CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device
It’s nearly time to hit the slew of St. Patrick’s Day parties and festivals around the Bay Area. But not without a pint of green beer or Gibson glass of whiskey-soaked coffee and cream in hand. In its classic form, a well-made Irish coffee is hot coffee, Irish whiskey and sugar, topped with a collar of cream. But there are all kinds of variations on the theme.
We set out to find the most well-crafted versions, as well as a few clever updates at Bay Area bars and restaurants. Here are five we love.
Guesthouse, Kentfield
Open since October, this elevated comfort food restaurant in Marin has already developed a reputation for its thoughtfully-prepared cocktails, including the Irish coffee ($11). Made to order using “Eileen the Machine,” an isolated steam wand named after owner-bartender Dustin Sullivan’s Irish grandmother, the drink is layered in a traditional Gibson glass with brown sugar, Peet’s coffee, Powers Irish Whiskey and whipped cream laced with nutmeg and vanilla. Find it on the dessert menu alongside flourless chocolate cake, which makes an excellent pairing.
“It’s a decadent but really nice moment,” Sullivan says. “Just close your eyes and let it wash over you.”
Details: Open from 4 p.m. daily at 850 College Drive, Kentfield; https://guesthousemarin.com.
The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse, Palo Alto
The bar at this modern, Japanese-influenced fine seafood restaurant takes its Irish coffee seriously. Bar director Lucas England starts with the house coffee — fruity, medium roast Le Colombe Rouge — and pairs it with light Lambay small-batch blended Irish whiskey from the island of Lambay. He adds in a quarter-ounce of demerara syrup and quickly steams the toddy to the perfect temperature in a stemmed glass. The Sea Irish Coffee ($15) is finished with a dollop of fluffy chantilly cream.
“Take a sip through that light cream and enjoy this piping hot, boozy coffee tipple,” England says.
Details: Open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 5 p.m. on Sundays at 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; https://theseausa.com.
The Buena Vista, San Francisco
There are classic Irish coffees — and then there’s the original. In 1952, Buena Vista owner Jack Koeppler and San Francisco Chronicle columnist Stanton Delaplane developed a recipe for Irish coffee inspired by a drink served at Ireland’s Shannon Airport. Today, bartenders at the world-famous restaurant near Fisherman’s Wharf start with a heat-treated goblet and triple-distilled Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey, made just for The Buena Vista. The drink also features hot Peerless Coffee, sugar and a wreath of whipped cream. How popular is the drink? They serve up to 2,000 Irish coffees ($10.50) per day.
Details: Open from 9 a.m-2 a.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. on weekends at 2765 Hyde St., San Francisco; www.thebuenavista.com.
Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill, Oakland
As part of its special menu for St. Patrick’s Day only, this renovated Lake Merritt boathouse restaurant is offering an Iced Irish Coffee ($13) made with Jameson Original, Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition, cold brew and tantalizing butterscotch whipped cream. To go with it? House-cured Corned Beef and Cabbage ($21) with savoy cabbage, mustard ale sauce and new potatoes, of course. Don’t forget the other requisite St. Paddy’s libations, including Green Beer ($8), Beach Chalet Brewery Seasonal Kölsch ($7.25) and a Spicy Shamrock Margarita ($11) featuring muddled jalapeños.
Details: Available on March 17 only. Open daily for lunch and dinner at 1520 Lakeside Drive, Oakland; www.thelakechalet.com
Bramble & Bier, Los Gatos
This German-inspired off-shoot of sister pub Jack Rose Libation House showcases quite the Sunday brunch. The menu features everything from Lemon Ricotta Pancakes ($13) to St. Helena Corned Beef Hash ($15). Pair the latter with their epic version of a Bay Area Irish coffee: It’s iced, for starters, and crafted with housemade toasted coconut syrup, Tahitian vanilla bean syrup, fresh cream and 18-hour Verve cold brew ($11). Add in Jameson Whiskey and you may never go back to the original again.
Details: Brunch served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays at 18840 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Los Gatos; www.jackrosebar.com.
