St. Patrick’s Day 2011: Where to Eat and Celebrate

It’s time again for St. Patrick's Day, the annual Irish holiday and Christian festival that honors the emerald isle's patron saint, on March 17. In America, one of the things it is popularly known for is as a day to wear "green," get pinched or kissed, among other things.

”St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time—a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.”  —Adrienne Cook

The celebrations have traditionally included parades, music, songs, Irish food and drink and many activities for the family. Part of the fun includes wearing, drinking and eating things that are green—the national color of Ireland. The non-Irish can join in by claiming to be “Irish-for-a-day” and celebrate accordingly.

"St. Patrick—one of the few saints whose feast day presents the opportunity to get determinedly whacked and make a fool of oneself all under the guise of acting Irish. " —Charles M. Madigan

This is also a popular time to enjoy local pub food and eatery offerings to the reveling, “Irish-for-the-day,” set. You can expect green beer, green wine and corned beef and cabbage to be served up at many of these participating spots.

If you survived and are now fasting, no need to worry, it's traditional to break it, at least for the day.

There are a number of St. Patrick’s Day events, dining and drinking options, in town and in the surrounding areas, starting this Friday.

Where to taste beer and green wine:

• will have samples of green wine on St. Paddy’s Day from 4 to 10 p.m. They will pour a Green Wine Flight for $17. 750 W. Evelyn Ave.  Telephone: 650-969-3958.

Where to find St. Paddy’s fare and green beer:

• will serve up slow-simmered corned beef and cabbage and green beer from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m on St. Patrick's Day. 954 Villa St. 650-965-2739.

•  on St. Patrick’s Day will serve corned beef and cabbage and green beer, and entertainment will begin at noon with music from Rosin the Bow from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Following that is dancing to DJ Seamus until closing. 223 Castro St. 650-964-9151.

• will pour green beer, play DJ music, have prizes and beads. The fun is from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. 241 Castro St. 650-961-0108. Beer is $4.75.

• Murphy’s Law Irish Pub and Sports Bar in Sunnyvale will serve green beer, corned beef and cabbage dinners starting at 11:30 a.m. for $9 and all you can eat! Happy Hour will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a band will perform from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 135 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. 408-736-3822. No cover charge.

After you’ve sampled some beer and wine, seen the parades, been in a parade and participated in the activities over the weekend, you should just be warmed up for the big day—for some hearty corned beef and cabbage, green beer, music, dancing and a great time. Be sure to wear something green to avoid getting pinched!