Clarke's Irish Pub on South Beach celebrates 7 years with new food, drink menu

By Galena Mosovich8/24/2012

Longevity is rare in South Beach, but one local hangout is getting better with age. On Sept. 5, Clarke’s Irish Pub will celebrate its seventh anniversary with the launch of a new menu and a long-overdue signature cocktail list.

What many regulars call “a classic New York-style saloon,” Clarke’s is a go-to for an abundance of high-end spirits, lots of Guinness, and a proper bite to eat. It’s a welcoming spot nestled in the chic South of Fifth neighborhood. It’s known for standards like the Irish Breakfast on Sundays (complete with killer black and white pudding) and Lobster Night on Wednesdays, where it’s common to find people lining up to get a table.

Laura Cullen, owner of Clarke’s, is no stranger to the restaurant business. Her father had one for 42 years in New York. He once told her that the best decoration in a restaurant is the people. So, to keep her people coming back, she’s giving them something new to crave. Look out for the Baked Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and onion gravy, the Hot and Sour Short Ribs with kimchee slaw, and the Cider Glazed Pork Belly Sliders.

This is the restaurant’s first signature drinks menu and Cullen says it pays homage to the great cocktail gurus and industry folks that have sat at her bar during the past seven years. As a certified sommelier and a BAR graduate (a coveted title in the mixology world), Cullen makes a mean drink and is eager to share her creations with Clarke’s lovers. Like most perfectionists, she’s struggling to choose seven cocktails out of a list of 32 that will grace the new menu. She assures us that the style will be “very much in line with the vibe at Clarke’s -- classic, approachable, and high quality. “

When asked about her favorite drink on the new list, she said, “Does a mother admit to having a favorite child?”

She eventually divulged and told us that her favorite is the “Irish Complex,” a whiskey cocktail stirred with Bushmill’s and Mandarine Napoleon liqueur that will be served on tap. That means that they will literally be drawing the liquid through a tap system, which is an emerging trend at cocktail bars across the country.

The official launch party is set for Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 7 – 10 p.m., featuring $7 cocktails and $7 small plates from the new menu.

- Galena Mosovich is the lead writer for cocktail culture for Miami.com

CLARKE'S NEW MENU
Breads
Irish Soda Bread whipped butter    4.95
Soft Pretzel spicy brown mustard    4.95
Mini Baguettes chili olive oil    4.95

Sláinte
Snacking Olives    7.95
Mixed Spiced Nuts    7.95
Tuna Tataki
wakame salad teriyaki sauce    16.95
Buffalo Style Chicken Wings
blue cheese dressing celery sticks    12.95
Barbecued Chicken Drums
buttermilk ranch dipping sauce    12.95
Cider Glazed Pork Belly Sliders   
crispy onions                    12.95
Guinness Braised Beef Sliders
cheddar cheese    16.95

Peckish
Irish Spring Rolls
grainy mustard sauce    9.95
Crispy Calamari
spicy marinara    11.95
Chilled Gazpacho    5.95
Slow Roasted Onion Soup
irish ale broth melted cheese    6.95
Clarke's Chopped Salad    10.95
Baby Romaine Caesar Salad    10.95
Mixed Greens Salad    8.95
Toasted Chick Pea Hummus    9.95
Spinach and Artichoke Dip    9.95
Macaroni and Cheese    8.95

Famished
Grilled Hanger Steak
grilled corn bread chipotle chimichurri    16.95
Baked Meatloaf
mashed potatoes and onion gravy    16.95
Shepherd's Pie    14.95
Hot and Sour Short Ribs
kimchi slaw    16.95
Herb Roasted Chicken
roasted corn salad    18.95
Grilled Atlantic Salmon
wilted spinach orange and fennel vinaigrette    18.95
Pub Style Fish and Chips
tartar sauce    18.95
Littleneck Clams with Chorizo and Marinara
garlic toast    18.95

Sandwiches
Clarke's Burger    12.95
Turkey Burger    10.95
Corned Beef Reuben    14.95

Sides
French Fries    4.95
Truffle Parmesan Fries    5.95
Sweet Potato Fries    4.95
Onion Rings    4.95
Mashed Potatoes    4.95
Roasted Brussels Sprouts    5.95
Wilted Spinach    4.95
Creamy Cole Slaw    3.95
Steamed Jasmine Rice    4.95

Desserts
Irish Whiskey Bread Pudding    8
Chocolate Brownie Sundae    8
Apple Cobbler vanilla ice cream    8
Rice Pudding Crème Brûlée    8
Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream    6