If you were to look up the expression “Stick-to-your-ribs” in the dictionary, there would be a picture of this next to it:
That’s Bangers and Mash from Muldoon’s, a Midtown Irish bar. Let’s face it, no matter how health conscious you are, this is the time of year when pub favorites shine and become overwhelmingly appealing.
Take my friend Michael for instance. He was on a stick-to-your-ribs rampage this week: Pizza for lunch, steak for dinner, burger for lunch; he may have even slipped in a Shepherd’s Pie for good measure, I’m not sure.
What is it about winter weather that makes us crave hearty food? Must have something to do with our ancestors needing to consume more fat to get through the long, cold winter months (I have no idea what I’m talking about by the way).
At a recent O’Neill’s outing, Jen and Kevin dug into a salad and french onion soup.
There’s Chuck on the left, and Michael on the right, preparing to inhale, oh, about his third burger of the week.
And who am I to talk? I got a burger too, savoring every bite. It was cold out, dammit!
Right down 3rd Ave. from O’Neill’s is the laid-back and friendly Muldoon’s — just what the doctor ordered on this raw and rainy day.
Muldoon’s is doing classic Irish/English pub fare. Jenn ordered the Bangers and Mash you see up top. I debated between three of my favorites: Shepherd’s Pie, fish and chips and chicken pot pie, finally settling on the pot pie because Sean said something about it being the most hearty.
I make a low-fat version of chicken pot pie at home, and sadly for me, this one blew mine out of the water. The pastry was light and puffy, a perfect compliment to the creamy mixture of chicken, potatoes and peas. I was so hungry I should have ordered two of these.
There’s the gang after lunch. We’d come in from the cold and rain, and filled our stomachs with pub grub. What could be better?
Do you have a favorite stick-to-your-ribs dish when the weather turns cold?
O’Neill’s Irish Bar & Restaurant
729 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10017
212-661-3530
Muldoon’s Irish Pub
692 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10017
212-599-2750