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We’ve hunted down twelve restaurants paying homage to the Emerald Isle.
The Auld Shebeen. Fairfax’s only Irish pub will ring in St. Patrick’s Day with live music all day: The Flying Cows of Ventry in the restaurant, Irish Session Players in the cellar from 12:00-2:30 p.m., and Conor Malone from 5:00-9:30 p.m. As always, Auld Shebeen will be serving Irish dishes for brunch, with Irish sausages and black and white pudding. For lunch: classic corned beef and hash. Dinner is a Guinness beef stew and Shebeen also serves eleven Irish whiskeys, like Jameson, Tullamore Dew and or Bushmills. / The Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax.
Clyde’s of Reston. Clyde’s of Reston is having a shindig and the admission is F-R-E-E. Additional Irish fun may cost extra at great Clyde’s authentic Irish Fare, like bangers and mash, shepherds pie, a “Luck of the Irish” burger—topped with corned beef, swiss and Thousand Island dressing. You can enjoy Irish music, Irish dancers, bagpipers, a kids area with moon bounces and games. Live entertainment will be going on all day and fun children’s activities will be held all around the Pavilion at Reston Town Center. / Clyde’s, 11905 Market St., Reston.
Eamonn’s A Dublin Chipper & PX. Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, make sure you stop by to feast on fish and chips and drink a Guinness or Smithwicks, plus there’s fried candy bars. / Eamonn’s, 728 King St., Alexandria.
Ireland’s Four Courts. Join the Four Courts for a three-course meal prepared by Pedro Flores from James Joyce Restaurant. Meals include oysters, filet mignon, and banana tarts, paired with classic Irish brews: Harp, Smithwick’s and Guinness. Learn how to pour your own pint. Beer glasses will be given out to customers to take home as souvenir gifts. Call for reservations. / Ireland’s Four Courts, 2051 N. Wilson Blvd., Arlington; $39.95.
Jackson 20. Stop in for brunch or dinner and try Chef McPherson’s corned beef and cabbage for $18. No worries, they’ll have plenty of Guinness and Jameson’s too. / Jackson 20, 480 King St., Alexandria.
Mad Fox Brewing Company. Mad Fox is partying Irish-style with menu specials, like corned beef sandwiches, hash and cabbage and new house-brewed beers: St. James Irish Stout and Rockstar Red Irish Red Ale. / Mad Fox Brewing Company, 444 W. Broad St., Suite I, Falls Church.
The Majestic. St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated all month long at The Majestic with March’s Nana’s Sunday dinner “The Saint and the Spud” – roast leg of spring lamb and a dessert of Irish rice pudding with whiskey pay homage to the saint and the American contribution to the Irish palate. As a special, The Majestic will offer a traditional lunch of Irish spiced beef sandwich: house cured corned beef and sauerkraut on house made rye bread. A dinner of house cured corned beef and boiled potatoes with parsley, braised cabbage and mustard sauce is sure to warm the Irish soul. / The Majestic, 911 King St., Alexandria.
McMahon’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. The beautiful McMahon’s of Warrenton will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day tonight, Saturday and Sunday with live music, food and beer. Opening at 10 a.m., the late night diner, McMahon’s Pub will be cranking out a three-course Irish whiskey tasting dinner tonight with live music from Pete Baker. On Saturday, nicknamed “St. Practice Night,” McMahon’s will have live music with Andre Fox Band. On Sunday, customers can enjoy McMahon’s brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with traditional Irish music all day long. / McMahon’s, 380 Broadway Ave., Warrenton.
Molly’s Irish Pub. Also in Warrenton, Molly’s Irish Pub will be opening earlier than usual. At 9 a.m., Molly’s will open its door for guests to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a special Irish breakfast. /Molly’s Irish Pub, 36 Main St., Warrenton.
P.J. Skidoos. The party starts at noon in Fairfax’s Skidoos, with music, free t-shirts and drink specials lasting until close, but the bagpipes will only be playing till 8 p.m. You can also enjoy Skidoos’ “Brunch N’ Brew” from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m, with honey baked ham, fresh salmon, omelets, waffles, scrambled eggs, home fries, sausage, creamed chipped beef, bacon, bagels, corned beef hash, baked ziti, danish pastries, grits, vegetables, biscuits, sausage gravy all available at a buffet for under $20. Remember, if you order a Corona or Corona Light between March 1 and April 8, part of your purchase will go to the Jimmy V. Foundation. / PJ Skidoos, 9908 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax.
Restaurant Eve. Back in the Arlington-Alexandria area, Chef Armstrong’s beautifully decorated (the seats are thrones, people) Restaurant Eve refines the classic Irish plates like corned beef and cabbage and potatoes, making the plate much more delicious than it sounds. Pair it with mix-master, Todd Thrasher’s signature themed cocktail, The Saint Patrick’s Day Whey and call it a day. / Restaurant Eve, 110 S. Pitt St., Alexandria.
Virtue Feed & Grain. Make sure you stop by Alexandria’s “gastro” Irish pub, Virtue Feed & Grain for music, food and booze. With music by Fuse Box, and traditional Irish dancing, Chef Ryan Wheeler will serve Irish classics like corned beef sandwiches, shepherds pie and fish n’ chips paired with featured Irish whiskey and beers making your St. Patrick’s Day…well, super Irish. Feeling lucky? Order one of Todd Thrasher’s Frozen Irish Car bombs (think: car bomb milkshake) along with your cherry sherry trifle dessert. / Virtue Grain & Feed, 106 S. Union St., Alexandria.
