Kildare’s chef Stephanie Gray has teamed up with the crew from Levante Brewing Company in West Chester to construct a wondrous four-course meal for its next monthly beer-pairing dinner, scheduled for April 6. Stephanie and her husband Dane, co-owners of the restaurant, show an urge to team up with local businesses, and this is the latest delicious incarnation of those types of partnerships.
In advance of the public dinner on April 6, Kildare’s hosted the Levante team to taste the dishes with their paired brews. Before digging in, Stephanie talked about how she pictured the plates after Levante picked the beers and explained the flavor profiles.
With flavors mingling gently together in every course, Kildare’s and Levante created intriguing pairings that are meant to please the palate. Levante co-founder Tim Floros added, “It’s awesome to see what the beer can do with the food, and what the food can do with the beer.”
The first course featured Levante’s slightly sour Sachsen Gose, the perfect partner for crackers and brie cheese drizzled with cilantro, honey and pink salt.
That delightful beginning was followed by fruit-forward flavors, as Kildare’s shrimp with papaya and pineapple salsa was paired with Levante’s Monk’s Night Out Belgian Double IPA. The bright, juicy salsa and shrimp played well with the fruity, slightly earthy notes of the beer, which the Levante guys explained came from the use of Azacca and Summit hops.
The third course especially showed how the partnership of beer and food can create refined experiences. The Levante crew chose its Le Marche Oak Aged Quad to be paired with the main dish. Stephanie simmered cranberries in the brew and poured it over a flavorful grilled flat iron steak, which was plated alongside mashed potatoes and grilled plum. The mix of juicy meat and tart cranberries partnered deliciously with the smooth, woody, dry beer. Tim explained, “Since it’s aged in oak barrels and uses wildflower honey, the beer is close to a wine, and I wanted to pay homage to what I felt when I was in Le Marche, Italy.”
The final course was the metaphorical cherry on top. The Levante crew enthusiastically embraced the idea of creating a beer float by tossing a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in its Bullitt Train Imperial Vanilla Stout. This crowd-pleaser brought a roasted, creamy, vanilla flavor that also highlighted the brew’s bourbon essence. All in attendance agreed that the mix was shockingly good and that it should probably become a repeat offering.
After the local crew of restaurateurs and brewers was wholly satisfied with the creations, they took to the bar to indulge in some car bombs, complete with the aforementioned Levante Imperial Stout. They noted how the dishes they had just enjoyed were exquisite yet relied on only a few careful ingredients to build their strong flavors. It was evident in each bite that Stephanie, who in the past has created dishes with beer from breweries like Victory and Lagunitas, has a knack for crafting wholesome meals.
Kildare’s monthly beer-pairing dinners give you the perfect opportunity to indulge in a beautifully prepared meal that showcases local brews. Seats are limited for the April 6 dinner with Levante, so call the restaurant soon to reserve your seat. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 the week of the dinner. A second date on April 13 may be added based on demand. If you can’t make it, Stephanie added, “Our staff is really educated about beers and their different flavors, so they know what to recommend.” So don’t be shy—ask about the perfect pairing the next time you visit Kildare’s.
Kildare’s will continue to host beer dinners on the first Wednesday of each month; the next one is scheduled for May 4 with Victory Brewing Company. Going forward through the summer, look for future featured local breweries to include Pizza Boy, Free Will and Neshaminy Creek. The restaurant will also be hosting smaller-scale dinners focused on local wineries, cideries, and whiskey.
Follow Kildare’s Irish Pub on Facebook and Instagram for updates on specials and events. For reservations and queries, contact Kildare’s via email.
Find Kildare’s at 18 W. Gay St. in West Chester; phone: (610) 431-0770.
- Top, bottom and featured photos: Kildare's
- Remaining photos: Jay Breslin
