Tablehopping: Pub offers genuine Irish food and a bit of 'craic'

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Assistant general manager Connie Adams, (from left), general manager Nuala Kavanagh and head chef Alberto Morales showcase a smorgasbord of traditional Irish delicacies served year-round at Bridie McKenna's in Highwood. | Photos by Lee Litas ~ For Sun-Times Media

Updated: May 3, 2011 2:12PM

"I cringe when I see or hear people call our Holy Day 'St. Patty's Day' with 't's'," says Nuala Kavanaugh, co-owner and general manager of Bridie McKenna's Irish pub in Highwood. "St. Paddy's -- with d's -- is the correct way to shorten St. Patrick's Day."

A transplant from Galway, Ireland, Kavanaugh and her husband, Seamus, represent one of the four owners of Bridie's along with Jim Kane, Scott Offer and Fran Moore originally of Dublin, whose mother's maiden name became the pub's name.

No detail has been omitted in the creation of this authentic "public house," better known as simply 'pub.' Bridie's façade was designed to represent an Irish village street by Irish architect Liam Kavanaugh. The east side of the building features an offig an phoist (post office), a tobacconist, a bar and a general store all separated by colorful dividers inside Victorian wrought iron gates that create three separate seating areas for up to 50 people during warmer months.

Inside, the intricate layout has been thought through to the last cobblestone. First to greet visitors is the Victorian Bar adorned with names of famous Irish locales like the Trinity College and Croke Park. Vintage photos of the homeland continue the theme along the walls leading to traditional Irish "snugs," or booths once used in pubs by women to maintain discretion. There is also a working-class Country Bar good for "a pint, a whiskey and a bit of craic (fun)," a library with a cozy fireplace and leather-bound books, and a large party room featuring an authentic Guinness bar. Bridie McKenna's is the 2010 Chicago recipient of the #1 Guinness Pint which, means they have perfected the seven-minute pour.

Bridie's menu is filled with 'home cooked' selections equally able to satisfy both the expats and newbies to Irish cuisine.

A traditional Irish Breakfast is served all day long because "breakfast is the biggest meal of the day in Ireland," according to Kavanaugh. Bangers (classic Irish sausage), rashers (cured Irish bacon), white & black pudding (sausages made of pork meat and oatmeal, with blood added to the latter), two eggs to order, baked beans, sauteed mushrooms and fried potatoes are topped off with a slice of brown bread and authentic Irish Kerrygold sweet butter ($13).

It's billed as "A feast for an Irish Saint."

For a midday meal, the Beef & Guinness Stew is a hearty and savory choice made with tender chunks of Angus tenderloin, large pieces of mushrooms, carrots and other vegetables simmered in homemade Guinness gravy that is then poured generously around a mountain of mashed potatoes ($14).

Corned beef &cabbage is a staple though Kavanaugh will be the first to say that this meal is not traditional at all but rather Americanized. "The Irish eat their cabbage with Irish bacon," said Kavanaugh explaining that Irish immigrants began using corned beef when traditional Irish bacon was either unavailable or too expensive. At Bridie's the generous portion is served with two slabs of choice brisket of beef corned in their own kitchen, then simmered until fork-tender and served with spiced and aromatic braised cabbage and horseradish sauce ($13).

With the biggest Irish holiday just around the corner, Bridie is busy preparing their 2011 St. Paddy's Day line-up. They will offer live entertainment every night until March 17, when festivities culminate with traditional Irish dance performances every few hours.

"Bridie McKenna's aims to be the finest Irish Pub in the area. Our greatest hope is that customers will feel at home," said Kavanaugh.

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Bridie McKenna's: The North Shore Pub

254 Green Bay Road, Highwood. 11:30 a.m. "till late" Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m. -2a.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday. Street parking, handicap accessible. (847)432-3311or bridiemckennasirishpub.com.

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