When you think of eating downtown in the Twin Cities, do you think of Minneapolis first? Come on, be honest? Maybe you think of St. Paul, but I wonder how many do. You really need to if you don’t.  St. Paul has a lot to offer beyond the Excel Energy Center, the St. Paul Science Museum and the Ordway Theater. It has a good number of places to eat as well. One of which is The Liffey, just kitty corner from the Excel Energy Center.

Frickles

The Liffey is one of 4 pubs operated by Cara Irish Pubs. The others are Cooper in St. Louis Park, The Local & Kieran’s in downtown Minneapolis. It’s got a nice and comfortable feel inside when you arrive. Even though it’s attached to the Holiday Inn in St. Paul, you don’t necessarily notice or “feel” that. Back in July of 2011, it was given fresh look inside and out, and so you have a number of seating options available to you to choose from. If  you’re looking for something private or secluded, there’s the “Nook” space which provides you with a more intimate space to eat and talk in for a small group. Then there’s the booths along the windows that you can eat at, similar looking and feel as if you were riding on a train.  There are also some high-stools and counters near the piano area for another kind of eating and social engagement with other fellow customers.

A 1/2 order of Fish

As an Irish Pub, they have a good deal of brews and drinks for you to try, as well as a good number of menu options sure to fill your appetite, whether your looking for a little or a lot to eat.  On my lunchtime visit, I tried a 1/2 order of their fried fish with an order of their “frickles”, deep fried sweet-pickle chips.  What a treat!  The fish is good with a nice coating on i,t so that the fish had good flavor and was great for dipping into the tartar sauce that’s provided. The lightly oiled salad that came along with it was also very tasty and fresh. Next were the “frickles”. I would HIGHLY recommend them for your first or next visit to The Liffey. They’re sweet, juicy and delicious. Especially with the dipping sauce that comes with the oder. They’re sliced a little bit on the thick side for me, I’d actually prefer them to be a little thinner, but the taste was great!

The look, feel and the food at The Liffey shouldn’t be missed. So the next time you’re in or near downtown St. Paul, give The Liffey a try. Your stomach with thank you!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of Kieran Folliard. He will be using @TheLocalMPLS as his Twitter account. Lets begin!

Q – #1    To begin, this week is the launch of your new whiskey, #2gingers. What led to it’s development?

Kieran: Five years of being the #1 Jameson account in the world and the success of our trademarked drinks Big and Skinny Ginger gave us (con’t)

the opportunity to partner with Coolery Distillery in Ireland.

Q – #2    Had the thought/dream of the #2gingers been something on your mind to do for some time?

Kieran: You don’t have to be Irish to think launching your own whiskey brand seems like an interesting journey!

Q – #3    When will the #2gingers be available for the public to try?

Kieran: The christening of 2 Gingers will be at 5pm on Wednesday the 16th @TheLocalMpls. Then 530pm @KieransMPLS (con’t)

then 6pm @CooperIrishPub and 7pm @The_Liffey. There will be bagpipers, whiskey barrels and flame throwers. :)

With a free 2 Gingers for everyone (21+) at each pub!

Q – #4    I see. For those new to your establishments, what 2 featured drinks will the #2gingers be an ingredient in?

Kieran: Our featured drinks have become trademarked. They are the Big Ginger and the Skinny Ginger. Very simple yet egalitarian.

Fill collins glass with ice, 2 oz of Two Gingers, fill with ginger ale and garnish with a wedge of lemon and lime slice!

Q – #5    You first came onto the scene with @KieransMPLS. In a crowded food/drink scene in Mpls, what made you try?

Kieran: loved sitting in pubs drinking pints and talking rubbish. Why not punch the clock everyday?

Q – #6    I read in a @MNMOmag article that not only is the product important to you, but also your personnel. Can you explain?

Kieran: As an independent pub business, any product such as 2 Gingers or Green Ox that comes from us internally (con’t)

and is of high quality, all of us collectively feel a personal connection to it. We’re all part of the story. (con’t)

And with that comes a certain sense of pride which we all take ownership of.

Q – #7    Kudos to you! It seems like more companies that treat employees well have a good retention of them! True for you?

Kieran: Absolutely! We have colleagues who have been with us for 17 years @KieransMPLS, 7 ppl who have been with us for 10+ yrs

now have ownership in the company. And hopefully we’ll have many more to come.

Q – #8    Great format to ask this – Do you have any job openings at either of your 4 locations?

Kieran: We’re always looking for friendly people! Stop in and say you’re related to the 2 Gingers!

Q – #9    Nice. We’ll be ending soon, but you mentioned a product called #GreenOx earlier. Can you explain what that is?

Kieran: #GreenOx is our partnership with chef Mike Phillips. He purchases local pigs and lambs. He produces a wide variety of (cont)

charcuterie and sausage. Currently they’re on the menus at all 4 pubs, but hopefully they’ll be available in the (cont)

retail market with the next year or so.

@JoelECarlson – Thank you so much @TheLocalMpls (Kieran Folliard) for your time, comments and care that you bring to the Twin Cities! Excellent!

Kieran: Thank you for the opportunity to share. We hopefully see you on Wednesday for the big 2 Gingers launch!