The Greater Boston area is slathered with so-called “Irish” bars and restaurants. And while most anyone can learn to use a spoon to pour a Guinness or to have pictures of Joyce and O’Shea on the walls, it takes a wee bit more to make an authentic or even a good Irish venue.
With years of experience laid down by its siblings in Foxboro and Lexington, the “modern” Irish bar known as Waxy’s (www.waxys.com) has been dropping pots of gold at the end of rainbows in Brookline and Kingston (with more on the way).
With a name that bespeaks lucky events, Waxy’s combines scratch-made food, crafted cocktails with a comfy but not kitschy atmosphere, that unites the best of Irish pub fare with the latest farm-to-table faves in a way that make it perfect for “waxy” moments before or after a game (see especially Brookline and Foxboro locations), or to meet friends, family, or friends and family who are not yet such.
Speaking of atmosphere, Waxy’s walls were drafted in Ireland by Creative Director John Kaye, using European sourced materials and manufacturing skills, including bespoke light fittings and art by Irish artist Nicky Hooper. From the tiled ceilings and open wooden bar that allows views through the flat screens and (more importantly) people on the other side to the open outdoor patios and reservable semi-private “snugs,” the place is meant to instill and inspire comfort and conversation, the latter of which is often interrupted by the sound of “Yummm!”
If the sound of people having fun and enjoying great food is not what you are into, Waxy’s offers reservable semi-private “snugs” and glassed-off event spaces that are great for more intimate affairs or just to keep your fun separate from everyone else’s. No matter where you sit, however, there will be a flat screen in sight, coffered ceilings with neon accents overhead, rich woods underneath, and lots of satisfied smiles all around. In season(especially baseball season), the patio is another great place to take in the flavors of Waxy’s while also enjoying the sights and sounds of the neighborhood.
The menu (which was designed by Sean Sullivan and created and executed by chef Randi Rose) includes such modern Irish twists as Magners Irish cider-seared salmon and Smithwick’s ale battered redfish (and chips), the authentic Scotch egg and Good Shepard’s pie, as well as more domestic (but no less interesting) offerings including their eight-ounce Maine grass-fed burger with melted Irish cheddar and North Country Smokehouse bacon and the slow-braised corned beef Reuben with freshly grated horseradish, sauerkraut and homemade Thousand Island dressing. Those with smaller appetites or those who want to start with one setoff flavors and proceed from there may enjoy the grilled Caesar and roasted root veggie salads, the red pepper hummus plate, the flat iron steak with horseradish crema, and the trio of corned beef, pork, and cheeseburger sliders. If you are feeling a bit flat, Waxy’s flatbreads (each of which is named for an Irish area) can be a great pick-me-up, offering such exciting combinations as mushroom and kale, steak, figs, apples, and feta, or chorizo with pink peppercorns. And be sure to get an order of the lightly-fried, deeply delicious pickle spears that are artfullypi8ledlike edible Lincoln Logs but taste much better!
On the liquid side, Waxy’s offers three sizes of over 40 taps (all of which are organized by type for easy flight assembly and adventures) , as well as a raft of traditional favorites (e.g., Dark n’ Stormy, Manhattan, Sidecar, etc.) and clever craft cocktails. There are also an international collection of wines (including large formats) and a separate Irish Whiskey menu(!).When the meal is winding down, keep the delicious fun going by ordering an Irish coffee or other cordial alongside their famed Irish cheesecake, made-to-order Guinness molten chocolate cake or cheese board, all of which are as artful and satisfying as everything else.
So if you want to catch the game or raise your game (at least when it comes to so-called “pub” food) Waxy’s will have you waxing poetic and telling (and taking) all your friends.