Q: Where are some good Irish pubs where I can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Tom: You have plenty of options! Celebrating its tenth year, The Workman’s Friend has been a Plaza Midwood mainstay. A nice place to commemorate the wearin’ of the green with a good Irish Coffee or a nice selection of Irish whiskies to wash down a shepherd’s pie or Irish stew. Heading to Uptown gives you a few choices. RiRa’s has been keeping the faith since 1997 and offers a nice Atlantic salmon with a Jameson glaze to accompany your favorite beverage. If you can do without the food, The Belfast Mill is a straight-up bar with most likely the city’s broadest offerings of Irish whiskies, plus Connolly’s on Fifth has been pouring pints and shots (sometimes with a touch of the Blarney Stone) since 2001. If you reside outside the city (or don’t mind the drive), Mary O’Neill’s in Waxhaw is a real jewel of an old-school Irish pub offering everything from potato & leek soup to beef & stout stew to an honest-to-gosh corned beef and cabbage. Other good spots in the environs: Harp & Crown in Cornelius and Grace O’Malley’s in Matthews. Sláinte!

Q:  What’s the latest on Jonny Cox’s new restaurant? I miss his food at Fin & Fino.
Tom: Who doesn’t love Chef Jonny’s food! The Fin & Fino and Chapter 6 alum is as we speak putting the final touches on his new restaurant, Seaboy. The Cornelius eatery is slated to open on March 26 and is currently accepting reservations.

Have a question for us? Email us at editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it on our next Concierge Thursday!