Atlanta Restaurants & Food
St. Patrick’s Day for eaters -- and drinkers
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t exactly known as an occasion for foodies or fine dining.
But a surprising number of Atlanta bars and restaurants have been elevating traditional pub grub while going beyond Guinness and Jameson to feature impressive craft beer and whiskey lists. And even a few bakers and dessert makers are getting into the Irish holiday spirit.
Here’s a roundup of a few places to get your green day food and drink on:
- All three Meehan's pubs in downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs and Vinings will begin the day at 9 a.m. with a "Green Eggs & Kegs" Irish breakfast paired with Guinness. Each location will have traditional Irish fare, plus chef's specials, including Vinings chef Branden Holte's barbecue smoked on the patio. 200 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, 404-214-9821; 227 Sandy Springs Place, Sandy Springs, 404-843-8058; 2810 Paces Ferry Road S.E., Vinings, 770-433-1920. 101concepts.com.
- All three 5 Seasons brew pub locations will offer house-made stouts and special St. Patrick's Day menus from chef David Larkworthy. Look for McNerney's Irish Red and Revelation Coffee Stout at the Prado and dry Irish stout and one-of-a-kind cask ales in Alpharetta and Atlanta. 3655 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 770-521-555; 1000 Marietta St., Atlanta, 404-875-3232; 5600 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, 404-255-5911. 5seasonsbrewing.com.
- Alpine Bakery and Trattoria in Alpharetta will go Irish for the day, with cases filled with green-tinted goodies, including coconut cake and Bailey's Irish cream cake by the slice, coconut tarts, coconut cupcakes, key lime bars, pistachio cannolis, and chocolate dipped strawberries with green drizzles. 12315 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta, 770-410-9883, www.alpinebakeryandpizzeria.com.
- Food 101 in Sandy Springs will feature specials from chef Justin Keith, including wood-smoked salmon, smoked haddock soup with leeks and potatoes, cast-iron shepherd's pie, and Guinness-battered fish-n-chips. 4969 Roswell Road, Atlanta, 404-497-9700, www.101concepts.com.
- At Max Lager's in Atlanta, brewmaster John Roberts will tap three different cask versions of his award-winning IMOS (Imperial Mocha Oatmeal Stout). Specials from the kitchen at the downtown brew pub include a traditional Irish breakfast served all day. 320 Peachtree St., Atlanta, 404-525-4400, maxlagers.com.
- Piece of Cake in Roswell, and all four other locations of the metro Atlanta gourmet bakery, will be bringing back the popular St. Patrick's Green Velvet Cake. Best of all, wear your green into any Piece of Cake shop and receive a free small Green Velvet Cupcake. 10971 Crabapple Road, Roswell, 404- 351-2253, www.pieceofcakeinc.com.
- Brick Store Pub in Decatur will pay homage to the Irish with a variety of American craft and imported stouts, plus the current selection of beer and whiskey, and Irish food specials from chef Rian Tittle. 125 E. Court Square, Decatur, 404-687-0990, brickstorepub.com.
- Leon's Full Service in Decatur will offer chef Eric Ottensmeyer's version of a traditional Irish breakfast, plus Irish lunch items beginning at 11:30 a.m. In addition to the daily special beer and cocktail list, bartender Miles Macquarrie will be brewing up his signature Irish coffee. 131 E. Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur, 404-687-0500, www.leonsfullservice.com.
- Chef Richard Blais and Flip Burger Boutique will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with an Irish-inspired menu at both Atlanta locations, featuring a special corned beef burger alongside an Irish Car Bomb shake. 1587 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, 404-352-3547; 3655 Roswell Road, 404-549-3298, www.flipburgerboutique.com.
