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Tag Archives: SF Irish Pubs

Quite An Introduction…

19 Mar

The 17th of March, safe to say, is not another typical day to visit Foley’s Irish House just off San Francisco’s Union Square.  Still, seeing as my somewhat-Irish entourage and I were clad in green spirit (literally), and mindful that Foley’s has long topped my personal list of San Francisco establishments to experience, we could not have chosen a better place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

Unless I wait another year, my second trip to Foley’s will be nowhere nearly as loud, crowded and jubilant as my first.  Nevertheless, my St. Patrick’s Day introduction has left me thoroughly impressed with Foley’s richly and classically decorated space, coupled with an extensive food and drink menu that clearly deserves further enjoyment.  I look forward to my return and recommend your own visit, relative peace and quiet notwithstanding!

 
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Posted by on March 19, 2012 in And That's My Opinion, Restaurants, Reviews, San Francisco

 

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Erin go Bragh!

17 Mar

The “greenest” day of the year has come once again, and yours truly is very much here for it!  Having survived the Ides, it’s now high time to break out my infamous green suit and celebrate every last Irish part of myself on this always auspicious St. Patrick’s Day!

San Francisco surprisingly held its St. Patrick’s Day parade last Saturday, as did Chicago, both far too early in my opinion.  Why not have them on the real day, I ask.  A friend told me that in SF’s financial district, many workers go to lunch on this day and never make it back to the office.  A parade might just be a far more excusable justification for this than a pub.  However, since no parade awaits our city’s Irish and/or Irish-spirited partygoers today, it looks like the Irish pubs will be the destination “an lae.”   Then, as no green river flows in this vicinity, with a nod to Chicago’s wonderful Irish tradition, there’s likely not much “green” to see outdoors today anyway.

St. Patrick’s Day Tradition in Chicago

If you’re in Chicago today, go see if there’s any green left in the river!  If you’re in San Francisco, head here, or here, or here!  If you’d rather sit home with your own homemade corned beef & cabbage and a bottle of Jameson, then be sure to freshen up on your SPD history, as plenty awaits.

This truly is my second favorite day of the year.  Erin go Bragh!

 
 
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Posted by on March 17, 2011 in Current Events, Daily Activities, History, Restaurants

 

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Have a Bite…

18 Feb

They might be called the ultimate comfort food, definitely unique and delicious.  “Spicy Irish Potato Bites” at The Chieftain, those I discovered and briefly mentioned here back in November, seem to satisfy the most growling palate.  Just be sure to specify “well done” so that they’re not cold in the middle, as I learned the first time around.

More than what you might imagine as a “bite,” these clever pub morsels are large, deep-fried balls of mashed potatoes, complete with jalapeno pieces baked inside to earn their “spicy” label.  Five of them for $7.95 are a great and filling deal, especially on a cold rainy day when you find yourself anywhere near San Francisco’s northwest corner of 5th and Howard.

The bites don’t fail.  What does fail is the special $4.00 Bombay martini with which you might opt to wash down your bites.  Whether bartender skill or price justification, the pour level is horrifically low.  And if you’ve ever had a drink with me, you know my sensitivity to low pours!  To avoid such potential suffering, I recommend a draft, preferably a Killkenny, as the suitable bite accompaniment.

And this is just the beginning of a complete Irish Pub menu.  The corned beef, ahi burger and fish-n-chips await sampling and review.  Considering the Chieftain celebrates its first decade anniversary next month, now you have one more reason to pay a visit and have a bite!

 
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Posted by on February 18, 2011 in Food, Restaurants

 

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