PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAWhile living in the United Kingdom I formed a love for all things Irish. To escape London’s manic pace I would regularly escape to Dublin for a long weekend and revel in the locals’ placid nature, their lyrical accents, the hearty beers and tempting fare. Unfortunately it’s not so simple to do such a thing when living in this fair state so thank goodness for the Celtic Club and all it has to offer. Established in 1887, the Celtic Club is Australia’s oldest Irish club and Melbourne’s focal point of Irish Australian culture and society.
The Tara bar is the perfect spot for a quick pint of Ireland’s finest before heading upstairs to the Shamrock Restaurant. With its low key decor and helpful staff, The Shamrock offers some old favourites such as Connemara’s lamb’s fry and bacon, comprising grilled liver nestled on a bed of creamy mash with a bacon rasher and glazed onions surrounded by peas and a rich red wine jus. For a less traditional option choose from the something different menu – perhaps the potato gnocchi tossed with smoked salmon pieces, coriander pesto, julienne of snow peas and chives, reduced in a lemon, thyme, white wine and cream sauce. An extensive wine list is offered of both Australian and international labels.
Veda Wickens, March 2007