Before the Date…
After a long journey across the Atlantic many immigrants arrived on the shores of America awaiting open arms and a land of plenty. For some that was the case, for many it was an uphill battle in a land of promised freedom. It’s now time for you to turn the tides on your own modern day tale of arriving in a new land to eat, drink, and dine. Because here the locals have out stretched arms wishing you “100,000 Welcomes”.
So gather your friends and head to South Pasadena to turn it into a small Irish town just for the day.
St0p #1: 4pm
Local Tasting
in a curated wine shop
What to Know
Pre-Plan: The easiest, and cheapest, way to get here is by taking the Metro Gold Line. Exit at the South Pasadena Station. From Union Station it’s about 20 minutes.
Owner Chris Meeske opened this bottle shop in 2004 after stints as a sommelier at hish end restaurants Charlie Trotters in Chicago, Patina in LA, and Highlands Inn in Carmel.
The wine bar is open Wed-Sun with tastings for $15. On Wednesdays it’s 1/2 price tastings til 6pm, Friday Flights til 6:30pm, and Super Saturday with 5 wine tastings and oysters from Shucks Oyster Co. on 2nd and 4th Saturdays til 6pm.
They often serve beer tastings on Super Saturdays, but may not be available. Call ahead if you’re a beer drinker. Regardless, there is a fridge full of craft beers you can drink.
St0p #2: 5:15pm
Family Supper
in a local gathering place
What to Know
This restaurant opens at 4pm. You’ll absolutely have the pick of the litter so take advantage of the great service.
Happy hour is Tue-Sat from 4-6pm with $6 wine, $4 beers, and food under $9.
What to order: Deviled eggs, their cheesy burger, and the pork roast.
Option to come earlier: They have a great brunch til 2pm. Bring all the times of the date down by 3 hours.
St0p #3: Post Tasting
100,000 Welcomes
from the griffin family
What to Know
In true Irish fashion the Griffins of Griffins of Kinsale run this bar in true Irish family fashion. All 11 brothers and sisters have or are currently working here.
When you enter the bar, look up. You’ll see the words “Céad Míle Fáilte”, an Irish greeting meaning “One Hundred Thousand Welcomes”.
After the bar look to the right on the wall. There you’ll see a picture of mother Griffin playing a piano and father Griffin on a horse. This is a picture of him acting in the Lonesome Dover series. Both thesbians they left the stage and screen to open this bar.
Live music is Wed-Sat nights setting up perfectly with the tastings from Mission Wines. The lineup is Wed, Irish Traditional starting at 8pm, Thur, Blues starting at 8pm, and Fri-Sat, Irish/Contemporary starting at 9pm.
This is a great DTC for St. Patrick’s Day! Start with brunch at Communal, grab a tasting at Mission Wines, then end with the party at Griffins.