Nothing soothes a man’s soul like a pint of Guinness and a live band playing Irish classics.
On Sunday afternoons, Molly Maguire’s Irish Restaurant and Pub in Phoenixville is hosting Sunday Sessions and Supper. From 3 to 7pm, live Irish music fills the restaurant while diners enjoy a three course Irish dinner for $15.95. Children under 12 can eat from the kids menu for $1. During our visit, it was obvious that kids are quite entertained by the music.
For the first course, I chose the creamy Potato Leek soup, which complimented my Blacksmith (half Guinness/half Smithwicks) quite nicely. My date tried the Maguire’s Garden Salad and raved about the grain mustard sauce.
The main courses on the special Sunday menu includes Celtic classics such as Irish Stew, Shepherd’s Pie and Traditional Fish and Chips. I chose the Braised Steak and Guinness Pie, which consisted of well-proportioned chunks of steak mixed with carrots and a Guinness sauce over mashed potatoes. My date tried the Dublin-Style Bangers and Mash, which was more than she could eat, though I believe she was tipped off about saving room for dessert.
Throughout our meal, the band played a diverse round of Irish music. On this night, five musicians joined in on the sessions. When they took a break, the leader of the group, Terry Kane, stopped by our table and explained how the sessions work.
“We have a different mix of musicians each Sunday,” she explained, “and anyone who wants to join us is invited to bring their instrument or their voice!” Sure enough, while we were dining, a gentleman who had driven up from West Chester took to the stage and belted out a beautiful rendition of Wild Irish Rose.
This mix of musicians made for a nice array of songs being played throughout the meal. One minute we’d be listening intently to a lovely ballad featuring only a vocalist and the harp, and the next tune would be a drinking song with everyone jamming on stage. Instruments played on our Sunday included a tin whistle, a banjo, a harp, and a guitar. One of the musicians even played a iullean pipe, a traditional Irish pipe where the air is pumped through the instrument by flexing the elbow.
As I mentioned, my date saved room for dessert and she apparently knew what she was doing. She chose the Irish Soda Bread Pudding with Jameson Whiskey Sauce. Knowing I should order something different, I ordered the Ice Cream Scoop with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, but I found myself continually sneaking bites of her bread pudding, which was a fabulous way to finish up this Irish meal. Slainte!
Find Molly Maguire’s Irish Restaurant & Pub at 197 Bridge Street in Phoenixville or online at www.mollymaguirespubs.com.
