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Community Corner

Local Eats: Molly Brannigans Traditional Irish Pub

For St. Patrick's Day, you can venture into the wilds of South Side for your Irish grub, or you can stroll into the relatively quiet Mount Lebanon business district and pay a visit to Molly Brannigans.

When it comes to dining out, you can rely on your old standbys or you can try something new. Give your favorites a break from time to time and try one of our recommendations. You and your appetite may be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Overview: Someone looking to spend St. Patrick's Day in an Irish pub or restaurant has a lot of options in this town, the best being Piper's Pub on East Carson Street in the South Side and Mullaney's Harp and Fiddle in the Strip District. But if you're looking to avoid bar-heavy areas, there's a decent Irish-themed bar and restaurant just up the road in Mount Lebanon: Molly Brannigans on Washington Road. You may not get the Old World ambience that you would at other pubs, but you'll find a pleasant atmosphere accentuated by good service and a fine mix of traditional British Isle dishes and modern menu items, not to mention a decent selection of brews.

Environment:  The restaurant feels a little pre-fabricated (which, as a part of a small regional chain, is expected), but it's still very pleasant, with wooden tables and chairs, a large wide wood bar, and wooden and stone floors. Sit at the bar for a more brotherly vibe or get seating in the front left corner, lined by little wooden windows looking out into the street. Larger parties can sit in the back room, featuring a stone fireplace and TV screens for catching the latest in March Madness action. The business crowd makes lunch a brisk affair, but the place quiets down in the late afternoon, making it a great Happy Hour spot ... unless it's St. Patrick's Day, of course.

Satisfy your thirst: You can opt for whiskey or wine, but beer is the strong point of Molly's. For your Irish celebratory drinking, you can go with the classic Guinness, or you can experiment with the various drafts, brands, microbrews, and international beverages the bar has to offer. They serve hard cider on tap here, so don't be afraid to try a half-Guinness/half-cider. They're more than happy to take the request. Need a suggestion? Go straight to the source: The bartenders are good for tips on what to try.

Satisfy your hunger: The contemporary bar food is decent, but if you're going for straightforward, the strength lies in the appetizers, which are appropriately pub grubby, but also delicious and great for sharing. The Thursday special with the $5 featured appetizers is an especially good deal. Seize upon this rare chance for the Blarney Stones, a Reuben in deep-fried, nugget-sized form. For a complete meal, try one of the menu's British Isles selections. Try the veggie boxty, the fish and chips, the Guinness stew, or the shepherd's pie. Somewhere between quality restaurant fare and homemade goodness, these dishes are satisfying in portion and flavor. Perfect for putting something in that stomach before pounding another few pints.

Dessert: A few options, but nothing that really stands out. Unless they're serving up Irish whiskey cake for the holiday, opt for a dessert alcoholic beverage instead. There's always Irish coffee as an option.

Service: Mostly younger servers who are friendly and enthusiastic, if not always super knowledgeable about the beers available. But they are always happy to consult a bartender for you, if needed, and they more than hold their own when it comes to the menu options. Service can be a little slow during busier periods, but expect extra staffing for St. Patrick's Day.

Overall: It's not the most authentic choice, but for someone trying to have their holiday pint without the aggressive traffic of other drinkers, Molly Brannigans might be the perfect option. Washington  Road has its fair share of bars and restaurants, but it's bound to be quieter than other neighborhoods, especially the South Side. What it lacks in the feel of the British Isles it makes up for in its welcoming environment, friendly staff, and excellent menu options. For a convenient local option, you can't go wrong grabbing a few pints here.

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