Tonight we were at Fionn MacCool’s, a new Irish bar chain taking up home from the Irish bar that once held this space, and all its Irish pub predecessors.
Fionn MacCool already has a successful reputation in Toronto and Alberta, belonging to the same parent group as Milestones.
Our visit coincided with St. Patrick’s Day and we were able to try their limited time only menu in celebration of the occasion.
No green beer, but there were pints of Guinness and Jameson Green Tea Shots. The latter was a mix of Jameson, Peach Schnapps, and Sweet & Sour Mix. These were great party starters, with the latter being especially easy to shoot back.
As for St. Patty’s Day themed food, we loved the Guinness Jalapeño Cheddar Bread. A warm and still steaming, freshly baked, handmade Guinness jalapeño cheddar bread, served with a garlic Parmesan dip. Soft and chewy, this was satisfying to maw through with a good amount of cheese and spice.
The Beef & Cheese Croquettes was a blend of ground beef, mozzarella cheese, mashed potatoes, and panko breadcrumbs. Each ball fried until golden brown, tossed in a signature spice blend, and served with a curry ketchup dip. It was like eating shepherds pie with extra crunch, and the unique heat of curry, hidden within a tangy ketchup.
And the Spice Bag is a popular Irish dish inspired by Chinese cuisine. Like a poutine it is fries and gravy, plus a whole bunch of extras. Hand-breaded buttermilk chicken tenders, crisp French fries, and roasted peppers and onions. All tossed in a pub spice blend, and served in a paper bag that you can use to further shake up the fries, once you pour over the side of curry gravy. Bold and flavourful this was fries that ate like a full meal.
The following are other Irish dishes we tried on their regular menu. The Guinness Steak & Mushroom Stew is 100% Canadian beef and button mushrooms braised in a rich Guinness gravy and topped with creamy mashed potato. Served with two mini Yorkshire pudding bowls that you can use to scoop your stew into. It also comes with your choice of sides. We went for the easy to share fries. This was similar to the shepherd’s pie below with beef and mashed potatoes, but just with more vegetables instead of mushrooms.
Traditional Shepherd’s Pie with 100% Canadian beef, green peas, corn, and carrot. Together simmered in a rich gravy and topped with creamy mashed potato. This comes with a house salad on the side. I just thought this another homey and filling beefy stew with potatoes.
I liked all the glazes and sauces on menu made with spirits, like these Jameson Honey Garlic Bites. Hand breaded boneless chicken, Jameson infused honey garlic sauce, sesame seeds, and green onion. Finger licking sticky, in a good way. No bones, this was all white meat, which felt incomplete as a whole dish. I found myself mixing it to other dishes as an add-on, like the ones below.
The Mini Yorkies felt like a repeat and merger of three of the dishes above. Four mini Yorkshire pudding bowls, pub made Shepherd’s Pie filling, and creamy mashed potatoes. At this point this felt redundant and we should have been more discerning in our ordering.
Our server recommended their Famous Wings, and I am glad she did. With a name like that, you would assume it might be an exaggeration. However, each piece had plenty of sauce coating fairly large wings and drumlets. These delivered. Pub-marinated in their special blend of beer and spices, served with carrot and celery sticks. We got them in a tangy, bright Buffalo alongside a blue cheese dip. No complaints and I would order them again.
In closing, this is a great spot to grab some drinks at and to celebrate any occasion. Pub food that is a notch up from most.
Fionn MacCool’s
1601 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2W5
(604) 336-3768
fionnmaccools.com
