Out & About

I am not just saying this, but I really do admire all Irish restaurants and the people that run them all over the United States, but Stone Street would be very hard to beat especially in the Summer. It's like an Irish Riviera right here in downtown Manhattan with plenty of bars and restaurants to chose from.

Starting with the Waterstone Grill that serves very good food and drinks with weekly events; Tuesday is for wine lovers, 1/2 price bottle of wine; Wednesday they have prime rib with a complimentary glass of red wine; Thursday they offer Corona and seafood specials and on Friday pitchers of any draft are only $17.

Our next visit was next door to the Stone Street Tavern where we went looking for Sammy O'Connor - we only just missed him by a few minutes - Stone Street Tavern also serves up some great special events on Mondays; $10 Beer & Burger night (domestic draft only); Tuesday is Guinness & Oyster Night; Wednesday is Ladies Night - half price Cosmos and Apple Martinis.

Still moving on we again stopped at Beckett's to see Noel McDermott and Ronan Downes who are always very gracious when we walk in. The staff are superb headed up by manager Irene Deehan who is always on the ball from the outdoor restaurant to the customers inside - that girl never stops. Irene has great backup with Monika Moss and Ailish Rockdeschel both at the bar and the tables.

Paid another visit to see Tom Ryan and Paul O'Connor in Mad Dog and Beans Mexican Cantina that is Irish-owned and what a fine place it is.

We then went in to see Danny McDonnell and his partner Michael Jewell (I hope we got this right for you Michael) at Ulysses - a great atmosphere and as I said last week it is the longest bar in New York. The two boys are involved in a few Irish pubs and Taverns around the city with Puck Fair, Swifts, Harry's and Gold Street Diner on Gold street right in the heart of Wall Street - good on you lads.

P. D. Hurley's on Pier 84 at 44th Street and 12th Avenue is the new hangout after work as you can eat and drink right on the pier looking onto the Hudson River and all its splendor and across at the New Jersey skyline. Paul Hurley the owner is also the owner of P. D. Hurley's on 72nd Street on the west-side of Manhattan, a very nice little Irish Pub to bring your friends to for a pint and some fish and chips - you can tell Paul that we sent you.

The Galway Hooker was hopping last Friday when we called in for lunch and there to greet us was none other then Cameran Kass the lovely lady that pulls the pints behind the bar with that beautiful smile, she is always charming.

The EURO 2008 Final last Sunday was breathtaking as it finished with Spain winning over Germany by beating them 1-0. Every bar and restaurant was packed to capacity with fans from many countries around the world cheering on both teams. Nevada Smiths closed its doors an hour before the game started and I am sure others in the city did the same.

You have to visit Jones Beach Theater for one of the Nikon Summer 2008 concerts presented by Live Nation - they are celebrating their 25th Anniversary. We were at the Stevie Nicks concert last Saturday night and it was a blast, she is singing better that ever since her days with Fleetwood Mac. The gig was just great and what a band she had behind her, they were brilliant. Look for other shows to come such as Motley Crue, John Mayer, Yes, The Police, Jethro Tull, Rod Stewart, Jimmy Buffett and lots more - check them out at livenation.com.

A few other bars and restaurants you should visit are Langan's on west 47th Street where I know Des O'Brien will give you a big welcome. Across the street you have the Pig 'N' Whistle where Pat Burke runs a fine store with a very nice atmosphere. Also Tracks Raw Bar & Grill downstairs in Penn Station, waiting at the door for you will be Michael O'Brien and at the other end you will find Bruce Caufield.

If you are near Rockefeller Center stop into top Irish pub Channel 4 on West 48th Street where you can catch up with Eugene and do not forget to call in to see Cormac McCormack at O'Brien's Irish Pub off Times Square on West 44th Street what a lively place to be seen.

Have a great 4th of July - enjoy the fireworks!