St. Patricks Day Crawl: Green Roses and Corned Beef

Slainte! Top of the mornin' to ya! Happy St. Patrick's Day! Erin Go Bragh!

It's one of my favorite days of the year. It wasn't always and it happened slowly, but now there is no doubt, I absolutely love St. Patrick's Day.

There's a little Irish in my blood. I've got the pale skin and a red tint to my hair to prove it, but within the last few years, I've fallen in love with the music, the comedy, the food, the Guinness and the fun.

I got a little taste of St. Patrick's Day last weekend in Traverse City where I attended the Irish Comedy Tour (it was fantastic) and sampled an Irish Stout.

I wasn't the only one celebrating early as the hosted a St. Patrick's Day Practice Party on March 12 and the had live Irish music from Riley McLincha on the same day.

Now I'm craving more green. So follow me all day long as I check out the St. Patrick's Day scene in the Fenton area. Leave comments below and let us know what you are doing, whether you are going out or doing something interesting at home.

Slainte!

8:30 a.m. - Turned on the Irish (and Scottish) music that I've been listening to for a week. My favorite tune is The Dirty Glass by the Dropkick Murphys also the hilarious Under the Scotman's Kilt.

9:oo a.m. - Couldn't find a place with a traditional Irish breakfast, so I decided to make one myself. A typical Irish breakfast would consist of bacon (rashers), sausages (bangers), black and white pudding (sausage, oatmeal, spices, pig's blood in the black version) eggs, beans in tomato sauce, potatoes and Irish soda bread.

I skipped the pudding. Pig's blood wasn't on sale this week. Also skipped the Irish coffee and went with green tea.

11:00 a.m. - Looking for some Irish grub? has an Irish buffet available from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. All you can eat Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage, corned beef hash, potatoes and sweet potatoes all for $7.95.

11:30 a.m. - I observed a young man wearing a green plaid shirt and green bandana on his head with Irish music blasting from his convertible cruising down Silver Lake Road.

11:45 a.m. - designer Diana Gavey puts the finishing touches on a St. Patrick's Day bouquet, including green roses, carnations and bells of Ireland. The shop has also sold several shamrock plants this morning.

12:30 p.m. - Look's like the party hasn't started at quite yet, but the lunch crowd had their choice of several Irish specials, including corned beef on rye for $6.99, Irish stew for $3.99 and shepherd's pie for $7.99.

Employees were decked in green and Irish music could be heard over the speaker system.

1:15 p.m. - While the is known more for its French flair, the establishment has embraced St. Patrick's Day as well. The eatery is offering a corned beef sandwich with red potatoes and carrots for $17.95. They also have several stouts on tap, including Founders Brewing Company's (Grand Rapids) famous Breakfast Stout. I'll come back later for one of those.

1:20 p.m. - Kathy Davis, wearing a green sweater and Jamie Davis, wearing a green striped shirt, take a break from work to enjoy St. Patrick's Day at the French Laundry. Jamie enjoyed corned beef sandwich and an Irish Stout.

2:00 p.m. - Jessica Smith, of Grand Blanc, Chad Brizendine, of Flint, and Shelly Hilton, of Fenton, continued their traditional St. Patrick's Day celebration at . Brizendine shows off his $3 green pants he bought at Goodwill. Smith sips here green Irish gin and tonic.

"We do this every year," Hilton said. "It's a lot of fun."

The trio said they started the celebration around 10 a.m.

2:2o p.m. - The crowd at Legends seems to be picking up. Several people enjoying the nice weather outdoors on the patio. Irish music on the speakers, Guinness on tap.

2:45 p.m. - Steve "Rolli" Rollier, 42, of Fenton, sits at , wearing a tall leprechaun hat.

He once saw it in a friend's closet and said  "I have to have that."

His friend agreed, but only if Rollier would where the hat every St. Patricks Day for the rest of his life. So for the last decade of so, Rollier has honored the agreement. He sat at Thursday afternoon, wearing the hat, beads and a flashing shamrock necklace.

"I love it," Rollier said. "I'm Irish."

3:00 p.m. - There was as small crowd at Mo Doggie's, but action is likely to pick up later tonight. The bar will feature live Irish rock starting at 7 p.m., $1 drafts, $3 Guinness pints (until 7 p.m.) and other Irish food and cocktail specials.

3:45 p.m. - I'm taking a break from the scene for awhile, enjoying a corned beef sandwich and watching Boondock Saints.

6:00 p.m. - I told you I'd be back for the Founders Breakfast Stout at the French Laundry. Its so rare and popular, its likely to only last on tap a day, maybe two. It's has a very strong flavor, but its delicious.

7:00 p.m. - The is rocking. The place is packed with people dressed in green. Good luck finding a parking spot...and a seat.

7:30 p.m. - The atmosphere is a little more laid back at . Only a few people inside, but Irish music playing and green beer available. Bartender Heidi Clark is wearing a headband that looks like a tiny leprechaun cap.

9:00 p.m. - Retiring for the evening to celebrate another kind of green, Michigan State. Go Spartans! 

Let me know how the rest of the St. Patrick's Day celebration goes!

Slainte!

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