Finding a glass of hooch on St. Patrick's Day is only slightly easier than finding a Democrat in the 55403 ZIP code. (Just in case it isn't, here's a handy list, courtesy of my colleague Tom Horgen). But what about finding a decent Emerald Isle-inspired meal, at least one served outside the Irish pub circuit?
Not as simple, but not impossible, either. Here are a few suggestions:
Dig into a four-course beer dinner at the Sample Room, featuring Minneapolis-brewed Fulton Beer. Cost is $45 per person, and reservations are recommended, call 612-789-0333.
The city's pastrami capital, Be'wiched Deli, will be temporarily going the corned beef route, serving the Irish standard with potatoes at lunch and dinner for $12.50.
At Common Roots Cafe, owner Danny Schwartzman is making his first nod to the Biggest Day in the Auld Sod with corrned beef (made with Thousand Hills Cattle Co. beef, of course), organic cabbage and soda bread, all for just $6 (the beer is just $3).
Chef Drew Wilson is cooking up Rueben enchiladas and corned beef tacos at Bar Abilene; wash them down with the bar's Shamrock Margaritas.
Curran's Restaurant (4201 NIcollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-822-5327) is pulling out a corned beef-cabbage-red potatoes dinner for $9.65 at lunch, $10.65 at dinner.
Loring Kitchen is offering an "Irish buffet" (potato cakes, lamb stew, corned beef and cabbage, fish pie and assorted breads, among other items) for $14.95. Although it's not usually open for lunch, the restaurant is kicking the doors open for St. Patrick's Day at 11 a.m.
