Arthur

Parade, St. Patrick's Day events on the tap around Morris

The following are restaurants that have announced special plans in connection with the St. Patrick's Day and today's parade:

Sona Thirteen, 13 South St., is on the parade route. Open from 9 a.m. today to 2 a.m. Sunday, this Irish American restaurant/bar will have hot dogs, salads, sandwiches (including corned beef) and a bag of chips. On St. Patrick's Day, Sona also will be open for more celebrating from 11:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. Friday.

Dublin Pub, four Pine St., (just off South Street). 38 years in Morristown, Dublin Pub is a traditional location for St. Patrick's Day festivities. Open today (parade day) at 9 a.m. until 2 a.m. Sunday, the menu features tender corned beef solo or with cabbage, fish and chips (fish can be salmon, scrod or grouper), hearty Irish stew, steaks, chops, sandwiches and burgers.

In the afternoon today and Sunday, Peter McKiernan and his band from New York will be playing. The evening features Tim Harte and his band (also from NY).

For St. Patrick's Day, Dublin Pub will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday. Lots of folks arrive early to get the Pub's hearty Irish lunch. Along with roving bagpipers, hear Marty McKiernan play some lively Irish tunes plus bluegrass, country, blues and rock music.

Grasshopper Off The Green, 41-43 Morris St. This cozy Irish pub and restaurant has traditional Irish decorations and entertainment. Today, The Cray & Dempsey Experience will play all day. On St. Patrick's Day, Paddy & the Pale Boys will be strumming and singing from noon until 10 p.m.

Dining at Grasshopper? Corned beef and cabbage with red bliss potatoes, broiled or blackened salmon with lemon thyme butter sauce, Guinness beef stew, Irish sausages with mashed potatoes, sauteed onions and brown gravy and their special "olde" Irish-style fish and chips. On the side is their fresh Irish Soda Bread.

Arthur's Tavern, 700 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains. The owners suggest people park in the spacious lot behind the restaurant, walk across the street and take the train into Morristown. Throughout the weekend and on St. Patrick's Day, the Arthur's Tavern building will be decked out in Irish colors with 1000 of balloons. On St. Patrick's Day, the traditional red-checked tablecloths will be replaced with festive Kelly green linens.

Along with the regular menu for that weekend and on St. Patrick's Day, there are "classic" St. Patrick's Day favorites: corned beef platters served with boiled cabbage, carrots, new potatoes and freshly grated horseradish; Irish lamb stew (chunks of lamb roasted and simmered with Guinness Stout, leeks, potatoes and carrots and served in a bread bowl); freshly baked soda bread with sweet cream butter; homemade split-pea soup and a variety of new specials.

Special holiday entertainment: On Sunday, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Tullamore Dew Girls (representing the "dew" or whiskey from Tullamore Ireland) will visit diners with free giveaways and special drink promotions. On St. Patrick's Day, dance to the Kevin McCardle Band's traditional Irish tunes and some rock "n roll (get there early as the restaurant becomes standing-room only after 3 p.m.). Between sets, expect visits from bagpipers and Irish step dancers. Sip some Guinness Stout or Arthur's Irish Coffee. There will be T-shirts for sale that say, "I survived St. Patrick's Day at Arthur's Tavern."