Brandywine Table: Comfort Foods of Ireland to Round Out Winter
Irish soup, stew and a touch of Guinness hit the spot
As we ride out the final weeks of winter, few cuisines speak to us as clearly as Irish food for hearty comfort food on a chilly day. Fortunately for us, the March 17 celebration of St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the only time we can enjoy the authentic tastes of Ireland, such as rich pot pie, savory stew, creamy Guinness and butter-worthy soda bread.
A prime option for satisfying your yearning for the tastes of the Emerald Isle is The Towne House in Media, with five dining rooms, including one called The Shebeen. This intimate pub is a top destination, attracting diners with a menu stocked with traditional Irish favorites. “We know what our food is supposed to look and taste like,” said Shane Diggin, Towne House’s Irish-born and bred chef and general manager. “It’s the old-school cooking we expect from home — you get the taste of Ireland here.”
In addition to Towne House’s beloved beef and lamb shepherd’s pie with root veggies, they offer a vegan version featuring quinoa, lentils and sweet potatoes. “It’s a nice, hearty, feel-good dish, and you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy it, since it’s a nice hearty meal for everybody,” Diggin said.
In West Chester, try Kildare’s Irish Pub to warm up with an Irish coffee or bowl of potato leek soup. Then order their classic Reuben sandwich on rye featuring corned beef topped with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese, plus a special dressing to bring all the flavors together. Keep in mind that Kildare’s is in a college town, so expect a lively St. Patrick’s Day there. “Everyone is happy and ready to have a good day — it’s the best day of the entire year,” said Ryan Vickers, a bartender who’s worked at this family-friendly pub for over five years.
At Molly Maguire’s Irish Restaurant & Pub in Phoenixville, they’ve been planning for their St. Patrick’s Day celebration for a full year, according to Marjorie Hasiak, the event planner. The pub is owned by Declan Mannion and Conor Cummins, both from Ireland, and will host bagpipers, dance groups, live bands and feature specials on drinks and food for the big day. For a one-dish collection of tastes from Ireland, order their Dublin Trio Sampler with shepherd’s pie, chicken pot pie plus steak and Guinness pie, all served up with a side of Irish soda bread muffins.
Read on for inspiration from Media’s Towne House and others to create authentic tastes of Ireland from the comforts of your own home.