By: Yousef Chaparian
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner! Celebrate your first St. Patrick’s Day in Toronto in over 3 years!
Enjoy beer, craft ale, and amazing food at Granite Brewery and The Belsize Public House. There are many places to be this St. Patrick’s Day, but why not make it even more special by celebrating it alongside our local restaurants at Mount Pleasant Village?
Every St. Patrick’s Day, green (the colour of Irish independence) blankets cities for a day. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day was historically associated with the church. Now, it’s Ireland’s National Holiday celebrated by people all over the world on March 17. Come together to celebrate Irish culture!
Granite Brewery & Tied House (245 Eglinton Ave E.)
Come visit Granite Brewery this St. Patrick’s Day! Indoor & patio dining are open! The perfect location near Eglinton Avenue, this is the place to be in Midtown. They have a cozy interior that will make you feel incredibly welcome. Come celebrate in the afternoon and carry on the festivities well into the night with live music. Their Keefe’s Irish Stout is perfect for the occasion. The food here goes above and beyond what you’d normally be served in a pub.
In 1980, Kevin Keefe opened the first brewpub in Nova Scotia. He trained with Peter Austin and Allen Pugsley to further his brewing experience. “Real ale” was seen as un-Canadian at first. As more people began to visit Keefe’s brewpub, the popularity of craft beer kicked off. Granite Brewery opened up in 1991, when Kevin and his brother Ron brought their brewpub idea to Toronto. Since then, they have transformed what craft brewery means in Canada.
Today, Granite Brewery is an independent craft brewery owned and operated by the Keefe family. Ron’s daughter, Mary Beth is now the brewery’s brewmaster.
Granite Brewery offers plenty of choices from food to beer. These are the must-try food menu items:
1. Mediterranean Lamb Burger: Homemade lamb burger with tzatziki, bacon, sautéed onions, jalapenos and feta cheese on a Kaiser bun. For both burgers, you can add your burger toppings including cheddar cheese, onion rings, and bacon.
2. Fish & Chips: Haddock dipped in Ringwood ale batter served with fries, a side of coleslaw and tartar sauce. They are available in 1 or 2 pieces.
3. Chicken Wings and Fries (1 or 2 pounds): Crispy, fried roaster wings dipped in Stout BBQ sauce with fries. Also available in medium, hot, suicide, honey garlic or Jerk sauce.
Granite Brewery offers more than 10+ beer options. They come in Granite O.G Ales, Granite Classics, Granite Real Ale (Cask Conditioned), Seasonal, and FVX Series. Here is a snippet of what they carry:
1. Keefe’s Irish Stout (Granite O. G. Ale): Served from a stout, has a malty flavour, with chocolate and coffee notes
2. Ringwood (Granite Classic): A classic blonde ale, it incorporates Ringwood yeast
3. Ringberry (Granite Classic): Made of fruited Ringwood, chug down this raspberry classic
If you aren’t able to celebrate in person, Granite Brewery does delivery and pickup. Don’t forget—Granite Brewery also ships beer across Ontario! You can order their beer here for delivery or pickup.
The Belsize Public House (535 Mount Pleasant Rd.)
Come visit another great local pub at Mount Pleasant. Located at the corner of Mount Pleasant Rd. and Belsize Dr., The Belsize Public House is excited to host you this St. Patrick’s Day! Come on down to this rustic pub for craft ale and pub-style food. It fits just right for the occasion.
The atmosphere is inviting and friendly, perfect to make acquaintances with the people around you.
In the interior of the restaurant, you can’t miss their daily specials written across a huge chalkboard! Don’t be fooled by their simple menu. There are plenty of delicious options to choose from. Have a pint of beer, and bite down on a burger! There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options as well.
At The Belsize Public House, here are the must-try menu items:
1. Mac & Cheese: Served with bread crumb toppings, greens & honey dijon vinaigrette
2. Braised Lamb Shank: Served with mushroom barley risotto and rapini, this makes for a pretty hefty meal
3. Hoser Burger: This burger is big! Prepared with 8 oz. of house-ground Angus beef, peameal bacon, and cheddar.
You also can’t go wrong with delicious starters such as sweet potato fries and poutine!
There are plenty of beer options to try as well! Black Cat Stout, Muskoka Great Lakes Lager, and Amber Ale.
If you are in the mood for wine instead, not to fret. They serve white wine, red wine, sparkling wine. Have a glass of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Spark, and celebrate in style.
Conclusion:
Mount Pleasant Village is excited to see you in person this St. Patrick’s Day! Come on down to your local pub, have a beer, and have some comfort food. Granite Brewery and The Belsize Public House are just some Mount Pleasant staples to visit!
Be in high spirits when you celebrate together with your family and friends. Happy St. Patrick’s Day Toronto!
Call to Artists – 2023 Large Mural at 542 Mt Pleasant Rd
Apply by June 23rd to have a large Murals at Mount Pleasant Village BIA. Learn [...]
24
May
May
The Ultimate Ways to Feel Refreshed for Spring in Mount Pleasant Village
The Ultimate Ways to Feel Refreshed for Spring in Mount Pleasant Village [...]
27
Apr
Apr
Which one came first? Mount Pleasant Cemetery or our Main Street?!
Which one came first? Read on to learn the connection between Mount Pleasant Cemetery and [...]
19
Apr
Apr
A Village’s Gem – Mabel’s Fables
The history of a neighbourhood gem. Check out Mabel's Fables' history, legacy and how it [...]
19
Apr
Apr
Prams, Parties, Parades! A Midtown History of Fun
On a hot day in July 1930, people were on the streets to party and [...]
19
Apr
Apr
Sweet Shopping on Mount Pleasant
Got a sweet tooth? If you do, Mount Pleasant is the place for you since [...]
14
Apr
Apr
Then & Now: Mount Pleasant in the 1930s
Then & Now: check the before and after photos of Mount Pleasant Rd from the [...]
14
Apr
Apr
Reflecting on Mount Pleasant in the Pandemic
Resiliency in hard times: Mount Pleasant Rd has been steadfast since the beginning. Learn more [...]
14
Apr
Apr