Magically Delicious

Don Murphy showcases some of Murphy’s Bar & Grill’s St. Patrick’s Day offerings.

From its familiar home at the corner of Nuuanu Avenue and Merchant Street, Murphy’s Bar & Grill continues to provide a respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown Honolulu.

And, speaking of familiar, as local diners get ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, March 17, Murphy’s Bar & Grill is preparing to serve up a host of Irish favorites as a longtime headquarters for the traditional green-themed Irish Feast of Saint Patrick. Dine-in seatings will be available by reservation from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. that day at two-hour intervals, so guests are encouraged to call and reserve a spot.

Dine-in guests can look forward to Gaelic Steak ($30), which features a green peppercorn sauce with a Worcestershire cream base that ties in nicely with the St. Patrick’s Day theme.

Bread Pudding ($10)

Murphy got the recipe from a restaurant in Ireland while visiting, and brought the ono flavors back with him for local diners to experience. Caesar Salad with Sweet Chili Salmon ($25.50) is another popular dine-in choice that brings together Atlantic salmon with the alluring flavors of sweet Thai chile sauce.

For those looking to dine-in or order food to go, Corned Beef and Cabbage ($24) is Murphy’s traditional take on the Irish classic. As one of Murphy’s favorite menu items, the restaurateur says, “We’ve sold probably 100,000 pounds of corned beef since we opened; on St. Patrick’s Day alone, we’ll go through 3,000 pounds of it!”

Guinness Braised Lamb Shank ($28)

Guinness Braised Lamb Shank ($28) is available in the restaurant or to go, and is prepared in beef stock along with the iconic Irish dry stout beer. For dessert, try Irish Whiskey Cake ($10), Traditional Bread Pudding ($10) and Baileys Cheesecake ($10), the latter of which incorporates the familiar Irish cream spirit in the rich cheesecake. Desserts at Murphy’s Bar & Grill are made by Don’s wife, Marion, and the fresh flavors and care are noticed in every bite.

Corned Beef and Cabbage ($24)

The building next door to Murphy’s at 16 Merchant Street has been converted to serve as a to-go station for those picking up a delicious meal to take home. The togo area is open Monday through Friday, including St. Patrick’s Day, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and on that Thursday, a few stalls on Merchant Street will be reserved so guests can prepay, drive up, pick up their order and drive off.

Gaelic Steak ($30)

“We thank our guests for their patience and for bearing with us as we try to get through this together,” Murphy says of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the local restaurant industry. “Last year was the first time that we offered the reservation system that allowed more guests to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day with us. Come back and get familiar with Murphy’s again as we all work to get back to normal, somewhat. Hopefully, we can start hosting events and fundraisers that include the Merchant Street block again soon.”

Murphy also notes that St. Patrick’s Day marks the grand opening of Black Shamrock Tavern across the street from Murphy’s in the space formerly occupied by O’Toole’s Irish Pub. Murphy encourages guests to check out the remodeled establishment operated by his good friend J.J. Niebuhr as the “Irish Corner” makes a comeback following the sweeping COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.