The eating of the green for St Patrick’s Day in Flagstaff

Since the 17th century it is said that green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day. In addition to “the wearing of green” this March 17th, why not eat green too. Green colored foods are supposedly lucky, as some cultures believe green foods represent money. So feasting on green things has to bring good fortune, right? Maybe not so crazy when you consider that green foods are among the most nutritious (in general) and could help you live a healthy life. Which is what the traditional Irish toast “sláinte!” (meaning “to your health”) is all about anyway. So drink up and chow down on the great tasting green but not-so-Irish foods and drinks of in honor of St Patrick this month it might even do your body good in addition to your tastebuds.

Avocados can help lower the bad kind of cholesterol and are loaded with potassium. Dine on this green goodie at Salsa Brava (2220 East Route 66) where they’ll make fresh guacamole at your table. You can also get some good nutrients in their salsa verde while you’re at it.

Get some vitamin power and green up your plate with the freshly prepared zucchini at Sakura (1175 Old Route 66). It's my one of my favorites there and it comes with most of the teppanyaki dinners. Another good greenie there - the broccoli and shrimp grill. Add even more green to your meal with green tea (which is filled with disease fighting antioxidants) or their green tea ice cream for a sweet green finish to your meal.

Green is the color of pesto- made with nutritious and delicious basil (which is filled with pro-vitamin A and is also a natural anti-bacterial). You can find fresh basil in some good pesto on pastas at Pesto Brothers (104 North Leroux St), in the pesto fry sauce at Diablo Burger (120 North Leroux St), on the pesto pizza at Fratelli (119 West Phoenix Ave) and in the pesto mayo at Beaver Street (11 Beaver St).

Cucumbers are another green food filled with Vitamins A, C, K and others. One of the more unique ways in town to eat your cucumbers - the cucumber and chicken soup at Dara Thai (14 S San Francisco St). Cucumbers turned into sweet green pickles turned into hot dog relish add some super green colored nutrients to your quickie hot dog lunch at Primo’s (113 S San Francisco St).

Want fried greens? How about the delish fried okra at Bigfoot BBQ (in the Basement Marketplace of Old Town Shops downstairs from Pesto Brothers) or the spicy fried jalapeños (aka Volcano caps) at the Ski Lift Lodge Restaurant (6355 N Highway 180).


Drink your green
It wouldn’t be a St Patty’s Day in America if green beer wasn’t featured. In Flagstaff, you can get green beers on St Patrick’s Day at Colins Irish Pub (2 North Leroux), Maloney’s Tavern (101 North Leroux) and The Green Room (15 N Agassiz St).

You can also find green in any glass any day of fresh lime margaritas (like at Café Ole- 119 S San Francisco St), minty mojitos (like at Salsa Brava) and if you want to get technical that olive that comes in a martini is green too. Get a good one at the evening only martini bar Rendezvous (100 N San Francisco St in the Hotel Monte Vista).

Sláinte!

The Best Irish Pub Food In Flagstaff for St Patrick's Day or Anyday

Collins Irish Pub

By Angele Sionna

• Route 66 and Leroux, downtown Flagstaff


• Full menu at: collinsirishpub.co

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>= good, but not great

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxxx= you’ll love it

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$                 $10

Value (what you get for your money)
**** = worth it - you won’t be disappointed with what you get for your money

(This article was first published in Flagstaff Live! on March 12, 2009, written by me of course!)

Sláinte! Pick up a mug of Irish goodness (a.k.a. beer) and toast your friends and family in this month of St. Patrick’s Day. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and the one who lovers of all things brewed have taken to celebrating in March. In Ireland, St. Patty’s Day is really more a day of religious observance than here in America, where we tend to enjoy the party side of things. I’ve been to Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day on two occasions and was surprised to learn that the festival there isn’t quite like in the States … though they are embracing the tourism dollars more and more and have upped the party attitude in honor St. Patrick’s American devotees.

[caption id="attachment_240" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Collins' Black & Tan Onion Rings"][/caption]

You may not think Irish when you think Flagstaff, but we do have one little joint where you can feel a wee bit o’ the Irish charm everyday of the year and celebrate Éirinn go Brách (a Gaelic saying meaning “Ireland forever”).
That’s Collins’ Irish Pub.
Collins’ Irish Pub is an Americanized Irish pub in a century-old downtown building at the corner of Route 66 and Leroux. When you walk inside you get the feeling of many pubs in Ireland. It’s nothing overly flashy, but it is warm and welcoming with a wooden bar and lots of big tables—though I’ve never been to any Irish pub with the great booths of Collins’. They’re roomy and comfortable, perfect for conversing.
The everyday menu has many traditional Irish pub selections, and some they’ve invented themselves. In the appetizer realm, they serve up Irish nachos made with homemade “Irish potato chips,” and black and tan onion rings made in a Guinness and Bass beer batter. The onion rings are really good, though pricey at about $9. The main menu includes pub grub like homemade Newcastle beer-battered fish and chips, Molly’s corned beef stew, Guinness and beef stew and corned beef and cabbage (of course), all at about $10 per entrée. The food has the same flare and flavors of many of the Irish pubs I’ve visited across the pond. Collins’ also has a friendly wait staff that adds to the enjoyable atmosphere.
Of course, if you’re looking to celebrate American-style on St. Patrick’s Day here in Ire-zona with an all-out beer fest, Collins’ is good for that too with both Guinness Stout and Harp on tap, plus many other fine beer choices. You can find a full food and drink menu online at www.collinsirishpub.com.
In honor of St. Patrick
The flavors of Ireland may not get an everyday showing on the menus of many restaurants around town, but on St. Patrick’s Day Beaver Street Brewery is making an exception. All day on St Patty’s Day, they’ll be serving up a traditional corned beef and cabbage entrée. I’ve never had anything sub par at Beaver Street, so I’m sure this dish will be one to try as well.