Get Your Green On

In celebration of one of the first warm days of March, my friend and I decided to drive out to the Gaslight Brewery* in South Orange for some Fish and Chips and a mid-afternoon buzz.

We found a parking space in a municipal lot just off of South Orange Ave. As we stepped out of the car, we saw, hidden behind all of the fancy storefronts of the main drag, Cryan’s Beef and Ale house.

The exterior was old and wooden. A painted white and green sign hung from the storefront beside shamrocks advertising Guinness. It was so Irishy – and so close to St. Patty’s Day. It was like stumbling upon Santa’s workshop days before Christmas. So, of course, we went there instead.

The restaurant was dimly lit, as any good bar should be, with dark wood booths, green vinyl seats, and twinkling green Christmas lights. Big flat-screen TVs were hung around the interior but, in the mid-afternoon with no sports playing, they were all turned to Fox News – blech. Where are those strongmen competitions when you need them?

The bartender took our order for a Killians and a Harp just as soon as we sat down. (Yes, of course, they have Guinness – and Sam Adams, Coors Light, Blue Moon, etc., for those of you who don’t want to get an Irish beer in an Irish bar.)

Nothing makes a beer taste better than getting to drink it at the bar of a cool little place you never knew existed - even if that bar has been in business since 1960, and located about fifteen minutes from where you’ve lived your entire life.

The menu was lengthy. It had everything from Steaks, Seafood and Pastas, to Salads, Wraps and Burgers. The Irish fare included Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash (the menu claims it’s real, imported Irish sausage), and Sheppard’s Pie. All-you-can-eat Corned Beef and Cabbage is served up on Saturdays.

We started with the Spinach Dip appetizer (I know. It’s not Irish. But my companion’s last name ends in a vowel and at least it’s green.) and decided to split the Fish and Chips for lunch. The appetizer was huge, but a bit bland – nothing some salt and pepper couldn’t fix. We were amused by the novelty of the dip being served in an edible tortilla bowl – that alone made it worthwhile.

The Fish and Chips was a perfect-sized portion for two people to split for lunch. It came with two cordless phone-sized pieces of fish, fries, cole-slaw and a pickle. The tartar sauce was tangy and creamy and the fresh-tasting fish was light and non-greasy. And all together, the bill was $30.

They seem to take St. Patrick’s Day pretty seriously here, with a full week of festivities leading up to the holiday which officially kicks-off at midnight on the 17th with the lighting of a Shamrock and a Champagne Toast.

Even if you miss out on Cryan’s 25th Annual St. Patrick’s Week, there’s still plenty of activity to keep you entertained year-round. Trivia night is every Monday at 8 p.m. – $5 to play. The master of general knowledge takes home the pot. Tuesday night is both open mic and burger night where patrons can get an Angus burger with any two toppings for only $5 and stick around for amateur singers, guitar players and comedians at 9 p.m. If you’re in the mood for music, you’ll find a DJ on Thursdays and live bands on Fridays and Saturdays.

Cryan’s Beef and Ale House
24 1st St
South Orange
(973) 763-7114

*We ended up at the Gaslight for a beer afterwards, which apparently doesn’t open until 3PM.

— by Ali Hanford
Ali is managing editor and a co-founder of GoOutJersey and lives in Essex County. She has lived in NJ her whole life.

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