St. Patrick's day for partiers, homebodies

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For those wanting to get out of the house and hit the town …

For those over 21 ready to get out of the house and into a bar to celebrate the Irish holiday, many of the establishments about town will be holding specials for the infamous drinking day.

However, some restaurants have more motivation to deliver on St. Patrick’s Day than others.

Jim McMahon, manager of Dublin Square Irish Pub, 327 Abbot Road, said his restaurant makes special arrangements for the holiday, including hosting radio station WJIM (97.5-FM) while they broadcast live from inside and an Irish-themed band from 9-11 a.m.

McMahon said even that early in the day, the restaurant has enough traffic to make the band worthwhile.
“Typically, if it’s anything like the past, we will be full by 7:30 in the morning,” McMahon said.

McMahon also said the crowd celebrating the event usually varies, despite the popularity among the college crowd.
“We get a lot of professionals in in their suits, and we get a lot of college students in,” he said.

Keep in mind, though, the Irish bars are not the only ones partying. Rick’s American Cafe, 224 Abbot Road, will be offering specials of half off all drinks, Crunchy’s, 254 W. Grand River Ave., will be open for breakfast and an all-day party and Woody’s Oasis Bar & Grill, 211 E. Grand River Ave., will be offering deals on all traditional Irish drinks.

For the ones looking for a quiet celebration at home …

If you’re looking to stay inside and avoid the chaos of the holiday, bars and people, cooking a traditional Irish meal might be your own way to celebrate the occasion in the privacy of your own home.

With these two easy recipes and a few bottles of Guinness, you will be able to bring the St. Patrick’s Day spirit into your very own home.

Irish Soda Bread

A loaf of traditional Irish bread to accompany any true Irish meal.

1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon sugar
4 cups flour
2 1/3 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon butter
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine baking soda, sugar, flour, salt and cream of tartar. Add buttermilk to the center and mix with a fork.
Place dough on a floured board and knead for one minute. Form the dough into a one and a half inch thick circle.
Place on cookie sheet and dent the top with a knife.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and brush the top with butter while warm. Let cool.

source: cooks.com

Corned Beef and Cabbage

4 slices bacon
4 tablespoons butter
1 head green cabbage, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 can corned beef
Cook bacon until crisp and set aside. Melt butter in the pot with bacon grease before stirring in the cabbage. Add 1/3 cup water and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes.
Chop bacon into small pieces.
Remove lid from pot and scatter chunks of corned beef and bacon over the cabbage. Cover and cook until desired rareness.

Source foodnetwork.com

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