By Kitty Jay
FoodConnect New York
myhusbandhatesveggies@yahoo.com

Walking into Molly’s Shebeen feels like walking into a great big hug…a big hug that’s followed by a perfectly poured pint of Guinness. Who could pass up a hug like that? Certainly not this Irish lass. Far from the corporate-conceived, shiny faced “Irish” pubs that fill shopping malls across the country, Molly’s is the real deal. Sawdust covered floors lead to lop sided wooden booths, complete with initial filled hearts etched into the tables. Aim for a spot by the cozy fireplace in the colder months, but even year round, the spirit of this little gem is sure to soothe the weary soul.

The cuisine is delightfully unaffected pub fare. A warmed basket of fresh Irish Soda Bread precedes the ale battered Fish & Chips ($16), providing a generous serving of perfectly crisped cod. The Lamb Stew ($16) tastes like the kitchen opened early so they could slow cook it all day long, just for you. Molly’s boasts “the best burgers in NY”, and them’s fighting words in this town…but it’s hard to argue after biting into a juicy Cheddar Burger ($10) charred to a perfect medium-rare. And did I mention the fries? You can be sure that these fresh-cut babies have never seen the inside of a freezer.

Molly’s also offers specials, and it’s still the stick-to-your-ribs pub fare that hits the mark. Try the Blackened Pork Chops ($17) or nightly fish offering whilst you wash it down with a pint of one of their many tap brews, including Harp, Murphy’s Stout, or the sometimes hard-to-find Smithwick’s. Personally, this redhead can’t imagine settling for anything less than that perfect pint of Guinness.

Molly’s Shebeen
287 3rd Ave, Manhattan
212-889-3361
www.mollysshebeen.com

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