Whom You Know: Peachy Picks McKeown's!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Peachy Picks McKeown's!

McKeown's was Terrific Takeout:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/02/terrific-takeout-mckeowns.html

So it graduated to Tasty Tidbits:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2011/03/tasty-tidbits-mckeowns.html

Looking at those potato skins makes Peachy wish she was at McKeown's right this second instead of being at the computer...they were standout fantastic! The cheese, bacon and broccoli delighted our senses and made the ordinary extraordinary. Everything we tried at McKeown's was fresh, delicious and hit the spot. Whether it was something as simple as a green salad or a sophisticated steak dressed in Jameson Irish whiskey sauce, McKeown's hit a high level of quality and consistency throughout the entire evening.

The Guinness is good too! And you know that Guinness is good for you. We are pleased to let you know it has graduated to Peachy's Picks! And not just because of the luck of the Irish, and they are that of course and specifically from County Donegal....McKeown's is much more than a good place to sip a pint of Guinness. It boasts some great Irish fare in a dining room at the back that is quaint, friendly and very separate from the bar area. Though we do indeed love the bar area too. Glen does an excellent job running the hot spot and Aileen Brown is a fabulously friendly waitress.

The back dining room is classy and casual, and is further enhanced by the warm buzz of cool music like Coldplay and corner televisions showing the latest and greatest on ESPN. Peachy used to be in intern at ESPN ages ago so thumbs up.

Peachy began with the House salad of crispy garden greens, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and red onion. The dressing was perfect and the quality of vegetables was as good as you'll find. And if you are just going for a pint or a quick bite the appetizers are superb. As you can see we couldn't make up our minds so we tried a few and they were just addictive, in a good way. We are totally proponents of munching while you are having a drink and there aren't many bar spots in Manhattan that have great food but you can be assured McKeown's does boast fab fare.

McKeown's has been around since July 2004 and we see it being around until at least July 2104. Especially if they keep making the Jameson Irish Whiskey sauce and Gaelic steak like they made for Peachy! The twelve ounce sirloin was dancing in peppercorns and was pan seared with mushrooms and onions.

The food is not only fabulous but enjoying it in the atmosphere of McKeown's makes it even better as you are surrounded by Celtic Cross themes, a lovely fireplace and an overall experience that is reminiscent of a top steakhouse. We're not sure Peachy will still be writing then though....but don't just listen to Peachy. Peachy brought a panelist that not only has been to Ireland herself, but on the occasion of a Harvard/Yale afterparty missed meeting Peachy ages ago and did her a big favor since she met one of her best Irish friends that night, from County Wicklow...

I have always loved the atmosphere of a cozy Irish pub. McKeown’s is really nice in that depending on what your purpose is, you can find it here, whether you are in the mood for a nice meal at a restaurant or a round of drinks at the bar. The front section is a traditional bar for mixing and mingling; the back room is a comforting, quiet restaurant where you can share delicious food with friends, and the mid-section of the bar is a bit of both. On Saturday night Peachy and I were warmly greeted by one of the owners, Glen. During the night I noticed he walked around talking to customers at different tables – the staff here is genuinely friendly. We sat in the lovely dining area, which was quiet and had dark wood paneling, stone walls, a nice fireplace by our table, and old pictures on the wall. Illuminated stained glass decorates this area as well, and the atmosphere is cozy but upscale. The dining room is far removed from the bar so no worries about not being able to hear your conversation.

Our waitress Aileen was very polite and helpful with some menu suggestions as well. Peachy and I shared a few appetizers to start. If you come here for some drinks with friends I highly recommend getting some food because the apps were all delicious!

The stuffed mushroom were covered in melted cheese and tasted just like the most wonderful thanksgiving stuffing! I will go back for more for sure. We also had potato skins that were crisp and covered with melted cheddar, and although the broccoli topping may be healthier I say have them with bacon! I always love spinach artichoke dip, and this one came from the oven baked in its serving dish, covered is a golden brown layer of melted cheese and served with ample crispy tortilla chips. I am sure that all the other appetizers are just as good!

Moving on to standard dinner fare, I really enjoyed my chopped salad. It was full of crispy pieces of lettuce and peppers, mixed with wonderful olives, tomatoes and feta cheese, and with the dressing on the side so I could add just the right amount. We learned the chef here is Egyptian but has years of experience cooking traditional Irish cuisine, so for my main course I chose the classic Shepherd’s Pie, which I have sampled at various restaurants around nyc, and this one is superb.

It certainly is beautiful to look at, with swirls of beautifully browned mashed potatoes served in a pretty dish. With each bite I was able to have the pleasure of eating mashed potatoes with hearty beef and vegetables in a wonderful sauce. The portions are generous! Although I started my meal with a nice glass of Pinot Grigio, I moved on to the more classic Guinness. I have been lucky to have had the chance to drink Guinness in Ireland, where it is always said to taste the best, but McKeown’s pours a very nice pint that perfectly complemented the Shepherd’s Pie. Finally, since I always have room for dessert, I enjoyed apple pie with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream!

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up it is the perfect time to catch up with friends and family and enjoy a delicious meal together, and we hear they will be serving corned beef which I am sure will be very tasty! We also hear the brunch here is quite popular. They do have a traditional Irish breakfast, and a complementary mimosa or bloody mary is included. Head to the upper east side and check out McKeown’s!

Peachy Picks McKeown's!

http://mckeownsnyc.com/

McKeown's 1303 3rd Avenue Manhattan, NY 10021-3367

Phone: (212) 452-2011 | Email Mckeowns

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