Finnigan's Wake Pub and Kitchen

I dropped by to see Opie (Philip Kirby) at Finnigan's Wake Pub the other evening after work. It was a relaxed friendly crowd with some watching the Masters and some watching soccer, but most just chatting. Opie was tending bar and serving food to the customers. He knows nearly everyone that comes through the door at Finnigan's Wake.

Opie and John Cahoon are the owners of Finnigan's Wake and I have to say, they are a very community minded restaurant. It seems they are involved in every event going on around the city, including our upcoming Taste of the Town, plus the Celtic Festival and Salute! Opie has been involved in Taste of the Town since it came back in 2003. We appreciate his community spirit!

Finnigan's Wake always has their own party going on as well. If it's not their unbelievable St. Patrick's Day celebration, it's the St. Baldrick's celebration in September (9-12-09 this year) where they encourage everyone to have their head shaved right out in front of the restaurant with proceeds go to children's cancer research.

With summer coming fast and furious, be sure to check out the new patio out back. It's under the canopy of trees and is a great place to eat in good weather. In fact in May they'll be having oysters on the halfshell Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays on the patio. Not into oysters? If you're a vegetarian, this is also the place to go. They feature numerous dishes that would suit you like my favorite, Opie's Arti-cakes. They are wonderful little patties of artichokes fried to perfection and served with a roasted red pepper aoli. I have to say though that my favorite entree on the menu is the Guinness Stew served over homemade mashed potatoes. This is not a light meal, anything but. But if you're looking for comfort food, this will fill the bill! It is so full of flavor with beef, onions, potatoes, turnips, carrots, and of course the Guinness; you can't beat it.

If you haven't been for a while, you can check out the menu and the goings-on at their website at www.fwpub.net/dnnhome/. Trust me, this is not just pub food!