OK, so maybe the Irish aren't known for their cuisine quite like the French or Italians may be, but every year around this time, we find ourselves craving some Celtic classics like corned beef and cabbage and shepherd's pie. Luckily, lots of local restaurants seem to be adapting the Irish-for-a-day (or a weekend) mentality that so many St. Patrick's partiers find appealing. Here is a look at some special St. Patrick's Day menu items found around town.
Throughout the month of March, Dine, the retro-chic supper club in the Loop, is featuring gourmet Irish specials such as Guinness corned beef (made with beef brisket, brown sugar drizzle, Guinness marinade, baby carrots, baked parsnips and soda bread, $18), traditional Irish stew served with soda bread ($9) and an Irish reuben sandwich (piled high with corned beef, cabbage, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on toasted rye bread, $9). And what's a St. Patrick's Day celebration without an adult beverage? Try Dine's Irish whiskey flights ($10-$15), a "Lemon Whiskey Slush" (that's Irish whiskey blended with lemon juice, sugar and ice, $7), Irish coffee drinks ($7-$9) or an array of beers such as Guinness, Sam Adams Irish Red and, of course, everyone's favorite -- green beer ($4-$7).
In honor of the downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, Morton's The Steakhouse on Wacker Place is presenting a $14.99 all-you-can-eat buffet from 11AM until 3PM. The hearty spread will feature traditional corned beef, cabbage with carrots and celery, boiled new potatoes, soda bread and desserts. Bar bites specials will also be available for $5, as well as $4 Miller Lite (tinged green for the occasion) on draft.
The Bar at the InterContinental Chicago will be putting a sophisticated spin on Irish classics from its primo perch on Michigan Avenue from Saturday, March 14 through St. Pat's Day. Menu specials will include corned beef-cabbage soup ($8), Guinness beef pie ($9), a corned beef melt on rye with Guinness-braised onions and white cheddar cheese served with green potato salad ($12) and corned beef sliders with cheese and cabbage ($12). Featured cocktails, such as Irish coffee ($9.50), "Irish Eyes" (made with Irish whiskey, creme de menthe and cream, $9.50), "Irish Kiss" (with whiskey, peach schnapps, orange juice and ginger ale, $9.50) and "Black Velvet" (champagne and Guinness, $9.50), will put everyone in the spirit of St. Patrick.
At Bucktown's comfort food haven Silver Cloud Bar & Grill, you can enjoy Emerald Isle faves like corned beef and cabbage ($12.95) and reuben sandwiches ($8.95) from Friday, March 13 all the way through Tuesday, March 17. And to celebrate Chicago's weekend of St. Patrick's parades on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, Silver Cloud will be serving up its take on green eggs and ham ($8.95) from 10AM until 4PM.
Irish classics will take center stage at Dunlays on Clark and Dunlays on the Square from Friday, March 13 through Tuesday, March 17. Feast on Irish stew with soda bread ($12), shepherd's pie ($13), corned beef and cabbage ($14) and fish and chips ($12), along with Guinness and Harp drafts for $5. No green beer here!
If you'd like your pie with an Irish twist on St. Patrick's Day, try the Guinness pizza at Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar in Lakeview on Tuesday, March 17. From 4:30-10PM, the neighborhood restaurant will feature the globally minded 'za, made with Guinness in the crust, plus potatoes, white onions and bechemel sauce. Also on offer will be $2 green Bud Light drafts, $4 Guinness drafts and $4 Irish coffees.
