Happy St. Patrick’s Day! And thank you Google Dancers!

Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Well, Google’s St. Patrick’s Day dancers are doing their jig, (how cute is that?) and my friend took bites out of St. Patrick’s Day Cookies, left at her young son’s place setting at the table, plus took puzzle pieces and dribbled them out of his room into the kitchen (mischief of the leprechauns, no doubt). I guess it must be that very special day of the year….. when we all come together, clink our beers and eat the most decadent and satisfying meal of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes. YUM!

BUT CHEF! YOU ARE A HEALTHY CHEF!

Now, that doesn’t mean I am going to consume everything on my plate. But 3 or so tastes of corned beef, a couple of bites of potatoes and guess what? I can eat the entire amount of cabbage and pig out on that! Plus, I don’t need to chug a pitcher of beer. Just a glass or two is mighty fine! As I remember my commitment to MADD, (who asks you to be safe this St. Paddy’s Day), I can be glad without being drunk! And so can you!

And to some of us, St. Patrick’s Day is a day for religion. But for me? It strictly spells fun!

So where are we going to have these festivities? Well, if it’s early morning and you are reading this, consider (straight out of San Diego Travel Tips):

This year, the 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 2012. This year’s parade theme is “Celebrating the Spirit of Ancient Ireland.”

The parade officially begins at 10:30 a.m. and goes until 1:30 p.m. The parade route starts at Sixth and Juniper, continues north on Fifth Avenue, hooks a right at Upas, proceeds south on Sixth Avenue and ends at Laurel.

The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and goes until 6:00 p.m. The festival takes place on the west side of Balboa Park along Sixth Avenue between Laurel and Upas. Irish dancing, Irish music, and Irish fare and Irish beer are offered throughout the day. Picnics are encouraged and welcomed.

Did you know that between 6-8 Irish Pubs have closed in the last year? Come on out and show your support! You may want to try a new pub, or just go local.

Here’s some choices for this evening I am recommending to you (and feel free to re-post on your Facebook page or anywhere else you like ~ you can forward this blog to as many people as you can think of):

Downtown San Diego

The Field (544 Fifth Avenue) For more information: (619) 232-9840

Patrick’s II (428 F Street) For more information: (619) 233-3077

Stout Public House (1125 6th Avenue) For more information: (619) 702-7933

Downtown Johnny Brown’s (1220 Third Avenue) For more information: (619) 232-8414

Hennessey’s Tavern (708 Fourth Avenue) For more information: (619) 239-9994

Dublin Square Irish Pub & Grill (554 Fourth Avenue) For more information: (619) 239-5818

Maloney’s Tavern (777 Fifth Avenue) For more information: (619) 232-6000

The Tilted Kilt (310 10th Avenue) For more information: (619) 814-5458

Central San Diego

The Ould Sod (3373 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights) For more information: (619) 284-6594

Rosie O’Grady’s (3402 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights) For more information: (619) 284-7666

O’Brien’s Pub (4646 Convoy Street, Kearny Mesa) For more information: (858) 715-1745

Kelly’s Pub West (222 San Diego Avenue, Old Town) For more information: (619) 543-9767

McGregor’s Grill & Ale House (10475 San Diego Mission Road, Mission Valley) For more information: (619) 282-9797

The Tilted Kilt (1640 Camino Del Rio North, Mission Valley Mall) For more information: (619) 299-5458

Callahan’s Pub & Brewery (8111 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Mira Mesa) For more information: (858) 578-7892

Blarney Stone Pub (5617 Balboa Avenue, Clairemont) For more information: (858) 279-2033

McMurphy’s Pub (6344 El Cajon Boulevard, College) For more information: (619-229-6699

San Diego Beach Area

London’s West End Pub (5157 La Jolla Boulevard) For more information: (858) 488-1191

Hennessy’s Tavern La Jolla (7811 Herschel Avenue, La Jolla) For more information: (858) 551-8772

McP’S Irish Pub & Grill (1107 Orange Avenue, Coronado) For more information: (619) 435-5280

Hennessy’s Tavern Carlsbad (777 Roosevelt Street) For more information: (760) 729-6951

O’Sullivan’s Pub (640 Grand Avenue, Suite A, Carlsbad) For more information: (760) 729-7234

Churchill’s Pub & Grille (887 West San Marcos Boulevard, Carlsbad) For more information: (760) 471-8773

Gallaghers Pub & Grill (5046 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach) For more information: (619) 222-5300

The Harp (4935 Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach) For more information: (619) 222-0168

Finnegan’s Pub & Grill (1814 Marron Road, Carlsbad)

CJ Delong’s Sports Pub (5806 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad)

San Diego’s South Bay

McDini’s (105 East 8th Street, National City) For more information: (619) 474-6771

East County

Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill (2955 Jamacha Road, Rancho San Diego) For more information: (619) 670-7468

Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill (5500 Grossmont Center Drive #277, La Mesa)For more information: (619) 713-6900

May the road rise up to meet you! Drive Safe!

Happy Eating,

Chef Marian

mm@chefmarian.com