This year the luck of the Irish is upon us in glorious fashion. The real St. Patrick's Day is on Sunday, but we prefer to do things like parades and concerts on Saturdays, so we get two days of celebration! Here's your 10-point, two-day plan:
Saturday morning
Well, of course, you'll want to start the day off proper with a jog Dash along Greenville Avenue, which benefits the North Texas Food Bank.
Saturday Mid-Morning After the dash, head over to Sigel's in Addison and make your way to the small deli in the back of the store for all the goods for a proper Irish breakfast, most importantly fresh baked Irish soda bread. Actually, get a few loaves -- they freeze well. Baker and cheesemonger Theresa Magee is our favorite Irish lass in this fine city. Remember, soda bread. Lots of it.
Saturday Mid-Day The Saint Patrick's Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. Put on green things and head out. It's that easy. Ride DART or get a cab, if possible.
Use your elbows to make it over to Parkit Market, the long-time purveyor of green keg beer is celebrating 51 years of Greenville shenanigans and will have a DJ starting at 10 a.m. along with home-style sandwiches and green drinks. For this year's special guest, Mama Tadora (who is also celebrating her 91st birthday) has created a Snoop Dogg Dog with a quarter-pound Nathan's Frank on a bun, topped with chili, cheese, onions and green mustard (the last topping makes it genuinely Irish).
At this point, it's time for the Snoop Dogg concert immediately following the parade at Energy Square at the Corner of Greenville Avenue and University Boulevard.
Or you could cast yourself amongst the sea of green at The Dubliner block party where U2 cover band With our Without U2 will provide tunes. The party is all day.
Trinity Hall Irish Pub is another great spot to pretend to be Irish all day. They will have live music, bagpipes and something like an Irish draft beer takeover.
But, wait, we're not done yet. It's still not even St. Patrick's Day...
Sunday Morning Find a proper recovery brunch that also serves adequate hydration. The Gin Mill and Capital Pub on Henderson, both owned by Irishman Peter Kenny (who also owns Dubliner) will serve a full Irish brunch on Sunday. At the Gin Mill, specials include a Guinness beef stew and the traditional Irish breakfast ($12) is served with two eggs, Irish sausage, black and white pudding, baked beans, fried tomato, sautéed mushrooms and toast.
Sunday, All Day Irishman Fergal McKinney will host a huge block party at his spots, The Idle Rich, Renfield's Corner and The Blackfriar; the latter has one of our favorite patios in the city. With a forecast calling for clear skies and high in the 80s, you might consider camping out for a table perched on the second floor from which you can watch the parties below, including a performance by the Killdares at 7 p.m. (across the street at The Idle Rich), or Petty Theft in the courtyard below. There will be plates of corned beef and cabbage, Irish Reubens and shepherd's pie all day.
