’s theme with burgers that include the ”Model ’A’ and “The Jiffy’” along with offerings such as “Famous Firestone Shrimp” and “Edsei’s Hot Pretzels”. They also have a full bar with at least 30 different beers and of course liquor and wine for all your tastes, I can only say seeing is believing as it is just what you would want in a night out. Do say hello to Jessica and tell her I sent yea; believe me you will love the place!

Ahh, I love this job going Out&About as you don’t know who you might meet, well somebody has to do it right?
I was at the introduction of the New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Mike A. Benn and his Aides on Sunday at Antun’s in Queens Village, New York with a capacity audience to celebrate the evening. It was the who’s who of the Irish Community as every county from Ireland was represented along with all the societies like the Emerald Society and the AOH who were all very well represented with their members and friends and families. Yes of course I was there to represent The Irish Examiner USA and I had the privilege to meet so many of the guests that to name them all would take me the whole newspaper. So, if I started to name a few I know that I will be in trouble that I left out someone so the best thing for me to say it was fabulous to meet all of them on the evening. I do have to thank Martin Bellew and Brian Sharkey for inviting me to sit at the table of the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies.

Now for some sad news of a friend that was very close to me before I decided immigrate to America. The man, Jim Mountjoy, RIP, who founded the Cork Jazz Festival in Ireland with the biggest names in the jazz world in the year 1978 and is still one of the biggest attractions to this day, passed away this weekend and leaves an unbelievable legacy. Jim was a great friend of mine and he died peacefully in the Cork University Hospital. He is survived by his wife Pat and his children Brendan, Michael, Jim and his extended family. As I said his legacy lives on for his passion, creativity and most of all for the music that he created for the biggest jazz event in Ireland that is now known all over the world and is now part of Cork cultural history.

I hope to see you all again next week when I’m Out&About again…