A Holiday with a Plot Twist
I grew up hearing my grandpa talk about how the Martins were Irish. He had the family crest on the wall and it was one of those family truths that nobody questioned and everybody leaned into, especially around St. Patrick’s Day. It was not until years later, when I got into genealogy and took a DNA test, that I discovered the Martins are actually Scottish.
That is perfectly fine. The holiday has always been a good excuse to partake in a little Irish whiskey, and this year was no different.
I decided to make an evening of it. Dinner at The Tavern at Heathman Hotel followed by a Celtic concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall just a short walk away. It is the kind of downtown Portland pairing that reminds you why this city works so well when you let it.
Dinner at The Tavern
The Tavern had put together a St. Patrick’s Day special menu for the evening, and I was immediately drawn to the Braised Guinness Short Ribs. But first things first. I started with a big bowl of warm bread and Irish butter, because some traditions do not need reinventing, alongside a Run Rabbit Run cocktail, a smooth, warming mix of Jameson, Grand Marnier, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters served in a cut crystal glass. It set the tone immediately.
When the short ribs arrived, I will admit my first reaction was surprise both at the beauty and vibrant color of the plate, but also a bit of disappointment at the portion size. It looked modest on the plate, slow braised beef set over a silky carrot purée with grilled broccolini on the side. But that initial impression disappeared quickly. The meat was impossibly rich, tender and deeply flavored from the Guinness slow braise. I asked the waitress for a knife and she told me, “You won’t need it, it’s going to melt under your fork and in your mouth”. I responded, “I hope so. But I will still need to cut the Broccolini”.
Was she ever right. It reminded me of eating wagyu in the way the richness builds and stays with you. By the time I was done, I was completely full and could not have eaten another bite. The slight bitterness of the broccolini and the sweetness of the carrot purée worked together to keep the dish balanced, and my second cocktail did not hurt either.
For dessert I went with the Passion Fruit Cremoux. The presentation was striking, smooth white cream cheese-based mouse set in a cloud mold and positioned over a bed of graham cracker crumble. It was light and bright after such a rich main course, but the real surprise came halfway through when I hit a hidden layer of passion fruit gelée tucked inside. That unexpected burst of tartness elevated the whole dessert. Paired with an espresso, it was the perfect ending to dinner and the beginning of the energy I would need for part two of the evening.
The Celtic All Stars at the Schnitz
From The Tavern it was a short walk to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, which never fails to take my breath away. The ornate lobby with its marble columns, grand chandeliers, and checkerboard floors is one of Portland’s most beautiful interiors, and stepping inside always feels like an event before the event even begins.
The show was Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, and the Celtic All Stars, presented by the Oregon Symphony. Cape Breton fiddle icon Natalie MacMaster and her husband Donnell Leahy, himself an acclaimed fiddle virtuoso, brought together a remarkable group of musicians for a celebration of Celtic music and heritage. The lineup included English guitarist Tim Edey, Scottish multi-instrumentalist Ross Ainslie on pipes, whistles, and cittern, renowned Scottish vocalist Karen Matheson, Irish banjo master Enda Scahill, and their talented daughter Mary Frances.
From my front row seat, I had a perfect view for a performance that was rousing from start to finish. This was not a sit quietly and observe kind of concert. The energy was contagious. The audience was clapping, stomping, and cheering throughout. MacMaster and Leahy played off each other with an intensity and joy that filled the entire hall. There were moments of quiet beauty from Matheson’s vocals and stretches of absolute fire as the fiddles, banjo, and pipes built to a crescendo that had the crowd on their feet.
It was, in every sense, a celebration. The kind of evening where the music grabs hold of you and does not let go.
A Night Well Spent
Whether the Martins are Irish, Scottish, or some mix of both, St. Patrick’s Day in Portland delivered exactly what it should. A great meal, a great drink, and a great show in one of the most beautiful concert halls in the Pacific Northwest. Sometimes the best evenings are the simplest ones. Good food, live music, and a reason to get out the door on a Tuesday night.
Sláinte.