Dreams of gold: How Barry Lynch went from Ireland to Gracie Mansion to the Poconos
It’s not all about shamrocks and green beer.
Think of it as a smidgen of Irish luck when you talk to restauranteur Barry Lynch about how the natives really celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
From musings about his upbringing as a young lad in Galway to the first time he sampled America’s take on Irish eats, his stories (paired with brogue and a hearty laugh) are both endearing and entertaining.
“It’s totally different in America than when I grew up in Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day was a holy day of obligation. You would go to Mass and local small towns would have a parade with a local band. It was very low key and was considered more of a family day. Since I left Ireland it’s become very Americanized. Like they do in America, it’s turned into a big party day.”
Barry Vera, who presented on the Discovery Channel, is co-owner of the company behind the plans A NEW restaurant faces opposition after applying for a drinks licence in The Lanes in Brighton. Paragon Hospitality wants to convert the former Cath Kidston shop in East Street into a steak restaurant, offering breakfast and traditional afternoon tea. The premises is next to English’s Oyster Bar and the Sussex Arms. The company, owned by Adam Elliott and TV chef Barry Vera, operates the Petrichor Restaurant at London’s Cavendish Hotel and the Hideout Bar and Grill in Manchester. Mr Vera presented the Feast series on the Discovery Channel.
Holiday Weekday Matinee:
Thursday, Dec. 10
Bad Santa & the Angry Elves
Raunchy holiday covers. 7 p.m., $25-$70 per table. The Hideaway Bar, 516 Virginia Drive, facebook.com/hideawaybarfl
Front Porch Concerts: Per Danielsson Quartet The Plaza Live runs a weekly series of outdoors weekend warm-up shows starring a stellar cast of local musicians. This week s headliner is crack jazz outfit the Per Danielsson Quartet. 6 p.m., $15-$135. Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., plazalive.org
Frontyard Festival: Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires This performance by the powerhouse Americana couple of Isbell and Shires is one of the crown jewels of the Frontyard Festival lineup so far. 8 p.m., $55-$175. Dr. Phillips Center, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., drphillipscenter.org