LUCKY TO DISCOVER THE SHAMROCK IRISH PUB & EATERY
By Tony Reverditto
Not sure if you Sun City residents are aware that the closest Irish Pub is over in the adjacent city of Murrieta. My thinking was since it’s the month of March, paying homage to this eatery for St. Patrick’s Day would be appropriate. However, I encourage you to go all month and all year long to experience this tasty authentic pub food. The Shamrock Irish Pub & Eatery is a culmination of the vision and passion of owners—Dubliner,
Graham Judge and Mancunian, Paul Little. Graham’s lifelong ambition was to bring a true taste of authentic Irish hospitality and humor to California. He opened the first “Shamrock” in Spain in 1995 after leaving his motherland of Ireland. After a couple of visits to California, his dream came true as The Shamrock opened in December 2012. The venue is renowned for the best live music venue in the Valley which happens seven days a week with an assortment of Celtic bands and eclectic musicians every weekend.
If you are intent on getting in the spirit of things during March, the Shamrock captures the authentic Irish culture and charm from the hand-painted murals to the solid oak bar and features genuine memorabilia straight from Ireland. Guests immediately feel immersed in Irish traditions, and experience what a true Irish pub feels like.
I knew that it was going to be a fun dining experience and I was not disappointed. When one goes to a Irish Pub, once must order libations, I tried the Irish Mule a mix of Jameson, fresh squeezed lime and Goslings Ginger beer, and my guest ordered a Guinness Blonde and both were refreshing and put us right in the Irish spirit of things.
When checking out the Appetizer menu, the options were quite festive, everything from Irish Nachos, Irish Egg Rolls, Fried Cheese Curd, Chicken Tenders, Potato Skins, Fried Artichoke hearts to a Large Pretzel. I love trying chicken wings at each restaurant, so we had the Waterford Wings, Tender chicken wings tossed in your choice of our house-made Buffalo, whiskey bbq or honey mustard sauce served with celery and carrot sticks and ranch dressing and they were mouth=watering with a flavorful with Buffalo kick.
Although the menu includes an array of American soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers, we decided to stick with the traditional Irish fare available year-round. This way, I could give you Sun City readers the heads up on what to order on your visit. Well, it was no surprise that Corned Beef and Cabbage was front and center; slowly braised tender brisket served with steamed cabbage, carrots and boiled potatoes served with a side of gravy, best brisket that I have ever had. The Shamrock 50/50, half portion of large beer-battered shrimp and a large piece of fantastic beer battered fresh cod served over Shamrock Fries with house-made tartar and cocktail sauce. The hearty Irish Guinness Beef Stew, Braised beef with carrots and potatoes served with rosemary Irish soda bread was the embodiment of comfort food.
Other options include Bangers and Mash, Shepard’s Pie, Homestyle Meat Loaf, Steak Poutine, Mac n Cheese and the unexpected Corned Beef, Ahi or Blackened Shrimp Taco’s. A special shout out to the Executive Chef, Matthew Rodriquez and Chef Gabrielle Lupercio for their superior culinary expertise in preparation and presentation.
Happy Shamily Hour EVERY DAY from 3 to 5:30 pm with 20% off food & drink tab!
The Shamrock Pub & Eatery, 39252 Winchester Rd. #145, Murrieta. Reservations: 951.696.5252